Chen Style Taijiquan Performed by Chen Xiaowang
Taijiquan (太极拳) or tai chi is a traditional Chinese martial art, together with Xingyiquan (形意拳) and Baguazhang (八卦掌), the three major internal martial arts (Neijia Quan; 内家拳) in China.
Chinese philosophy, particularly Taoist and Confucian thought, forms the conceptual background to tai chi.
Tai chi’s formative influences came from practices undertaken in Taoist and Buddhist monasteries, such as Wudang, Shaolin.
There are different theories of the origin of Taijiquan.
One common theory is that it was created by Chen Wangting (陳王廷; 1580–1660) while living in Chen Village, Henan Province, China.
Chen Wangting, courtesy name Chen Zouting, was a Ming dynasty military officer who may have founded Chen-style tai chi, one of the five major styles of the popular Chinese martial art.
During the Ming dynasty, Chen Wangting’ served as Commander of the Wen County garrison, and was distinguished for his protection of merchant caravans in Henan and Shandong.
After the Ming dynasty ended and the reign of the Qing dynasty began, Chen’s military career was effectively over, and he retired to the family settlement.
Chen-style is characterized by “silk reeling”, alternating fast and slow motions, and bursts of power (fa jin, 發勁).
Chen Wangting’s next well-known successors were Chen Youben (陳有本; 1780–1858) and Chen Changxing ( 陈长兴; 1771–1853), was the teacher of Yang Lu Chan (1799-1873), the founder of Yang Style Taijiquan.
Chen Xiaowang (陈小旺) is a Chinese taijiquan teacher, born on October 20, 1945, in Chen Family Village (Chenjiagou Village, 陈家沟村), Wen County, Henan Province, China, and is the 19th generation of Chen Style’s taijiquan.
This village had a longstanding reputation for martial arts expertise dating back to its establishment in 1374.
Chen Xiaowan’s grandfather (Chen Fake):
His grandfather was the Chinese martial artist and tai chi grandmaster Chen Fake (陳發科; 1887–1957), courtesy name Chen Fusheng (福生).
He was born in 1887 and raised in Chen Family Village. In 1928, Chen Fake relocated to Beijing to teach his family’s heritage, Chen-style tai chi.
After successfully defeating numerous challengers, Chen garnered a following of students, including several renowned martial artists.
As a martial artist rather than a scholar, Chen Fake did not leave behind a written record of his accomplishments.
His life story was recounted and preserved by his sons and students, most notably Hong Junsheng.
By the time of his death in 1957, Chen had firmly established the global practice of Chen-style tai chi, creating a martial arts tradition that continues to thrive.
Chen Fake’s great-grandfather (Chen Changxing):
His great-grandfather, Chen Changxing ( 陈长兴; 1771–1853), mentioned above.
The core Chenjiagou scenic area is a national 4A-level tourist attraction.
In August 2007, after detailed investigation and verification of various opinions in society, the national martial arts department recognized Chenjiagou in Wen County, Henan Province as the “birthplace of Chinese martial arts Tai Chi.”
Tai Chi was initially developed for combat and self-defense, but for most practitioners it has evolved into a sport and a form of exercise with “meditation in motion”, providing benefits to physical and mental health.
In 2020, tai chi was included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Video Source: 陈小旺：陈氏太极拳老架一路，完整演练 on Tv Sohu
