Chen Bu - Founding Ancestor
Originally from Shanxi province. Nearing the end of
the Ming Dynasty, Chen Bu migrated to Henan province and
moved his family to present day Chenjiagou Village in the
County of Wenxian. At that time the village was called
Chengyang village (mainly consisting of people with the
surnames Chang and Yang). When the Chen clan prospered
and its population increased, the village name was
changed to Chenjiagou ('Chen' - surname, 'Jia' - the
family of, 'Gou' - gully or ravine, because the village
lies in a gully not far from the Yellow River). Chen Bu
was an accomplished martial artist, so everyone in the
village has been practising kung-fu since then.
Chen
Wang Ting (1600-1680), -also known as Chen Zouting- of
the 9th generation from the founding ancestor Chen Bu, is traditionally
held to be the originator of the Chen style of Taiji.
It is said that he was a sucessful candidate in the
imperial military examinations at the provincial level in
the late Ming dynasty. In 1644 ( the 14th year of
Chongzhen in the reign of emperor Sizong- also the final
year of the Ming dynasty, in which the combined
influences of Manchu military expeditions from the north
and rebel insurgences in central China served to topple
the dynasty) he was appointed Commander of the Garrison
Force of Wenxian county. He engaged in military
expeditions against rebel forces commanded by Li Zicheng
in Shandong. Upon the fall of the Ming, his opportunities
for advancement ruined by the change of dynasties, he
retired to Chenjiagou. It is said that while in
retirement, he fused techniques from the teachings of the
Ming general Qi JiKuang with traditional medical theory
and taoist breathing techniques to form a unique yielding
form of martial art.
Chen Sou Le 10th generation
During the last days of the Ming dynasty, (1368-1644) the
country was in disorder, brigandage and anarchy were
becoming prevalent. a citizen of the same couty, from
Beipinggao Village, named Wang Jun Bo, was very wealthy.
Several hundred cruel robbers from Shandong Province
wanted to steal his treasure. Wang heard this news and
was going to ask Chen Suo Le for help. On the way to see
him,before he arrived at the village, he met Chen Suo
Le's two sons, his eldest son Chen Shen Ru and his second
son Chen Xun Ru (nicknamed Big Sky God and Second Sky God).
Wang told them of his plight and asked for assistance.
they resolutely undertook to help him. The brothers were
twins of nearly sixteen years of age and were skilled in
boxing. At Wang's request, they went (to Beipinggao
Village) where all was made ready according to plan. That
evening, when bandits came they were all dealt with in
one fell swoop, an immediate resolution to the dangerous
situation. The people of Wen county admired the two
youths who were able to kill the robbers. A drama was
composed, titled "A Pair of Heroes Defeat the
Bandits". It is often performed during village
festivals." _written by Ji Fu, Chen Zhao Pei, 5/9/35,
Henan, Wenxian, Chenjiagou
Chen Guangyin 11th generation
Chen Zheng Ru 11th generation
Chen Shanzhi 12th generation
Chen Jingjie 12th generation
Chen Jingbai 12th generation
"In the Jia qing reign (1796-1821) of the qing
dynasty, my ancestor Chen Jingbai, whose martial arts
skill was of the highest level, travelled as an armed
escort in Shandong province for a number of years. His
reputation was such that robbers upon hearing that he was
guarding the transport would not dare to attack. in Qing
zhoufu he defeated Wang Ding Guo, a famous monk of the
Shaolin sect. Chen Jingbai was widely praised and admired."
_Chen Zhao Pei
Chen Bingwang (1748-?) 13th
generation
Teacher of Chen Chang Xin.
Chen Bingren 13th generation
Chen Bingqi 13th generation
Chen Gongzhao 13th generation
Chen Yaozhao 13th generation
Chen Chang Xin (1771-1853) 14th
generation.
Known as "Mr. Ancestral Tablet" for his upright
posture and reverent attitude, he is best remembered as
the instructor of Yang Lu Chan, the founder of the Yang
school of Taijiquan. He has been traditionally credited
with synthesizing the empty hand routines attributed to
Chen Wang Ting into two forms: Yi Lu and Er Lu (Pao Chui,
or Cannon Fist). These routines, along with the weapons
sets came to be known as Lao Jia (or Old Frame)
Chen Kung Yuen 15th generation.
The son of Chen Changxin, he served as a convoy guard (piao-shih)
for the gentry in Shandong. His prowess was well known: a
monument to him was erected in Shandong attaining to his
proficiency as a guard.
Chen Yanxi 16th generation.
The son of Chen Kung Yuen, He was noted as the instructor
of the household of Yuan Shi Kai: "famous martial
arts experts who met him in contests were invariably
defeated. From Shandong he went on to tianjin, teaching
continuously for six years. Then, because his mother was
getting old, he took his leave and returned home,
practicing medicine for the rest of his days" _Chen
Zhao Pei He is also remembered as the instructor of Du Yu
Tse.
Chen
Fa ke (1887-1957) 17th generation
The son of Chen Yanxi, and the great grandson of Chen
Changxin, Chen Fake was a sickly child. He was not a
serious student of Taijiquan until it became obvious that
the heriditary title of standard bearer for the art would
pass from his father to a more deserving practitioner.
This inspired him to practice in earnest: he is said to
have risen in the middle of the night to practice in
secret for years until his skill developed. He was
recognized as a master when he was 17 years old.
In 1907, at the age of 20 he participated in a tournament
in Wenxian, winning top honors. Word of his skill reached
the warlord Han Fuju, who wished to employ him as a
boxing teacher. Chen refused, and as a result, the
angered warlord ordered a subordinate to attack Chen with
a spear. Chen easily countered his attack, grasping the
tip of the spear as it jabbed toward him, and reversing
the force against the attacker. He was also attacked by a
man with a broadsword, and forbidden to use his hands. He
disarmed the man with his feet.
He is remembered for his diligent practice, performing at
least 30 sets of boxing a day, as well as 300 repetitions
of "pole shaking" exercises.
In 1928 he travelled to Beijing at the request of Chen
Zhaopei, his nephew. He established a name for himself,
defeating a number of noted martial artists. As a result
of this, Chen family Taijiquan became well known.

Chen Fa Ke and students, circa 1930.
Perhaps his greatest contribution to martial arts was
his creation of the "xin jia" branch of Chen
family Taiji, which he taught from 1940 to his death in
1957. He cofounded the Capital Wushu Association of
Shanxi with Hu Yaozhen (Xingyi instructor of Feng
Zhiqiang). Chen Fake taught a number of students, among
them his second son, Chen ZhaoXu, his third son Chen
Zhaokui, Chen Zhaopei, Feng Zhiqiang, Gu Liuxin, Liu
Ruizhan, Tang Hao, Li Jinwu, Li Mumin, Hong JunSheng, and
Tian Xiuchen.
Chen
Zhaoxu (1911-1960) 18th generation.
The second son of Chen Fake. Famed as a fighter, he may
have assisted Chen Fake in teaching in Beijing during
Fake's "early period."He was known for his
skill in Lao Jia style. The father of Chen Xiaowang.
Chen
Xiao Wang (1946-) 19th
generation.
He began training under his father, Chen Zhaoxu at age 8.
He also trained under Chen Zhao Pei and Chen Zhao Kuei,
becoming known as one of the four "Buddhas' Warrior
Attendants", the four outstanding exponents of the
19th generation in Chenjiagou. In 1980 he won first place
in the National Wushu Tournament, beginning a string of
first place honors on the national level. He is the
creator of two simplified forms, the 19 and 38 posture
routines. He is the standard bearer for the 19th
generation, presently residing in Australia.
Chen
Ying Jun (1976-) 20th generation.
Second son of Chen Xiao Wang.
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