Cao Ji Wu (), (1662-1722), was a Chinese master of the
internal
Internal may refer to:
*Internality as a concept in behavioural economics
*Neijia, internal styles of Chinese martial arts
*Neigong or "internal skills", a type of exercise in meditation associated with Daoism
*''Internal (album)'' by Safia, 2016
...
martial art of Xinyi (Heart and Intention Boxing), precursor of Xingyi (Form and Intention Boxing). According to accepted theory, he is probably the second lineage holder of the art. Other, less credible, theories consider
Bodhidharma or
Yue Fei
Yue Fei ( zh, t=岳飛; March 24, 1103 – January 28, 1142), courtesy name Pengju (), was a Chinese military general who lived during the Song dynasty, Southern Song dynasty and a national hero of China, known for leading Southern Song force ...
as the originators of the style.
Cao Ji Wu is said to have studied with
Ji Jike
Ji Jike (; 1588–1662) was a highly accomplished martial artist from Yongji, Shanxi Province. He was also known as Ji Longfeng (). According to accepted theory, he is widely considered to be the originator of the internal martial art of Xingy ...
for twelve years, gaining great martial prowess. In 1693, during the reign of the
Kangxi Emperor
The Kangxi Emperor (4 May 1654– 20 December 1722), also known by his temple name Emperor Shengzu of Qing, born Xuanye, was the third emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigning from 1661 to 1 ...
, of the
Manchu
The Manchus (; ) are a Tungusic East Asian ethnic group native to Manchuria in Northeast Asia. They are an officially recognized ethnic minority in China and the people from whom Manchuria derives its name. The Later Jin (1616–1636) and ...
-led
Qing Dynasty
The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-speak ...
, Cao Ji Wu passed the highest level military examinations, gaining the highest score of all the candidates, and was personally appointed by the emperor as head superintendent of one of the counties in
Shaanxi
Shaanxi (alternatively Shensi, see #Name, § Name) is a landlocked Provinces of China, province of China. Officially part of Northwest China, it borders the province-level divisions of Shanxi (NE, E), Henan (E), Hubei (SE), Chongqing (S), Sichu ...
Province. He is said to have died of hypothermia at the age of 36, while directing troops in the relief effort after the flooding of the
Han River in
Shaanxi
Shaanxi (alternatively Shensi, see #Name, § Name) is a landlocked Provinces of China, province of China. Officially part of Northwest China, it borders the province-level divisions of Shanxi (NE, E), Henan (E), Hubei (SE), Chongqing (S), Sichu ...
. While other versions mentioned of him returning later in life to continue teaching.
It is said that he taught the Dai brothers
Dai Long Bang
Dai Longbang () (1732?–1801) was a Chinese master of the internal martial art of Xinyiquan (Heart and Intention Boxing), the precursor of Xingyiquan (Form and Intention Boxing). He was from Shanxi province. His brother Dai Lin Bang was ...
and Dai Linbang, who became the first generation of the Shanxi branch of Xingyi practitioners.
Ji Jike
Ji Jike (; 1588–1662) was a highly accomplished martial artist from Yongji, Shanxi Province. He was also known as Ji Longfeng (). According to accepted theory, he is widely considered to be the originator of the internal martial art of Xingy ...
had another outstanding disciple called
Ma Xueli.
But the latest historical research showed evidences that Dai longbang hasn't been taught by Cao himself, neither that he had a brother named Dai lingbang who was versed in the martial art study. Dai family xinyiquan (Daishi xinyiquan) was probably created on the basis of Li zheng's teaching, who inherited himself his boxing from Cao jiwu and Ma xueli through Zhang zhicheng.
In 1750, Dai Long Bang, wrote “The Six Harmonies Fist preface” in which it is said that “Ji Jike, also known as Ji Long Feng, born at the end of the
Ming Dynasty
The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...
, discovered the text of Yue Fei, and taught Cao Ji Wu in Qiu Pu”.].
References
Chinese xingyiquan practitioners
Chinese martial arts terminology
Neijia
Qing dynasty Taoists
Qing dynasty generals
People from Chizhou
Generals from Anhui
1662 births
1722 deaths
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