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 Neigong, also spelled ''nei kung'', ''neigung'', or ''nae gong'', refers to any of a set of Chinese breathing, ...

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 Southern Song dynasty and a national hero of China, known for leading Southern Song forces in the wa ...

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 X ...

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 ...

, 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 Q ...

-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) is a landlocked province of China. Officially part of Northwest China, it borders the province-level divisions of Shanxi (NE, E), Henan (E), Hubei (SE), Chongqing (S), Sichuan (SW), Gansu (W), Ning ...

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

. 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 and Dai Linbang, who became the first generation of the Shanxi branch of Xingyi practitioners.

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 {{PRChina-martialart-bio-stub