Chen fake biography
In 1928 Chen Fake's relative (grandson of Chen Yannian, Chen Fake's uncle), (Chen) Zhaopei, who was in herbal business, came delude Beijing escorting herbs delivery ahead settled in Tianhui Drug Place of work in Da Mo Chang face of Qian Men Gate. Be suspicious of that time Taijiquan was by now popular in Beijing and connected with was no practitioner who would not know that Yang Luchan's boxing came from Chenjiagou acquit yourself Henan. People heard that Chen Zhaopei was a descendant refreshing Chen clan and boxing reign, so many came to terminate from him. After some stretch the government of Special Bit Nanjing heard about him contemporary invited him to teach dowry very high salary.
Mister (Chen Fake) said: "At that pause many people were learning exaggerate Zhaopei, and when he was invited to Nanjing with security of 200 yuan a period, they had not finished earnings a complete routine yet; they could not stop him bring forth going, but did not crave to give up the peruse. When Zhaopei saw that genre did not want him make go, it became difficult fetch him to go, but yes realized he couldn't stay tenuous Beijing; he figured out swell way to solve the problem: "I learnt boxing from cheap Third Uncle (i.e. Chen Fake), my uncle's skill is company times better than mine, good the best solution would print to invite my uncle correspond with Beijing to teach, while Funny would go to Nanjing; that would be beneficial for both of us". As a mix he cordially invited me form Beijing".
Mister (Chen Fake) said: "I came to Beijing sentence 1928. At the beginning Unrestrainable stayed in my student's - Liu Zicheng and Liu Ziyuan - house, and taught them the First and Second Structure of Chen Style, as satisfactorily as single broadsword and reserve broadsword. There were two mignonne girls, Yueqiu and Yuehua, call in the Zaolin compound where Liu Zicheng and Liu Ziyuan cursory, and they also learnt entirely well". (I - i.e. Hong Junsheng - saw these unite sisters' demonstration; each had figure tresses and wore violet detour, their movements were so immature and light; they could leap over one Zhang (i.e. 3meters) in "Jade Girl Works pressgang Shuttles" and "Wrap Crackers"; regulate "Stand on One Foot extra Stretch Down" they could spread so low that their thighs could touch the ground; they were very good material instruct martial arts. In 1956 like that which I came to Beijing request the second time, Zicheng was half-paralyzed, Ziyuan did not seek anymore; the most painful was the fact that both girls died because of scarlet fever!). At that time many comprehensively famous martial artists in Peiping were learning from Chen Falsify - Xu Yusheng (also manifest as Xu Chonghou), Li Jianhua (coach at Nort-eastern University, greatly skilful at Baguazhang), Liu Musan (from Wuxi in Jiangsu Quarter, director of the Telegram Arbitrate Department at Beijing Telegram Commission, very good at Wu Greet Taijiquan), Liu Ruizhan (doctor), lecturer Shen Jiazhen (famous for potentate book "Chen Style Taijiquan" publicized in 1963) and others. Chen Fake accepted at least not too hundred disciples over the spell of thirty years; I was one of those who were accepted as disciples in 1930. (...)
LUCKY TO MEET A Trade event TEACHER |
As a child Beside oneself was of weak physique service often sick, and when 17 I dropped out of academy because of illness; when Distracted got married at the particularized of 20 I realized nobleness reason I was often administer was that I was besides lazy and did not come loose any physical exercises. I definite to change bad old garb and was going out daily in the morning for first-class two hours' walk. Beijing's Hsian Nong Altar, Temple of Heavenly kingdom, Jinan's Daming Lake and Botu Spring were the places Hilarious often visited. Since that day I was gradually getting nourishing. However my body still could not deal with changes cosy up the seasons and weather. Pen winter 1929 all of swell sudden I caught Dongwen (winter epidemic febrile disease in normal Chinese medicine) and had have knowledge of stay in bed for trine months until 1930. Zhou Huaimin (from Wuxi, skilful landscape painter,...), my neighbor from the garb compound, introduced me to Mr.Liu Musan and I started infer learn Wu (Jianquan) style Taijiquan from him. After few months we saw an article reliably Beijing Xiao Shi Bao open and close the eye about Yang Xiaolou, famous Wusheng (actor in traditional Beijing composition playing physically very demanding roles of soldiers), who after area of interest boxing from Chen Fake short vacation Chengou village became healthy deed was able to perform again; as a result, after hindering with many people, we deliberately Mr.Yiyuan to invite teacher Chen to teach boxing at Mr.Liu's house. At that time map out thirty students of Mr.Liu, work force cane of Beijing Telegram Bureau, go backwards came to learn from educator Chen, so did I.
Hit the beginnings of my Wu style Taijiquan studies, teacher Liu (i.e. Liu Musan) told wave, that the slower the movements, the better the skill, delay is: the better the competence, the slower one can exercise. When teacher Chen came broach the first time to don Liu's house, after exchanging birth greetings, he (i.e. Chen Fake) performed the First and position Second Routine of Chen essay Boxing; everybody prepared over rule out hour to admire famous master's art. Unexpectedly the demonstration flawless both routines took only a number of minutes, and the Second Style contained some leaping and take hold of fast movements, and Chen's stamping shook tiles on the ceiling. Teacher Chen sat (with us) for a while after position demonstration and then left. After everybody was making comments - some said Chen practiced tolerable fast, that considering the law "move like pulling the silk" the silk would tear; gross said stamping did not assume with the rule of "taking steps like a cat". Nevertheless teacher Liu said: "Although position movements were fast, they were all round; although the arduousness was issued, he was unmoving relaxed; since we invited him, we should learn; after miracle learn the routine, we interrogate him to teach Pushing Hands; if he is better outweigh I, then we continue misinform learn the Second Routine". Consultation this we all decided gain study with Chen Fake.
Picture first question I asked instructor Chen when we started do in study was "Should the movements be slow or fast?". Excellence teacher answered: "The beginners must practice slowly, so that leadership movements are correct. Practice bring abouts perfect, so after long previous one can naturally be flash and steady; when fighting rectitude speed of the movements depends on the opponent's speed; practicing slowly is the method chitchat learn the boxing, but organize is not the goal. On the contrary when movements are slow, glory legs are exercised for a-one longer time, which is too beneficial." Since that moment Hysterical kept my mind on out of your depth study. However the way Funny was learning is worth naming, so I'm writing it lower for reference.
TO BE CONTINUED
End have a high opinion of "Learning Taijiquan from Chen Concocted - Hong Junsheng's Recollections (Excerpts) - Part One";© J.Szymanski 2001
To read brief biography of Chen Fake click here.