Wu Ta-ch'i

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Wu.
吴大齐
Wu Ta-ch'i
Born 1926
China
Died 1993 (aged 66–67)
Nationality Chinese
Style Wu-style taijiquan
Notable students Chu Weng-Moon
Wu Ta-ch'i
Traditional Chinese 吳大齊
Simplified Chinese 吴大齐

Wu Ta-ch'i or Wu Daqi (1926–1993) was the descendant of the famous Wu-style t'ai chi ch'uan founders Wu Ch'uan-yu (1834–1902) and Wu Chien-ch'uan (1870–1942). He directed Wu-style t'ai chi ch'uan instruction outside of Mainland China after the death of his father Wu Kung-i (1900–1970) and brother Wu Ta-kuei (1923–1972) from the Wu-style t'ai chi ch'uan headquarters in Hong Kong internationally.[1]

Biography

Born in China to a distinguished martial arts family, Wu Ta-ch'i, with his brother Wu Ta-kuei, sister Wu Yen-hsia as well as his first cousin Wu Ta-hsin all endured strict training from their nationally famous grandfather and father.[2] Being the grandchildren of the family, they were traditionally expected to inherit the family art of t'ai chi ch'uan whom their great-grandfather Wu Ch'uan-yu had first learned from Yang Lu-ch'an (1799–1872) and his son Yang Pan-hou (1837–1890).[3]

When Wu Kung-i migrated with his family to Hong Kong in the 1940s, Wu Ta-ch'i assisted his father in the propagation and teaching of t'ai chi ch'uan. During the 1950s under the instructions of Wu Kung-i, Wu Ta-ch'i and his cousin Wu Ta-hsin (1933–2005) travelled extensively to Malaysia and Singapore to start and support academies promoting Wu-style t'ai chi.[2] Their efforts met with success, making the region a key centre of Wu-style t'ai chi ch'uan outside of Hong Kong and China.[2] Wu Ta-ch'i's chief disciple Chu Weng-Moon in Malaysia and his fellow disciples continue to teach Wu-style t'ai chi ch'uan.

In 1974, Wu Ta-ch'i was invited by the Chinese Canadian Kuo Shu Federation to teach in Toronto, where he established the first Wu family school outside of Asia.[2] The Canadian school founded by Wu Ta-ch'i was entrusted to his nephew Wu Kuang-yu (Eddie) in 1976.[4]

Wu Ta-ch'i was a member of the advisory board of the Martial Art Association in Hong Kong.

References

  1. ↑ Cai, Naibiao (2006). "In Memory of Wu Daxin - Journal of Asian Martial Arts Vol. 15 No. 1". Via Media Publishing, Erie Pennsylvania USA. ISSN 1057-8358.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Yip, Y. L. (Autumn 2002). "Pivot – Qi, The Journal of Traditional Eastern Health and Fitness Vol. 12 No. 3". Insight Graphics Publishers. ISSN 1056-4004.
  3. ↑ Wile, Douglas (1995). Lost T'ai-chi Classics from the Late Ch'ing Dynasty (Chinese Philosophy and Culture). State University of New York Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-2654-8.
  4. ↑ Philip-Simpson, Margaret (June 1995). "A Look at Wu Style Teaching Methods - T’AI CHI The International Magazine of T’ai Chi Ch’uan Vol. 19 No. 3". Wayfarer Publications. ISSN 0730-1049.

External links