The Life and Legacy of Grandmaster Wang Yunsheng

Grandmaster Wang Yongchun, also known by his secondary personal name Yunsheng, was born in the Wang family home on Wang Family Lane, Xiguan, Qishan Suocheng, Yantai Village. This area is part of the Zhifu community, Fushan County, Dengzhou Prefecture in Shandong Province, China. Wang Yunsheng was born during the reign of Xianfeng (1850–1861) and passed away during the Republic of China era (1912–1949).

Notably, Grandmaster Wang Yunsheng was a man of remarkable stature, standing approximately 1.9 meters tall. Although he initially focused on literature, he also studied martial arts from a young age. After several unsuccessful attempts at official examinations, he decided to dedicate himself fully to martial practice. Eventually, he passed the Imperial Martial Contest examinations at the end of the Qing dynasty.

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Early Training and Martial Education

At the age of 12, Wang Yunsheng began formal training in Mount Hua Long-Fist, studying both practice and theory under Li Yichun, the 17th generation keeper of the Mount Hua sect. This training took place at Yuhuang Ding Temple in Yantai.

Later, at age 18, he travelled to Wendeng to study Ground Boxing. He eventually began teaching pupils in Yantai, sharing his growing martial knowledge.

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Creating Seven Stars Praying Mantis

In 1888, Wang Yunsheng became a disciple of Grandmaster Li Zhijian, who taught him Praying Mantis for three years. Building on this foundation, Wang Yunsheng returned to his roots and, in 1892, created his own unique style. He named it “Seven Stars Praying Mantis”, taking the name from his family home, Kui De Tang.

Thus, the system he developed blended the wisdom of traditional Chinese martial arts with his own innovations, laying the foundation for a lineage that continues today.