The Archive

Masters: Lineage Holders & Teachers in the GEMAC Archive

Biographical records of the masters whose teaching shaped the traditions documented in this archive — from the founders of the classical systems to the instructors who carried them to North America.

Bajiquan

Li Shuwen

Li Shuwen (1864–1934) was a martial artist associated with Bajiquan, remembered for his spear skill. His life, lineage, and influence on Bajiquan transmission.

Yang Style Tai Chi

Yang Chengfu

Yang Chengfu (1883–1936) standardized the large-frame Yang Style long form and carried Tai Chi to the public. His life, lineage, and legacy.

Choy Li Fut

Chan Heung

Chan Heung (1806–1875) founded Choy Li Fut in 1836, combining the teachings of Choy Ah Fook, Li Yau San, and Chan Yuan Wu. His life, teachers, and lineage.

Bajiquan

Huo Diange

Huo Diange (1886–1942), top student of Li Shuwen, carried Bajiquan into the last imperial court and trained the guards of Puyi in Tianjin.

Bajiquan

Liu Yunqiao

Liu Yunqiao (1909–1992) studied Bajiquan in the Li Shuwen circle, served as a Kuomintang officer, and founded the Wutang branch of the art in Taiwan.

Wu (Hao) Style Tai Chi

Wu Yuxiang

Wu Yuxiang (1812–1880) studied with Yang Luchan and Chen Qingping, founded Wu (Hao) style Tai Chi, and preserved the classical texts of the art.

Choy Li Fut · Yang Style Tai Chi

Steffan de Graffenried

Steffan de Graffenried founded Golden Eagle Martial Arts Centers in 1997 in northern Alabama. His teaching and translations are documented in this archive.

Choy Gar (Choy family fist)

Choy Fook

Choy Fook, a Chan Buddhist monk of the Shaolin tradition, taught Chan Heung the Choy family fist methods honored in the name Choy Li Fut.

Li Gar (Li family fist)

Li Yau San

Li Yau San, master of the Li family fist, taught Chan Heung in the 1830s; the Li in Choy Li Fut records his contribution to the system.

Fut Gar (Buddha family fist)

Chan Yuen Wu

Chan Yuen Wu, Chan Heung's uncle, gave him his first training in the family fist and started the path that produced Choy Li Fut in 1836.

Choy Li Fut — Hung Sing branch

Jeong Yim

Cheung Hung-sing (Jeong Yim, 1824–1893), Chan Heung's most famous disciple, founder of the Fut San Hung Sing branch of Choy Li Fut.

Choy Li Fut — King Mui (Chan Family) branch

Chan On-pak

Chan On-pak, elder son of Choy Li Fut founder Chan Heung, renowned spear master who carried the King Mui lineage into the twentieth century.

Choy Li Fut — King Mui (Chan Family) branch

Chan Koon-pak

Chan Koon-pak, younger son of Choy Li Fut founder Chan Heung, carried the system from King Mui to Jiangmen and founded a major center in Guangzhou.

Choy Li Fut — King Mui (Chan Family) branch

Chan Yiu-chi

Chan Yiu-chi, grandson of Choy Li Fut founder Chan Heung, led the King Mui lineage in Guangzhou and trained the teachers who carried the system worldwide.