Tchoung Ta-tchen

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Tchoung Ta-tchen (}; }) was a martial arts master who developed the Tchoung Dual Method of Yang Style T'ai Chi Ch'üan. He died February 22, 2000.

Dual method of the Old Form of Yang Style T'ai-chi ch'uan, taijiquan.

Tchoung Ta-tchen developed his own form based on the Old Form of Yang style T'ai-chi ch'uan (taijiquan). His system is unique in that it is a symmetrical routine. His long form is 220 movements. He also teaches His Fast Form and a partner application form called San Shou. He taught several weapons including sword, broadsword, double sword, staff and walking stick. He also taught the pa-kua chang (baguazhang) of Wang Shu-chin and the Hsing-I Ch'uan of Yuan Tao.

Tchoung Ta-tchen's Influences and Students

He studied with Shi Tiao Mei who was a student of Tian Shaolin. Tian was a disciple of Yang Chien-hou and considered one of the top Yang style students. Tchoung Ta-tchen also studied with Hsiung Yang-ho who was a disciple of Yang Shao-hou. For that reason his method is considered the older form of Yang style, in comparison to the newer versions that came after the modifications by Yang Cheng-fu.

Tchoung's teaching skill was due to his flexible and inquisitive mind that allowed him to work out with a lot of well known masters to increase his own skill level. On the practical side he traveled around and tried out other martial artists. If he heard that master was supposed to be good at push hands, Tchoung would visit him. According to Tchoung's student Laurens Lee: "He was famous in t'ai-chi ch'uan push hands in Taiwan. During that period of time, there was a statement in Taiwan's martial arts field: 'Big Tchoung cannot be moved, and Little Tchoung cannot be pushed off balance.' Big Tchoung referred to eagle-claw master Tchoung Fu-sheng, and Little Tchoung referred to Tchoung Ta-tchen." (Tchoung, p. 17)

Tchoung was well known for his pushing hands ability. Master Martin Lee taught in Vancouver, BC, studied Yang style and Wu style t'ai-chi ch'uan for 50 years and was a student of Tung Ying Chieh in Hong Kong. Lee was the Chairman of the Vancouver T'ai-Chi Ch'uan Masters and Friends Club. Lee wrote about Tchoung Ta-tchen, "He (Tchoung) has extraordinary t'ai-chi power. His pang-jing (peng-chin) is super-powerful… Whenever he pushes with anyone he always wins, he has never been defeated by anyone. Only one or two people can break even with him…When Master Tchoung pushed hands, both arms are soft like cotton; when you touch his arm, you feel nothing. He is truly reaching the level of 'Invisibility'. When he attacks, he moves like a speeding arrow, with great power. Lots of martial art Champions and tai chi followers respect Master Tchoung's methods." (Tchoung, p. 12)

Tchoung's practice partners were like a who's who in Internal Martial Arts in Taiwan, including Wang Shu-chi, Kuo Lien Ying, Cheng Man-ch'ing, Yuan Tao, Liang Tsung Tsai, and others.

Chinese Tai Chi Chuan Association: Tchoung was a member of the Taiwan based Chinese Tai Chi Ch'uan Association. The CTCCA was a multi sytle group of t'ai-chi chuan masters and a quasi governmental org at that time. THe CTCCA made Tchoung a delegate and he traveled to Africa to teach President Bongo of Gabon t'ai-chi ch'uan. Tchoung then traveled to South Africa where he taught for some time. Eventually he moved to Vancouver BC, Canada. He taught his unique method in Vancouver and Seattle Washington.

Continued Teaching of his System

His students who continue to teach his system include Andrew Dale, Harvey Kurland, Tim Glasheen, Peter Dickson, Laurens Lee and several others. Tchoung Ta-chen taught his evolving version of t'ai-chi ch'uan in Vancouver, British Columbia, and in Seattle, Washington. His primary school was in Vancouver's Chinatown. Because of his practical and open method of teaching, he became one of the most popular t'ai-chi ch'uan teachers in the Pacific Northwest in the 1970's. He claimed over 5000 students. Today, there are several former students and authorized teachers of the Tchoung system teaching in Canada and the USA.

Public Ceremony in 1986 Tchoung officially authorized a few of his advanced students to teach his system. In a public ceremony in 1986 Tchoung said only five students in the USA could teach his system at that time. Those students were Carey Brooks, Andrew Dale, David Harris, Harvey Kurland and Don Scott. There are several teachers of his system who are currently teaching including the following direct students in the United States: Andrew Dale, David Harris, Don Scott in Seattle, WA and Harvey Kurland in Riverside, CA. Several of his students are teaching in Canada including: Tim Glasheen in Vancouver, BC, Peter Dickson in Terrace, BC, John Camp in White Rock, BC, and Eric Eastman in Nelson, BC, Canada. Most of Tchoung's official students pictures can be found in Tchoung's text (Tchoung 1995).

References

He published his text in 1995, The Annotated and Theoretical T'ai Chi Ch'uan, which features is 120 movement short form, pushing hands and san shou. His book has pictures of his official students.

External links

• [More information]
• [http://wuji.com Seattle
• [link title NWTCCA in So Cal NW Tai Chi Chuan Association in Southern California Tai Chi in Seattle]

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