LINEAGES
Chart in Chinese displays the key lineages, introduction highlights some key points and the Branches section introduces some key masters.
Descendants of Zhang Yingchang
Zhang Yingchang taught Zhang Han and Cui Dong, and the skills stayed in the Zhang family as Zhang Jinhai passed on to Zhang Jingzhi and Zhang Litai. 10th generation Zhang Jingzhi was responsible for the spread of the art to Wang Linqing, Chen Yingming, Hou Chunxiu, Zhang Shude and Zhang Duo.
Descendants of Chen Qingping
8th Generation, Chen Qingping taught many students and the key ones were He Zhaoyuan (founder of He Style Taijiquan), Niu Fahu, Zhang Han, Li Jingyan (founder of Hu Lei Style Taijiquan), Li Zuozhi (founder of Teng Nuo jia Taijiquan), Ren Changchun, Chen Jingyan and Wu Yuxiang (founder of Wu Style Taijiquan)
BRANCHES OF ZHAO BAO TAIJIQUAN
Development of Zhao Bao Taijiquan
One of the reasons for the relative unknown nature of Zhaobao was due to the namelessness of the style. In fact it is only in the last century that the title Zhaobao taijiquan was given. In the past it was Taijiquan and the various followers of leading masters then named the style after their teachers such as Wu Style or Hulei Style or He Style or Hao Style and Sun Style, but in essence they are all branches of Zhaobao Taijiquan.
With the multi-frame to frameless nature of Zhaobao Taijiquan, the variations of the style are many. It is said that great masters such as Zhang Yan, Zhang Yingchang and Chen Qingping would teach different frames in accordance to their disciples suitability. This resulted in a few variations and also that many of the branches specialised in a particular frame rather than the range that may have been understood by forefathers. Inevitably since all becomes or is frameless this is of little importance excepting for the understanding of differences and branches, since in the end they are part of Zhaobao Taijiquan practice.
Zhao Bao Cheng Jia San He Yi Taijiquan
The descedents of Zhang Yingchang, are said to practice the older frames methods of Zhaobao, they emphasise the principles of Three combine into one, which means that the forms practice, push hands and combat are all equivocal, that is from forms practice to push hands to combat the movements are not modified. Some of the known recent masters descendent from Hou Chunxiu's teachings of this style include Liu Hongyi, Hou Zhuanyun, Hou Zhanguo, Wang Dexin, Zhao Rong, Zhao Jianying and Zhou Yuxiang.
Zhao Bao He Style Taijiquan
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Founded by He Zhaoyuan (1810-1890), one of the key students of Chen Qingping. It is said that he specialised in Daimaijia, which is central level frame. As a result the style is relaxed and flowing and movements are of a standard. It is He Style Taijiquan which introduced Zhao Bao Taijiquan to outsiders of Zhao Bao village and therefore instrumental in its development. Some of the masters included He Qinxi, He Xuexin, Zheng Boying, Zheng Wuqing, He Shiying, Zhao Hongxi and Guo Shikui.
Zheng Bo Ying's Large Frame Zhao Bao Taijiquan
Founded by Zheng Boying (1906-1961), one of the famous two Zheng's that are descendant from He Style Taijijquan. Zheng Boying taught a larger frame (Lower stance and larger body frame) consisting of 108 Postures. Some of the known recent generation masters of this style include Zhang Hongdao, Ren Zhiyi, Zhao Cengfu and Wang Haizhou.
Zheng Wu Qing's Small Frame Zhao Bao Taijiquan
Founded by Zheng Wuqing (1895-1984), one of the famous two Zheng's that are descendantfrom He Style Taijijquan. Zheng Wuqing taught a smaller frame (higher stance and smaller body frame) consisting of 75 Postures. Some of the known recent generation masters of this style include Yuan Baoshan, Wu Peiren, Li Wenbin, Guo Xingliang, Wu Shengan, Wu Rentang, Zheng Rui and Liu Rui
Zhao Bao Hu Lei (Thunder) Style Taijiquan
Founded by Li Jingyan (1825-1898), one of the key students of Chen Qingping. It is said that he specialised in Tengnnuojia, which was then modified. As a result the style is relaxed with sudden releases of energy or fajing, the shock power is thus known as Hulei (Thunderstorm). The Style also includes the practice of a few different frames but is most known for the Hulei frame which it emphasizes.
Wu Style Taijiquan
Founded by Wu Yuxiang (1812-1880), one of the key students of Chen Qingping. It is said that he specialised in the small frame and this style became known as one of the 5 key forms of Taijiquan in China (along with Sun, Chen, Yang and Wu (different Character). This is of the Wu (Military Character). The style is practiced in a very small frame upright manner and is really formless in its interpretation. Wu Yuxiang was a scholar and of
Hao Style Taijiquan
Founded by Hao Weizhen (1894-1920), from Yongnian County, Hebei Province who studied with Li Yiyu (disciple (and nephew) of Wu Yuxiang). The style follows the same principles of Wu Style with small movements and focusing on internal energy development. His way of practicing was very light and relaxed mutually balancing and was nicknamed "Huo Bu Kai He Taijiquan" (Dyamic stepping Opening combined Taijiquan). He had four sons which he passed on his Taijquan including Hao Wenqin, Hao Wengui, Hao Wentian and Hao Wenxing. He also passed his skills to Sun Lutang as a favour in return for helping his illness.
Sun Style Taijiquan
Sun Lutang (1860-1933) from was a famous scholar and master of the three arts of Xingyi, Baguazhang and Taijiquan,. As a result of his many studies he developed his own form of Taijiquan which includes the genbu (following step) methodology and is based on the Hao Style Taijiquan which he learnt from Hao Weichen. Sun Lutang also exchanged with masters of other styles such as Yan Shaohou (Yang Style) and Wu Jianquan (Wu Style). Later in his life he contributed much by publishing books and teaching at the Bejing Physical Education Institute.
