Yang Shao-hou
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- This is a Chinese name; the family name is Yang
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Yang Shaohou 楊少侯 (1862-1930) along with Yang Chengfu 楊澄甫 (1883-1936) represent the third generation of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan 楊氏太極拳.
Although Yang Shaohou studied Tai Chi Chuan from his father Yang Jianhou 楊健候 (1839–1917), it is said that he mainly learnt from his uncle Yang Banhou 楊班侯 (1837-1890). Likely influenced by his uncle's teaching style, Yang Shaohou was also known to have had a slightly eccentric and bellicose nature, and both of these masters are considered to have been very demanding teachers, only interested in teaching those that could stand their tough training regimes. Yang Shaohou's influence on modern Tai Chi is also represented in his instruction of many influential teachers of generations after his; among those (subsequently to become famous in their own right) who were referred to him for instruction were Wu Kung-i, Wu Kung-tsao and Tung Ying-chieh.
According to the famous Tai Chi Chuan historian and disciple of Wu Jianquan, Wu Tunan 吳圖南 (1885-1989), who also studied under Yang Shaohou for four years, this master was known for his "small circle" style of Tai Chi Chuan. The motions of Tai Chi forms and pushing hands are all based on different sized circles, small circle movements in the forms and applications follow a more compact pathway for different leverage applications than larger circles. This style was similar in posture to the modern Wu style Tai Chi Chuan, yet generally practiced at higher speed with fast jumps and kicks. This form was known as the Small Frame 小架, Fast Frame 快架 or Practical Frame 用架 and was considered to require the highest level of skill to perform.
It is said that when Yang Shaohou demonstrated this style of Tai Chi Chuan the movements alternated between fast and slow, soft and hard, along with crisp Fa Jin 發勁 expressions supported by intimidating shouts. The most developed characteristic of his martial art style was the use of soft interception to overcome hard energy or Hua Jin 化勁, followed by the use of powerful Fa Jin pushes to counter attack.
During practice with his students, Yang Shaohou was not known for pulling his punches and subsequently few were able to complete the full course of training and become disciples.
Although he was as famous as his younger brother, Yang Chengfu was said to be an easier going, adaptable and charming character and as a result able to train more students and therefore the Yang Chengfu style of Tai Chi Chuan is more widely known throughout China and the rest of the world.
[edit] Family tree
This family tree is not comprehensive.
LEGENDARY FIGURES | Zhang Sanfeng* circa 12th century NEI CHIA | Wang Zongyue* T'AI CHI CH'ÜAN | THE 5 MAJOR CLASSICAL FAMILY STYLES | Chen Wangting 1600-1680 9th generation Chen CHEN STYLE | +-------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | Chen Changxing Chen Youben 1771-1853 14th generation Chen circa 1800s 14th generation Chen Chen Old Frame Chen New Frame | | Yang Lu-ch'an Chen Qingping 1799-1872 1795-1868 YANG STYLE Chen Small Frame, Zhao Bao Frame | | +---------------------------------+-----------------------------+ | | | | | Yang Pan-hou Yang Chien-hou Wu Yu-hsiang 1837-1892 1839-1917 1812-1880 Yang Small Frame | WU/HAO STYLE | +-----------------+ | | | | | Wu Ch'uan-yü Yang Shao-hou Yang Ch'eng-fu Li I-yü 1834-1902 1862-1930 1883-1936 1832-1892 | Yang Small Frame Yang Big Frame | Wu Chien-ch'üan | Hao Wei-chen 1870-1942 Yang Shou-chung 1849-1920 WU STYLE 1910-1985 | 108 Form | | Sun Lu-t'ang Wu Kung-i 1861-1932 1900-1970 SUN STYLE | | Wu Ta-kuei Sun Hsing-i 1923-1970 1891-1929
Note to Family tree table
Names denoted by an asterisk are legendary or semilegendary figures in the lineage, which means their involvement in the lineage, while accepted by most of the major schools, isn't independently verifiable from known historical records.
[edit] References
- Ma, Youqing. Tai Chi Chuan Research, Wu Tunan the Tai Chi Authority, The Commercial Press Hong Kong, 1983. ISBN 962-07-5024-1 (only available in Chinese)
