This includes the fist, forearm, elbow, shoulder, hip, thigh, knee, and foot to deliver a powerful blow in close range.

According to most common etymology, bajiquan was originally called baziquan (耙子拳; 'rake fists/boxing') because the fists, held loosely and slightly open, are used to strike downwards in a rake-like fashion.

This was considered a more apt and noteworthy description of the style, because it suggests the ability to achieve great things.However, this etymology is not universally accepted.

Wu Zhong is said to have been born in Houzhuangke before returning to settle with the main branch of his family in the village of Mengcun, Hebei province.

His prowess earned him the nickname "god of the spear", as well as being recruited to serve as an instructor at the imperial court under Prince Xun.

[7] The origin of the mastery acquired by Wu Zhong remains unknown to this day, it is currently the subject of many controversies between the different branches of bajiquan.

It is presumed that the legend of Lai and Pi simply symbolizes the martial knowledge that Wu Zhong was able to acquire throughout his life, probably from the study of the other styles of the region, and that he crystallized it in the form of bajiquan.

The first historical reference to bajiquan appears in military treaty called Jixiao Xinshu written by general Qi Jiguang (1528–1588).

It is said that Wu Zhong, the oldest traceable master in the bajiquan lineage, taught both arts together as an integrated fighting system.

Prominent branches and lineages of the art survived to modern times, including Han-style, Huo-style, Ji-style, Li-style, Ma-style, Qiang-style, Wu-style (from Wu Xiefeng), Wutan-style, and yin yang-style bajiquan.

Bajiquan of Nanjing was introduced to the Guoshu Institute by students of Zhang Jingxing, Han Huiqing, and Ma Yingtu.

Practitioners include Wu Xiufeng, Tian Jinzhong, and Shen Jiarui[29] >> Zhou Jingxuan[30][31] Tian-style is practiced in China and abroad.

Jian Diansheng[35] >> Li Shuwen[36] >> Liu Yunqiao >> Adam Hsu,[37] Su Yuchang, and Tony Yang[38] >> Many students in Taiwan and abroad (taught by one or more of them).

[39] Bajiquan opens the opponent's arms forcibly (qiang kai men; 強開門) and mount attacks at high, mid, and low levels of the body (san pan lian ji; 三盤連擊).

When blocking an attack or nearing an opponent, bajiquan techniques emphasize striking major points of vulnerability, namely the thorax (trunk of the body), legs and neck.

The "six big ways of opening" (liu da kai; 六大開) are:[40] Footwork in bajiquan has three special features: These striking techniques are related to traditional Chinese medicine, which states that all parts of the body are connected, either physically or spiritually.

All techniques are executed with a short power, developed through training; among Chinese martial artists, baji is known for its fast movements.

The mechanics of jin are developed through many years of practice and bajiquan is known for its strenuous lower-body training and its emphasis on the horse stance.

[46] In 1993, Yu Suzuki - who got interested in martial arts because of the manga, Kenji - would direct Virtua Fighter, a groundbreaking 3D fighting game.

Bajiquan is featured in many manga/anime series, including Air Master, Gantz, Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple, Fist of the Blue Sky, Undead Unluck, Love Hina[citation needed], Negima!