Wu Yu-hsiang

Wu Yu-hsiang (武禹襄 Wu Yuxiang, 1812-1880) was a Chinese t’ai chi ch’uan teacher and government official active during the late Ch'ing dynasty.cite book|last=Wile|first=Douglas|title=Lost T'ai-chi Classics from the Late Ch'ing Dynasty (Chinese Philosophy and Culture)|publisher=State University of New York Press|date=1995|isbn=978-0791426548] Wu was scholar from a wealthy and influential family who became a senior student (along with his two older brothers Wu Ch'eng-ch'ing 武澄清 and Wu Ju-ch'ing 武汝清) of Yang Lu-ch'an.cite book|last=Wile|first=Douglas|title=Lost T'ai-chi Classics from the Late Ch'ing Dynasty (Chinese Philosophy and Culture)|publisher=State University of New York Press|date=1995|isbn=978-0791426548] Wu Yu-hsiang also studied for a brief time with a teacher from the Ch'en family, Chen Ch'ing-p'ing, to whom he was introduced by Yang.cite book|last=Wile|first=Douglas|title=Lost T'ai-chi Classics from the Late Ch'ing Dynasty (Chinese Philosophy and Culture)|publisher=State University of New York Press|date=1995|isbn=978-0791426548]

There is a relatively large body of writing attributed to Wu Yu-hsiang on the subject of t’ai chi ch’uan theory, writings that are considered influential by many other schools not directly associated with his style.cite book|last=Wile|first=Douglas|title=Lost T'ai-chi Classics from the Late Ch'ing Dynasty (Chinese Philosophy and Culture)|publisher=State University of New York Press|date=1995|isbn=978-0791426548] [cite magazine|last=Yip|first=Y. L.|title=A Perspective on the Development of Taijiquan – Qi, The Journal of Traditional Eastern Health and Fitness Vol. 8 No. 3|publisher= Insight Graphics Publishers |date=Autumn 1998|ISSN=1056-4004]

His most famous student was his nephew, Li I-yü (李亦畬, 1832-1892), who also authored several important works on t'ai chi ch'uan. Li I-yü had a younger brother who was also credited as an author of at least one work on the subject of t'ai chi, Li Ch'i-hsüan.cite book|last=Wile|first=Douglas|title=Lost T'ai-chi Classics from the Late Ch'ing Dynasty (Chinese Philosophy and Culture)|publisher=State University of New York Press|date=1995|isbn=978-0791426548] [cite magazine|last=Yip|first=Y. L.|title=A Perspective on the Development of Taijiquan – Qi, The Journal of Traditional Eastern Health and Fitness Vol. 8 No. 3|publisher= Insight Graphics Publishers |date=Autumn 1998|ISSN=1056-4004]

The style of t'ai chi ch'uan that Wu taught was eventually known, because of its later transmission by three generations of students of his nephew named "Hao", as Wu/Hao style t'ai chi ch'uan. Hao Wei-chen subsequently taught Sun Lu-t'ang, the founder of Sun style t'ai chi ch'uan. [cite magazine|last=Yip|first=Y. L.|title=A Perspective on the Development of Taijiquan – Qi, The Journal of Traditional Eastern Health and Fitness Vol. 8 No. 3|publisher= Insight Graphics Publishers |date=Autumn 1998|ISSN=1056-4004]

Family tree

This family tree is not comprehensive.

LEGENDARY FIGURES
Zhang Sanfeng* circa 12th century NEI CHIA
Wang Zongyue*

THE 5 MAJOR CLASSICAL FAMILY STYLES
Chen Wangting 1600-1680 9th generation Chen CHEN STYLE
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Chen Changxing Chen Youben 1771-1853 14th generation Chen circa 1800s 14th generation Chen Chen Old Frame Chen New Frame (Small Frame)

Yang Lu-ch'an Chen Qingping 1799–1872 1795–1868 YANG STYLE Chen Small Frame, Zhaobao Frame

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Yang Pan-hou Yang Chien-hou Wu Yu-hsiang 1837–92 1839–1917 1812–80 Yang Small Frame | WU/HAO STYLE
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Wu Ch'uan-yü Yang Shao-hou Yang Ch'eng-fu Li I-yü 1834–1902 1862–1930 1883–1936 1832–92
Yang Small Frame Yang Big Frame
Wu Chien-ch'üan | Hao Wei-chen 1870–1942 Yang Shou-chung 1849–1920 WU STYLE 1910–85 108 Form
Sun Lu-t'ang Wu Kung-i 1861–1932 1900–70 SUN STYLE

Wu Ta-kuei Sun Hsing-i 1923–72 1891–1929

References