Wang Shujin

Wang Shujin (1904-1981), also known as Wang Heng Sun, was a Chinese martial artist, expert in the disciplines of Bagua Zhang, Taiji Quan, and Xingyi Quan.[1][2] He was one of the biggest impulsors of those arts outside China, being their first teacher in Taiwan and Japan. Wang was also a spiritual leader in the Taoist sect Yi Guan Dao.

Shujin started training at 18 under renowned matser Zhang Zhaodong, who he served until his death 1940. He learned as well zhanzhuang qigong under Wang Xiangzhai. Wang moved to Taiwan in the 1940s, and he taught martial arts in Japan in the 1950s and 60s. He was known for being an innovator and the first teacher to teach the Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, and Baquazhang in the country of Japan, established the Cheng Ming School there and in Taiwan. He would initiate eight known disciples during his lifetime: Chao Piaosheng, Huang Jinsheng, Jibiki Hidemine, Lai Tianzhao, Rottmann Manfred, Wang Fulai, Zhang Yizhung and Wells Marnix.

A man of almost 300 pounds, he was considered one of the greatest Chinese fighters, and it was said that his control of zhanzhuang and his immense strength and toughness enabled him to absorb the impact of strikes which would knock out a common person. This led to an interesting anecdote on December 14, 1954 when Wang met boxing champion Joe Louis while he was touring Taipei. Shujin challenged him to punch him in the stomach with all his power, claiming he would absorb the blow, but Louis refused on the saying he didn't want to kill Wang by accident.[3]

Wang famously hated karate, claiming it was a martial art valid only "to fight children and old women,"[4] and it is said Shujin tested his skills against several karate practitioners in Japan, remaining undefeated. Another anecdote supposedly saw karateka Jon Bluming injurying his wrist when attempting to hit Wang in the belly during a sparring.[5] Bluming, however, has stated that he was just a white belt in karate at the time, and that although it is true that Shujin absorbed his punch, Bluming wasn't injured, nor he considered it a special skill given Shujin's size and build.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Robert W. Smith, Pa-kua Chinese Boxing for Fitness and Self-Defense
  2. ↑ Robert W. Smith, Chinese Boxing, ISBN 1-55643-085-X
  3. ↑ http://ejmas.com/jalt/jaltart_svinth_0401.htm
  4. ↑ "Wang Shujin, Bagua Linked Palms - Translated by Kent Howard and Chen Hsiao-Yen, ISBN 978-1-58394-264-2 (1-58394-264-5)
  5. ↑ Robert W. Smith, Martial Musings
  6. ↑ Jon Bluming, Europe’s first Mixed Martial Artist, Realfighting.com

External links

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