A Brief Chronological Life History of Grand Master Huang
By Foong Choon Sang (Some information was extracted from The Biography of HuangXingxiang Grand Master Huang)
Translation by Len Lee Nam, assisted by Lai Yin Wai
| 1910 | Born on 15th February in Qianyu Village (前屿村) of Gushan Town (鼓山镇), city of Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China. |
| 1917 | Received early education under the tutelage of Ruan family (阮家) private tuition centre. Studied ‘You Xue Qiong Lin' (幼学琼林)， Chinese History 'Zuo Zhuan' (左传)， Analects of Confucius (伦语)， Mencius (孟子) and other Chinese Classics. |
| 1923 | As his mother was injured by a bully of the same village, GMH wanted to take revenge by learning martial arts. His mum advised him not to harbour hatred. She wanted him to learn martial arts for health, to help others and to defend the country’s dignity. GMH took heed of her advice. |
| 1924 | He learnt the art of Calling Crane (鸣鹤), one type of White Crane boxing from Master Xie Zongxiang (谢宗祥), aka Yu Si (俞司)(1852 - 1930). Master Xie’s teacher was Grand Master Pan Yuba (潘屿八) a well-known Calling Crane exponent who first learnt Luo Han Quan (罗汉拳) then White Crane Boxing. The Calling Crane form of martial arts was formed when Grand Master Pan combined the Luo Han Quan (二十八宿) into White Crane. The originator of Goju-Ryu Karate Higaonna Karyu(1853-1915) and founder Chogun Miyagi (1888-1953) were students of Master Xie. GMH graduated after learning from Master Xie for 3 years. Master Xie was so impressed by GMH’s impeccable respect for his teacher and his willingness to excel that he sent him to his elder disciple Chen Shiding (陈世鼎)aka Ma Huo Si (麻伙司) for further advancement, with that GMH achieved a quantum leap in Calling Crane boxing. During this period GMH befriended a monk from the Chongfu Temple (崇福寺) where he learnt about herbs, an essential part of Chinese medicines. |
| 1928 | Learnt white crane boxing from Master Pan Zhuangnian (潘桩年), Pan was nicknamed “fresh fish ball (鱼丸嫩)” and of small build. Despite his size, he defeated many exponents and was very well known. After 3 years of learning, GMH had learnt the necessary skills and herbal medicine from Master Pan. |
| 1931 | Master Pan was very impressed with GMH’s ability and high moral character and encouraged him to travel to Shanghai where he could meet fellow martial arts exponents and exchange skills. With the help of a compatriot, he lived in a place provided by the San Shan Society(三山会馆). Later he set up a white crane school at Guo Min Road. He took part in activities of Chin Woo Men (精武门) where he met exponents of different martial arts and sharpened his skills further. During this period he came across and grew fond of Tai Chi Chuan. |
| 1934 | Under the instruction of Master Pan Zhuangnian, GMH returned to Fujian Province and took part in a Provincial Martial Arts Tournament finishing in 2nd place. With this success, he fulfilled his late mother’s wish and held a grand memorial service for her and vowed to uphold her teachings to treat others with compassion and propriety. |
| 1937 | Appointed Chief Instructor of Martial Arts of Fujian Province whereby he trained the “Broad Sword Squad” in the army. |
| 1941 | Served as Chief Commandant of special force and defeated the Japanese Army on various occasions, captured Abu Fumio (阿部文雄) but did not belittle him. |
| 1945 | Shared various knowledge in Chinese martial arts and Chinese medicine with Master Wan Laisheng (万赖声). Master Wan was especially well known in Zi Ran Men (自然门), Shaolin Liu He Men (少林六合门), Shaolin Luo Han (少林罗汉神打), Xing Yi Boxing (形意拳), Ba Gua (八卦), Taiji (太极), Monkey Fist (猴拳), Pi Gua (劈卦). He was also good at weaponry. Master Wan regarded GMH as his compatriot and mutually traded their expertise in martial arts. With this GMH gained much insight and achieved great improvements in Chinese martial arts and medicines. |
| 1946 | Appointed Village Chief and served the community laboriously with care, diligence and propriety. He helped many people and did not expect a return of favour. |
| 1949 | Left China for Taiwan. Upon recommendation from elders and friends, GMH was fortunate to learn Tai Chi from Grand Master Cheng Man Ching. After 3 years of monitoring, GMH was finally accepted as a disciple of Grand Master Cheng, this fulfilled his dream of learning Tai Chi. GMH regarded as most fortunate to be able to learn Tai Chi from a learned and magnanimous teacher like Grand Master Cheng. While in Taiwan, he was accepted as a god-son of Master Lin Guo Zhong (林国仲) who was grandmaster in Dancing Crane (纵鹤拳). It was at this time GMH gained further understandings of ‘Song (松)’ and ‘Rou (柔)’ where he had better insights into his own strengths and weaknesses and utilize the former to compensate the latter. His martial arts skills further improved. 1951 On 4th April, GMH was appointed by the then Chairman of Taiwan Martial Arts Association Mr Wang Cheng Zhang (王成章) as head of the instructor group of that Association. |
| 1953 | Passed the Chinese Physician Examination and appointed an examiner of the Chinese Physician Examination Committee. GMH was appointed by the then Chancellor of Taiwan National University Mr Qian Si Liang (钱思亮) as lecturer in Chinese Martial Arts. He also set up Tai Chi classes at 97, Ning Bo West Street Taipei for compatriots from Fuzhou. 1954 Set up a clinic at Jiu Fen Jin Shan. Also appointed company physician for Tai Yang Jin Kuang (台阳金矿). 1955 Set up a clinic specializing in the treatment of bones injuries at No. 6, 59 Lane, Nan Chang Street, Taipei. In the same year at the instruction of Grand Master Cheng, GMH participated in Taiwan Chinese Martial Arts Tournament and emerged champion in the Tai Chi category, whilst two of his students got second and third placing. Their achievements gained much accolades from the Martial Arts circle. |
| 1956 | At the invitation of the Chairman of Singapore Chinese Medicine Association Mr Pan Ren Yu (潘仁愚), GMH moved to Singapore to teach Tai Chi. Among his students were some famous personalities including rubber magnate Dato’ Lee Guang Qian, philanthropist Mrs Loke Yew, banker Dr Lian Ying Zhou and show business magnate Dato’ Loke Yun Tao. During this time, Huang’s Tai Chi was born. |
| 1959 | From 1959 to 1968, Huang’s Tai Chi developed rapidly in Sarawak, East Malaysia, classes and associations at various towns and cities were set up. They are Kuching(1959), Sibu(1961), Binatang(1962), Serikei(1963), Miri(1966) and Kota Kinabalu(1968) in the State of Sabah. |
| 1970 | For the sake of charity to raise funds for the needy, a wrestling match was arranged in Kuching between GMH and renowned wrestler Liao Guang Cheng (廖广成). GMH won with a score of 26 to zero. In the same year GMH advocated the concept of “World Tai Chi as One Family” and encouraged ownership of association buildings amongst all Huang’s school throughout the country to ensure continuity in the propagation of Tai Chi. |
| 1973 | From 1973 to 1983 more associations are formed throughout Malaysia. They are Bintulu(1973), Selangor(1973), Klang(1973), Tenom(1975), Mentakab(1975), Temerloh(1976), Beaufort(1976), Kuantan(1978), Raub(1979), Keningau(1980), Balam(1980), Bentong(1981), Banting(1982) and Seremban(1983). |
| 1980 | At the invitation of the National Tai Chi Chuan Association of Republic of China (Taiwan), GMH attended the 4th Zhong Zheng(中正) International Tai Chi Chuan Competition and presented a Tai Chi demonstration. In recognition of GMH’s effort in the propagation of Tai Chi, GMH was presented the gold medallion in Health and Sports by the then Minister of Education Mr. Zhu Han Sen (朱涵森) while the certificate was presented by General Shi Jue (石觉) the Chairman of the National Tai Chi Chuan Association on behalf of Republic of China. |
| 1982 | At Tenom, GMH hosted an international Tai Chi conference and inauguration of the Tenom Association building which was set up based on the concept of ‘Tai Chi as One Family’. |
| 1983 | In order to further propagate and develop the art of Tai Chi, GMH conducted twelve instructor training workshops which included many foreign students. This has resulted in the spread of Tai Chi to different parts of the world and increased the number of Huang’s Tai Chi students. |
| 1988 | In mid October, at the invitation of the organizer of Hangzhou International Wushu Festival, a contingent headed by GMH visited the event followed by his ‘home coming’ visit to his birth place after a hiatus of 40 years. GMH and his entourage were invited by the Fujian Sports Committee to present a Tai Chi demonstration which was accorded with favourable remarks. |
| 1989 | In April, at the invitation of his students, viz Dr F.T.Z Chiu of Australia and Patrick Kelly of New Zealand et al, GMH together with his students visited and conducted Tai Chi classes in Sydney, Adelaide and Auckland which drew huge audiences and raised public interest in Tai Chi in these countries. Attended the 2nd International Martial Arts World Cup Championship and Famous Person Top Level Competition in Los Angeles, USA and emerged champion in pushing hands and free sparring category and awarded a doctorate in Wushu. 1992 On 21st December, passed away in Fuzhou, China. |
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