Zhaobao t'ai chi ch'uan

Zhaobao t'ai chi ch'uan
(趙堡忽靈架太極拳)

Also known as	Zhaobao taijiquan Zhaobao Jia
Date founded	late 16th century
Country of origin	China
Founder	Jiang Fa (蒋法)
Arts taught	T'ai chi ch'uan
Ancestor arts	T'ai chi ch'uan
Descendant arts	Wu (Hao)-style taijiquan
Practitioners	Xing Xihuai (邢喜怀), Zhang Chuchen (张楚臣), Chen Jingbo (陈敬伯), Zhang Zongyu (张宗禹), Zhang Yan (张彦), Chen Qingping (陳清苹)

Zhaobao taijiquan (pronounced jao-bao) (Chinese: 趙堡忽靈架太極拳) is a style of taijiquan that is often considered to be a modern style, but actually has a strong documented lineage that confirms its authenticity as an ancient style of taijiquan and as a true transmission from Jiang Fa.

Form and Characteristics

The main set of Zhaobao Taijiquan, or Zhaobao Jia, consists of 108 movements in the big frame and 75 refined movements in the small frame progressing in difficulty. Great emphasis is placed on Yi (mind/intent) in Zhaobao training. Like many other styles, Zhaobao Jia can be practiced at three heights, each providing a different degree of complexity. Generally students begin with the Middle Frame (Ren Pan Jia), progress to the Low Frame (Pan Gong Jia) and end with the High Frame (Da Li Jia).

Zhaobao Taijiquan's practical applications rely heavily on spiral uprooting techniques controlled through the use of Qinna, often followed with the use of sweeps or trips to bring the opponent to the ground. Flowing and coordinated techniques conform successfully to the basic tenets of the T'ai ch'i ch'uan Classics.

Zhaobao Taijiquan also has its own Neigong system based on traditional Daoist practice that enables the practitioner to develop the required physical and mental skills needed for successful mastery of the art.

History and Lineage

The Zhaobao Taijiquan style shares many similarities with Chen-style taijiquan, and this commonality is considered by the school to be the manifestation of influences introduced by a member of the famed Chen family- Chen Qingping. He learned Zhaobao Taijiquan, which he taught to many disciples including He Zhaoyuan and Wu Yuxiang. The result of this influence means that the Zhaobao Taijiquan style is often considered by observers to be simply a recent offshoot of the Chen style. But actually the style has a much longer history and retains many unique qualities based on traditional Taijiquan theory and practice, clearly differentiating it as a complete and separate system of practice. See lineage diagram below.

Zhaobao Taijiquan is not a family style (although there exists the He Family offshoot) and has traditionally been passed down from master to chosen disciple. The Zhaobao name is given to the style as a way of honouring the village in which the art was kept for many centuries; Zhaobao Village in Wenxian County, Henan Province, China.

According to the style's tradition, Chen Qingping was the 7th generation master from the time that the grand master Jiang Fa brought the style taught to him by Wang Zongyue to the local area in Wenxian County.

Zhaobao Taijiquan's lineage down to Chen Qingping is as below:

Zhang Sanfeng (Chinese: 张三丰) Various Daoists Wang Zongyue (Chinese: 王宗岳) Jiang Fa (Chinese: 蒋法, 1st generation) Xing Xihuai (Chinese: 邢喜怀, 2nd generation) Zhang Chuchen (Chinese: 张楚臣, 3rd generation) Chen Jingbo (Chinese: 陈敬伯, 4th generation) Zhang Zongyu (Chinese: 张宗禹, 5th generation) Zhang Yan (Chinese: 张彦, 6th generation) Chen Qingping (Chinese: 陳清苹, 7th generation)

T'ai chi ch'uan lineage tree with Zhaobao focus

Note:

• This lineage tree is not comprehensive, but depicts those considered the 'gate-keepers' & most recognised individuals in each generation of Zhaobao.
• Although many styles were passed down to respective descendants of the same family, the lineage focused on is that of Zhaobao & not necessarily that of a family.
• Names denoted by an asterisk are legendary or semi-legendary figures in the lineage; while their involvement in the lineage is accepted by most of the major schools, it is not independently verifiable from known historical records.

Key:

NEIJIA

Solid lines

Direct teacher-student.

Dot lines

Partial influence /taught informally /limited time.

(王宗岳) Wang Zongyue* TAIJIQUAN

Dash lines

Individual(s) omitted.

Dash cross

Branch continues.

CHEN-STYLE

(蒋法) Jiang Fa Zhaobao-style

(邢喜怀) Xing Xihuai 2nd gen. Zhaobao

(陈正如) Chen Zhengru 3rd gen. Chen

(张楚臣) Zhang Chuchen 3rd gen. Zhaobao

(陈敬伯) Chen Jingbo 4th gen. Chen 4th gen. Zhaobao

(张宗禹) Zhang Zongyu 5th gen. Zhaobao

(陈有本) Chen Youben c. 19th century 6th gen. Chen Chen Small Frame

(张彦) Zhang Yan 6th gen. Zhaobao

YANG-STYLE

(陈清萍) Chen Qingping 1795–1868 7th gen. Chen 7th gen. Zhaobao

(武禹襄) Wu Yuxiang 1812–1880 WU (HAO)-STYLE

(他招远) He Zhaoyuan 1810–1890 8th gen. Zhaobao Zhaobao He-style

Li-style

(和庆喜) He Qingxi 1857–1936 9th gen. Zhaobao

WU-STYLE

SUN-STYLE

(郑悟清) Zheng Wuqing 1895–1984 10th gen. Zhaobao

Wudang-style

CHEN-STYLE

YANG-STYLE

WU-STYLE

SUN-STYLE

WU (HAO)-STYLE

Notes

References

• Peng, Wen. Zhao Bao Tai Chi Kung Fu, USA Tai Chi Culture Association. ISBN 978-0615255668
• Zheng, Wuqing. Wudang Zhaobao Taijiquan Small Frame, Da Zhan Publishing Company, Taiwan. ISBN 957-468-163-7 (only available in Chinese)

External links

• USA Tai Chi Culture Association Includes history and lineage of Zhao Bao Tai Chi
• Chenstyle.com This resource guide to Chen and related styles has a description and short video of middle frame Zhaobao Jia
• A guide to the history, lineage, contents and description of Zhao Bao Taijiquan