Dai Shi Zhe 戴士哲
Master Dai Shi Zhe, came from a family of a long martial art heritage, He was born in the year 1941. His training began at age 11 with his family elders who taught him styles of the Southern martial art system, including the Taizu, Crane, Younehan, and Dazhun styles. In 1964, he met Grandmaster Chang Xiang San and began his training in northern martial arts styles. Two years later, Mr. Liang Ji-Tsi introduced him to Grandmaster Liu Yun Qiao.
In 1972, both Grand Master Chang Xiang-San and Liu Yun-Chiao agreed to take Master Tai as an official disciple. He became the first in rank in the Liu He Mantis School and a member of the “Wu” generation of the Wu-Tan Martial Art Development Center.
During this period, Master Dai devoted his life to learning Qixing Mantis, Liuhe Mantis, Tai Chi Chuan, Sword and Saber from Grand Master Chang Xiang-San. And Bagua, Pigua, Mizong, Kunwu Sword, Baji Sword, Bagua Dagger, Double-axe and Liuhe Spear with Grandmaster Liu Yun-Chiao. To further his study, Master Tai studied under Master Sang Dan-Qi at Hebei School Xingyi in 1973. From the southern martial art system to the northern martial art system, Master Tai is one of the few to have such depth and breadth in martial art training.
For 11 years (1964-1975), Master Dai followed the Grandmasters Chang and Liu to perform and promote Chinese martial art worldwide. In 1971 Master Dai was co-founder of the Wu Tan Magazine, which was the first martial art magazine published in Taiwan.
In 1972, Master Dai, was officially appointed as an instructor at the Wu Tan Martial Art Development Center. Over the years Wu-Tan Magazine’s editor-in-chief, Master Hsu Ji has interviewed numerous martial arts masters and documented the complete system of Chinese martial arts. The devotion of Master Dai and his friends facilitated the collection of valuable images and literature, which is now significant historical information for martial arts researchers and historians.
At the invitation of businessman Luis Chang, on September 25, 1975, master Dai Shi Zhe founded the Sheng Long – Shaolin Kung-Fu The Dragon Dance, along with master Su Yu Chang. Subsequently, on October 10, 1976, the headquarters officially open with a large demonstration of these two masters and 16 students who had prepared to begin the process of formation and dissemination of styles.
In 1988, Master Dai settle in the “Cloud Sea Village” in Taiwan and devoted his focus to perfecting his martial skills, especially at Bagua Zhang. He often exchanges and shares his thoughts with his martial arts brothers. In 1992, Grandmaster Liu Yun Chiao passed away and Master Dai took office as president of the Mantis Fist Association. Master Tai and his brothers continued to care for Ms. Liu until she died in 2010. For 44 years, martial arts have linked the lives of Master Dai and Grand Master Liu.
In 1993, the Chinese Cultural University invited Master Dai to teach Bagua Zhang at the school’s Martial Arts Club. From the activities, he came to realize that there was a serious shortage of good instructors. Which is why he founded Yun Hai Wu Tan (Cloud Sea Wu Tan) and set out to pass on the heritage of martial arts.
In 1976, Master Dai officially admitted his first group of 10 disciples and several others in the following years. During the same period, Master Dai also began the Wu Tan Annual Conference. Their initiative was answered with enthusiasm and the performance event at this conference is now expanded into an annual professional competition. Many of the notable martial art judges and athletes in the international arena today have developed from this event.
In 1999, an application was released to the Interior Ministry for the founding of R.O.C. Mantis Fist Association in which Master Dai assumed the position of Founding President. He is now the honorary president and the only honorary instructor. In 2010, Master Dai admitted 5 more disciples. Throughout his career in martial art education, he has admitted a total of 95 disciples, 43 from Venezuela and many of them are now renowned instructors around the world.
A loyal disciple of the Great Masters Chang and Liu, Master Dai honors the division code rigorously. He references his teacher as his father and loves his fellow disciples as his brothers. To this day Master Dai has never forgotten to commemorate the deceased Great Masters on special days. Master Dai leads by example and constantly reminds his disciples to honors themselves and respect each other.
Master Dai is a humble person, but everyone who know him is honored for his brilliant career and generous contribution behind his humble claims.
