Wu Yuxiang(Wu Yu-hsiang,1812?–1880?) was a Chinese martial artist, teacher and the founder ofWu (Hao)-style tai chi.[1]Wu was a scholar from a wealthy and influential family who became a senior student ofYang Luchan,the founder ofYang-style tai chi.[1]Wu also studied for a brief time withChen Qingping,a master ofChen-styleandZhaobao-styletai chi.[1]

Wu Yuxiang
Võ vũ tương
Drawing of Wu Yuxiang
Born1812?
Died1880?
StyleWu (Hao)-style tai chi
Notable studentsLi Yiyu ( Lý cũng xa )
Li Qixuan
Wu Yuxiang
ChineseTương
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWǔ Yǔxiāng
Wade–GilesWu Yu-hsiang

There is a relatively large body of writing attributed to Wu on the subject of tai chi theory, writings that are considered influential by other tai chi styles were the source of what are now known as thetai chi classics.[1][2]

Wu developed his own style of tai chi and shared it with members of his family, who also wrote about the art. He trained with his two older brothers Wu Chengqing ( võ làm sáng tỏ, 1800-1884)) and Wu Ruqing ( võ nhữ thanh, 1803-1887), and took on two nephews as disciples. One of those nephews Li Yiyu (Li I-yu, Lý cũng xa, 1832–1892), authored several particularly important works on tai chi. The other nephew, Li Yiyu's younger brother Li Qixuan (Li Ch'i-hsuan, Lý khải hiên, 1835-1899), worked closely with Yiyu to further develop the art, and was also credited as an author of at least one work on the subject of tai chi.[1][2]

The style of tai chi that Wu taught was eventually known, because of its later transmission by three generations of students of his nephew namedHao,asWu (Hao)-style tai chi.Hao Weizhensubsequently taughtSun Lutang,the founder ofSun-style tai chi.[2]

Tai chi lineage tree with Wu (Hao)-style focus

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Wu (Hao)-style tai chi lineage tree
Key:NEIJIA
Solid linesDirect teacher-student.
Dot linesPartial influence
/taught informally
/limited time.
TAIJIQUAN
Dash linesIndividual(s) omitted.
Dash crossBranch continues.CHEN-STYLEZhaobao-style
( dương lộ thiền )
Yang Luchan
1799–1872
YANG-STYLE
( trần thanh bình )
Chen Qingping
1795–1868
Chen Small Frame,
Zhaobao Frame
( võ vũ tương )
Wu Yuxiang
1812–1880
WU (HAO)-STYLE
Zhaobao He-style
( Lý khải hiên )
Li Qixuan
1835-1899
2nd gen. Wu (Hao)
( Lý cũng xa )
Li Yiyu
1832–1892
2nd gen. Wu (Hao)
Li-style( Hách vì thật )
Hao Weizhen
1849–1920
3rd gen. Wu (Hao)
( Lý tốn chi )
Li Xunzhi
1882–1944
3rd gen. Wu (Hao)
WU-STYLE( tôn lộc đường )
Sun Lutang
1861–1932
SUN-STYLE
( Hách nguyệt như )
Hao Yueru
1877-1935
4th gen. Wu (Hao)
Lý bảo ngọc ( Lý hương xa )
Li Baoyu (Li Xiangyuan)
1888-1961
4th gen. Wu (Hao)
Lý thánh đoan
Li Shengduan
1888-1948
4th gen. Wu (Hao)
Lý cẩm phiên
Li Jinfan
4th gen. Wu (Hao)
( đổng anh kiệt )
Dong Yingjie
1897–1961
4th gen. Yang
( Hách thiếu như )
Hao Shaoru
1908-1983
5th gen. Wu (Hao)
Wudang-style( Lưu tích thuận )
Liu Jishun
1930-Present
6th gen. Wu (Hao)
( Lý vĩ minh )
Li Weiming
1944-Present
6th gen. Wu (Hao)
Phổ công đạt
Pu Gongda
1905-1997
6th gen. Wu (Hao)
CHEN-STYLEYANG-STYLEWU-STYLESUN-STYLEWU (HAO)-STYLE
Note:
  • This lineage tree is not comprehensive, but depicts those considered the 'gate-keepers' & most recognised individuals in each generation of Wu (Hao)-style.
  • Although many styles were passed down to respective descendants of the same family, the lineage focused on is that of the Wu (Hao) style & not necessarily that of the family.'

References

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  1. ^abcdeWile, Douglas (1995).Lost T'ai-chi Classics from the Late Ch'ing Dynasty (Chinese Philosophy and Culture).State University of New York Press.ISBN978-0-7914-2654-8.
  2. ^abcYip, Y. L. (Autumn 1998). "A Perspective on the Development of Taijiquan".Qi: The Journal of Traditional Eastern Health & Fitness.8(3). Insight Graphics Publishers.ISSN1056-4004.