It is named after its creator, Wu Jianquan, who developed this style of tai chi in the early 20th century.
In Mandarin, it is usually called quan (Chinese: 拳; pinyin: quán; Wade–Giles: ch'üan²).
They are performed slowly by beginners and are said to promote concentration, condition the body, and acquaint students with the inventory of motion techniques for more advanced styles of martial arts training.
[1] Wu Jianquan was born in 1870 in the Hebei province of China, into a family of martial artists.
His father, Wu Quanyou, was a student of Yang Luchan, the founder of Yang-style tai chi.
Wu Jianquan began learning martial arts from his father at a young age and later went on to study under Yang Banhou, the son of Yang Luchan.
In the early 1900s, Wu Jianquan founded his own school of tai chi in Shanghai, where he taught his unique style to students from all over China.
Training in Wu Jianquan-style tai chi typically involves learning the basic movements and principles of tai chi, as well as the specific movements of the 108 forms.
The style also includes partner drills and sparring exercises, where students learn to apply the principles of tai chi in a practical setting.
In addition, Wu Jianquan-style tai chi also includes various forms of Qigong, or energy cultivation exercises that are designed to improve the body's internal energy and to enhance health.
The 108-Form Wu Family tai chi is a long and complex form, consisting of 108 movements that are performed in a slow, continuous, and flowing manner.
It emphasizes the use of softness and yielding to overcome hardness and force, using circular movements and spiralling energy to deflect attacks and neutralize an opponent's force.
The style emphasizes the importance of relaxation and internal energy, using the breath and the mind to guide the movements.
Practitioners of Wu Jianquan-style tai chi believe that by cultivating internal energy, or Qi, they can enhance their health, improve their mental focus, and develop their martial arts skills.
The following list is an English translation from Chinese of the empty-hand or fist-form list published in Wu Kung-tsao's Wu Family T'ai Chi Ch'uan.
Notably, the family's Shanghai branch has a different enumeration scheme, numbering the same "long form" routine sequence with 89 posture names instead of 108.
As If Seemingly Sealed Shut (also known as Push Forward) – As if Closing Up 如封似閉 (進按) 13.
Slant Brush Knee Push Step 斜摟膝拗步 16.
Turn Body Brush Knee Push Step 轉身摟膝拗步 17.
Fall to Repulse Monkey Left and Right 3 Times 倒攆猴左右三度 21.
Right Separate Foot Kick – Right Parting Leg 右分腳 35.
Step Forward, Deflect, Parry, Punch 進步搬攔捶 52.
As If Seemingly Sealed Shut (also known as Push Forward) 如封似閉 (進按) 53.
Slant Brush Knee Push Step 斜摟膝拗步 56.
Turn Body Brush Knee Push Step 轉身摟膝拗步 57.
Fall to Repulse Monkey Left and Right 3 Times 倒攆猴左右三度 77.