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The following is a brief recent history
of the Tien Shan Pai style as related to Grandmaster Huang
Chien-Liang by his Shi Ye, 63rd generation Tien Shan Pai
Grandmaster Wang Chueh-Jen:
Wang Chueh-Jen came from a rich family. His father, Wang Ting Yuen, was a well
known Kung Fu Master in Szechuan province. Grandmaster Wang first studied from
his father before his father hired a different master to teach him and his brothers
at home. Wang eventually inherited the Tien Shan Pai style from 62nd generation
Grandmaster Ho Ta-Sun (also known as Ho Yuen-Ching).
Tien Shan Pai is a northern style which originated in the Tien Shan mountains
of northwestern China (see "The Legendary Origins of
Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu" for details). It is well known in Taiwan as an effective
fighting style. At the same time, it also contains graceful empty-hand and weapons
forms stressing rhythm and "ing shou"--the demonstration of power accentuated
by solid thuds made by the hands. Tien Shan Pai self-defense is characterized
by attacks from the side coupled with multiple blocks, so that if one block
fails, the second can cover. Footwork is considered essential to countering
attacks; Tien Shan Pai focuses on low, steady steps to the side, along with
swift "hidden" steps to trick the opponent.
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| 63rd Generation Grandmaster Wang celebrates
his birthday in 1986 in the U.S. |
Tien Shan Pai has long been popular in Xinjiang, Gansu and other western provinces;
however, it was not well known in eastern China and Taiwan until Wang Chueh-Jen
taught there. Through many years of study and teaching, Grandmaster Wang refined
a style of combat he called "radar style fighting". Many of his early students
competed in "lei tai" (full contact fighting) tournaments, all giving outstanding
performances, with some winning championships. At that time (1955), there were
no weight divisions (until 1957, when three weight divisions were established)
and no protection. The last such tournament without protection was held in Taiwan,
Republic of China in 1986.
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Supreme
Master Wang Chueh Jen and VIP guests at his painting
show in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1981 |
Wang Chueh-Jen continued to teach Tien Shan
Pai until his death in 1990. During a visit to the U.S. in
1985, he informed Huang Chien-Liang that Huang was his only
formal disciple. Currently, Huang Chien-Liang is one of the
few teachers from Supreme Master Wang Chueh Jen still teaching
the Tien Shan style in the United States.
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