Wu Ta-k'uei or Wu Dakui (1923–1972) was a Chinese Wu-style tai chi teacher of Manchu ancestry.[1]

Wu Ta-k'uei
吳大揆
Born1923
Beijing, China
Died1972
StyleWu-style tai chi
Notable studentsWu Kuang-yu
Wu Ta-k'uei
Traditional Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWú Dàkuí
Wade–GilesWu2 Ta4-k'uei2
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationNg4 Daai6 Kwai4

Biography

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The oldest son of Wu Gongyi, he was born in Beijing, raised in Shanghai (where he was first taught tai chi by his grandfather, Wu Jianquan) and spent most of his adult life teaching in Hong Kong. [2][3] Wu Ta-k'uei was active in the resistance to the Japanese invasion of China, yet he later taught martial arts in Japan after the war.[2]

Wu Ta-k'uei was reputed to be a fierce fighter, and known as always ready to accept a challenge match. He is reported to have never been defeated, and to have been famous for badly injuring and taunting his opponents in those matches.[3] An attested story circulated about Wu Ta-k'uei was about a fight that started in a Hong Kong dockside bar between an unarmed Wu Ta-k'uei and "over 30" stevedores armed with clubs and boathooks. The dockworkers eventually fled to a local police station for protection from the enraged Wu. Interviews with dockworkers and the police records of this fight led to sensational newspaper headlines in Kowloon and Hong Kong.[3]

Wu Ta-k'uei assisted his father and his uncle Wu Kung-tsao to set up academies in Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore.[3] He also sat on the Advisory Board of the Martial Art Association in Hong Kong and taught martial arts in the Kowloon Police Force.[3]

His oldest son, Eddie Wu Kuang-yu, is the current "gate-keeper" of the Wu family.

Generational senior instructors of the Wu family

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1st Generation

2nd generation

  • His oldest son, Wu Jianquan (1870–1942), was the senior instructor from 1902-1942.

3rd Generation

  • His oldest son, Wu Gongyi (1900–1970) was senior from 1942-1970.
  • Wu Gongyi's younger brother, Wu Kung-tsao (1903–1983), was senior from 1970-1983.
  • Wu Gongyi's younger sister, Wu Yinghua (1907–1997), was senior from 1983-1997.

4th Generation

  • Wu Gongyi's daughter, Wu Yanxia (1930–2001) was senior from 1997-2001.
  • Wu Kung-tsao's son, Wu Daxin (1933–2005), was senior from 2001-2005.

5th Generation

  • The current senior instructor of the Wu family is Wu Ta-k'uei's son Wu Kuang-yu (born 1946).

Tai chi lineage tree with Wu-style focus

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Note:

  • This lineage tree is not comprehensive, but depicts those considered the 'gate-keepers' & most recognized individuals in each generation of Wu-style.
  • Although many styles were passed down to respective descendants of the same family, the lineage focused on is that of the Wu style & not necessarily that of the family.


Key:NEIJIA
Solid linesDirect teacher-student.
Dot linesPartial influence
/taught informally
/limited time.
TAI CHI
Dash linesIndividual(s) omitted.
Dash crossBranch continues.CHEN-STYLEZhaobao-style
YANG-STYLE
(王蘭亭)
Wang Lanting
1840–?
2nd gen. Yang
Yang Jianhou
1839–1917
2nd gen. Yang
2nd gen. Yangjia Michuan
Yang Banhou
1837–1892
2nd gen. Yang
2nd gen.
Guang Ping Yang
Yang Small Frame
WU (HAO)-STYLEZhaobao He-style
Li-styleYang Shao-hou
1862–1930
3rd gen. Yang
Yang Small Frame
Wu Quanyou
1834–1902
1st gen. Wu
(齊閣臣)
Qi Gechen
2nd gen. Wu
(夏公甫)
Xia Gongfu
2nd gen. Wu
Wu Jianquan
1870–1942
2nd gen. Wu
WU-STYLE
108 Form
(常遠亭)
Chang Yuanting
1860–1918
2nd gen. Wu
(郭松亭)
Guo Songting
2nd gen. Wu
Wang Maozhai
1862–1940
2nd gen. Wu
SUN-STYLE
Dong Yingjie
1891–1960
4th gen. Yang
(齊敏軒)
Qi Minxuan
3rd gen. Wu
Cheng Wing Kwong
1903–1967
3rd gen. Wu
Wu Yinghua
1907–1997
3rd gen. Wu
Wu Gongyi
1900–1970
3rd gen. Wu
Wu Kung-tsao
1903–1983
3rd gen. Wu
Ma Yueliang
1901–1998
3rd gen. Wu
Yang Yuting
1887–1982
3rd gen. Wu
(鄭天熊)
Cheng Tin Hung
1930–2005
Wudang-style
Wu Ta-k'uei
1923–1972
4th gen. Wu
Wu Yanxia
1930–2001
4th gen. Wu
Wu Daxin
1933–2005
4th gen. Wu
(立群)
Li Liqun
1924–2013
4th gen. Wu
Wang Peisheng
1919–2004
4th gen. Wu
Wu Kuang-yu
1946–Present
5th gen. Wu
(骆舒焕)
Luo Shuhuan
1935–1987
5th gen. Wu
CHEN-STYLEYANG-STYLEWU-STYLESUN-STYLEWU (HAO)-STYLE

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Cai, Naibiao (2006). "In Memory of Wu Daxin". Journal of Asian Martial Arts. 15 (1). Via Media Publishing, Erie Pennsylvania USA. ISSN 1057-8358.
  2. ^ a b Yip, Y. L. (Autumn 1998). "A Perspective on the Development of Taijiquan". Qi: The Journal of Traditional Eastern Health & Fitness. 8 (3). Insight Graphics Publishers. ISSN 1056-4004.
  3. ^ a b c d e Yip, Y. L. (Autumn 2002). "Pivot". Qi: The Journal of Traditional Eastern Health and Fitness. 12 (3). Insight Graphics Publishers. ISSN 1056-4004.