If you’ve spent any time in the world of traditional Chinese martial arts, you know the name. Adam Hsu (Hsu Ji) isn’t just a teacher; he’s a bit of a legend, a provocateur, and a bridge between the old-world masters of mainland China and the modern global community. Lately, though, a lot of people have been hitting the search bars with a nervous question: is Adam Hsu still alive?
The short answer is yes. As of early 2026, Grandmaster Adam Hsu is very much with us.
He is currently 84 years old—turning 85 this December—and living in Taipei, Taiwan. But the reason people keep asking this isn't just because of his age. It’s because he’s always been something of a phantom in the digital age. He doesn't spend his time chasing "likes" on Instagram or posting TikTok challenges. He’s an old-school scholar-warrior who values depth over visibility.
The Reality of Adam Hsu in 2026
Honestly, the confusion usually stems from how quiet he’s been on the international seminar circuit lately. For decades, Hsu was a fixture in the United States, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area. Then, he moved back to Taiwan. Since the early 2000s, his appearances in the West have become rarer.
He’s busy. Very busy.
In Taiwan, his work hasn’t slowed down; it’s just shifted focus. He spent years working with the famous Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, teaching world-class dancers how to find "root" and power through traditional Wushu. He also developed a massive Wushu program for children in Taiwan. When you’re busy training the next generation and advising on national curriculum, you don't always have time to update a blog in English.
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Why the rumors start
We live in an era where if a celebrity doesn't post for three weeks, people assume the worst. Hsu comes from a tradition where the work speaks for itself. He has always been a critic of "flower boxing"—martial arts that look good but have no substance. This attitude has sometimes made him a controversial figure. He’s not afraid to say that most modern Kung Fu is "bad Kung Fu."
That honesty makes him an outlier. Outliers get talked about. And when they stay out of the limelight, the internet fills the vacuum with speculation.
A Legacy That Defies the "Retirement" Label
To understand why people are so invested in whether he’s still around, you have to look at his lineage. Hsu was a closed-door disciple of Liu Yun-Qiao. If that name doesn't ring a bell, Liu was the man who trained the bodyguards for several Chinese presidents. He was the real deal.
Hsu inherited that "real deal" mentality.
He holds a Master’s degree in Chinese Literature from Taiwan Normal University. This is key. He isn't just a "gym guy." He’s a scholar. He approaches Bajiquan, Bagua Zhang, and Piqua Zhang with the precision of a historian.
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- 1978: He moves to the US and starts shaking things up.
- 1990: He founds the Traditional Wushu Association.
- 2006: He receives the Taiwan Government’s Cultural Award.
- 2019: He releases Life Is Too Short For Bad Kung Fu, a book that basically tells the martial arts world to get its act together.
His most recent works, including instructional videos and essays published through Plum Publications, show a man who is still intellectually sharp and physically capable. He’s still writing. He’s still teaching a small circle of dedicated students in Taipei.
The "Scholar-Warrior" Today
Most people get it wrong by thinking he’s retired. In the Chinese tradition, a master like Hsu doesn't really "retire." They just refine.
I’ve talked to practitioners who visited Taipei recently. They describe a man who still possesses that "terrifying" precision in his movements. If you’ve ever seen him do a simple piercing palm or a Baji elbow, you know what I mean. It’s not about speed; it’s about a type of integrated power that most people never achieve.
He has spent the last few years focusing on preserving the "Big Spear" techniques and the deeper mechanics of the internal arts. He’s worried. He’s worried that the real stuff is dying out, replaced by "Wushu" that looks like gymnastics. That’s why he’s still active—he feels a responsibility to the ancestors.
How to Actually Follow His Work
If you're looking for him on Twitter, stop. You won't find him.
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The best way to stay updated on his status and his teachings is through his official channels and long-time collaborators.
- AdamHsuKungFu.com: This is the central hub for his school and philosophy.
- Plum Publications: Ted Mancuso and his team have been the primary English-language bridge for Hsu’s books and DVDs for years. They are usually the first to know if there's news.
- The Traditional Wushu Association: This remains the umbrella for his teaching methodology.
The man is a survivor. He survived the transition from mainland China to Taiwan as a child. He survived the cutthroat martial arts scene of the 70s and 80s. He’s still here, still drinking tea, and still telling anyone who will listen that they need to fix their stance.
What You Can Do Right Now
Instead of worrying about his health, the best way to honor a master like Adam Hsu is to engage with the material he’s spent 80 years perfecting.
- Read "The Sword Polisher’s Record": It’s arguably one of the best books ever written on the reality of martial arts. No mysticism, just hard truths.
- Check out his Bagua Zhang videos: Even if you don't practice Bagua, seeing how he explains the "circle walk" will change how you think about movement.
- Audit your own practice: He’s always said that "bad Kung Fu" is a waste of time. Look at what you're doing. Is it functional? Is it rooted in tradition? Or is it just "flowery"?
Adam Hsu is a living library. We’re lucky he’s still around to keep the doors open. If you want to keep the tradition alive, stop searching for death hoaxes and start working on your basics. That’s exactly what he’d tell you to do.