Shu-Ton (Tony) Yang is of Chinese descent, born and raised in Taiwan. He has been studying martial arts for over 50 years. His specialties include Baji, Praying Mantis, Tai Chi, Hsing-I, and Bagua.
He
began studying at age 6 under the instruction of his uncle, a martial arts master.
He learned Northern Shaolin and three-section staff. During high school he studied
Tang Lang Quan (Praying Mantis Kung Fu). He then moved to Taipei and became
a student of Grandmaster Su Yu-Chang, of the Praying Mantis system. It was Grandmaster
Su who introduced Master Yang to Grandmaster Liu Yun Chiao. For two years, he
studied under both teachers and then became solely a student of Grandmaster
Liu. During this time he practiced Tai Chi, Baji, Praying Mantis, and various
weapons. He also received personal instruction from Grandmaster Liu in Bagua,
Pigua, Mizong, Baji and numerous weapons. Grandmaster Liu learned his Baji from
Master Li Shu Wen. At age 24, he was allowed by Grandmaster Liu to teach martial
arts, a high compliment indeed. He was soon instructing at five colleges, teaching
classes in Tai Chi and Praying Mantis. During this time of intense dedication
and training, he also taught Tai Chi and sword to elderly students at a mountain
temple. Before coming to America, he taught the Chinese Acrobats of Taiwan for
four years.
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In May, 1980, Master Yang came to the United States and settled in Canton, Ohio. He has since opened his own martial arts school, Wu Tang Center for Martial Arts and continues to teach there. Well versed in a wide range of martial arts techniques, his favorites are Praying Mantis and Baji. The Bagua weapon, Deerhorn Knives (Lu Jiao Dao, or Zi Wu Yuan Yang Yue), is his foremost weapon. They are said to have been invented during the shrouded infancy of Bagua, probably in the Qing dynasty. The weapon can be used to grab, block, or hook an opponent or their weapon. Many moves are designed to disarm the opponent. The original shape only had three pointed ends. Later, a fourth was added to increase its ability to catch, trap and lock. In recent history, Grandmaster Liu modified the shape by making the fourth point recurve. Other names sometimes used include double moon hooks, meridian axes, crescent knives, Mandarin Duck Axes (Zi Wu Yuan Yang Yue), Sun Moon Sword (Ri Yue Qian Kun Jian), and Deer Hook Sword. Two deer-horn knives form the symbol of the Wu Tang organization. The eight points represent the Ba ji style, inside the circle are yin and yang representing Tai Chi, and together they symbolize Bagua. |
