Dan bian: Single whip - the Chen style way. Taken from Toyo & Petra Kobayashi 1994. Einswerden mit dem Tao. Muenchen: Hugendubel, p.20. The original source is the same as the one for the white crane spreading its wings on the web sources page, only it is fig.25 on p.78. It depicts Chen Zhaokui's presentation of xin jia yi lu.
| Year | Title and content | pp. | Lang. |
| Year | Abbreviations: de ... German; en ... English; lang. ... languages; pp. ... total pages; zh ... Chinese. | pp. | Lang. |
| 2004 | Mark Chen's Old Frame Chen Family Taijiquan is a very good introductory text for anyone who wishes to acquaint themselves with Chen style. In fact, I think it's extremely well written - which is not necessarily a common feature for martial art publications. It is also one of the recent publications which fill the gap in the English language book market on Chen style in that it is both a proficient text as well as accessible to beginners. You will find sections introducing taijiquan as such (7 pp.), on the evolution of taijiquan (15 pp.), on taijiquan instruction (15 pp.; excellent for those who contemplate where to begin and what to expect), on basics (43 pp.; 25 figures), on the complete first routine of the old frame (96 pp.; ca. 200 figures), and on training with opponents (40 pp., of which 20 pp. with 24 figures on tui shou practice and another 20 pp. with 42 figures on applications). Furthermore, there is a catalog of routines appended, besides notes and references. The author's knowledge of Chinese ensures good pinyin usage. My favorite two quotes are the following: "Taji is not slow. [...] Of the dozen or so forms in the canon of the Old Chen Style (depending on how one counts), only two are practiced slowly. It is therefore equally accurate to say that Taiji is fast." (p.2) and "If you plan to study Taiji, you will be uncomfortable for many years, so you should accept this without becoming distressed or preoccupied." (p.47). The publisher of this book is North Atlantic Books of Berkeley, CA, USA. The ISBN is 1-55643-488-X. I would completely endorse Mark Chen's claim that "This [book] is not Taiji for Dummies (p.6)." That's, on the other hand, not surprising because the author is an indoor student of Chen Qingzhou. [top] | 246 | en |
| 2003 | His students have been waiting for a long time, and now he has finally published his first book. Germany's top representative of Chen style taijiquan Jan Silberstorff has published a series of essays on taijiquan which are instructive for both beginners and advanced students of taijiquan published under the deceivingly simple title Chen. The book contains (I) an introduction (10 pp.), and chapters on (II) the system of taijiquan (114 pp.), (III) Chen style (80 pp.), (IV) taijiquan as a part of life (37 pp.), (V) taijiquan and medicine (41 pp.), and (VI) original texts of Chen style masters (39 pp.). The book closes with a short postface, a glossary, and an introduction to WCTAG (10 p.). Despite the title of the book and the representation of the style, this is no partisan publication advocating Chen style, and it will therefore be of interest to any serious practicioner of taijiquan. Chapter V consists of contributions by Gerhard Milbrat on the relationship between taijiquan and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Frank Marquardt on the effects of regular taijiquan practice as measured with Western scientific methods (e.g. heartbeat frequency and EMG measurements). (Both are German taijiquan instructors.) The book is not a book containing pictures and an explanation of the routines. It is rather a book acquainting the reader with the principles of taijiquan so as to refine and improve individual practice by a deeper understanding. This is a hardcover publication by Ullstein Heyne List publishers of Munich, Germany, and the ISBN is 3-7787-8148-0. [top] | 350 | de |
| 2002 | Chen Style Taijiquan: The Source of Taiji Boxing has certainly been a step towards independent writing in English language about Chen style at a higher level. Previously the best books in English were those which translated original Chinese publications. Davidine Siaw-Voon Sim and David Gaffney have made a very good effort at writing as well as compiling and translating materials from original sources on Chen style taijiquan. As opposed to many other publications, they also properly acknowledge the original sources of their graphs and thus ensure that you can follow-up and check by yourself instead of implying to their readers to belong to a select few with privileged access to the inner mysteries of taijiquan. The book is divided into chapters on origins and evolution of taijiquan (21 pp.); basic philosophy and theory, including silk-reeling (22 pp.); foundations, including posture requirements and comments on common mistakes, relaxing, opening, closing, etc., the five levels of skill, and common acupuncture points that bear relation to taijiquan (50 pp.); overview of the different training methods (45 pp. minus 10 pages which mainly provide the names for the different movements of the two old style routines), push hands (22 pp.), weapons (21 pp. minus ca. 7 pages listing the names of movements of different routines), and Chen family legends (26 pp.). The book is good for beginners as well as advanced students who have not had an opportunity to dig into any written material yet that summarizes many aspects of what proficient instructors are teaching them about Chen style. It is easy to read, has a fair number of illustrations, and an index. What you cannot easily find in other publications thus far is the chapter on Chen family legends which provides you with some of the folclore you always felt lacking when standing listening in awe to the great legends of other styles' taijiquan heros... The ISBN is 1-55643-377-8. It's been published in Berkeley, CA, USA, by North Atlantic Books. [top] | 224 | en |
| 2001 | If you are flying high, take Air China. The inflight magazine "The Wings of China" (ISSN 1003-3823, No.8, Vol.81, 2001, pp.52-57) contains a short article on Chen style taijiquan in both Chinese and English language. Chen's Taijiquan: China's Alternative Martial Art, written by Fang Wei and edited by Zhang Laiyou, is as any other inflight magazine article: High quality pictures and nice layout, and not too demanding to read -- something to get people interested. Eleven photographs were contributed by Chen Yu. Among the more interesting ones, there is Chen Wangting's poem written in changduanju style, a photograph of Chen Fake with boxers from Shanxi province, and one with Chen Fake and the Capital Wushu Society established in 1949. [top] | 6 | en, zh |
| 1999 | There is a book by Chen Zhenglei which is called Chen Shi Taijiquan Shu which could be considered an advanced student's compendium since it contains the main barehanded routines of Chen style taijiquan, i.e. old and new frames. (Remember that you would usually not turn to the new frame before being sufficiently proficient in the old frame.) The (clearly printed) figures are about 6 x 4.5 cm but lack the usual arrows which depict flow of movement. The old frame's first routine takes up 162 pages and 314 figures, and the second 70 pages and 173 figures. The new frame's first routine takes 171 pages and 441 figures, and the second routine of the new frame 110 pages with 290 figures. There are only very few back views. Besides an introductory chapter on history, basic requirements, basic stances, and silk reeling exercises (66 pages, 54 figures), there are chapters on push hand exercises and applications (30 pages, 74 figures), on selected martial applications from 15 movements of both lao and xin jia (18 pages, 44 figures), as well as on yinyang and meridian theory, and spiral force (35 pages, 22 figures and diagrams). This title has been published by Shanxi Science and Technology Press, the ISBN is 7-5377-1548-3, and it is possible to order it via Jarek Szymanski. Paper, printing and photograph quality are very good. There are more than 15 pages of color photographs (ancestors and Chen Zhenglei) in the beginning of the book. [top] | 736 | zh |
| 1999 | Ma Hong, if I am not mistaken, has actually had a teacher's background before he turned to taijiquan. Therefore, the book he compiled on Chen Shi Taijiquan Quanfa Quanli, based on transmissions by renowned Chen style grandmaster Chen Zhaokui, probably is as diligently pedagogic as his video training series appears to be. (I am not the person to give any final judgement on this, however, because I do not speak Chinese.) The book has been published by Beijing Physical Education Press, and goes under ISBN 7-81051-222-6/G.205. It contains detailed explanations of the new frame (xin jia) routines 1 (196 pages, 298 figures) and 2 (104 pages, 150 figures), and what appears to be a collection of shorter essays (175 pages), mostly from the late 1980s and early 1990s, with numerous quotes on diverse topics, including illustrated sections on power training (7 figures), push hand application (24 figures), and twining exercises (8 figures). The size of the figures is 4 x 3 to 6 x 5 cm, and they are drawn (no photographs, except for a few color photos on the first pages). Again, Jarek Szymanski offers to supply you with copies if you need. [top] | 506 | en |
| 1999 | In Chen style taijiquan, weapons are an integral part of practice. After completing the first routine of the old style, the student would traditionally turn to learning the single sabre (dan dao) routine before continuing with push hands and the second barehanded routine of the old style. (Cf. Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei in the Chenstyle Journal 5 (1) 1999 in his conversation with Herb Rich.) And in Mike Sigman's view, the Chen style of taijiquan is the only style which is a complete martial art system due to its inclusion of diverse weapon routines. (Cf. his article on "competitions and objectives" in Dao,special edition Taijiquan: p.88.) Therefore, you may be interested in becoming more acquainted with Ancient Chinese Weapons, a martial artist's guide by Yang Jwingming which has been published by YMAA Publication Center in Boston, Mass., USA. It contains a general introduction (16 pp.); sections on long (31 pp.), short (37 pp.), soft (11 pp.), and projectile and throwing weapons (10 pp.); plus a section on shields and armor (11 pp.). It refers to over 130 different items. While you would never attempt to learn routines for this plethora of weapons, the book may just provide the historical and other context information which you have been looking for all the time for increasing your understanding of the taijiquan weapon routine you are practicing. The ISBN is 1-886969-67-1. [top] | 140 | en |
| 1999 | Yang Jwingming has translated and interpreted "classics" of taijiquan for the English-speaking reader in his book Tai Chi Secrets of the Ancient Masters. The book makes nice reading because the interpretation includes explanations of what the Chinese reader would associate with the terms used by the authors which frequently does not shine thru stand-alone translations. The book is in a small pocket paperback format. It contains the "Tajiquan Treatise" attributed to Zhang Sanfeng, the "Taijiquan Classic" attributed to Wang Zongyue, "Four Important Sentences" attributed to Yang Yuting, "Thirteen Important Keys of Regulating the Body" by Gu Liuxing, as well as the "Song of Eight Words", "Three Important Theses of Taijiquan", "The Five Mental Keys to Diligent Study", the "Song of Pushing Hands", the "Song of the Real Meaning", "Taijiquan Fundamental Key Points", the "Song of Application", the "Old Taijiquan Classic of Qing Qian Long Dynasty", the "Song of Comprehension and Application", and the "Song of the Thirteen Postures" which are by anonymous or unknown authors. The book also contains the original Chinese versions of the poems and treatises, plus a small glossary. ISBN is 1-886969-71-X. You can also order it online from the publisher. [top] | 115 | en, zh |
| 1998 | Chen Jiazhen and Gu Liuxin, both students of Chen Fake, have compiled and edited a book called Chen Shi Taijiquan which, according to what has been told to me, also contains strong inputs by Tian Xiuchen, another indoor student of Chen Fake. It presents the only routine pictures displaying Chen Fake that I have come across. Since the sketches of Fake are not complete, these have been supplemented with sketches depicting Chen Zhaokui. The book presents the two routines of Chen Fake's new frame and also has chapters on theory and principles as well as push hands, etc. For the first routine, there are a total of 291 figures (on 113 pages), roughly 5 x 4 cm in size. All of these depict Chen Zhaokui. For the second routine, there are a total of 126 pictures (on 62 pages), 72 of which depict Chen Fake, and 54 of which depict Chen Zhaokui. The total number of pages is 331. The book has been published in the Chinese Wushu Book Series (Zhonghua Wushu Wenku), and the ISBN is 7-5009-1102-5/G.1012. [top] | 331 | zh |
| 1998 |
I do not know of any other written publication that is available in the English
language that is a better source for beginning (and possibly supplementing begun)
studies of Chen style taijiquan than Chenjiagou Chen Style Taijiquan
by 19th generation grandmaster Chen Zhenglei which has been translated from Chinese
by Zhang Xinhu, Greg Bissell, and Clarence Lu. There are two main sections: a 43-page
introductory text to Chen style taijiquan and a detailed 125-page description of the
first routine of the old frame of chen style taijiquan (lao jia yi lu). The introductory text
includes sections on Chen Wangting and Jiang Fa (including the frequently quoted "Xu Huai",
i.e. Song of Remembrance, of Chen Wangting), main lines of transmission of Chen
style, the Chen family code of ethics, special characteristics and requirements of Chen style,
progression in training, hand forms and stances as well as reeling silk exercises and standing
meditation, plus an overview of lao jia yi lu movements. There are over 50 figures. The description
of The First Routine of Chenjiagou Laojia Chen Style Taijiquan presents every single
movement of the form. Each movement is partitioned into different actions which are subsequently
discussed from the points of view of requirements, internal energy, and self-defense application
(to the extent applicable to the respective movement or action(s). Over 320 figures display the
different aspects of the 74 movements. The book has been published by Great Circle Publications Co.,
but there is no ISBN. It used to be possible to order it directly with Greg Bissell, 20 Byxbee Street, San Francisco,
CA 94132, USA. However, I have been told that his address is not valid anymore by
Richard F. Man, and that it is possible to order the book online via
Dragonsgate Production now. The book used to come
spiralbound in 8.5" x 11" format.
[top]
|
178 | en |
| 1998 | There is a very nice introductory text to taijiquan, by Jou Tsunghwa (Zhou Zhonghua), for students who would like to look a little beyond the fringes of the specific style they are training. The Dao of Taijiquan has gone into its seventh printing in May 1998 and contains chapters on roots, philosophy, foundation, classics, experiences, and push hands. The chapter "Roots" contains, among others, 422 illustrations for the first and 171 illustrations for the second form of Chen style, as taught by Feng Zhiqiang (with 83 and 71 movements respectively). The figures are a little small (about 3 cm high) so every once in a while little details (e.g. in the hands or fingers) get lost. But this is not a serious flaw, and should not keep you from buying it. It is a paperback and the ISBN is 0-8048-1357-4. [top] | 231 | en |
| 1997 | Zhongguo Chen Shi Taiji by Chen Zhenglei may be considered a beginner's compendium since it contains basic requirements, basic exercises, silk reeling exercises, and stances (all on 23 pages), the first barehanded as well as the (single) straight and broad sword routines. Lao jia yi lu takes up 143 pages. A set of 320 6 x 5 cm pictures (plus some back views) display the routine. 57 pages and 135 pictures take you thru the single straight sword, and 33 pages with 66 pictures thru the single broad sword routines. Besides this, there are several text chapters with a few diagrams referring to history, yinyang and meridian theory, and a couple of color photographs of Chen Zhenglei, meetings, and Chen style ancestors. Printing and paper quality are fine. The ISBN is 7-5062-2626-X/Z.51. It is being published by World Book Publishing Company, and Jarek Szymanski is able to provide you with copies. [top] | 388 | zh |
| 1995/ 1933 | There is no more renowned written work on Chen style taijiquan than the book, written by 1919 and published in 1933, by Chen Xin, and there is a chance now to obtain a reprint via Shanghai Books Press. Chen Shi Taijiquan Tu Shuo contains both extensive work on yinyang (complementary opposites) and jing luo (meridian) theory, as well as explanations of taijiquan movements and stances including posture, energy flow, etc. This seminal work has numerous diagrams and figures which I did not bother to count. It will not appeal to you if you cannot read Chinese or if you are a beginner because the number of figures is low in comparison to text. However, it is a perfect work for researchers, advanced students, and people who are able to read Chinese and who wish to go deeper, even if they do not study Chen style. The ISBN is 7-80569-359-5/G.20. You may also order it via Jarek Szymanski if you like. [top] | 436 | zh |
| 1995 | The Taijiquan und Qigong Lexikon by Monika Lind and Gabi Lind (Hamburg: Kolibri-Verlag) is a must for German speaking students of taijiquan. It is a paperback reference explaining terms and concepts of both taijiquan and qigong. All styles' routines are represented. The authors and editors (Budo Studien Kreis, BSK) are martial art specialists. The ISBN is 3-928288-14-8. [top] | 175 | de |
| 1994 | Standing pole (zhan zhuang) stance exercises are the key to building strength in Chen style taijiquan. Any master (and grandmaster) will testify as to that. 10 min. is a minimum to get your body structure settled before going thru the routines; 30 min. or more of these exercises, and you can build strength. Since stance exercises are not unique to Chen style, it can be worthwhile deepening your knowledge on them by cross-checking with other styles (though you can trust the Chen style grandmaster's instructions are sufficient for attaining objectives during practice). It is in this context that you may wish to turn to Wang Xuanjie and J.P.C. Moffett's Traditional Chinese Therapeutic Exercises - Standing Pole, published by the Foreign Languages Press in Beijing. I find the chapter on the history of the art of nourishing life (38 pages) very instructive because it clarifies a lot of terminology and its evolution. The other chapters focus on Dachengquan standing pole exercises (34 pages) and therapeutic foundations (15 pages). As with other publications of the Foreign Languages Press, there are usually translations to further languages (German, French, Spanish, etc.) available. The ISBN is 7-119-00696-7/R.16. [top] | 89 | en |
| 1993 | Shing Yen-Ling (Xing Yanling), a former student at Fujian Teachers' University and martial art teacher at Fujian Medical School has published Chen Style T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Thirty-six and Fifty-six Movements, under the supervision of Wan Peikun. The 18-page introduction (with over 60 photos and illustrations) is well structured and contains explanations of Chen taijiquan charcteristics (e.g. abdominal paradoxical respiration, shaking power), basic rules (e.g. body position, eye technique, spiral twining), and main points for practice (opening and closing, emptiness and solidness, etc.). Part 1 on the thirty-six movements runs over 62 pages and depicts the movements in 409 photos; part 2 shows the fifty-six movements over 85 pages and on 635 photos. Each movement is supplemented by detailed comment on execution. The book is No.3 of a Chinese Martial Art Series published by the Sugawara Martial Arts Institute, Tokyo. The ISBN is 0-87040-909-3. It is nicely made (photo and paper quality) compared to many other martial art paperbacks. [top] | 173 | en |
| 1991 | The People's Sport Publishing House of China has published an English translation of the Competition Routines for Four Styles Taijiquan, i.e. for Yang, Chen, Wu, and Sun styles. Each style's section first lists the movements, then depicts them in diagrams (e.g. for the 56 routine of Chen style 268 single figures), and closes with the distribution of the movements on the floor. Xie Shoude who translated the book is an editor of the Chinese Wushu Magazine of the Chinese Wushu Association of China. The ISBN is 7-5009-0435-5/G.410. [top] | 408 | en |
| 1991 | Did you ever wonder what is the real Chinese term for what you want to convey to the person you are talking to or have a Chinese term you could not find a translation for because your average dictionary does not yield it? There is a solution provided by the Haifeng Publishing Company in Hong Kong, entitled A Chinese-English and English-Chinese Glossary of Wushu and Qigong Terminology. The 462 pages for Chinese-English (English / pinyin without tones / traditional Chinese characters) are organized according to alphabetical pinyin transcription and hold ca. 13,500 terms and expressions (my estimate). The English-Chinese (English / traditional Chinese characters) section holds about 16,000 (also my estimate) on 362 pages. The compilers offer a reference to more than 200 categories for better understanding, e.g. you would be able to see that "qing long chu shui" is a name for movements found in Chen and Wu style tajiquan as well as Emei Quan. Terms and expressions range from "ai" (approach), "aihaozhe" (enthusiast), "anhaiquan" (Anhai boxing) to "zuogong" (sitting exercise) and "zuonianfa" (idea-conceiving method); and from "abandon force when meeting force" and "abbot of Shaolin Monastery" to "Zen-Tantrist exercise" and "zuwuli acupoint" respectively. The ISBN is 962-238-155-3. [top] | 829 | zh, en |
| 1990 | Chen Xiaowang has published Shi Chuan Chen Shi Taijiquan, following a number of earlier editions, as far as I can perceive. The standard bearer introduces silk reeling exercises, the old frame's two routines (lao jia yi and er lu), Xiaowang's own 38 routine, plus several martial applications to the novice. First, silk reeling exercises are explained on 12 pages with 58 illustrations (i.e. 4 x 3 cm photographs). The first routine takes some 75 pages and is depicted by 397 figures, and the second takes 44 pages with 202 figures. The 38 form is displayed on 53 pages in 214 figures, and martial applications take 38 pages with 181 figures. Some figures show back views where necessary (which are not added to the count). About 20 pages are "text only". Since the whole book covers matter you are likely to take 5-10 years (possibly more) to learn if you are a beginner, it is a good investment. The book has been published by the People's Sports Press in paperback, and the ISBN is 7-5009-0191-7/G.178. Paper and photograph printing quality is not optimal, but the content compensates a thousand times for that. It can be ordered in Shanghai via Jarek Szymanski. Make sure to obtain it, even if you do not know how to read Chinese. I am not sure if there is any better deal. [top] | 267 | zh |
| 1984 | Feng Zhiqiang, Feng Dabiao, and Chen Xiaowang display forms and illustrate applications in their book Chen Style Taijiquan, compiled by Zhaohua Publishing House in Hong Kong and Beijing. There is an introduction written by Gu Liuxin on the origin, evolution and development of shadow boxing, there are about 125 pages of illustrations of the attack-defence art series 1 and 2 written by Feng Zhiqiang and Feng Dabiao, and about 70 pages illustration of the 38 form written by Chen Xiaowang. The book is real value for money if you are truly interested in Chen style taijiquan. The ISBN is 962-238-016-6. [top] | 227 | en |
Blessed are those who know how to read Chinese because the 1990s have seen a number of new publications and reprints of old works in China, as, e.g., Chen Xin's classic Chen Shi Taijiquan Tu Shuo (Illustrated Explanation to Chen Family Taijiquan). This here excerpt is obviously referring to the movement Waving hands and sweep double lotus, 1995: p.346.