郝月如師公

Hao Yueru (郝月如, Pinyin: Hǎo Yuèrú) was a successor within the Wu (Hao)–style Taijiquan lineage, originating from Guangfu Town (广府, Pinyin: Guǎngfǔ), Yongnian County (永年, Pinyin: Yǒngnián), Hebei Province (河北, Pinyin: Héběi). He was born in 1877 and passed away in 1935. His father was Hao Weizhen (郝为真, Pinyin: Hǎo Wéizhēn), a prominent third-generation successor of Wu (Hao)–style Taijiquan.

Hao Yueru began training in Taijiquan under his father from an early age, with daily life closely integrated with martial practice. He later associated closely with Li Yiyu (李亦畬, Pinyin: Lǐ Yìyú), observing his practice and listening to his explanations of Taijiquan principles, through which he gained deep understanding of theory, body method, and application. Through systematic and rigorous instruction from his father, combined with sustained personal practice, he gradually established a complete and stable grasp of the Wu (Hao)–style Taijiquan system.

During his adult years, he was engaged in commercial activities. After his father’s passing, he was invited by the Yongnian County Guoshu Institute (国术馆) to formally teach Wu (Hao)–style Taijiquan. In 1928, he was appointed head of the Yongnian County Martial Arts Institute, assuming responsibility for instruction and transmission. In 1930, he was invited to Nanjing (南京, Pinyin: Nánjīng) to teach at institutions including the Supreme Court, the Budget Department (later the Ministry of Finance), and Zhongyan University (中燕大学, Pinyin: Zhōngyàn Dàxué), enabling the art to spread within governmental and academic settings.

In his later years, he resided primarily in Nanjing (南京), devoting himself to teaching and the organization of Taijiquan knowledge. In August 1935, he passed away due to illness in Nanjing at the age of fifty-nine.

He possessed both solid practical experience and deep theoretical cultivation in martial studies, emphasizing mutual verification between principle, body method, and application. As a fourth-generation successor of Wu (Hao)–style Taijiquan, he inherited the system of his predecessors and further advanced its maturation in teaching articulation, theoretical organization, and dissemination, thereby laying a stable foundation for subsequent transmission.

Essentials of Wu (Hao)–style Taijiquan 《武式太极拳要点, Pinyin: Wǔshì Tàijíquán Yàodiǎn》 is a work compiled to systematize the core principles of the tradition, addressing structural body methods, principles of force usage, and key points of practice. His other works include Structural Organization of Taijiquan Forms and Push Hands 《太极拳行架与推手》, Fifteen Methods of Push Hands Training 《十五种推手方法》, and Hao Yueru’s Martial Scholarship Experience 《郝月如拳学经验》.

 

郝月如師公

 

Hao Yueru (1877-1935) His name at birth was Wengui, but was later also known as Hao Yueru. He lived in the West Street, Yongnian County, Guangfu City, Hebei Province. He was the second son of Hao Weizhen. He practiced martial art with his father since he was young. Later on he studied literature with Li Yishe who was his grand master and often watched his grand master practice martial arts. He also often listened to his grand master explaining the principle of Taichi. Watching and listening to his grand master repeatedly while being taught by his father carefully and closely for many years benefited him immensely. After practicing hard, his martial art skills got to a very high level and finally became one of the grand master levels.

During his middle age, Hao Yueru made his living as a trader. After Hao Weizhen passed away, the Yongnian Secondary school invited Hao Yueru to teach Wu (Hao) style Taichiquan at the school.

In 1928, he became the Master of Guoshuguan, a Chinese martial arts camp, in Yongnian county. In 1930, he was invited to teach Wu (Hao) Taichi in many government units such as the Supreme Court of Nanjing City, the Budget Ministry (Later was changed to the Finance Ministry), Zhongyang University, etc. In August 1935, Yueru fell sick and died in Nanjing City.

Hao Yueru was very talented in both martial arts skills and the theory of Taichi. Using his real experiences in fighting and his academic knowledge, he wrote many books such as the Important Points of Wu (Hao) Taichiquan, the Form and the Hands Pushing of Wu (Hao) Taichiquan, 15 methods of Hand Pushing, and The experiences of Hao Yueru. They could all be considered as the improved foundations of the Taichi Theory. They were all popular among all the Taichi practitioners.