Yang Luchan
Founder of the Yang style of taijiquan (1799–1872), student of Chen Changxing and martial arts instructor of the imperial family, known as Yang Wudi.
Quick Facts
ChinaBiography
Yang Luchan was a Chinese master and founder of the Yang style of taijiquan, today the most widespread style of taijiquan in the world. He was born in 1799 in Guangping in Yongnian county, Hebei province, and died in 1872 at the age of 72 or 73.
As a child he first studied changquan. He worked at the pharmacy of Chen Dehua, where he became fascinated by demonstrations of martial arts, and was recommended to Chen Changxing of Chen village. According to the story, he secretly watched Chen's night practice through a hole in the wall and practiced what he observed at home until he surpassed the other students.
After mastering the art, he was permitted to teach wealthy townspeople and imperial officials in Beijing, among them Wu Yuxiang and his brothers, and from 1850 Wu Quanyou. He served as a martial arts instructor of the imperial family. He was called Yang Wudi (Yang the Invincible), because he reportedly never lost a match yet never seriously injured an opponent. His second son, Yang Banhou (1837–1890), was likewise an imperial instructor; his third son, Yang Jianhou (1839–1917), taught his sons Yang Shaohou and Yang Chengfu.
His victories at the imperial court are documented. The stories about Prince Duan's household, the fishing tale, or Chang's test are legends that cannot be independently verified.