Product Code Database
Dong Yingjie (Wade-Giles: Tung Ying-chieh, , 1897 - 1961) was a leading master of tai chi, and a top disciple of Yang Chengfu. Born in Renze (then known as Renxian), Xingtai, Hebei, China, his given name was Wenke (文科).Dong, Zeng Chen, p. 50; Yu, p. 118 Famous in his time for defeating a foreign boxer in a public challenge match, he dedicated his life to the martial arts, training intensively in multiple styles, serving as chief assistant instructor for Yang Chengfu, and going on to found his own thriving tai chi legacy.
After five years he returned home to marry and join the family business, but soon sought out Liu Laoying again to resume training. Liu recommended deeper study of tai chi, and through Liu's relationship with Yang Zhaolin (楊兆林, 1884-1922), the eldest grandson of Yang Luchan, Dong studied Yang-style tai chi under Li Zengkui (李增魁). Dong was impressed with Li's pushing hands skills, but at that time Dong's expertise in external martial arts — on which he relied in those years to deal with bandits and other conflicts — remained superior to his understanding of tai chi.Yu, pp. 120-123, 155-156; Dong, Zeng Cheng, pp. 1-2, p. 50; Dong, Alex, chapter 3
Dong achieved a high level of skill in tai chi after Liu introduced him to Li Baoyu (李寶玉, 1889-1961), who was known by the courtesy name Li Xiangyuan (李香遠). Li had mastered Wu (Hao)-style tai chi under Hao Weizhen, and was famous for defeating all challengers in and out of the ring, including some local gangsters. For three years, Dong lived with Li, worked for him in his business, and trained intensively in Wu (Hao) style and Li's advanced techniques. From that time onwards, Li became a lifelong coach, mentor, and friend.Yu, pp. 124-129; Tung, Kai Ying, p. 51; Dong, Zeng Cheng, pp. 1-2; Dong, Alex, chapt. 3-4, chapt. 8-13
While in Beijing he also trained under Yang's older brother Yang Shaohou in "small frame" Yang-style tai chi, and practiced push hands with Chen-style master Chen Fake.Yu, p. 176; Dong, Zeng chen, p. 2; Dong, Alex, p. 63 Also training with Yang Shaohou were Dong's future lifelong colleagues, the Wu-style masters Wu Gongyi and Wu Kung-tsao.Yip, 1998
A few years later he resumed training with Li Baoyu to master the Wu (Hao) style as well,Yu, 140-141; Dong, Alex, chapt. 8 and so the Dong family trace their tai chi lineage through both Yang and Wu (Hao).Tung Kai Ying, p. 49
He was the principal contributor to Yang's 1931 book Methods of Applying Tai Chi Boxing (太極拳使用法),Wu, Feb 1993, paragraph 4; Yu, pp. 138-139; Dong, Zeng Chen, p. 50; Yang, Chengfu (1934), Translators Introduction, paragraphs 6-11 and helped establish Yang-style tai chi schools and classes in Hangzhou,Qu, Chapt. 2, Sec. 2, and chapt. 9 Nanjing and other cities,Dong, Zeng Chen, p. 50, and Qu, Chapt. 4 including Suzhou where he lived and led classes in the mansion of a wealthy patron during his first years in the region,Yu, p. 140, and Dong, Alex, chapters 6-8 Shanghai where in 1934 he established and managed all business of the center as director as well as instructor, Available in the Modern Newspapers Database (近代报纸数据库) via the China National Library and university libraries worldwide Available in the Modern Newspapers Database (近代报纸数据库) via the China National Library and university libraries worldwide and Guangzhou where he assisted and then took over when Yang returned north in 1935.
In 1936 he volunteered to travel across China with a group of experts to train and inspire troops preparing to fight the Japanese invaders. Dong Yingjie's participation was valuable not only for his fighting skills. He was also an inspiration, having by that point risen to national fame after becoming known as "Yingjie", following his fight against another type of foreign aggression. Available in the Modern Newspapers Database (近代报纸数据库) via the China National Library and university libraries worldwide.
Li Baoyu coached Dong for that competition, after planning to take the challenger on himself but then dropping out because, as the story goes, a local gangster hired by the British deputy consul threw lime powder in Li's eyes which temporarily blinded him. After the fight, Dong threw his winner's jackpot of silver coins into the crowd, asking the audience to cover transportation home for other Chinese martial artists who had competed.Du Yimin, 1988
Nationalism had been stoked on both sides in no small part because his opponent was sponsored by the British deputy consul. As word of Dong's win and generosity spread across the country, he was hailed as a hero of the Chinese people. And so from that time on, Dong Wenke was known only as Dong Yingjie.
After the war he returned to Hong Kong, enlisting his children in growing both schools, and in 1948 published 太極拳釋義 ( The Meaning and Significance of Taijiquan Practice, also translated Tai Chi Boxing Explained) which illustrated and explained the Yang-style curriculum and introduced his Yingjie Fast Form (英傑快拳 — see the section on the Dong family forms below). Also known as the "Red Book" due to the cover of the Hong Kong edition, it has been reprinted many times, and in 1972 his eldest son Tung Hu Ling (Dong Huling; 董虎嶺) expanded the section on the Yingjie Fast Form.Tung, Ying-chieh (1948, 1972); Yu, pp. 154-156; Dong, Kai Ying, p. 52; Dong, Zeng Chen, p. 51
In the 1950s his network of schools and students expanded to Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia under the management of his son Tung Hu Ling, their success in Southeast Asia ensured after a few Muay Thai boxers famously challenged and failed to defeat their tai chi.Qu, chapt. 5; Yu, p. 162-165; Dong, Zeng Chen, p. 51 Dong Yingjie also led efforts to coordinate with leading Yang and Wu (吳, Pinyin: Wú) stylists for the promotion of tai chi, organizing a large gathering of practitioners in Hong Kong, and serving as a judge for a wildly popular public match in Macau between his longtime colleague, Wu-style tai chi master Wu Gongyi, and a master of Tibetan White Crane. At that 1954 fight, Dong was filmed demonstrating techniques with an Eagle Claw master, and performing his Yingjie Fast Form.Yu, pp. 156-161; Video: Wu vs. Chan 1954 (Tai Chi vs. White Crane) retrieved July 29, 2020; for more on the background and significance of the Macau event, see Yip, 2002
Dong Yingjie's son Dong Junling (董俊嶺, born Dong Junbiao 董俊彪, 1923-1983) worked closely with the family in Hong Kong for several years, where among other things he posed with his brother Tung Hu Ling (Dong Huling) for photographs of tai chi applications to be used in Tung Hu Ling's book, Methods of Applying Tai Chi Boxing (太極拳使用法). But in the early 1950s he returned home to Ren County in Hebei for good, where he continued to teach tai chi to a select group of students for many years, including his nephew, Tung Hu Ling's son Dong Zengchen.Yu, p. 162, p. 201; Dong, Zeng Chen, p. 56, p. 76-81; Tung, Hu Ling (1956)
Dong Yingjie's eldest son Tung Hu Ling (Dong Huling), who had played a prominent role in opening and growing Dong family schools in Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia, continued to lead classes there for about five years after his father's death. But in 1966 he was invited to promote tai chi on a tour of North America which he completed in 1967, after which he moved to Honolulu, Hawaii to establish a new school and home base in the USA.Yu, pp. 168-169; Li, p. 507; Dong, Zeng Chen, p. 51; DeLeonardis, p. 19; Shirota, p. 16-18.
Tung Hu Ling's son Tung Kai Ying (董繼英; Pinyin: Dǒng Jìyīng; Jyutping: dung2 gai3 ying1; 1941-) also led classes at the Southeast Asia locations, taking over in 1962 before joining him in Hawaii in 1969, and then founding a Los Angeles school in 1971. Tung Hu Ling's other son Dong Zeng Chen (董增辰, Pinyin: Dǒng Zēngchén, 1947-) taught in mainland China for many years before moving from Hebei to take over the Hawaii school after Tung Hu Ling's retirement in 1983, accompanied by his son Da De "Alex" Dong.Tung, Kai-ying, p. 55-56; Dong, Zeng Chen, p. 51-61; Dong, Kai Ying p. 53-54; Shirota, p. 19; Yu, p. 201-205
In 2003 Alex Dong (董大德, Pinyin: Dǒng Dàdé, 1971-), Dong Zeng Chen's son and great grandson of Dong Yingjie, established a school in New York City, while his cousin Tung Chen-Wei David (董振威, Pinyin: Dǒng Zhènwēi, 1977-), Tung Kai Ying's son and another great grandson of Dong Yingjie, is also a master instructor, based in Los Angeles. Like their grandfather and fathers before them, they regularly travel to lead classes and workshops, resulting in many additional schools and practice groups around the world. Dong Zeng Chen retired in 2021.Dong, Zeng Chen, p. 51-61; Yu, p. 201-205
Dong Yingjie's granddaughter-in-law Cheng Hsiao-fen (鄭小芬, Jyutping: zeng6 siu2 fan1; Pinyin: Zhèng Xiǎofēn, 1955-) in Hong Kong and a long list of disciples worldwide also continue the Dong family tai chi tradition.Yu, p. 203-214
Each posture is taught with great attention to detail, and with an explanation of potential applications. Many students remain focused on the Yang slow form along with related drills, and some schools also teach shortened variations of that form to make practice convenient. But intermediate and advanced students may progress to the classic Yang-style straight sword (劍, Pinyin: jiàn) and saber (刀, Pinyin: dāo, also translated as "falchion" or "broadsword"), and Yang-style push hands (stationary, stepping, and four corners). When sufficient training space is available, advanced students may also learn the Yang-style spear (槍 Pinyin: qiāng, or often simply 桿, gǎn, "pole", because the Yang "spear" is actually a very long sturdy pole with one tapered end but no spear point; based on the shape Tung Kai Ying calls it a "lance"). Tung Kai Ying curriculum, retrieved July 28, 2020; Alex Dong Tai Chi Online, retrieved July 28, 2020; Smallheiser, August 1988
Advanced students may also learn two Dong-style fast forms, a Wu (Hao)-style form, advanced saber and double saber forms, and stick forms.
Dong Yingjie collaborated with Yang Chengfu on development of what is now called the Dong-style Fa jin Fast Form (發勁快拳, Pinyin: Fājìn Kuàiquán), completing it after Yang passed away. The majority of this form is similar to the Yang Chengfu form as it was performed in the early twentieth century, before most tai chi forms were slowed and smoothed out to make them more accessible to the general public, in a swift-slow tempo and optionally with fa jin and the double jump kick from the old version of the form. It also includes some postures Dong developed from his training with Wu (Hao)-style master Li Baoyu.Yu, pp. 176-177; ; Wu Ta-yeh 1993, Chapter 2 Section 15, and Chapter 9
Dong then developed his Yingjie Fast Form (英傑快拳, Pinyin: Yīngjié Kuàiquán), and introduced it to the world in his 1948 book. It is based on advanced Yang small frame and Wu (Hao) middle frame techniques that Dong developed from his training with Yang Shaohou and Li Baoyu. Like the other "fast form" this is performed in the old slow-swift tempo, and both may also be considered "application frame" (用架, Pinyin: yòngjià) forms.Tung Ying-chieh 1948; Yu, pp. 176-177; Wu Ta-yeh 1993, Chapter 9
The Wu (Hao) form is the old "kaihe" (開合) form of Hao Weizhen as taught by Dong Yingjie's teacher Li Baoyu, with small but significant refinements by the Dong family. It is most visibly distinct from other Wu (Hao) forms in its larger frame, forward-inclined postures, and internal strength projected through the fingers. This form emphasizes projecting internal strength ("neijin") to the outside perimeter of the body in all directions. Unlike the classic Yang-style metaphor of "an iron bar wrapped in cotton" this is more like "a crab shell on the outside, and soft inside". Therefore the Dong family also call this their "Hard Form" to contrast it with the Yang Chengfu "soft" form. It is generally performed more slowly than in most purely Wu (Hao) lineages, so that advanced students can focus on the unique Wu (Hao)-style internal training it contains, because this is the Dong family's only Wu (Hao) form. In some Wu (Hao) lineages this is an advanced fast (slow-swift tempo) form, but in Dong family schools that next step is offered through the Dong family fast forms described above.Smalheiser, 1985; for what may be the earliest surviving film of this form, see Wu/Hao Taiji
Tung Hu Ling contributed all the saber and stick forms in the curriculum, including the standard Yang-style saber form and also advanced saber forms he created based on the teachings of Yang Chengfu's older brother, Yang Shaohou, one for single saber and one for double sabers, vigorous routines that include long leaps, jump kicks, reverse spins, and challenging circles. Tung Hu Ling for a time taught those forms using sticks rather than swords, as sticks were easier to carry and practice with under the laws of British Hong Kong. He and his family further developed the stick forms into separate routines after moving abroad. He also created unique two-person push hands sets in Thailand, because many students there have a very martial orientation.Yang Shao-hou saber form: Wu, Ta-yeh 1993, Chapter VII, paragraph 8; double saber form: Yu, DVD: 2005 21bowu.com (博武国际武术网) interview with Jasmine Tung; stick forms, Thailand sets: , and interview with Alex Dong
Dong Yingjie taught that there are in fact not three separate large, medium, and small "frames" of Yang style, that mastery of one will allow a student to understand the others and move freely between them, that all tai chi lineages including Wu (Hao) have a deep relationship, and that the Yang Chengfu "large frame" is simply the best place for beginners to start. And so Dong Yingjie and his son Tung Hu Ling were modest about their contributions to the art, and were never known to criticize other styles or masters.Tung, Ying-chieh (1948), 凡例, 八 "About; Yu, p. 155-156; pp. 176-177; Wu (Feb. 1993), p. 6, (7) Postscript
Hong Kong editions published by C & C Joint Printing Co., (H.K.) Ltd., no ISBN, distributed worldwide by [http://alexdongtaichi.com/store/ Alex Dong Tai Chi] in Traditional Chinese and partial English translation editions; Taiwan edition published by [http://www.dah-jaan.com.tw/prodshow.asp?ProdId=B7011 Dah Jaan Publishing] in Traditional Chinese, ; mainland edition published by [https://book.douban.com/subject/27101199/ Beijing Science and Technology Publishing Co. Ltd.] in Simplified Chinese (董英杰太极拳释义), .
Dong Disciples:
|
|
