Sun-style t'ai chi ch'uan
Also known as |
Sun-style taijiquan Sun family taijiquan Sun school of taijiquan Sun shi taijiquan |
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Date founded | start of 20th century (January 1, 1900) |
Country of origin | China |
Founder | Sun Lutang |
Current head | Sun Yongtian (孙永田) |
Arts taught | T'ai chi ch'uan |
Ancestor arts | Wu (Hao)-style taijiquan |
Practitioners |
Sun Xingyi (孙星一), Sun Cunzhou (孙存周), Sun Jianyun (孙剑云), Sun Shurong (孙淑容), Sun Wanrong (孙婉容) |
Official website |
SunTaichi |
Part of a series on |
Chinese martial arts (Wushu) |
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Styles of Chinese martial arts
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Wushu in the world |
Historical locations Chen Village (陳家溝) |
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Legendary figures Bodhidharma (菩提達摩) |
Historical individuals Yue Fei (岳飛; 1103—1142) |
Modern celebrities Bruce Lee (李小龍 1940—1973) |
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Related |
The Sun style (孙氏) t'ai chi ch'uan is well known for its smooth, flowing movements which omit the more physically vigorous crouching, leaping and fa jin of some other styles. Its gentle postures and high stances make it very suitable for martial arts therapy.
History
Sun style t'ai chi ch'uan was developed by Sun Lutang, who was considered expert in two other internal martial arts styles: xingyiquan and baguazhang before he came to study t'ai chi ch'uan. Today, Sun-style ranks fourth in popularity and fifth in terms of seniority among the five family styles of t'ai chi ch'uan. He was also considered an accomplished Neo-Confucian and Taoist scholar, especially in the Yi Jing and the T'ai chi classics. Sun learned Wu (Hao)-style t'ai chi ch'uan from Hao Weizhen, who was Li Yishe's (李亦畬) chief disciple.[1]
Besides his earlier xingyi and bagua training, Sun's experiences with Hao Weizhen, Yang Shaohou, Yang Chengfu and Wu Jianquan influenced the development of what is today recognized as the Sun style of t'ai chi ch'uan.[2]
The Sun style is a syncretic martial art, influenced by t'ai chi ch'uan, xingyiquan and baguazhang. One of the styles of t'ai chi ch'uan influencing the Sun style is Wu (Hao). The footwork of both styles are similar in that when one foot advances or retreats, the other foot follows. The Sun style also exhibits small circular movements with the hand.
Sun's son Sun Cunzhou (孫存周; 1893—1963) and daughter, Sun Jianyun (孫劍雲; 1914—2003) were t'ai chi ch'uan teachers, as well as Sun Cunzhou's daughter Sun Shurong (孫淑容; 1918—2005) who taught in Beijing until her death. Sun Wanrong (孫婉容; 1927—Present), who is the other daughter of Sun Cunzhou, still teaches t'ai chi ch'uan in Beijing.
T'ai chi ch'uan lineage tree with Sun-style focus
Note:
- This lineage tree is not comprehensive, but depicts those considered the 'gate-keepers' & most recognised individuals in each generation of Sun-style.
- Although many styles were passed down to respective descendants of the same family, the lineage focused on is that of the Sun style & not necessarily that of the family.
Key: | NEIJIA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Solid lines | Direct teacher-student. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dot lines | Partial influence /taught informally /limited time. | TAIJIQUAN | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dash lines | Individual(s) omitted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dash cross | Branch continues. | CHEN-STYLE | Zhaobao-style | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
YANG-STYLE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WU (HAO)-STYLE | Zhaobao He-style | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Li-style | (郝為真) Hao Weizhen 1849–1920 3rd gen. Wu (Hao) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WU-STYLE | (孙禄堂) Sun Lutang 1861–1932 SUN-STYLE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(孙存周) Sun Cunzhou 1893–1963 2nd gen. Sun | (孙剑云) Sun Jianyun 1913–2003 2nd gen. Sun | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wudang-style | (孙婉容) Sun Wanrong 1927–Present 3rd gen. Sun | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CHEN-STYLE | YANG-STYLE | WU-STYLE | SUN-STYLE | WU (HAO)-STYLE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
References
- ↑ 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 978-0791426548.
- ↑ Yip, Li (Faye) (April 1998). "Principles and Practice of Sun Style T’ai Chi – T’AI CHI The International Magazine of T’ai Chi Ch’uan Vol. 22 No. 2". Wayfarer Publications. ISSN 0730-1049.