Early Martial Arts leading to Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan)
This series is looking at various epochs of Martial Arts development in China leading to the development of Taijiquan in particular.
This first part is highlighting historical Martial Artists from before Chen Wangting (1600 – 1680) who is the founder of what we know as Taijiquan today. His influence though goes back in time. Here are some influential Martial Artists that historically are mentioned of having performed some form of martial arts that maybe considered a precedent to Taiji. For example there is historical documentation that the hermit Hsa Suanming performed a martial art called San Shi Chi or “Thirty-Seven Postures”. These postured were originally practiced individually before practiced sequentially.
The best known martial artist before Chen Wangting is General Qi Jiguang (1528-1588) who has written a martial arts manual named Ji Qiao Xin Shu (New Book of Effective Technique).
Early Martial Artists Before Taijiquan
General Qi Jiguang
General Qi Jiguang (1528-1588) 戚繼光 was a prominent figure in Chinese military history, particularly during the Ming Dynasty. He is best known for his efforts in defending China against Japanese pirates along the eastern coast. Qi Jiguang’s contributions to martial arts are significant; he compiled the “Ji Xiao Xin Shu” 紀效新書 (New Book of Military Efficiency), which included a detailed section on martial arts training. This manual was not just a collection of fighting techniques but a comprehensive military training doctrine that emphasized practical and efficient methods suitable for quickly training soldiers. His approach was to combine various martial arts forms from different schools to create a pragmatic combat system, rather than adhering to the traditional, stylized forms that were common at the time[2][3][5].
Hsa Suanming
Hsa Suanming, also known as Xia Suanming, is a lesser-known figure compared to Qi Jiguang and does not have extensive historical records detailing his contributions to martial arts. However, as mentioned above Hsa Suanming was a hermit that performed a martial art called San Shi Chi (Thirty-Seven Postures) which can be viewed as an early form of Tai Chi. However there is no naming of incorporating taoist ideas specifically into this form – something that later on Chen Wangting will do and which starts Taijiquan as the practice and form we now know today.[20]
Ha Goong-Yueh
Ha Goong-Yueh is another martial artist from the period before Taijiquan whose historical footprint is relatively obscure. Martial artists of his era often contributed to the evolution of martial arts through oral traditions and personal instruction, influencing styles and techniques that would later be formalized into systems like Taijiquan. Unfortunately, specific contributions by Ha Goong-Yueh are not well-documented in available historical texts.
Chen Ling-shih and Chen Bi
Chen Ling-shih and Chen Bi were part of the lineage that eventually led to the development of Taijiquan, particularly the Chen style, which is recognized as the earliest form of Taijiquan. The Chen family, starting from Chen Wangting in the late 16th century, were known to have integrated various martial arts from earlier generations into what would become Chen-style Taijiquan[1]. While Chen Ling-shih and Chen Bi are noted as historical figures within this lineage, detailed records of their specific martial arts practices are sparse. Their roles were likely pivotal in the transition and transformation of martial arts knowledge that laid the groundwork for later formalization into distinct styles.
Contributions and Legacy
These early martial artists played crucial roles in the development and preservation of martial arts in China. Their contributions, whether documented extensively like those of Qi Jiguang or less so like Hsa Suanming and Ha Goong-Yueh, were part of a broader narrative of martial arts evolution. They influenced the training methods, techniques, and philosophical underpinnings of Chinese martial arts. The legacy of these martial artists is seen in the diversity and richness of Chinese martial arts styles that exist today, including Taijiquan and its various derivatives.
The historical context in which these martial artists lived was marked by the need for practical combat skills, both for personal defense and military purposes. This practicality often led to the synthesis of different martial arts styles and techniques, aiming for effectiveness in real combat scenarios, as opposed to purely ritualistic or performance-oriented practices. This blend of practicality and tradition helped shape the martial arts into a well-rounded discipline that not only included physical techniques but also strategic and mental aspects, which are integral to martial arts practices today.
The “Ji Xiao Xin Shu” 紀效新書 (New Book of Military Efficiency)
The “New Book of Military Efficiency,” authored by Qi Jiguang in 1560 during the Ming Dynasty, is a revered ancient Chinese military manual. Renowned for repelling Japanese pirate invasions, Qi Jiguang delves into diverse subjects such as Siege Weapons, Formations, and Terrains across numerous chapters. Notably, one chapter, “Essentials of the Fist” or 拳經捷要 (quan jing jie yao), delineates 32 unarmed combat stances, depicted poetically. This stylistic choice poses challenges in translation, potentially leading to varied interpretations among readers. Nonetheless, it also imbues the text with fundamental principles guiding practitioners rather than prescribing specific movements.[21]
To learn more about this manual, read an English translation and see an interpretation of the forms shown, please visit: Chinese Longsword – Ancient Martial Arts Manuals translated into English
Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chen-style_tai_chi
[2] https://www.kungfumagazine.com/index.php?article=1098&p=article
[3] https://chinesemartialstudies.com/2015/06/07/guest-post-the-practical-isnt-pretty-general-qi-jiguang-on-martial-arts-for-soldiers/
[4] https://www.ctn.academy/blog/martial-methods-in-chen-taijiquan
[5] https://www.chineselongsword.com/fist
[6] https://tplafightingwords.com/2022/08/11/the-fist-verses-of-qi-jiguang-redux/
[7] http://www.wayofleastresistance.net/2008/07/my-quest-for-martial-holy-grail.html?m=1
[8] http://www.chinafrominside.com/ma/taiji/chenboxingmanuals.html
[9] https://thetaichinotebook.com/2020/05/30/general-qi-jiguang-on-fighting-pirates-and-his-connection-to-taijiquan/
[10] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIn2ksyivT8
[11] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xingyiquan
[12] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chin_Na
[13] https://www.taiji-bg.com/scientific-principles-methods-chenstyle-tai-chi/
[14] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_martial_arts
[15] https://oryoki.de/blog/secrets-of-japanese-martial-arts
[16] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC1-vgMh2l0
[17] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBBgba-wGRA
[18] https://www.lean.org/the-lean-post/articles/art-of-lean-on-problem-solving-part-3-lessons-from-martial-arts/
[19] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTdfsUB3PVQ
[20] Andrew Townsend “The Art of Taijiquan” (Book)
[21] https://www.chineselongsword.com/fist