History of T'ai-Chi Ch'uan
Where it’s from - roughly;
In recent times Tai Chi has spread westward in the hands of accomplished masters like Chen Xiao Wang , Cheng Man-Ch'ing & Dr Chi Chiang Tao. To look at the two you would be forgiven for thinking that they are practising entirely different systems! However the fundamental principles of T’ai-Chi Ch’uan remain the same for any school & determine whether or not a system can be called such.
The different styles were often the product of an individual’s unique skills or emphasis on different techniques & agendas. A renowned player called Yang Lu Chan [1799-1872] learnt T’ai-Chi Ch’uan from the Chen family & created the Yang family style. In turn, during the 1800’s, Yang’s children passed it on to other significant players who created other ‘family’ styles, principally, Wu/Hao, Sun, Li & Wu styles.
In the 1800's Tai Chi proliferated & it was then that the term “T’ai-Chi Ch’uan” came into use. Before the 1800's other names were used. In the 1600s, the Chen clan practiced the earliest known version of Tai Chi in Henan province, China. Chen clan member Chen Wangting (1600-1680), organised the practice into various routines emphasising different facets of the training. It is likely that T’ai-Chi Ch’uan was very martially oriented at that time & quite unlike the modern practice we know in the west.
Prior to this there are conflicting & unsubstantiated views on the origins & history of Tai Chi. A monk called Jiang Fa from Wudang mountain is said to have visited Chen village and significantly influenced the Chen family boxing, what emerged was T’ai-Chi Ch’uan. Earlier than that, Zhang Sanfeng, a renowned Taoist, is purported to have originated the art after observing a crane & a snake fighting. He took inspiration from the yielding quality of the animals’ defenses & the manner of their counter attacks. He is said to have taught this new system to Wang Zongyue who, in turn, taught it to the Chen family. There is also a version of this story that says the Chen family passed it to Wang Zongyue!
In recent times Tai Chi has spread westward in the hands of accomplished masters like Chen Xiao Wang , Cheng Man-Ch'ing & Dr Chi Chiang Tao. To look at the two you would be forgiven for thinking that they are practising entirely different systems! However the fundamental principles of T’ai-Chi Ch’uan remain the same for any school & determine whether or not a system can be called such.
The different styles were often the product of an individual’s unique skills or emphasis on different techniques & agendas. A renowned player called Yang Lu Chan [1799-1872] learnt T’ai-Chi Ch’uan from the Chen family & created the Yang family style. In turn, during the 1800’s, Yang’s children passed it on to other significant players who created other ‘family’ styles, principally, Wu/Hao, Sun, Li & Wu styles.
In the 1800's Tai Chi proliferated & it was then that the term “T’ai-Chi Ch’uan” came into use. Before the 1800's other names were used. In the 1600s, the Chen clan practiced the earliest known version of Tai Chi in Henan province, China. Chen clan member Chen Wangting (1600-1680), organised the practice into various routines emphasising different facets of the training. It is likely that T’ai-Chi Ch’uan was very martially oriented at that time & quite unlike the modern practice we know in the west.
Prior to this there are conflicting & unsubstantiated views on the origins & history of Tai Chi. A monk called Jiang Fa from Wudang mountain is said to have visited Chen village and significantly influenced the Chen family boxing, what emerged was T’ai-Chi Ch’uan. Earlier than that, Zhang Sanfeng, a renowned Taoist, is purported to have originated the art after observing a crane & a snake fighting. He took inspiration from the yielding quality of the animals’ defenses & the manner of their counter attacks. He is said to have taught this new system to Wang Zongyue who, in turn, taught it to the Chen family. There is also a version of this story that says the Chen family passed it to Wang Zongyue!