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The History and Legend of Taijiquan
Author: ZHANG SANFENG
In his own preface to the 'Encyclopedia of Taijiquan' published in 1933, Yang Cheng-Fu recorded a sentence attributed to his grandfather Yang Lu-Chan. "Taijiquan was created by Zhang San-Feng at the end of the Song Dynasty. Development continued through one, Wang Zhongyue, Chen Zhouting, Zhang Songki, Jiang Fa."
Xu Zhiyi said something similar in his 'General Introduction to Taijiquan', published in 1927 by the 'Weng Hua Publishing House' "The Northern section of the Wudang art was Li Yishe's 'Observations on Taijiquan'. The first draft was published in 1867. The first sentence of this draft observes that, "Taijiquan was created by Zhang Sanfeng in the Song Dynasty". However, when it was published in 1881, the opening sentence was changed to read: "No one knows who was the creator of Taijiquan".
In li Jiyings 'Taijiquan Textbook', he included a preface by li Ruidong, who concluded that, "The creator of the Northern section of the Wudang school was the true upholder of the Zhang Sanfeng theory".
From the Journals of Lu Kun, we learn:
Zhang Sanfeng is recorded to have been widely read and well aqainted with the teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. He considered Taoism to be the true reflection to the universe. He founded the School of Wudang Taoism and created a system of pugilism practise called Taijiquan. He stands a milestone in Chinese Wushu.
Joseph Lee in 'The History of Chinese Science and Technology' remarked, "The name of Zhang Sanfeng is now firmly related with Taijiquan, a major school of Chinese Wushu". He goes on to say, "if one really wants to track down the roots of Taijiquan one cannot fail to value Zhang Sanfengs theistic thoughts on Taoism".
In 'The Origins of Wudang Taiji' Du Yuwan says, "Taijiquan is generally said to be passed down from Zhang Sanfeng, but when we get down to the roots we find its beginnings further back in history".
In 1990 the magazine 'The Soul of Wushu' published a series of articles entitled 'The Original Taijiquan'. One contribution came from the chief Taoist monk of the Temple Baijun (White Cloud) in Beijing. 'An Shenyuan'. When questioned by reporters, remarked that, "In the school of Taoism, apart from Zhang Sanfeng, there were many other talented people who have contributed much to the formulation and development to Taijiquan".
There is no historical documentation on the life of the legendary Zhang Sanfeng. It is difficult to factually attribute the creation of Taijiquan to one Zhang Sanfeng. He is however a most important reference when discussing the philosophy behind Taijiquan.
One tradition suggests that Taiji developed in the 12th century during the Song Dynasty. Emperor Huizong (reigned 1101-1126) is reputed to have summoned a Taoist priest to attend the capital of Kaifeng. Zhang Sanfeng is said to have received the imperial summons to travel from Mount Wudang.
On his journey he was attacked by a band of robbers and was forced to retreat. During his rest he was visited by the spirits of Wudang mountain and received an inspirational new Wushu routine. The following day Zhang Sanfeng used his inspired skills to defeat 100 bandits.
A second legend attributes the same Zhang Sanfeng to be living in the Yuan dynasty. In this story, while studying the mysteries of Taoism and trying to get to grips with the secrets of immortality, he observed the posturing of numerous animals. One day he saw a snake and crane fighting and was inspired, by the Yin and Yang qualities of their attacks and evasions, to develop the art of Taijiquan. So Zhang Sanfeng is accredited with restructuring martial arts along inspirational lines. As a Taoist monk, he connects the art with the philosophy of Yin and Yang, the I'Ching and its Paqua diagrams. The connection between Taijiquan, Lao Tzu, the Tao Te Ching are implicit in the legend of Zhang Sanfeng.
Wang Sung-Yeuh
Another popular thesis claims that the founder of Taijiquan remains unknown, but that its development can be traced to Wang Tsung-Yeuh of Shanzi Province.
According to the thesis, Wang Sung-Yeuh introduced the system to Honan Province during the Ch'ien Lung period (1736-1795) of the Ch'ing Dynasty. The value of Wangs contribution is enhanced by his authorship of 'Treatise on Taijiquan'. This manual on Taijiquan has remained as an inspirational guide to generations of practitioners.
Jiang Fa
In volume 16 of the 'Journal of Beijing Institute of Physical Education', it states that Jiang Fa began his study of Taijiquan with Wang Sung-Yeuh. He was instructed by Wang for ten years and grasped the substance of the art. He was well versed in both the Northern and Southern versions of the Wudang Internal Wushu Arts. He was considered an expert and authority in this field.
Chen Chang-Xing (1771-1853)
Chen Chang-Xing was a student of history and literature. It is recorded that he began his study of Taijiquan when he was six. He studied Wushu arts with Jiang Fa for 20 years and made rapid progress.
In his book, 'Taijiquan Proper', by Du Yuwang, he passes the opinion without evidence, that Wang Sung-Yueh and Jiang-Fa both trained in the nature of Zhang San-Feng Wudang International Boxing.
The discovery of Wang Tsung-Yueh's manual, 'Treatise on Taijiquan'. It is claimed that Wang 'Sung-Yueh' was 'Jiang Fa's' teacher and 'Jiang Fa' was in turn Chen Chang-Xings teacher.
Whilst stories of Zhang San-Feng can be very appealing, historical authenticity remains questionable. Whether he developed the art of Taijiquan, Mount Wudang is noted for its scenic beauty and has been a centre of Taoism since the 7th century. According to historical records preserved at the mountain, there have been two persons named Zhang San-Feng.
In 'A Guide to Chinese Martial Arts', by Li Tianji and Du Xilian one Zhang San-Feng was renowed for his combat skills and lived in the 'Song Dynasty' (960-1279). The other, a celebrated Taoist, lived during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), was very adept with swordplay.
There have been many tales handed down about these figures. Both men combined Taoist spiritual cultivation with their Wushu skills. Nevertheless, many researchers of Wushu history consider there to be insufficient evidence to name either one of them as the founder of Taijiquan.
Chen Wang Ting, 9th generation of the Chen family
Whatever the legends of its earliest origins, Taijiquan can be traced to Wenxian County, Henan Province. Here we have the earliest connections to its present form. However, even here we come across contradictions. The local people have two explanations regarding its precurser. The first and perhaps the most commonly accepted is that Taijiquan was created by Chen Wang-Ting and the place of its origin was the Chen family village of Chenjiaqou.
The other version claims it was brought from Shanxi Province by the previously mentioned Jiang Fa. Jiang Fa is reputed to have brought the art to his home village, Xiaoliu also in Wenxian County.
Both Chen and Jiang were acknowledged as accomplished Wushu masters. Chen Wang-Ting in his latter years, researched Wushu methods for self defence, finally developing a new style of his own. Jiang Fa was to become a highly skilled Wushu master.
Whether or whichever of these men developed or created Taijiquan, it was from this period that the spread and transmission was to take place.
There is a connection with Chen Wang Ting and Taoist internal theories. In a poem he wrote, "The Huang Ting is my constant companion". (The Huang Ting Jing) is an important early Taoist canon on health through breathing exerice.
Chen Wang Ting is documented as the founder of the Chen Style Taijiquan tradition. He is credited with the creation of five routines and in addition taught Pao Tui and Long Chuan. He served as an army officer in the early 17th Century.
The original Chen Style was referred to as the Large Frame Style, now more commonly known as Lau Jar (Old Frame). The Old Frame consisted of 83 moves.
During the 19th generation, modification to the routine was to take place by Chen Chang-Hsin. This was also acknowledged to be Large Frame, but was to become known by its practitioners as Hsin Jar (New Frame).
Another modification took place by Chen Chin-Ping. He changed the movements of Hsin-Jar, making the movements tighter and smaller. At the time of these changes Chen Chin-Ping was a resident in the village of Zhaoboa. His Form is referred to as the Zhaoboa Jar to distinguish ot from Lao Jar and Hsin Jar.
During the 20th century members of the Chen family have created forms with a reduced number of movements. These creations have generally eliminated the many repetitions that appear in the Old Style. 19th Generation Master Chen Xiao-Wang has created Chen Style 38 Forms, Master Feng Zhigang has contributed Chen 24 Forms, Master Kan Gui Xiang has produced 36 Forms Chen Style Taijiquan.
A further contribution came from the Chinese State Wushu Authorities. This was to facilitate the growing popularity of Taijiquan competition. The Chinese Wushu Association of China organised a group of masters and professors to develop standardised routines for competition to include Yang, Chen, Wu and Sun Styles. The Chen style developed has 56 Forms. The routine is a merger of traditional sets one and two.
Chen Style Taijiquan remained very much a family and village art until Chen Fa-Ke (17th generation 1887-1957) was invited to Beijing in the 1920's. He was the first of the Chen family to teach publicly and make the departure from traditional methods.
Chen Xiao-Wang (19th generation) is the grandson of the famous master Chen Fa-Ke and is the head of the Chen tradition. Chen Xiao-Wang is living in Australia.
The Yang Family Taijiquan
Yang Li-Chan came from Yongnian County, Hebei Province, North China. Coming from a poor family he left home quite young to seek work of a menial nature. It is recorded that he was employed by the Chen family in the village of Chen Jiaou. While he was with the Chen family, he acquired the art of 'Lao Jia' (Old Frame) Taijiquan, 'Tui Shou' (Push Hands) and Weapon training.
After spending 20 years with his teacher, Chen Chang-Xing, he returned to his family home in Yongnian. He had become a skillful Wushu master. His martial expertise was held in high regard by his contemporaries and was referred to as Soft Fist or Cotton Boxing. His skill was appreciated for its flexible attack and defence and the ability to overcome the very strong.
Yang Lu-Chan travelled to Beijing where he was engaged by the Royal Court to teach Wushu. As his fame spread for his boxing skills he was nicknamed 'Yang the Invincible'.
Yang Chien Hou's son Yang Chen-Fu was to become perhaps the most famous name associated with Taijiquan during the 20th century. Yang Cheng Fu's sons and descendants have continued the Yang tradition since his passing in 1936. There is no photographic evidence of Yang Lu-Chan's Taijiquan but it is generally accepted that modifications and revisions have been initiated by the succeeding generations into what is referred to as Da Jia (Big Frame). Standardisation began with Yang Chien Hou and continued with Yang Cheng Fu.
Yang Cheng Fu is reputed to have taught many hundreds of students and popularised Taiji throughout China. He carried his Wushu to many areas of China, Nanjing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Hankou. Thus he continued the work initiated by his father and grandfather first from the village and then the capital and now throughout China, precipitating its introduction to the rest of the world.
There is of course pictorial records of Yang Cheng-Fu. His 10 Essentials for training along with family records. From his photographs Yang Cheng-Fu can be seen as a big man. It is recorded that he could deliver a stunning blow with very little show of action. When he struck an opponent he would be thrown back serveral metres. While many pugilistic schools may consider injuring the opponent as the main objective, Yang Cheng-Fu was renowned for his ability to neutralise and overpower without injuring his opponent.
The Tang tradition passed to his three sons Yang Shou Chung (1909-1985), Yang Zhen-Ji and Yang Zhan-Dow. These two still teach in China and conduct seminars throughout the world.
Yang Cheng-Fu trained many famous practitioners and their lineage can be traced today. These include :
* Fu Zhongwen
* Dong Ying-Jieh
* Chen Wei-Ming
* Cui Yishi
* Li Chunnian
* Wu Huichuan
Cheng Man Ching (1901-1975)
Cheng Man Ching was a remarkable person. He was a master of the 'Five Excellences', Medicine, Caligraphy, Poetry, Painting and Taijiquan. He published 'Chengs 13 Chapters of Taiji Boxing' in 1950. In 1967 in collaboration with Robert W. Smith, they published 'Tai Chi', the Supreme Ultimate exercise for health, sport and self defence.
In their book, it is said that the author, Cheng Man-Ching, learned personally from Yang Cheng-Fu for nearly a decade. Whilst the Yang family do not place any emphasis or even refer to a relationship between Yang Cheng Fu and Cheng Man-Ching. In the introduction to the translation of Cheng Man-Chings book, 'Cheng Tzu's 13 Postures', his widow, Madame Cheng, remarks that her husband was Yang's last disciple and studied with him for six years. It would appear that Cheng Man Ching is little known in mainland China. This may have some political significance as he was a supporter of Chiang Kai Shek. He moved to Taiwan after the fall of China to Mao Tse Tung.
Cheng Man-Ching took from the Yang style many elements into his creation of 'Chengs 37 Steps'. His method, whilst deleting many of the repetitions from the Yang Long Form retained the principles and characteristics of the Yang family. With the exclusion of China, Chengs form enjoys wide favour including Taiwan, Malaysia, USA and Europe.
Cheng Man-Ching in addition to being an expert, should be seen as a pioneer, bringing Taijiquan to the West, where it was virtually unheard of.
Like all masters of Taijiquan he emphasised relaxation, health and well being. He was the first to simplify and shorten the Long Form. Accessible to a larger audience his system includes Push Hands and Weapons.
Many Cheng Man Ching practitioners consider this style to be separate in its uniqueness.
Chen Chang-Xing
Besides his own claim to fame as a Wushu master, Chen Chang-Xing passed his art to Yang Lu-Chan. So he has a special role in the development of Taijiquan. The First Routine (Lao Jia) is the oldest recorded Form and the consensus is that all others are derived from it. This was the routine practised by Chen Chang-Xing. It emphas ...