Tang Hao
Encyclopedia
Tang Hao or Tang Fan Sheng (1887–1959) was a Chinese lawyer
, and expert on chinese martial arts
.
from China and Japan, including T'ai chi ch'uan (with Chen Fake
) and Xingyi quan, judo
and kendo
.
He was arrested in 1927, suspected to be linked to the Communist Party. He then went to Japan to study law and martial arts.
He published a dozen books on the history of Chinese martial arts. He was one of the first authors who tried to point out the deceptions, contradictions and errors of martial legend
s. In 1955 he was attached to the "Physical Education Committee" of the National Government to continue its research on the history of Chinese sports.
He criticized the lack of foundation in the myth which links the Shaolin quan to Bodhidharma
(criticizing the authenticity of Li Jing
), and the mythical connection of the Tai chi chuan with Zhang Sanfeng
. His findings were taken at the same time by Xu Jedon, and still are validated by contemporary research.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, and expert on chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
.
Biography
Hao studied many martial artsMartial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
from China and Japan, including T'ai chi ch'uan (with Chen Fake
Chen Fake
Chen Fake or Chén Fākē or Ch'en Fa-k'e 陳發科 was a famous Chinese Taijiquan teacher. Born and raised in Chen Family Village in Henan province, he was the 17th generation lineage holder of Chen-style taijiquan...
) and Xingyi quan, judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
and kendo
Kendo
, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
.
He was arrested in 1927, suspected to be linked to the Communist Party. He then went to Japan to study law and martial arts.
He published a dozen books on the history of Chinese martial arts. He was one of the first authors who tried to point out the deceptions, contradictions and errors of martial legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
s. In 1955 he was attached to the "Physical Education Committee" of the National Government to continue its research on the history of Chinese sports.
He criticized the lack of foundation in the myth which links the Shaolin quan to Bodhidharma
Bodhidharma
Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th/6th century AD. He is traditionally credited as the transmitter of Ch'an to China, and regarded as the first Chinese patriarch...
(criticizing the authenticity of Li Jing
Li Jing
Li Jing , né Yaoshi , formally Duke Jingwu of Wei , was a general and one time chancellor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty...
), and the mythical connection of the Tai chi chuan with Zhang Sanfeng
Zhang Sanfeng
Zhang Sanfeng was a semi-legendary Chinese Taoist priest who is believed by some to have achieved immortality, said variously to date from either the late Song Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty or Ming Dynasty. His name is said to have been Zhang Junbao 張君寶 before he became a Taoist.Zhang's legend is that of...
. His findings were taken at the same time by Xu Jedon, and still are validated by contemporary research.