04/24/2024
THE GREAT HISTORY OF TAWAIN'S WUTANG BEGINNING & GRAND MASTER LIU-YUN-QIAO
TRAINING UNDER LI SHU- WEN. MASTER CHARLES CHEN REMEMBRANCE.
The “God of Spear” Li Shu-Wen was the most well-known Bajiquan master and DaQiang (Grand Spear) fighter in the history of Chinese Martial Arts. Li had an undefeated record throughout his lifetime and had infamously injured or killed many of his opponents during dual-matches. Li’s most significant achievement was that he had trained three outstanding disciples who were the head bodyguards and trainer for China’s last emperor Pu-Yi, the infamous communist leader Mao Tse-Tung, and the founding president of Taiwan, Jiang Kai-Shek.
The Grandmaster, Liu Yun-Qiao
『一代宗師』劉雲樵
Grandmaster Liu was a native of the He Bei province, which had historically produced many famous martial artists in the history of China. He learned his trademark Bajiquan under the famous “God of Spear" Li Shu-Wen and studied with Li daily for fifteen years. With unmatchable opportunities, Grandmaster Liu also studied with two of the top Grandmasters of the era: Ding Zi-Cheng 丁子成 of Liu He Tang Lang and Gong Bao-Tien 宮寶田 of Bagua Zhang systems.
During the Sino Japanese War, Liu was absorbed into the KMT secret service, which specialized in infiltration and assassination assignments. In 1968, General Kung Ling-Cheng recommended Grandmaster Liu to serve as the head trainer for President Chiang Kai-Shek's bodyguards and special forces.
After retirement, Grandmaster Liu founded Wu Tan Chinese Martial Arts Center and devoted the remainder of his life to promote traditional Chinese Martial Arts.
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Dr. Chen Chang-Lin
陳長霖 博士
The late Master Chen Chang-Lin was a “Wu” (1st) generation disciple of Grandmaster Liu Yun-Qiao. Master Chen started training under Grandmaster Liu at a young age. After 15 years, he had mastered the MiTzung, Baji, Pigua, Bagua systems from Grandmaster Liu. In the early 1970s, Master Chen was deeply involved with the establishment of the original Wu Tan Martial Arts Center in Jingmei, Taipei.
In 1981, Master Chen Chang-Lin came to New York to pursue his PhD degree in Computer Science. He established Wu Tan NY in Queens, New York. The school on Northern Blvd was introduced to potential martial artists on the east coast under the instruction of Master Chen. Master Chen promoted and taught the importance of “martial ethics” 武德 and traditional Chinese cultural ideologies in tandem with teaching martial arts as they are so interwoven.
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The Bear and the Tiger was one family. The Eagle and the Monkey (or some say the Snake) was another family. Once they had all been intermarried but at one point in history they split and lived in two villages: Mong and Luo.
The photo of Lu Su- Wen, this - One of the only images known to exist of the undefeatable Li Shu Wen.
This little fable refers to an unsual marriage of two great styles, BaJi or the Eight Extremes Boxing, and Pi Gua or the Split-and-Suspend Palm.These styles, so different looking, were actually taught together because they were perfect compliments for each other. At one point in their history they were split apart with major representatives in the two villages mentioned above.
At the middle of the 19th century a child, Li Shu Wen (1864－1943), was born destined to restore these styles – each based on a pair of animals – to the complimentary union they had once been. Li learned first from Jian Dian Sheng (b. 1785) of Mong Village. Then he traveled to Luo Village and studied with Huang Si Hai there.
Li was more than just a student. His martial arts were of the highest caliber. Although his stature was small, and his appearance unimpressive, his skill was marvelous, exceedingly brave, furthermore his great authority meant that when crossing hands he was never beaten. His spear technique became so potent he was known as the “God of the Spear.” Born in Zhang Sha Village he was a native of the famous Cang County, the homeland of some of the best Kung Fu in all of China geographically AND historically. Though displaying light and controlled performance he was surprisingly gifted with incredible power it was said that he almost never had to strike an opponent twice. He attracted many students who were already formidable martial artists.
Grandmaster Li Shu Wen’s last indoor student, Liu Yun Jiao.
Li Shu Wen was not a “nice person.” He took on challenges his whole life often boasting to the challenger the movement that would end his life. Even Li’s final days was a matter of dispute. Li was challenged to a fight with spears by a much younger man. Though over seventy Li took on the challenge and dispatched his opponent. Furious the fallen
