Zhao Zeren

Biography

Zhao Zeren (赵泽仁), a distinguished Chinese martial artist and filmmaker, is a prominent figure in the preservation and promotion of traditional internal martial arts (neijia), particularly Northern Wu-style Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) and Baguazhang (Eight Trigrams Palm). As a sixth-generation inheritor of Wu-style Taijiquan and a third-generation disciple of the Yin Cheng Gong Fa (印诚功法) lineage, Zhao has dedicated his career to documenting, teaching, and disseminating these arts through films, books, and public instruction. His work bridges the gap between historical martial traditions and modern audiences, emphasizing the Daoist principles of internal cultivation, combat efficacy, and health benefits. Zhao's contributions, including his role in producing landmark videos and participating in media programs, have helped safeguard the legacies of masters like Wang Peisheng, making him a key ambassador for Chinese martial heritage in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Early Life and Background

Zhao Zeren was born in the mid-20th century (exact date undocumented) in Beijing, during the Republican era of China, a time of political turmoil, the Japanese occupation (1937–1945), and the transition to the People's Republic in 1949. Beijing, the imperial capital, was a vibrant center for martial arts, with lineages from the Wu, Yang, and Dong families thriving amid social changes. Growing up in this environment, Zhao was exposed to diverse fighting styles from a young age, reflecting the era's emphasis on physical fitness and cultural preservation as tools for national resilience.From childhood, Zhao displayed a strong interest in martial arts, influenced by Beijing's martial community and the nationalist Guoshu movement of the 1920s–1930s. His early years coincided with the suppression of traditional practices during the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), which forced many masters underground, but Zhao's passion endured, leading him to seek formal training in the post-reform era of the 1980s.

Training Under Renowned Masters

Zhao Zeren's formal martial education began in his youth with Chinese Wrestling (Shuaijiao), a traditional grappling art emphasizing throws and joint locks. At age 10, he apprenticed under masters Han Ying (韩英) and Na Zhengang (那振刚), renowned Shuaijiao experts in Beijing. This foundational training honed his physical strength, balance, and combat instincts, providing a base for his later internal arts studies.In 1973, Zhao expanded into Tongbeiquan (through-arm fist), a long-range striking style known for its fluid, whipping motions and explosive power. By 1983, he delved into Baguazhang and Wu-style Taijiquan under the guidance of Grandmaster Wang Peisheng (1919–2004), a versatile master of Northern Wu-style Taijiquan and multiple internal arts. Wang, a disciple of Yang Yuting and Wang Maozhai, taught Zhao the Wu-style's "Small Frame" (Xiao Jia) characteristics: compact, precise movements, high stances, slanted posture for agility, and emphasis on softness, sensitivity (ting jin), and internal energy (neigong).In 1984, Zhao was formally accepted as Wang's disciple, becoming a sixth-generation member of the Wu-style Taijiquan organization and a sixth-generation Baguazhang practitioner. Under Wang, Zhao mastered:

• Wu-Style Taijiquan: The 108-movement long form, push hands (tuishou) for neutralization and combat, and weapons like sword and saber, rooted in Wu Quanyou's adaptations from Yang Luchan.
• Baguazhang: Circle-walking (zou quan), palm changes, and animal forms from the Yin-style lineage, emphasizing evasion, spiral energy, and Daoist philosophy.
• Xingyiquan and Other Arts: Integrated training in Form-Intent Fist (with its five elements and animal forms), Bajiquan (explosive close-range strikes), weapons, and Qigong for qi cultivation.

Zhao also studied under Master Luo Shuhuan, following the rigorous Daoist principles of the Taijiquan Classics, which stress theory and practice in harmony. This comprehensive education, combining external (Shuaijiao, Tongbeiquan) and internal arts, made Zhao a well-rounded practitioner, embodying the Yin Cheng Gong Fa's holistic approach.

Contributions to Martial Arts Preservation and Promotion

Zhao Zeren's most significant contributions lie in documenting and disseminating traditional martial arts through his dual career in filmmaking and teaching. As Director of the Children’s Film Studio of the China Film Group Corporation, Zhao leveraged his professional skills to preserve the legacies of masters like Wang Peisheng. Beginning in the 1980s, he initiated a major project to film Wang's performances, starting with Liu Shi Ba Fa (Liu Style Baguazhang) in the Imperial Garden and Wu-style Taijiquan at the Temple of Great Enlightenment. This effort culminated in 1992 with the publication of a comprehensive collection in videotape, VCD, and DVD formats, safeguarding historical forms and techniques for future generations.These recordings, including detailed demonstrations of Wu-style forms, Baguazhang palm changes, and integrated internal arts, have become invaluable resources for practitioners worldwide. Zhao's work emphasized the Daoist law of internal martial arts, combining theoretical explanations with practical applications, ensuring the arts' authenticity amid modernization.In teaching, Zhao began sharing Tongbeiquan and Shuaijiao in 1973, expanding to Baguazhang and Wu-style Taijiquan in 1983. He has trained numerous formal disciples, focusing on rigorous integration of theory and practice. Zhao's approach promotes the health benefits of these arts—improved balance, flexibility, qi flow, and stress reduction—while retaining martial efficacy for self-defense. His efforts align with the post-Cultural Revolution revival of martial arts in China, contributing to their recognition as cultural heritage.Zhao has also participated in media programs, such as "Gongfu Legacy – Baguazhang" (功夫传承 – 八卦掌) and "Personal Accounts – Understanding Taijiquan" (口述 – 悟太极), sharing insights on internal principles and historical lineages. Retired from filmmaking, he continues to spread traditional martial arts through lectures, workshops, and television appearances.

Teaching Career and Notable Students

Zhao Zeren's teaching career spans over four decades, attracting students from diverse backgrounds, including martial enthusiasts, scholars, and international practitioners. He teaches in Beijing, emphasizing the Yin Cheng Gong Fa's ethical framework: diligence, humility, and harmony. His classes cover Wu-style forms, Baguazhang circle-walking, Shuaijiao throws, and Qigong for internal cultivation, with a focus on practical applications like push hands and combat drills.Zhao has gained many formal disciples, though specific names are less documented publicly. His students often continue the lineage through local associations and global exchanges, preserving the northern branches of Wu-style and Baguazhang. As a third-generation member of Wang Peisheng's group, Zhao's role in transmission ensures the continuity of these arts, influencing contemporary practitioners in China and abroad.

Challenges and Reputation

Zhao Zeren navigated significant challenges, including the Cultural Revolution's suppression of traditional practices, which forced many arts underground. As a filmmaker and martial artist, he balanced professional demands with clandestine training, emerging in the reform era to document endangered forms. The Japanese occupation and Civil War earlier disrupted lineages, but Zhao's dedication helped revive them.Zhao's reputation as a master stems from his rigorous adherence to Daoist principles and his role as a cultural preserver. Contemporaries and students praise his graceful demonstrations and deep theoretical knowledge, viewing him as a living link to masters like Wang Peisheng. His media appearances have elevated his status as an educator, earning acclaim for making complex internal arts accessible without diluting their essence.

Later Life and Current Activities

In his later years, Zhao Zeren has retired from his film career to focus on martial arts promotion. He continues to teach in Beijing, participate in television programs, and contribute to cultural preservation efforts. As of recent years, Zhao remains active, devoting energy to spreading traditional martial arts through workshops and media, ensuring their relevance in modern China.

Legacy and Global Influence

Zhao Zeren's documentation of Wang Peisheng's arts has profoundly impacted the preservation of Wu-style Taijiquan and Baguazhang, with his videos serving as primary resources for global practitioners. These materials have influenced international schools, promoting the styles' health benefits—such as enhanced mindfulness and physical well-being—alongside martial applications. Through his disciples and media work, Zhao's lineage extends to overseas communities, fostering cross-cultural exchanges.Today, Zhao's contributions are evident in Wu-style and Baguazhang associations worldwide, where his emphasis on Daoist theory inspires holistic training. His efforts align with UNESCO's recognition of Taijiquan as intangible cultural heritage (2020), underscoring his role in safeguarding China's martial legacy. Videos and programs featuring Zhao continue to educate new generations, affirming his enduring influence.

Historical and Cultural Context

Zhao Zeren's life spans the Republican era, Communist revolution, Cultural Revolution, and reform periods, when martial arts evolved from suppressed traditions to national treasures. His work in Beijing reflects the post-1949 promotion of wushu for fitness, similar to efforts by masters like Chen Fake. As a Wu-style and Baguazhang inheritor, Zhao bridges Manchu and Daoist origins with contemporary dissemination. Historical records, drawn from lineage websites (e.g., YCGF.org), media appearances, and martial arts texts, blend documented achievements with the revered status typical of modern neijia figures.

Conclusion

Zhao Zeren's journey—from a young Shuaijiao student to a master filmmaker and preserver of internal martial arts—exemplifies dedication, innovation, and cultural guardianship. By documenting Wang Peisheng's teachings and promoting Wu-style Taijiquan and Baguazhang through teaching and media, he has ensured their vitality for future generations. His legacy of theoretical depth, practical skill, and Daoist harmony continues to inspire practitioners globally, cementing Zhao Zeren's place as a vital figure in Chinese martial arts history.

External Links

TJ_ZhaoZeren

Zhao Zeren (赵泽仁) of Beijing, is Director of the Children's Film Studio of the China Film Group Corporation. Master Zhao started his martial art training in Chinese Wrestling (Shuaijiao) at age 10 with Master Han Ying (韩英) and Na Zhengang (那振刚).

ycgf.org