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Zhaobao tai chi
趙堡太極拳
Hardness	Internal (neijia)
Country of origin	China
Famous practitioners	Xing Xihuai (邢喜怀); Zhang Chuchen; Chen Jingbo (陈敬伯); Zhang Zongyu (张宗禹); Zhang Yan; Chen Qingping; He Zhaoyuan; Song Yunhua; Peng Wen
Descendant arts	Wu (Hao)-style tai chi
Olympic sport	No

Zhaobao tai chi (Chinese: 趙堡太極拳; pinyin: Zhàobǎo tàijíquán) is a style of tai chi that is often considered to be a modern style, but actually has a strong documented lineage that confirms its authenticity as an ancient style of tai chi and as a true transmission from Wang Zongyue.^[1]

Form and Characteristics

The main set of Zhaobao tai chi, or Zhaobao Jia, consists of 108 movements in the big frame and 75 refined movements in the small frame progressing in difficulty. Great emphasis is placed on Yi (mind/intent) in Zhaobao training. Like many other styles, Zhaobao Jia can be practiced at three heights, each providing a different degree of complexity. Generally students begin with the Middle Frame (Renpan Jia), progress to the Low Frame (Pangong Jia) and end with the High Frame (Daili Jia).

Zhaobao tai chi's practical applications rely heavily on spiral uprooting techniques controlled through the use of Qinna, often followed with the use of sweeps or trips to bring the opponent to the ground. Flowing and coordinated techniques conform successfully to the basic tenets of the tai chi classics.

Zhaobao tai chi also has its own Neigong system based on traditional Daoist practice that enables the practitioner to develop the required physical and mental skills needed for successful mastery of the art.

History and Lineage

The Zhaobao tai chi style shares many similarities with Chen-style tai chi, and this commonality is considered by the school to be the manifestation of influences introduced by a member of the famed Chen family- Chen Qingping.

Zhaobao tai chi is not a family style (although there exists the He Family offshoot) and has traditionally been passed down from master to a chosen disciple. The Zhaobao name is given to the style as a way of honouring the village in which the art was kept for many centuries; Zhaobao Village in Wenxian County, Henan Province, China.

According to the style's tradition, Chen Qingping was the 7th generation master from the time that the grand master Jiang Fa brought the style taught to him by Wang Zongyue to the local area in Wenxian County.

Zhaobao tai chi's lineage down to Chen Qingping is as below:

Zhang Sanfeng (Chinese: 张三丰) Various Daoists Wang Zongyue (Chinese: 王宗岳) Jiang Fa (Chinese: 蒋法, 1st generation) Xing Xihuai (Chinese: 邢喜怀, 2nd generation) Zhang Chuchen (Chinese: 张楚臣, 3rd generation) Chen Jingbo (Chinese: 陈敬伯, 4th generation) Zhang Zongyu (Chinese: 张宗禹, 5th generation) Zhang Yan (Chinese: 张彦, 6th generation) Chen Qingping (Chinese: 陳清苹, 7th generation)

Tai chi lineage tree with Zhaobao focus

Note:

This lineage tree is not comprehensive, but depicts those considered the 'gate-keepers' & most recognised individuals in each generation of Zhaobao.
Although many styles were passed down to respective descendants of the same family, the lineage focused on is that of Zhaobao & not necessarily that of a family.
Names denoted by an asterisk are legendary or semi-legendary figures in the lineage; while their involvement in the lineage is accepted by most of the major schools, it is not independently verifiable from known historical records.

Key:

NEIJIA

Solid lines

Direct teacher-student.

Dot lines

Partial influence
/taught informally
/limited time.

Wang Zongyue*
TAI CHI

Dash lines

Individual(s) omitted.

Dash cross

Branch continues.

CHEN-STYLE

(蒋法)
Jiang Fa
Zhaobao-style

(邢喜怀)
Xing Xihuai
2nd gen. Zhaobao

(陈正如)
Chen Zhengru
3rd gen. Chen

(张楚臣)
Zhang Chuchen
3rd gen. Zhaobao

(陈敬伯)
Chen Jingbo
4th gen. Chen
4th gen. Zhaobao

Zhang Zongyu
5th gen. Zhaobao

Chen Youben
c. 19th century
6th gen. Chen
Chen Small Frame

(张彦)
Zhang Yan
6th gen. Zhaobao

YANG-STYLE

(陈清萍)
Chen Qingping
1795–1868
7th gen. Chen
7th gen. Zhaobao

Wu Yuxiang
1812–1880
WU (HAO)-STYLE

(他招远)
He Zhaoyuan
1810–1890
8th gen. Zhaobao
Zhaobao He-style

Li-style

(和庆喜)
He Qingxi
1857–1936
9th gen. Zhaobao

WU-STYLE

SUN-STYLE

(宋蕴华)
Song Yunhua
1949–2006
11th gen. Zhaobao

Wudang-style

CHEN-STYLE

YANG-STYLE

WU-STYLE

SUN-STYLE

WU (HAO)-STYLE

Notes

References

^ Wen Zee & Andrew Weil (2002). Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan: Ancient Chinese Way to Health. North Atlantic Books. ISBN 15-564-3389-1.

Bibliography

Peng, Wen. Zhao Bao Tai Chi Kung Fu, USA Tai Chi Culture Association. ISBN 978-0615255668
Zheng, Wuqing. Wudang Zhaobao Taijiquan Small Frame, Da Zhan Publishing Company, Taiwan. ISBN 957-468-163-7 (only available in Chinese)