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I Chuan (cont.....)
In 1937 Wang moved to Beijing. He taught yiquan and worked further on theory of the system. Hong Lianshun, master of xingyiquan and tantui was quite famous in Beijing at that time. When Hong heard about Wang's incredible skill he came to challenge him. After being defeated Hong became Wang's student and also his students he passed to Wang. Among them was Yao Zongxun (1917-1985), who later became Wang's successor. Other Wang's students from Beijing period were: Dou Shiming (who once with one punch defeated Gao Yanwang, general Fu Shuangying's bodyguard), Dou Shicheng, Li Yongzong, Yang Demao, Zhang Zhong, Zhang Fu, Wang Binkui, Yang Shaoqing, Li Wentao, Li Jianyu, Wang Shichuan, Jiao Jingang, Ao Shuopeng, Ao Shuohong, Tong Guocao.
In 1939 Wang published in "Shibao" paper a text in which he invited all masters of martial arts to exchange experiences and ideas. The comers usually wanted to compare their skills with Wang. Wang had chosen four students who fought instead of him: Han Xingqiao, Hong Lianshun, Yao Zongxun and Zhou Ziyan. Only after defeating one of them the comer would fight with Wang, but no-one succeeded.
In 1940 in Tokio took place a big festival of martial arts in which also Chinese team participated. Some Chinese masters collaborating with Japanese went there. The chief of the team tried to persuade Wang Xiangzhai, whom he regarded as greatest master, to participate. Wang refused. But because during the festival, the Chinese talked a lot about Wang Xiangzhai, soon many Japanese started coming to Beijing to visit Wang. Many of them challenged Wang, and all were defeated. Many of them wanted become Wang's students, but only one was accepted - it was Kenichi Sawai, who later created his version of yiquan, known in Japan as taiki-ken (Sawai was one of most famous masters of martial arts in Japan, he was consultant of Masutatsu Oyama, founder of kyokushin karate). Though Sawai was Wang's student, usually he learned from Yao Zongxun.
In 1941 Wang presented his six best students with honorary names, in this way expressing his high opinion about their skills and abilities. Zhao Enqing received name Daoxin, Han Xingqiao - Daokuan, Bu Enfu - Daokui, Zhang Entong - Daode, Zhao Fengyao - Daohong. Yao Zongxun, though younger and learning yiquan for shorter time than other, showed incredible learning abilities and received name Jixiang, meaning that he was Wang Xiangzhai's successor (ji - to continue, xiang - part of Wang Xiangzhai's name). Wang also presented Yao a fan with calligraphy which is clear evidence that Yao was designed as Wang's main successor.
Yao Zongxun proved his skill in many fights, often fighting instead of Wang Xiangzhai when someone challenged him. In 1940s he also many times fought with street gangs, numerous at that time in Beijing. In this way he got much experience in real combat.
Yiquan was already a system completely separate from xingyiquan. Wang's students suggested a new name: dachengquan (boxing of great fullness). Wang opposed, because the name suggested that it was perfect system, and he maintained that there was no limit for perfecting martial art. But because his resistance wasn't strong enough, the name was used for a few years and by some is used till now. But most of Wang's students after some time started using the name of yiquan again.
Wang wrote second work about his system's theory: "Central axis of the way of fist", which is also known as "Theory of dachengquan". It was to some extent based on first book: "Correct path of yiquan". But Wang gave up completely many traditional ideas. Training methods were based on different concepts. New methods enabled achieving the same or better results easier and in shorter time.
Wang at that time taught personally only his old students, directing all newcomers to Yao Zongxun. In middle 1940s Wang started putting more attention to health aspect of yiquan exercises. He taught personally the "health" group. Some of students of this group were: Chen Haiting, Qin Zhongsan, Yu Yongnian, Bu Yukun, Mi Jingke, Sun Wenqing, Zhang Yuheng, Qi Zhenglin and Wang Xiangzhai's daughter - Wang Yufang. In 1947 this group, which practiced in Ancestors Temple (which presently is Working People's Palace of Culture) had about 100 members. Many of them were able to cure some illnessess that couldn't be cured in other way. Therapeutical efficiency and lack of side-effects of these exercises was later proved scientifically.
After 1949 the situation was not favourable for practicing yiquan as a combat art. Though in 1950 Wang was appointed as vice-president of wushu section of All-China Physical Culture Comittee, he soon gave it up. In next years he taught almost entirely the "health" version. The "health" group moved to Sun Yatsen's Park and could practice freely. Yu Yongnian presented to authorities a report about therapeutical values of zhan zhuang exercises, which resulted in introducing this method in many hospitals all over China. Also Wang Xiangzhai was asked to teach in hospitals. In 1958 he was appointed in Beijing Chinese Medicine Research Institute. In 1961 he moved to Chinese Medicine Hospital in Baoding, Hebei province. Wang turned the "health" group to Yao Zongxun, who also taught "combat" version to some chosen students. In 1962 Wang participated in qigong conference, where he performed some exercises, which were met with great interest. He died on 12th July 1963 in Tianjin.
Continue reading about I Chuan.......
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