Authored by Gao Xiaofei (高小飞) Translated by Joshua Hehr
From childhood, I was influenced by my father to practice Taijiquan. My father became a disciple of the famous martial artist Mr. Wang Peisheng in his youth, so I called Mr. Wang "Master-Grandfather." I often accompanied my father to visit Master-Grandfather's home. Though I was young at the time, in my memory, Master-Grandfather was a man of few words who sat upright in a backless chair with a serene countenance and spirited eyes, commanding respect. My father's generation had many close friends, all of whom praised Master-Grandfather's martial arts skills without exception, even to the point of wonder. At that time, in my mind, Master-Grandfather's image was extremely lofty, and reverence arose naturally within me.
When I was 10 years old, I first learned basic skills from my father's friend, the famous wrestling master Teacher Li Wenquan, while also listening to my father teach Taijiquan. When I was 13, Teacher Li passed away from illness, so I continued practicing on my own. After several years, the idea sprouted to learn boxing from Master-Grandfather. After entering high school, my father took me to Master-Grandfather's home, and from then on I began to formally seek instruction from him. Initially I learned the Thirteen Postures of Stretching Tendons and Pulling Bones, free-form techniques, and so on, then gradually learned Cheng-style Baguazhang, Yin-style Baguazhang, and the Wu-style Taijiquan Thirty-Seven Postures that Master-Grandfather had arranged. At that time, Master-Grandfather's courtyard was still spacious, with open space inside and out. In the courtyard, I would practice every move and posture I had learned for Master-Grandfather to observe, and would also practice shaking the large spear outside the courtyard gate. All of this is as fresh in my memory as if it happened yesterday.
Master-Grandfather is a great martial arts master of our time, and receiving his instruction was extremely difficult. At the time, many people envied me, and quite a few friends came to practice with me, asking what Master-Grandfather had taught. Since I hadn't practiced well enough myself and couldn't teach others, I brought friends to Master-Grandfather's home to learn together, and he would patiently instruct everyone without exception. Master-Grandfather was also very strict—if you hadn't practiced what was taught last time, he could tell at a glance. Master-Grandfather's explanations emphasized drawing inferences from one example; if you still didn't understand after being told several times, his expression would become serious. This is what made many people apprehensive about Master-Grandfather. But as long as you practiced what was taught diligently, Master-Grandfather would teach new things. My feeling at the time was that no matter how much you learned, there was always something new waiting for you, without end—Master-Grandfather knew far too much. Outside, I would often find people to push hands with or test techniques, and when encountering problems, I would come ask Master-Grandfather without hesitation. The old gentleman was always generous with his teaching, immediately pointing out the crux of the problem, then explaining with vivid examples in an accessible way, guiding students patiently, making learners feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.
In 1987, when I was 24 years old, I had the opportunity to study in Japan, so I invited a friend to cross the sea to Japan together. When someone asked why I was going to Japan, I casually replied: "To open a martial arts school and teach boxing." Actually, this seemed like a joke, just for laughs. Unexpectedly, in my fourth year in Japan—that is, in October 1991—I finally had the opportunity to teach Taijiquan at a cultural center. Coincidentally, in the same month, Master-Grandfather, along with a delegation from the China Sports Management Bureau, was invited by the Japan Qigong Association and Yomiuri Shimbun to visit Japan to teach Taijiquan and qigong. When I learned this news, my excitement was beyond words.
This was the annual qigong lecture conference organized by the Japan Qigong Association. The venue was set at the Tokyo Yomiuri Theatre, with over a thousand attendees. When Master-Grandfather entered the venue, he was full of vigor and imposing presence. As his assistant, I was fortunate enough to step onto the stage with him. The old gentleman spoke in a resonant voice, telling everyone that coming to Japan, first, he was establishing connections with everyone, and second, he was passing on the newly arranged Taijiquan Sixteen Postures to his grand-disciple Gao Xiaofei... At that moment, with the applause from the audience, I was overwhelmed with excitement. Master-Grandfather had inadvertently introduced me to everyone—this was truly tremendous encouragement and support for me, and I nearly forgot my role on stage.
Master-Grandfather's lecture was rich and varied in content, covering a wide range, giving attendees a fresh perspective. In particular, he explained the similarities and differences between Taijiquan and qigong, clearly stating that Taijiquan is a martial art, while in terms of cultivating body and mind, it is consistent with qigong. He also discussed the significance of qigong and some simple and easy practice methods. Regarding Taijiquan, the old gentleman emphasized it is divided into two major aspects: form and application; possessing both constitutes Taiji.
At the time, due to time constraints, the details of the boxing techniques couldn't be discussed. I demonstrated the Wu-style Taijiquan Thirty-Seven Postures on stage, with Master-Grandfather providing explanations. I would advance with attacks, and Master-Grandfather would demonstrate the application of Taijiquan. I remember that almost at the same moment I advanced with my hand, I was sent flying, tumbling to the ground. I would get up and continue advancing, only to be sent flying again—the shorter throws were over ten feet, the longer ones several zhang away. During one instance, I was actually lifted into the air, then tumbled to the ground, my body making a crisp impact sound against the stage floor. The audience repeatedly burst into thunderous applause and cheers. Afterward, Master-Grandfather demonstrated the newly arranged Sixteen Postures of Taijiquan with ease and grace, captivating everyone.
During Master-Grandfather's visit to Japan, the old gentleman and I successively conducted specialized teaching and lecture activities at Tokyo Yotsuya Public Hall, Chiba Budo University, the Osaka Qigong Association, and other locations. At the Osaka venue, several hundred people attended, with excellent results. At the Tokyo Nippon Budokan, we recorded an instructional video for beginner Wu-style Taijiquan, published and distributed by BIB Japan Video Publishing Company.
Although Master-Grandfather's group's teaching visit to Japan was brief, it left a vivid and profound impression on the vast number of Taijiquan enthusiasts. People responded enthusiastically that they had seen genuine Taijiquan and a true Taijiquan master. From that time on, borrowing Master-Grandfather's prestige and adhering to the principle of teaching and learning from each other, I have taught Taijiquan and Baguazhang, not daring to slacken to this day. Although I have not yet widely popularized the insights of our school, the various methods Master-Grandfather transmitted have penetrated deeply into practitioners' hearts, and a new situation will emerge before long. Therefore, I think Master-Grandfather is the pride of China, and the various methods he transmitted, such as Taiji, are likewise treasures in China's cultural treasury. We have an obligation to inherit, spread, and carry them forward.