Nui Chunming (1881-1961) anyone have any info?

[velalavela]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnxokIPLzJM

Nui Chunming (1881-1961)

Hi,
does anyone have any info on his Taiji background?
Cheers

[Danny]

Hello velalavela,

Niu Chun-ming was one of the Yang Family's most senior and, unfortunately, least known disciples. He was born in 1881 in a Manchu family, and bgan learning T'ai Chi from Yang Chien-hou at the age of 21.

The story is that Niu worked in a medical clinic and met Yang Chien-hou when Yang went there for treatment of a foot condition.

After learning T'ai Chi from Chien-hou, he was asked to assist Yang Ch'eng-fu in teaching classes. He did this for 6 years.

In 1917 Yang Chien-hou acknowledged Niu as being a "Family" student (along with Tian Zhaolin and Li Yaxuan).

After Chien-hou's death, Niu became a disciple of Yang Ch'eng-fu. He is listed as a disciple in Yang's 1931 text "T'ai Chi Ch'uan Shih Yung Fa".


In 1956 Niu represented Chechiang Province in a national martial arts demonstration and was praised highly for his skill.

The youtube clip of Niu is from the 1960 film "Wan Nien Ch'ing" or "Forever Green" (lit. "1000 Years Green").

Niu was also reportedly able to prevent a bird from flying from his palm like his teacher Yang Chien-hou.

(I have heard that the complete version of the 1960 film had Niu doing this!)

Niu died in 1961 in Hangchou.


In 2000 Niu's daughter, Niu Youling, published "Niu Chun-ming T'ai Chi Ch'uan" with some nice photos of her father performing the form.

Niu's grandson, Meng Xianmin, currently teaches his grandfather's T'ai Chi in Hangchou.

Ding Shuide, a student of Niu's, has VCD's of himself performing Niu's Traditional Yang Long Form, Yang Sword, Sabre, and a 36 Posture Short Form that he and Meng Xianmin created.


Hope this helps,

Danny

[velalavela]

Yes,

thanks for that. Realy interesting. Especially the Yang Chien Hou link.

There is a nice 'Yang fast form' on you tube with some nice expresions of Fa jin \I think it is his student Ding Shuide ( Just by the pics on the vcd covers I saw on web).

I wonder what some of the Yang Tai Chi folks make of this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouj8116dp6Q

regards

[Danny]

The guy doing the fast form is Qiu Shaoguan, not Ding.

Here is Qiu doing a bit of the Traditional Yang form: http://www.56.com/u28/v_MjU2MjMxMw.html

But he looks too young to have studied directly with Niu...and I'm not sure of his lineage to Niu...


Here is Ding Shuide doing the Yang 36 Short Form he and Meng Xianmin created:

http://www.cafemecx.com/Public_Cafe/Tai ... Shuide.htm


And here is Meng Xianmin doing a 27 move form he created:

http://www.56.com/u31/v_MTk0NjQwNA.html


Niu Chunming's "flavor" in doing the form in his clip can be clearly seen in Meng and Ding.

[velalavela]

Cool,

thanks for the correction in identification.

much appreciated.

[nianfong]

nice posts danny. welcome to the forum!
velalavela welcome to the forum as well.

[Formosa Neijia]

Here is Ding Shuide doing the Yang 36 Short Form he and Meng Xianmin created:

http://www.cafemecx.com/Public_Cafe/Tai ... Shuide.htm

I put that clip up because it's one of the best i've ever seen. I really like Ding's style. His broadsword form is fantastic:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PnHw_R3xyPQ

Dave C.