Bob10
Hey Bob10, just wanted to point out something from a previous post of yours in this thread.
“Sun is based on Hao to a large extent, which is from the Yang.”
Sun’s taiji is based mostly from Wu Hao, but Wu Hao lineage comes from Chen, not Yang- http://www.chinwoo.com/images/lineage.GIF (Just look at the lineage chart on the right, the list on the left is for that teacher’s Yang lineage) Wu Jien Quan taiji does come from the Yang side, though. Maybe you just mixed the two Wu styles up?
Ta Wufupaul
I’ll check on that and get back to you
fair enough
Thanks for the info Bob,
"Like I said I understand the need to differentiate what you are doing from a promotional point of view - especially if you are non-Chinese, unfortunately this does make a difference to people. But if a major selling point is your history, then you'd best be sure it is as accurate as possible"
True, the only thing I have really mentioned about the history, or used to promote are the points I made in my last post. The fact about his Yang-shou-hou’s lineage retaining the more martial aspects is the main point I make, other than that if you will look at my websites history section I present multiple history versions as I cannot determine which is correct. All I can do is read the classics, visit and learn from other good Neijia people and abide by the rules, and keep learning.
As much as I respect Erle, I will never just limit myself to Erle as a source for Neijia.
Gary
Cheers Gary
A Late Interjection - Lineage and Authenticity
The remarks about Yang family lineage and authenticity are kinda interesting. The reason I say this is that is strikes me that the Yang family style is really only 4 generations old, and at the hands of Yang Luch’an it was an upstart martial art - you can imagine what the Chens might have been saying about him if they had online forums back then! Perhaps you can also imagine the general ridicule YLC might have recieved for saying that he had improved the Chen style (surely one of the most esteemed traditions in MA history), and with the aid of a “secret taoist text” no less!
We nevertheless tend to agree these days that YLC developed a great system, and we go on to eteem his lineage. I think that one reason for this is that Yang and his sons proved their fighting prowess in combat, which is unfortunately a difficult thing to do in modern days. But still you might ask yourself… in 100 years time, which of today’s upstarts will have founded new esteemed lineages? Maybe the Gracies (don’t cringe, just remember that it doesn’t really matter)?
I think there’s a certain sense of safety associated with a robust account of lineage, but its no guarantee of quality. History is interesting, for sure, but it can certainly be misguiding if you’re in martial arts for the skills. Anyone who spent their time deconstructing YLC’s background would have missed the opportunity to absorb his martial genius.
The question I’ve asked a lot of people (and never got an answer) is - what was it that set YLC apart from his contemperaries?
Out of interest what mention is there of him outside taiji circles? Assuming that there were some real badasses around, he must have had something special, beyond what you see in today’s taiji?
On another historical note - does anyone have info on the Chinese and Japanese emperors using Russian bodyguards?