Lineage

 

Chen Bu
Founding Ancestor

Originally from Shanxi province. Nearing the end of the Ming Dynasty, Chen Bu migrated to Henan province and moved his family to present day Chenjiagou Village in the County of Wenxian. At that time the village was called Chengyang village (mainly consisting of people with the surnames Chang and Yang). When the Chen clan prospered and its population increased, the village name was changed to Chenjiagou ('Chen' - surname, 'Jia' - the family of, 'Gou' - gully or ravine, because the village lies in a gully not far from the Yellow River). Chen Bu was an accomplished martial artist, so everyone in the village has been practising kung-fu since then.


 

Chen Wang Ting (1600-1680),
Also known as Chen Zouting- of the 9th generation from the founding ancestor Chen Bu, is traditionally held to be the originator of the Chen style of Taiji.

It is said that he was a sucessful candidate in the imperial military examinations at the provincial level in the late Ming dynasty. In 1644 ( the 14th year of Chongzhen in the reign of emperor Sizong- also the final year of the Ming dynasty, in which the combined influences of Manchu military expeditions from the north and rebel insurgences in central China served to topple the dynasty) he was appointed Commander of the Garrison Force of Wenxian county. He engaged in military expeditions against rebel forces commanded by Li Zicheng in Shandong. Upon the fall of the Ming, his opportunities for advancement ruined by the change of dynasties, he retired to Chenjiagou. It is said that while in retirement, he fused techniques from the teachings of the Ming general Qi JiKuang with traditional medical theory and taoist breathing techniques to form a unique yielding form of martial art.




Chen Sou Le
10th generation

During the last days of the Ming dynasty, (1368-1644) the country was in disorder, brigandage and anarchy were becoming prevalent. a citizen of the same couty, from Beipinggao Village, named Wang Jun Bo, was very wealthy. Several hundred cruel robbers from Shandong Province wanted to steal his treasure. Wang heard this news and was going to ask Chen Suo Le for help. On the way to see him,before he arrived at the village, he met Chen Suo Le's two sons, his eldest son Chen Shen Ru and his second son Chen Xun Ru (nicknamed Big Sky God and Second Sky God). Wang told them of his plight and asked for assistance. they resolutely undertook to help him. The brothers were twins of nearly sixteen years of age and were skilled in boxing. At Wang's request, they went (to Beipinggao Village) where all was made ready according to plan. That evening, when bandits came they were all dealt with in one fell swoop, an immediate resolution to the dangerous situation. The people of Wen county admired the two youths who were able to kill the robbers. A drama was composed, titled "A Pair of Heroes Defeat the Bandits". It is often performed during village festivals." _written by Ji Fu, Chen Zhao Pei, 5/9/35, Henan, Wenxian, Chenjiagou




Chen Guangyin
11th generation

Chen Zheng Ru
11th generation


 

Chen Shanzhi
12th generation

Chen Jingjie
12th generation

Chen Jingbai
12th generation

"In the Jia qing reign (1796-1821) of the qing dynasty, my ancestor Chen Jingbai, whose martial arts skill was of the highest level, travelled as an armed escort in Shandong province for a number of years. His reputation was such that robbers upon hearing that he was guarding the transport would not dare to attack. in Qing zhoufu he defeated Wang Ding Guo, a famous monk of the Shaolin sect. Chen Jingbai was widely praised and admired." _Chen Zhao Pei




Chen Bingwang (1748-?)
13th generation
Teacher of Chen Chang Xin.

Chen Bingren
13th generation

Chen Bingqi
13th generation

Chen Gongzhao
13th generation

Chen Yaozhao
13th generation

 

Chen Chang Xin (1771-1853)
14th generation.

Known as "Mr. Ancestral Tablet" for his upright posture and reverent attitude, he is best remembered as the instructor of Yang Lu Chan, the founder of the Yang school of Taijiquan. He has been traditionally credited with synthesizing the empty hand routines attributed to Chen Wang Ting into two forms: Yi Lu and Er Lu (Pao Chui, or Cannon Fist). These routines, along with the weapons sets came to be known as Lao Jia (or Old Frame)

 

Chen Kung Yuen
15th generation.

The son of Chen Changxin, he served as a convoy guard (piao-shih) for the gentry in Shandong. His prowess was well known: a monument to him was erected in Shandong attaining to his proficiency as a guard.




Chen Yanxi
16th generation.

The son of Chen Kung Yuen, He was noted as the instructor of the household of Yuan Shi Kai: "famous martial arts experts who met him in contests were invariably defeated. From Shandong he went on to tianjin, teaching continuously for six years. Then, because his mother was getting old, he took his leave and returned home, practicing medicine for the rest of his days" _Chen Zhao Pei He is also remembered as the instructor of Du Yu Tse.





Chen Fa ke (1887-1957)
17th generation

The son of Chen Yanxi, and the great grandson of Chen Changxin, Chen Fake was a sickly child. He was not a serious student of Taijiquan until it became obvious that the heriditary title of standard bearer for the art would pass from his father to a more deserving practitioner. This inspired him to practice in earnest: he is said to have risen in the middle of the night to practice in secret for years until his skill developed. He was recognized as a master when he was 17 years old.
In 1907, at the age of 20 he participated in a tournament in Wenxian, winning top honors. Word of his skill reached the warlord Han Fuju, who wished to employ him as a boxing teacher. Chen refused, and as a result, the angered warlord ordered a subordinate to attack Chen with a spear. Chen easily countered his attack, grasping the tip of the spear as it jabbed toward him, and reversing the force against the attacker. He was also attacked by a man with a broadsword, and forbidden to use his hands. He disarmed the man with his feet.
He is remembered for his diligent practice, performing at least 30 sets of boxing a day, as well as 300 repetitions of "pole shaking" exercises.
In 1928 he travelled to Beijing at the request of Chen Zhaopei, his nephew. He established a name for himself, defeating a number of noted martial artists. As a result of this, Chen family Taijiquan became well known.

Chen Fa Ke and students, circa 1930.
 

Perhaps his greatest contribution to martial arts was his creation of the "xin jia" branch of Chen family Taiji, which he taught from 1940 to his death in 1957. He cofounded the Capital Wushu Association of Shanxi with Hu Yaozhen (Xingyi instructor of Feng Zhiqiang). Chen Fake taught a number of students, among them his second son, Chen ZhaoXu, his third son Chen Zhaokui, Chen Zhaopei, Feng Zhiqiang, Gu Liuxin, Liu Ruizhan, Tang Hao, Li Jinwu, Li Mumin, Hong JunSheng, and Tian Xiuchen.





Chen Zhaoxu (1911-1960)
18th generation.

The second son of Chen Fake. Famed as a fighter, he may have assisted Chen Fake in teaching in Beijing during Fake's "early period."He was known for his skill in Lao Jia style. The father of Chen Xiaowang.





Chen Xiao Wang (1946-)
19th generation.

He began training under his father, Chen Zhaoxu at age 8. He also trained under Chen Zhao Pei and Chen Zhao Kuei, becoming known as one of the four "Buddhas' Warrior Attendants", the four outstanding exponents of the 19th generation in Chenjiagou. In 1980 he won first place in the National Wushu Tournament, beginning a string of first place honors on the national level. He is the creator of two simplified forms, the 19 and 38 posture routines. He is the standard bearer for the 19th generation, presently residing in Australia.





Chen Ying Jun (1976-) 20th generation.

Second son of Chen Xiao Wang.





 

Information from Chen Style Taijiquan