Many people have never even heard the name Chang San-Feng before. Feng was the creator of Tai-Chi-Chuan. I was just wondering if any of you know why he created it. Seems that very few people know the reason. That includes many Tai-Chi instructors.
In the late 1300′s, Chang San-Feng (1391 -1459 ?) A master of martial arts and acupuncture, created what became known as Dim-Mak (Death point Striking).
Feng developed his art while concealing it from others. He then created another art to contain Dim–Mak. Feng’s new art became Tai-Chi-Chuan (Grand Ultimate Fist). Although many credit Feng as the creator there are many that do not mention that he created Dim Mak. Other accounts say that Feng was not the creator of Tai-Chi-Chuan at all. The Tai-Chi forms not only contain the self-defense techniques, their practice allows the person practicing to improve their balance, coordination, breathing, and technique. Feng could teach Tai-Chi-Chuan without revealing the more deadly applications within. Once a student had spent years of practice he would become highly skilled possessing good fighting skills. Only a very few ever were taught the real purpose of the moves in Tai-Chi-Chuan. Today Dim Mak is believed to be a myth or joke by many.
The account I listed is one of many and will be debated for many years. there are many that disbelieve this story. I believe that it explains much as to how the more deadly aspects of the martial arts came to be and eventually influenced the kata in most styles of martial arts.
