Wang Shujin

Wang Shujin (, 1904–1981), also known as Wang Heng Sun, was a Chinese martial artist, practitioner of the disciplines of baguazhang, taijiquan, and xingyiquan. He was one of their greatest promoters outside China, being their first teacher in Taiwan and Japan, and was particularly known for his challenges to other martial artists. Aside from his martial exploits, Wang was also a spiritual leader in the Taoist sect Yiguandao.

Biography Early life While working as a carpenter in Tianjin, Shujin started training at 18 years old under renowned master Zhang Zhaodong or Chang Chao Tung, who he served until the latter's death in 1940. He also trained xinyiquan and zhan zhuang qigong under Wang Xiangzhai, disciple of Guo Yunshen. He became an adept of the Yiguandao sect and moved to Taiwan in 1948, after which he befriended and trained under Chen Panling , an apprentice to Yang Shaohou and Wu Jianquan. From the next decades until the 70s, Wang frequently traveled to Japan, where he taught Chinese martial arts. He supposedly fought many karateka while in Japan, with none of them being ever able to hurt him.

Contact with Donn Draeger During the 1960s, Shujin taught in Japan such Western martial artists Donn Draeger, Phil Relnick, Robert W. Smith and Jon Bluming, living near the Kodokan Institute. Smith, who also received instruction from Wang in Taiwan, wrote that Wang "could do something beyond the ability of all the fighters I saw." Wang was also apparently asked to demonstrate a one-inch hand strike to the solar plexus, which made Bluming collapse in pain. However, Wang refused to spar with them, and Draeger and Bluming remained skeptical of Shujin's fighting skill, arguing that the ability to perform certain physical stunts did not necessarily mean to be a proficient alive fighter.

Contact with aikidoka During the early 60s, aikido student Terry Dobson started to train Chinese martial arts with Wang, impressed by his skill and strength. He was criticized by other aikidoka for doing so, to which he replied: "I could care less about being O-Sensei's student. I want to be O-Sensei." However, the anecdote goes differently according to fellow witnesses Dobson, Draeger and Mitsugi Saotome, interviewed separately. Chiba punched Wang several times to no effect, and on the third attempt, Wang struck back with his belly, nearly dislocating Chiba's arm. Wang then offered Chiba his hand and wrist, which the latter tried to break using various aikido techniques. Wang suddenly countered, dropping Chiba to the ground and making him shout in pain. Wang stated, "You have a little chi. Come back when you have more." Frantzis heard Wang had broken opponents' spines by pulling them against his belly pushes, though he was later taught it was possible to avoid this technique by turning sideways and receiving the blow with the hip.

Personal life Wang was a vegetarian, remained celibate and was unmarried. It was reported that he owned several rice stores.