- Zhaobao tai chi chuan
-
Part of the series on
Chinese martial artsList of Chinese martial arts Terms Historical places - Shaolin Monastery (少林寺)
- Wudang Mountains (武當山)
- Mount Hua (華山)
- Mount Emei (峨嵋山)
- Kunlun Mountains (崑崙山)
Historical people - Five Elders (五祖)
- Yim Wing-chun / Yan Yongchun (嚴詠春)
- Hung Hei-gun / Hong Xiguan (洪熙官)
- Fong Sai-yuk / Fang Shiyu (方世玉)
- Dong Haichuan (董海川)
- Yang Lu-ch'an (楊露禪)
- Wu Quanyou (吳全佑)
- Ten Tigers of Canton (廣東十虎)
- Chen Fake (陳發科)
- Chan Heung / Chen Xiang (陳享)
- Wong Fei-hung / Huang Feihong (黃飛鴻)
- Sun Lu-t'ang (孫祿堂)
- Huo Yuanjia (霍元甲)
- Yip Man / Ye Wen (葉問)
- Wang Zi-Ping (王子平)
- Bruce Lee / Li Xiaolong (李小龍)
- Jackie Chan / Cheng Long (成龍)
- Sammo Hung / Hong Jinbao (洪金寶)
- Yuen Biao / Yuán Biāo (元彪)
- Jet Li / Li Lian Jie (李連杰)
- Donnie Yen / Zhēn Zǐdān (甄子丹)
Legendary figures - Bodhidharma / Putidamo / Damo (菩提達摩)
- Zhang Sanfeng (張三丰)
- Eight immortals (八仙)
Related Zhaobao Taijiquan (pronounced jao-bao) (Chinese: 趙堡忽靈架太極拳) is a style of taijiquan that is often considered to be a modern style, but actually has a strong documented lineage that confirms its authenticity as an ancient style of taijiquan and as a true transmission from Jiang Fa.[citation needed]
Contents
Form and Characteristics
The main set of Zhaobao Taijiquan, or Zhaobao Jia, consists of 108 movements in the big frame and 75 refined movements in the small frame progressing in difficulty. Great emphasis is placed on Yi (mind/intent) in Zhaobao training. Like many other styles, Zhaobao Jia can be practiced at three heights, each providing a different degree of complexity. Generally students begin with the Middle Frame (Ren Pan Jia), progress to the Low Frame (Pan Gong Jia) and end with the High Frame (Da Li Jia).
Zhaobao Taijiquan's practical applications rely heavily on spiral uprooting techniques controlled through the use of Qinna, often followed with the use of sweeps or trips to bring the opponent to the ground. Flowing and coordinated the techniques conform successfully to the basic tenets of the T'ai ch'i ch'uan Classics.
Zhaobao Taijiquan also has its own Neigong system based on traditional Daoist practice that enables the practitioner to develop the required physical and mental skills needed for successful mastery of the art.
History and Lineage
The Zhaobao Taijiquan style shares many similarities with Chen-style taijiquan, and this commonality is considered by the school to be the manifestation of influences introduced by a member of the famed Chen family- Chen Qingping. He learned Zhaobao Taijiquan, which he taught to many disciples including He Zhaoyuan and Wu Yuxiang. The result of this influence means that the Zhaobao Taijiquan style is often considered by observers to be simply a recent off-shoot of the Chen style. But actually the style has a much longer history and retains many unique qualities based on traditional Taijiquan theory and practice, clearly differentiating it as a complete and separate system of practice. See lineage diagram below.
The evolution of the Zhaobao Taijiquan style can be compared effectively to the evolution of Yang-style taijiquan. Yang Luchan, founder of the Yang-style t'ai chi ch'uan, was a disciple of Chen family teacher Chen Changxing, and is said to have adapted the fundamentals of the martial arts he was taught to fit his own interpretation of Taijiquan practice and principles, and thus originated a similar looking, yet independent style of Taijiquan.
Zhaobao Taijiquan is not a family style (although there exists the He Family off-shoot) and has traditionally been passed down from master to chosen disciple. The Zhaobao name is given to the style as a way of honouring the village in which the art was kept for many centuries; Zhaobao Village in Wenxian County, Henan Province, China.
According to the style's tradition, Chen Qingping was the 7th generation master from the time that the grand master Jiang Fa brought the style taught to him by Wang Zongyue to the local area in Wenxian County.
Zhaobao Taijiquan's lineage down to Chen Qingping is as below:
Zhang Sanfeng
Various Daoists
Wang Zongyue
Jiang Fa (1st generation)
Xing Xihuai (2nd generation)
Zhang Chuchen (3rd generation)
Chen Jingbo (4th generation)
Zhang Zongyu (5th generation)
Zhang Yan (6th generation)
Chen Qingping (7th generation)
References
- Peng, Wen. Zhao Bao Tai Chi Kung Fu, USA Tai Chi Culture Association. ISBN 978-0615255668
- Zheng, Wuqing. Wudang Zhaobao Taijiquan Small Frame, Da Zhan Publishing Company, Taiwan. ISBN 957-468-163-7 (only available in Chinese)
External links
- USA Tai Chi Culture Association Includes history and lineage of Zhao Bao Tai Chi
- Chenstyle.com This resource guide to Chen and related styles has a description and short video of middle frame Zhaobao Jia
- A guide to the history, lineage, contents and description of Zhao Bao Taijiquan
Categories:
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.