Jiang Yu Kun
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Tai Chi Chuan Master Jiang Yu K'un (1913–1980) began his Tai Chi Chuan study in his youth with Han Ch'ing-t'ang. In 1930 he became a formal and later favorite student of grandmaster Yang Chengfu at the Che-Jiang provincial Wu-shu Academy. A few years later he entered the Nan-ch'ing Central Wu-Shu Academy where he studied Pakua and Hsing I under the famous Pakua master Chiang Jung-Ch'iao and Huang Pai-nien. In addition he studied Chin Na and San shou under Wu Chun-shan and Liu Pai-ch'uan; and Wu Tang Sword under Huang Yuan-hsiu.
His studies included Chen, Wu, Li and Sun styles of Tai Chi Chuan but specialized in the Yang forms and weaponry (knife, sword, cane, spear). His accomplishments include: Equestrian, archer and wrestler (in 1948 at the age of 37 he became the national lightweight wrestling championship of China). Jiang Yu K'un learned the original Big Frame Yang Style Tai Chi system from a martial arts approach. He learned the Small Frame Yang Style from Gong Rongtian, who was a disciple of Yang Ban-Shou (the 2nd generation successor of the Yang Family). Jiang also learned Chen Style Tai Chi from Master Chen Ziming, the 17th generation successor of the Chen Family.
One of the heritages of Grandmaster Yang Chengfu, the traditional 43 form Yang style, could come to the present day by Jiang Yu K'un. Fortunately this rarely practised form was passed on to his students. Yang style 43 form has high and low stands, beautiful circular moves and powerful yet relaxed actions with much details. 43 form has been created by Yang Chengfu just a few years before his death and undergone small edit by Master Jiang Yu K'un.
