A lesser known figure outside of China, Li Jingwu (1912-1997)probably is one of the most accomplished Chen style Taiji master of his generation. Listed below are some quick references to his achievements:

1. One of Chen Fake’s top disciples, who could neutralise up to 4 of Chen’s successive fajings.
2.  Known for his upright character, mild mannerism and integrity, especially when exchanging pointers with opponents.
3. Respected Grand Master of both Chen and Wu style Taiji.
4. He is Wang Peisheng’s kungfu brother and together they form 2 out of the 5 Taiji Tigers of that era.
5.  Represented Beijing in the 1956 National Wushu Exchange Competition together with Wang Yongquan and Zhang Yansheng. He came in 1st in his Category.
6.  Also practice Sun Style and Yang Style Taiji, and helped with the compiling of the standard Beijing 24-Form teaching video.
7. Made significant contributions to the book “Chen Style Taijiquan” of Shen Jiazhen and Gu Liuxin, but credits to him was mistakenly excluded.
8. Also known for his qigong and accupunture skills.
9.  He not only contributed public articles on what is chansijing in the 1960s, he is also a testament to its high level application (See 2:10 to 2:19 of the clip above).
10.  He is well liked and respected by students, teachers and all others in the Taiji circle.

Chen Family Small Frame Taiji seems to most to be the lesser cousin of the Large Frame. This is not surprising as there have been much more written and discussed about the latter in the last 70 years or so due to its popularity. Some of the factors that could have contributed to this scenario are of course Chen Fake’s efforts and distinction that shook Beijing from the 1930s; and also Chen Zhaopi’s relentless labours from 1950s Chen Village for grooming some of today’s grandmasters.

However, it is interesting to look beyond the last 70 years and realise that the vast majority of the written works then about Chen Family Taiji was based on the Small Frame. The published works of Chen Xin and Chen Zhiming, which contain substantial discussions on theories, are both based on the Small Frame postures.

Regarded as the Chen Family Taiji Classics, we are fortunate to have Chen Xin’s “The illustrated Canon of Chen Family Taijiquan“, as well as Chen Zhiming’s “The Art of Chen Family Taijiquan Transmitted through the Generations“/ “The essence of Taijiquan” reprinted and republished in recent years. This, by no doubt, has helped to keep interests level high, and fan the growth of Chen Family Taiji players globally, whether Small Frame or Large.

So, what are the relations between the two frames and why the distinction, since a lot of the theories seen in the Chen Taiji classics can be applied to the Large Frame as well?

The preface of the recently republished book from Chen Zhiming offers us a view “The development that occurred during Chen Changxin’s and Chen Youben’s time was by leaps and bounds. There was further development through Chen Youben who innovated on what was traditionally transmitted to him. With many years of his own achievements in learning, enlightenment and combat efficiency, he modified some of the Large Frame movements. In his later years, he created what was to become Chen Family Small Frame, which has more continuous flow, and contains many lively and compact transition movements, and therefore more combat practical. The postures are similar to the Large Frame in terms of expansiveness but the fajing comes with a muted or delayed effect. Chen Youben is the innovator of the Small Frame while Chen Changxin is the successor of the traditional Large Frame.”

However, it is also interesting to hear Chen Xizhao, one of Chen Fake’s student based in Xi An, quoted as saying in Ma Guo Xiang’s book <My Taiji Journey>” Among the older generation, it is acknowledged that the small frame is foremost.”  If you are thinking “foremost” in terms of development, then the quote is in line with what is stated in the preface. But is it possible that it is not; and what are the implications?

Whatever it is, Chen Family Small Frame Taiji has its unique flavour. Let us take a moment to enjoy the clip below to mark the uniqueness of the Small Frame and also as a tribute to the recently demised Grand Master Chen Liqing. I do not practice the Small Frame or for that matter, I have no clue what Grand Master Chen Liqing is like. So to me, when I think of the Chen Family Small Frame Taiji, this clip of Grand Master Chen Liqing comes to mind with her exquisite performance of the hallmark muted fajing.

For more details on the Chen Family Small Frame, refer to this site: http://www.chinafrominside.com/ma/taiji/xiaojia.html

Well the scanned images may not be of high resolution but it is good enough for research or personal use.

So here it is The Tai-chi Martial Art Digital Archive.

One of the manual in this archive is  by 17th generation xiaojia master, Chen Ziming. His work, The Art of Chen Family Taijiquan Transmitted Through Generations published in 1932.

Well hopefully some of you find this archive useful.

Finally someone by the name of Alex Golstein translated the Chen Taiji classic 陈氏太极拳图说 by Chen Xin (陈鑫）.  This book is quoted in almost all Chen Style TaijiQuan books. It was a delight finding this book in the bookstore.However this book is written in classical Chinese with no punctuation marks. It is not easy to understand if even if you know Chinese. The topics that he covered are YingYang Theory, silk reeling theory, meridian theory and notes on the various postures. 

Now with the English translation, non Chinese readers may attempt to gain some insight into what he wrote.

Prefer to this link for a preview of the chapters.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 750 pages
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 5986870085
• ISBN-13: 979-5986870082
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.5 x 3.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds

here is a side by side comparison of Chen ZhaoKui in the video and a line drawing of him in the book Chenshi Taijiquan

Many people have since been taught by him. Most of the current Chen taijiquan instructors are either his students or students of his students. Of course with globlization, we start to see some instructors from China teaching here too.

Here are some of the local instructors of Chen style taijiquan in no particular order. 

• Mr Xu JinKe
• Mr Peng Xiuwan teaching in Toa Payoh
• Mr Liao WenJian  in Jurong area if i am not wrong
• Mr Lin Dexin in Sengkang

and some others ..maybe the rest of the visitors can chip in.

I do not recommend any one specifically. I leave it to you to find out more yourself.  Read this post

 :)