Chen Style

Tai Chi

Grandmaster Chen Zhao Kui, the 18th generation Gatekeeper of Chen style Tai Chi, passed away 22 years ago. His name is very well known and remembered by a lot of Chen style Tai Chi lovers in the world. Indeed, almost every Chen style practitioner has heard about Grandmaster Chen Zhao Kui. In august of 2002 I was appointed by USAWKF (United States of America Wushu Kung Fu Federation) to be the head coach of the USA team competing in the International Tai Chi Festival held in Chen village, city of Jiao Zuo, which is regarded as the cradle of Chen style Tai Chi chuan. When the local people applauded seeing so many Tai Chi lovers coming from the United States we felt proud and accomplished. I deeply believe that if Grandmaster Chen had lived to see this he would have felt the same.

I have learned from both the 18th and the 19th generation Grandmasters. I was Chen’s teaching assistant for many years and a lot of his students were actually brought to him by me. As a matter of fact Chen was very sick and could not walk in his final years (a direct result of persecution suffered during the Cultural Revolution) therefore he taught his students orally, and most of the demonstration and correction was carried out by me. When Chen passed away I was the one who arranged his funeral and cremation. When the Chen Tai Chi Research Society was formed in may of 1985 I was named the Vice Secretary. I feel that I have the responsibility of sharing the story of Chen, and letting it be known.

Before actually getting into the story of Master Chen I must first point out a few mistakes that I made when I wrote my book on Tai Chi (A work that has yet to be translated into English.). I included a chapter on Chen Zhao Kui that has a few minor inaccuracies. First, there were five people on the funeral committee. They were Ran Guang Yue, Zhu Ying Long, Zhang Hsien Zhou, Zhang Hsi Tang, and myself. Secondly, on Sunday when we went to Chen village to spread the news about Master Chen, the ones eating at my house were Shi Chiao Ji, Wei Jing Huan and myself. Thirdly, the one who glanced at me while eating at my house was Shi Chiao Ji , not Zhang Hsi Tang . Because I take my responsibility of being Master Chen’s disciple seriously, I have endeavored to be as accurate as possible when relating his history.

I came to America in 1994 and now I am an American citizen. As a descendant from two famous Song dynasty philosophers: Cheng Yi and Cheng Hao, I have adapted their philosophy. They believed that one must learn something and then practice the little that they learn every day, gradually increasing their knowledge. The progression is as follows: Learn enough to be able to practice. Practice enough to improve. Improve to gain skill. This progression will yield skill in any endeavor. I have used this philosophy in my Tai Chi training to reach ever higher skill levels. Now I am an advisor to the American National Wushu Federation. I am also Master Chen’s personal emissary to the United States having his blessing to spread his art in America. In 1994 I was recognized in China as a well known Master among Chinese people. In 1998 I was included in “Who’ who among Chinese immigrants. December 9th , 2001 was declared Cheng Jin Cai Chen style Tai Chi Development Center day by the mayor of Houston, Lee Brown. Many of my students have gone on to become teachers themselves and others have won tournaments. In fact, in 2002 my students won 118 medals and in 2003 my students won 103 medals in National and International tournaments. I have said enough about myself. Now it is time to talk about the one who trained me and formed me into what I have become.

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