Jiang
(Chang Rong Chiao) was a top student of some very important instructors.
He started his training as a Shaolin student with his father,
Jiang Fa Tai. Under Chen Yue Shan he learned Mi Zong (Lost Track)
including the whip, sword, spear and Chin Na. Then came Li Cun
Yi (BaGua student of Cheng Ting Hua) and Zhang Zhao Dong (Chang
Chao Tung). Each was a major teacher Li having the nick name "Single
Saber" and Zhang being known as "Lightning Hand."
While most of the movements - according to Jiang own report -
came from Zhang's teaching, the major principles were informed
by Li's insights. Whatever the mix Jiang became one of China's
top teachers at a time when Chinese WuShu was going through a
crisis.
His response
was, in part, to begin a publishing venture unlike anyone had
done before. Among the books he issued were "Writings
on the Duckweed Sword", "Xing
Yi Mother Fists", and other important texts.His honesty
and research helped launch a new era in martial writings.
He was also
asked by sword master, Li Jing Lin, to teach at the prestigious
Nanjing Guoshu Institute. Later Jiang traveled to Henan and visited
the Chen Family village (Tai Chi's homeland) and Song Mountain
(birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu). Next to Hupei and the Wu Dang
Mountain. Among his students were listed: Jiang Zong Yi, Jiang
Zong Tao, Zhang Wen Guang, Sha Guo Zheng, Li Yuan Song, Gao Gong,
Yang Bang Tai, Zou Shu Xian (adopted daughter), Lu Yong Cai and
Wan Tian Sheng.
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Jiang
was a major influence in many ways. An also a brave and untiring
advocate for martial practice. In 1955 he suffered an accident
that permanently damaged his optic nerve. He was forced to rely
on his adopted daughter, Zou Shou Xian, to teach classes. He also
employed here while he wrote his famous book, "BaGuaZhang Practice
Methods." This is an important book in martial history. It was
the first BaGua book published after the 1949 struggled between
Communists and Nationalists. At that time boxing manuals were
officially being denounced as reactionary. Jiang not only produced
a good book but a model book with famous illustrations and clear
and excellent text showing the "Original BaGua" with which he
is associated. This version is based on the Eight Orthodox Palm
Changes and is known and respected world wide. Jiang is said to
have created a second form which combined the energies of BaGua
and Xing Yi. This style contains Chi Kung Meditation Palms, another
version of the Eight Palm Changes and a Partner Form based on
the Eight Palm Changes. Also there are some BaGua San Shou exercises
which, in this art, means that they encourage spontaneous and
natural changes.
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Jiang
continued to lecture throughout the country, dedicated to preserving
the treasures of Xing Yi and BaGua. He died in 1974 at the age
of 84. He is still remembered as an innovator and inspiration
in the promotion of martial arts.
