A Short History of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan

Master Wu Chuan Yau (1834-1902) founder of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan was a Manchurian member of the Imperial Guard in Beijing. He studied Tai Chi Chuan under Master Yang Lu Chan, founder of Yang Style, and his son, Yang Ban Hao. Master Wu Chuan Yau was taught the complete system, nothing was held back; his area of specialisation being neutralisation.

Second generation Master Wu Chien Chuan (1870-1942) was employed by the Ching Court in the Palace Battalion of the Imperial Guard. After Emperor Puyi abdicated from the Throne, Master Wu Chien Chuan was recommended by Chief of General Staff, Yin Chuang, to President Li Yuan Hong. In 1914 he was appointed Military Instructor and Martial Arts Advisor to the Eleventh Corps of the Presidential Body Guards. Master Wu Chien Chuan did much to popularise Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan, which is named after him. He was also an accomplished archer and horseman. A very close relationship was maintained with the Yang family and Wu Chien Chuan would often practice push hands with Yang Cheng Fu. He modified his father’s form and created many new ways of utilising the Form in a practical manner, including the use of a narrow circle. Master Wu Chien Chuan established the first Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy in Shanghai in 1935 and appointed his son-in-law Master Ma Yueh Liang Vice President.

Third generation Master Wu Kung Yi (1900-1970) eldest son of Master Wu Chien Chuan did a great deal to establish Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan in the Orient. In response to a challenge about the credibility of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan as a fighting art, a famous fight took place in Macau on the17th January 1954 between Wu Kung Yi, 53 years old at the time, and 30 year old Chan Hak Fu, a highly regarded exponent of White Crane, a renowned external martial art. During the first round Wu Kung Yi incapacitated Chan Hak Fu for some time with a nose bleed. After the second round the judges were so afraid of what might happen if the fight were allowed to continue, stopped it, declaring neither side won, lost or drew. The validity of Wu Style, as a martial art, was proven. All the proceeds from the fight went to charity. Master Wu Kung Cho (1903-1983) second son of Master Wu Chien Chuan was an all-round expert in Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan. He was the author of the classic ‘Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan’ (nicknamed The Gold Book), which was first published in Chinese in 1935, and again in 1980. It is due to be published in English for the first time. Master Wu Ying Hua (1907-1997) daughter of Master Wu Chien Chuan, started to learn Tai Chi Chuan when she was 9 years and started teaching at age 15 years. She was responsible for the reopening in the late 1970’s of the Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Academy in Shanghai. She became Chief Instructor of the Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan section of the Physical Education Palace in Shanghai.

Fourth generation Master Wu Tai Kwei (1923-1970) eldest son of Master Wu Kung Yi was a much respected martial artist; he did a great deal to consolidate Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan in the Orient, appearing regularly on television in Hong Kong and Singapore. He was also responsible for introducing Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan to Japan in the 1950’s. Master Wu Tai Chi (1926-1993) second son of Master Wu Kung Yi, taught Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan throughout SE Asia and established an academy in Malaysia. He also started the Toronto Academy in 1975. In 1976 he returned to manage the Hong Kong Headquarters of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan. Responsibility for the running of the Toronto Academy was taken on by Master (Eddie) Wu Kwong Yu. Master Wu Yan Hsia (1930-2001) daughter of Master Wu Kung Yi dedicated her life to teaching and promoting Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan, was a specialist in the Wu Style Tai Chi Sword Form and became Chairman of the Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Academy Headquarters. Master Wu Tai Sin (1933-2005) son of Master Wu Kung Cho. After the charity fight between Wu Kung Yi and Chan Hak Fu in Macau in 1954, Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan became very popular and Master Wu Tai Chi and Master Wu Tai Sin were sent by Master Wu Kung Yi to establish academies in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Manila. Master Wu Tai Sin was a specialist in sabre training. He was Chairman of the International Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Federation and President of Wu’s Tai Chi Chuan Academy Headquarters in Hong Kong.

Fifth generation Master (Eddie) Wu Kwong Yu (1946-), only son of Master Wu Tai Kwei, transferred from Hong Kong to Canada in 1976 to take over the running of the Toronto Academy, and promote Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan in North America. Master (Eddie) Wu Kwong Yu is the "Gatekeeper" of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan. He is Chairman and President of the International Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Federation and also holds positions in a number of influential Wushu organisations. He spends a considerable amount of time travelling around the world promoting Wu Style, including Europe and in particular, the UK. Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan is officially acknowleged by the Chinese Wushu Association who set the Examination Criteria for the Chinese Wushu Duanwei System. The various traditional Chinese martial arts, including Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan, are considered to be national treasures. He has further popularised Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan by making available high quality instructional DVD's. Master Wu Hsia Fung (1949-) daughter of Master Wu Tai Kwei introduced Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan to Vietnam and received an award from the Ching Wu Society for her endeavours. Master Wu Hsia Fung is Vice Chairman of Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy HQ in Hong Kong and also teaches at Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy in Toronto, Canada.

Sixth generation Master (Austin) Wu Chung Him (1972-), eldest son of Master (Eddie) Wu Kwong Yu, trains and teaches at the Toronto Academy and is a member of the Academy Demonstration Team. Master (Edward) Wu Chung Wei (1974-), second son of Master (Eddie) Wu Kwong Yu, trains and instructs at the Toronto Academy and is part of the Academy Demonstration Team.

Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan continues to grow in popularity with many thousands of practitioners worldwide.