Yang Shao-hou

Yang Shaohou 楊少侯 (1862-1930) along with Yang Chengfu 楊澄甫 (1883-1936) represent the third generation of Yang family Taijiquan 楊氏太極拳.

Although Yang Shaohou studied Taijiquan from his father Yang Jianhou 楊健候 (1839–1917), it is said that he mainly learnt from his uncle Yang Banhou 楊班侯 (1837-1890). Likely influenced by his uncle's teaching style, Yang Shaohou was also known to have had a slightly eccentric and bellicose nature, and both of these masters are considered to have been very demanding teachers, only interested in teaching those that could stand their tough training regimes. Yang Shaohou's influence on modern Taijiquan is also represented in his instruction of many influential teachers of generations after his; among those (subsequently to become famous in their own right) who were referred to him for instruction were Wu Kung-i, Wu Kung-tsao and Tung Ying-chieh.

According to the famous Taijiquan historian and disciple of Wu Jianquan, Wu Tunan 吳圖南 (1885-1989), who also studied under Yang Shaohou for four years, this master was famous for his "small circle" style. This form was known as the Small Frame 小架, Fast Frame 快架 or Applications Frame 用架 and was considered to require the highest level of skill to perform, being practiced at higher speed with fast jumps and kicks, actions that have generally been deleted from most of the modern styles of Taijiquan.

It is said that when Yang Shaohou demonstrated this style of Taijiquan the movements alternated between fast and slow, soft and hard, along with crisp Fa Jin 發勁 expressions supported by intimidating shouts. In application the most developed characteristic of his martial art style was the use of soft interception to overcome hard energy or Hua Jin 化勁, followed by the use of powerful Fa Jin pushes as a  counter attack.

During practice with his students, Yang Shaohou was not known for pulling his punches and subsequently few were able to complete the full course of training and become disciples.

Yang Shaohou's branch of the family isn't as well known internationally as his younger brother's, but his grandchildren and great-grandchildren are still teaching in China, as well as descendants of his disciples.

Family tree
This family tree is not comprehensive.

LEGENDARY FIGURES | Zhang Sanfeng* circa 12th century NEI CHIA | Wang Zongyue* T'AI CHI CH'ÜAN | THE 5 MAJOR CLASSICAL FAMILY STYLES | Chen Wangting 1600-1680 9th generation Chen CHEN STYLE |   +---+    |                                                                   | Chen Changxing                                                     Chen Youben 1771-1853 14th generation Chen                                    circa 1800s 14th generation Chen Chen Old Frame                                                    Chen New Frame |                                                                  | Yang Lu-ch'an                                                      Chen Qingping 1799-1872                                                         1795-1868 YANG STYLE                                                         Chen Small Frame, Zhao Bao Frame |                                                                  |    +-+-+   |    |                                 |                             |   | Yang Pan-hou                      Yang Chien-hou                   Wu Yu-hsiang 1837-1892                        1839-1917                        1812-1880 Yang Small Frame                     |                             WU/HAO STYLE |                                +-+                      |    |                                 |                 |                      | Wu Ch'uan-yü                      Yang Shao-hou     Yang Ch'eng-fu          Li I-yü 1834-1902                        1862-1930         1883-1936               1832-1892    |                              Yang Small Frame  Yang Big Frame            | Wu Chien-ch'üan                                       |                    Hao Wei-chen 1870-1942                                          Yang Shou-chung         1849-1920 WU STYLE                                           1910-1985                 | 108 Form                                                                     | |                                                                       Sun Lu-t'ang Wu Kung-i                                                                  1861-1932 1900-1970                                                                  SUN STYLE |                                                                         | Wu Ta-kuei                                                                  Sun Hsing-i 1923-1972                                                                  1891-1929

Note to Family tree table

Names denoted by an asterisk are legendary or semilegendary figures in the lineage, which means their involvement in the lineage, while accepted by most of the major schools, isn't independently verifiable from known historical records.

External link
Exhaustive Yang family tree with info on Yang Shaohou's descendants

Yang Shaohou 楊少侯 Yang Shaohou