Kick With Heel, section IV, form 46, of the Chen taijiquan competition routine. Taken from Competition Routines for Four Styles Taijiquan, 1991, Beijing: People's Sport Publishing House of China, p.216, figure 231.
Please bear in mind that there is no way of actually learning taijiquan from videos. You should always look for a qualified instructor. Videos, however, may be a supplement to your training, and should also be very interesting if you are not able to attend seminars or shows to watch the masters and grandmasters perform. (I find the comments of T'ai Chi Magazine quite reasonable. Make sure to obtain videos of masters or very good students, though, and not of mediocre practitioners.)
| Year | Title and content | Min. | Lang. | Type |
| Year | Abbreviations: de ... German; DVD ... digital video disc; en ... English; jp ... Japanese; lang. ... languages; min. ... total playing time in minutes; sub ... subtitles; VCD ... video compact disk; VHS ... video home system tape; zh ... Chinese. | Min. | Lang. | Type |
| *** | (Mainly) Chen style taijiquan videos | *** | *** | *** |
| 2002? | As to weapons, one of the most demanding routines is the long handled broadsword called Qunqiu Da Dao, i.e. (spring and autumn) large broadsword, or qinglong yanyue dao, i.e. Qinglong crescent moon broadsword. Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei has recorded the routine for those who have reached the level, and strive to practice with a 3 kg training or 10 kg real helbard of this type. Following an intoduction on the history of Chen taijiquan and Chen Zhenglei (6.5 min.), and a complete view (3 min.) plus general explanations (3 min.), the routine is being introduced in 5 sections (10 min, 10 min., 8.5 min., 10 min., 14 min.). Each section is once fully displayed before and once after the single movements. The single movements are presented some 5 times each, including explanations and slow motion. The VCD closes with a final view of the whole routine (3 min.). All demonstrations are front view presentations. The VCD is part of a collection on Chinese martial arts produced by Guangzhou Beauty Culture Communication Co. Ltd. The ISRC is CN-M23-02-0010-0/V.G8. [top] | 71 | zh | VCD |
| 2002? | Very long weapons are not very practical (unless you need to fight against walled cities or people on horseback or carriages). But they can be very useful for developing martial power if used correctly during training. Chen style practice may resort to long staffs, and Chen Zhenglei has produced a video on their usage called Taiji Shisan Gan (Taiji Thirteen Staff routine). There is an intoduction on the history of Chen taijiquan and Chen Zhenglei (6.5 min.), one complete view (1.5 min.) and general introduction (2.5 min.). The routine is divided into 3 sections which are presented completely first, and then in (repeated) single movements; and followed by explanations of main points of practice (5 min, 4 min., 4.5 min.). In closing, there are two more repetitions of the routine (3.5 min.). Finally, there is a very powerful presentation of xin jia yi lu by Chen Zhenglei (14 min.). The VCD is part of a collection on Chinese martial arts produced by Guangzhou Beauty Culture Communication Co. Ltd. The ISRC is CN-M23-02-0011-0/V.G8. [top] | 42 | zh | VCD |
| 1998 | The internalization of taijiquan principles is probably best developed by reeling silk exercises. Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang has produced tapes which display such exercises. Chan Si Gong - Internal Spiral Energy, Part 1 introduces the practicioner to a first set of exercises. There is a short 4 min. introduction on the history of taijiquan, followed by general explanations of purpose and usage of chan si gong exercises by Chen Xiaowang (8 min.). Then the first set is demonstrated once for a first view (12 min., one part in front view, another in side view), and then slowly (side view) with detailed explanations of hand positions, flow of qi, shift of weight, etc. (28 min.). The slow part is quite suitable for following. If you take a cinematographic point of view concerning your tapes, you will not like the tape for a number of reasons. Personally, I am very impressed with Chen Xiaowang's didactic skill in a language (English) he is not fully proficient in, and I would not want to miss it for its valuable content. It may be obtained from Chen Xiaowang, 18 Sluman Street, West Ryde, NSW 2114 Australia, and, I presume, his students, e.g. WCTAG. [top] | 58 | en | VHS |
| 1998 | The second silk reeling exercise tape of Chen Xiaowang, Chan Si Gong - Internal Spiral Energy, Part 2 displays set no.2 and contains three demonstrations: A first view of the second set (11 min., front view), a view with detailed explanations of hand positions, flow of qi, shift of weight, etc. (17 min., mainly front view) which is suitable for following, and a view of the first and second sets of exercise together (22 min.). This is followed by a short section about Chen Xiaowang (3 min.). Quality of the takes is better than for Part 1. Available from Chen Xiaowang, 18 Sluman Street, West Ryde, NSW 2114 Australia, and, I presume, his students, e.g. WCTAG. [top] | 59 | en | VHS |
| 1998 | The first you should normally learn, when you follow the traditional route of acquiring Chen taijiquan skills, is the old frame's first routine. Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang is one of the four major standard bearers of the style and therefore is one of the four "ultimate" teachers to follow. His Chen Style Taijiquan Laojia - Old Frame Part 1 is the first tape in a three-tape series which introduces the routine step by step. The first tape begins with an introduction to Chen Xiaowang's video tape series (3 min.), an introduction to Chen style taijiquan and to Chen Xiaowang (4 min.), and two presentations of the whole routine: a) in middle stance front view (12 min., with some general spoken information in the background) and b) middle-low stance back view (10 min., with background music). Then, there is a written (Chinese characters, Chinese pinyin, English) and oral presentation of the names of the different movements of the first part, followed by a complete presentation of this part in front view (3 min.). The rest of the tape presents movements 1-18 (= Part 1) of the routine (29 min.). Each movement is demonstrated (usually in succession with 1-5 other movements) from 4 different horizontal angles. These demonstrations are repeated one after another on the tape so you do not need to constantly wind backward all the time if you want to study a specific sequence. Also, swift movements (as jumps, kicks, fajing) are slowed down for a better view. Quality is good. The tape may be obtained from Chen Xiaowang, 18 Sluman Street, West Ryde, NSW 2114 Australia, and, I presume, his students, e.g. WCTAG. [top] | 62 | en | VHS |
| 1998 | Chen Xiaowang's Chen Style Taijiquan Laojia - Old Frame Part 2 is the second tape in the three-tape series which introduces this routine step by step. The first tape begins with an introduction to Chen Xiaowang (5 min.), followed by a written (Chinese characters, Chinese pinyin, English) and oral presentation of the names of the different movements of the second part. Thereafter, movements 19-38 (= Part 2) of the routine are being presented (30 min.). As on the first tape of the series, each movement or sequence is demonstrated from 4 different horizontal angles repeated one after another and quick movements are slowed down for better view. The tape closes with a slow presentation of the complete routine in middle-high stance front view (17 min., background music). Quality is good. The tape may be obtained from Chen Xiaowang, 18 Sluman Street, West Ryde, NSW 2114 Australia, and, I presume, his students, e.g. WCTAG. [top] | 54 | en | VHS |
| 1998 | As opposed to what you may think, Chen Xiaowang's Chen Style Taijiquan Laojia - Old Frame Part 3 video tape not only includes the third, but also the fourth and last part of the routine. This third tape of the series begins with a written (Chinese characters, Chinese pinyin, English) and oral presentation of the names of the different movements of the third part of the routine. Then, movements 39-55 (= Part 3) are being presented (21 min.) followed by a complete demonstration of the third part (3 min.). Finally, you get the written and oral presentation of the names of the different movements of the fourth part of the routine, followed by the demonstrations of movements 56-75 (= Part 4, 18 min.), followed by a complete demonstration of the fourth part (4 min.). As on the first and second tapes of the series, each movement or sequence is demonstrated from 4 different horizontal angles repeated one after another and quick movements are slowed down for better view. Quality is good. The tape may be obtained from Chen Xiaowang, 18 Sluman Street, West Ryde, NSW 2114 Australia, and, I presume, his students, e.g. WCTAG. [top] | 53 | en | VHS |
| 1998 | Chen Style Taijiquan - 19 Movement Short Form has been produced by Chen Xiaowang, and contains exactly what the title says, plus an introduction of about 5 min. on the history of taijiquan and on Chen Xiaowang, and some 4 min. at the end about Chen Xiaowang's work in disseminating Chen style taijiquan. Demonstration work is very complete, i.e. with front, back, and both side views, and high, middle and low stances. With its nice introduction on the art itself, and the 19 Form performed, it seems a perfect "beginner's kit". Quality is good. You may obtain the tape from Chen Xiaowang, 18 Sluman Street, West Ryde, NSW 2114, Australia, and certainly from a number of his students. [top] | 58 | en, (zh) | VHS |
| 1997 | If you have mastered the first routine and are beginning to study the second one, or "cannon fist", you may want to turn to another fine tape by Master Ren Guangyi to supplement your studies. His Lao Jia Er Lu contains a 6 minute introductory note while the routine is being presented once in real-time and then in slow motion (front view, 3.5 min/ 6.5 min.); a complete presentation of the routine (front, left, right view; 28 min.) with names of each movement displayed in Chinese, pinyin transcription, and English, plus a short note on the shift in weight; and finally a repetition of the first real-time and slow motion front views. Quality is good and the different views of the movements are fluently blended with one another. The tape may be obtained from Ren Guangyi, 66 N. Middletown Rd., B2, Pearl River, NY 10965, USA. [top] | 55 | en, zh sub | VHS |
| 1997 | Tai Chi Chuan - Vollendete Kampfkunst aus China has been produced by Radio Free Berlin (SFB), and directed by Ludger Pfanz. It is a nice introductory film to taijiquan that explains the context in which it has grown and continues to exist. Reference is made to current practice at Chenjiagou, shaolinquan, application in Chinese opera, and daily usage. It includes interviews with and demonstrations by Chen Xiaowang, Chen Guizhen, Shen Xijing, Jan Silberstorff, and Ren Farong of the daoist temple at Louguantai. Quality is very good. There is a German description of the making of the film on the webpages of WCTAG. It may be ordered at WCTAG, Rendsburgerstrasse 14, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany. [top] | 44 | de | VHS |
| 1997 | Tai Ji Quan - Chen Style - Handform has been produced by WCTAG. Jan Silberstorff demonstrates lao jia yi lu. There is a front view and a back view (each about 34 min. long), 21 min. depicting the different particular movements, and a short intro. If you are not a total beginner, you do not need to understand German to make use of this tape since there is no talking. The names of the movements come in German subtitles while being performed in the section depicting the different movements (which also has slow motion replays of fajing movements). Quality is good. To be ordered at WCTAG, Rendsburgerstrasse 14, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany. [top] | 97 | de sub | VHS |
| 1997? | Taiji and Shaolin Quan - The Fighting Arts of Henan Province actually assembles 3 seperate sequences on Henan province and its culture (19 min.), the Shaolin temple and its traditional boxing system (11 min.), and on Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang and training scenes from Chenjiagou (11 min.). The latter sequence is worthwhile because it shows powerful Chen Xiaowang in motion (both routine demonstration and tui shou). Quality is medium. It can be ordered with WCTAG, Rendsburgerstrasse 14, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany. [top] | 40 | en | VHS |
| 1996 | There is a demonstration of The Chen Style Tai Chi Sword and Five Methods of Push Hands on a tape by Master Ren Guangyi. First, you are introduced to the single straight sword form in Chinese and English while it is being presented once (front view), then to the hand forms for the sword, and finally the whole form is presented movement by movement (front, left and right side views, 29 min.). The complete front view is presented once more, followed by a 27 min. presentation of push hands (single hand, curving flowers, stationary stance, moving stance, big pull, and flower pattern stance). There are English commentaries to each movement. Jose Figueroa assists Ren Guangyi in the push hand demonstrations. Quality is very good. Buy the tape from Ren Guangyi, 66 Middletown Road, Apt. B2, Pearl River, NY 10965, USA. [top] | 60 | en | VHS |
| 1996 | Chen Taijiquan Broadsword and 5 Levels of Push Hands Demonstration is similar to the straight sword tape below. The video first gives a short Chinese and English introduction while the form is presented twice in front view (normal and slow speed), and then proceeds with the demonstation of each movement (14 min., front and two side views). The front view is repeated in fast and slow speed, and then there are 24 min. of push hand demonstrations. Here, Stephan Berwick assists Ren Guangyi. Of the total running time some 7 min. belong to the trailer, quality is very good. The tape may be obtained from Ren Guangyi, 66 Middletown Road, Apt. B2, Pearl River, NY 10965, USA. [top] | 59 | en, zh | VHS |
| 1996 | Master Ren Guangyi demonstrates Push Hand Techniques on Video # 2 of his Chen Style Taijiquan video series produced with ESPY-TV. The tape displays 5 seperate levels of tui shou exercises (dan tui sao and huang qua, ding bu, hua ba, da lu, and huang jiao bu), continuous practice (levels 1-5), applications, and free style throws; each about 3 min. in length and with views from two sides. Quality is very good. The tape may be obtained from Ren Guangyi, 66 Middletown Road, Apt. B2, Pearl River, NY 10965, USA. [top] | 31 | en | VHS |
| 1996 | Chen Zhenglei has produced a recording called Yang Sheng Gong (Health Preserving Skills) which provides you with a good overview of the different exercises used in the Chen style system for warming and loosening up the body, building inner strength, and training the application of taiji principles in your movements. Following an introduction of ca. 2 min., there are four sections: (I) relaxation (14 min., 11 exercises), (II) reeling silk skills (10 min., 5 exercises), (III) development of inner strength (26 min., 6 exercises including standing post), and (IV) the 18 Form (4.5 min., front view). Each section contains explanatory notes by Chen Zhenglei. From what I perceive, DVDs with English translation are available as well. It is part of a collection on Chinese martial arts produced by Guangzhou Beauty Culture Communication Co. Ltd. The ISRC is CN-M23-96-306-00/V.G8. [top] | 57 | zh | VCD |
| 1996 | Another production by Chen Zhenglei is Xie Taolu Xinshang (Enjoy Weapons Routines). It provides a front view demonstration of five different routines. As the title suggests, it is meant more for appreciation of masterful performance than for instruction since there is no explanation or repetition of sequences as one would expect in instructional tapes. Durations are as follows: (I) lao jia yi lu (# min.), (II) lao jia er lu (# min.), (III) single sword (# min.), (IV) single broad sword (# min.), (V) 18 Form. Each section contains explanatory notes by Chen Zhenglei. There is a DVD which provides alternatively English translation and subtitles. Chinese subtitles are available in both traditional and simplified characters. It is also part of a collection on Chinese martial arts produced by Guangzhou Beauty Culture Communication Co. Ltd. The ISRC is CN-M23-96-307-00/V.G8. [top] | ## | zh | VCD |
| 1995 | Master Ren Guangyi demonstrates 38 Form Applications on a tape produced with ESPY-TV. The video first shows the 38 Form created by Chen Xiaowang (front view, 8 min.) - accompanied by an instructive introductory text on Chen taijiquan, and then proceeds with usually one (and sometimes more) self-defense application per movement. There are views from different sides and with different speeds. Stephan Berwick assists Ren Guangyi in the demonstrations. Quality is very good. The tape may be obtained from Ren Guangyi, 66 Middletown Road, Apt. B2, Pearl River, NY 10965, USA. [top] | 25 | en, zh? | VHS |
| 1995 | Master Ren Guangyi has demonstrated Lao Jia Yi Lu in an instructional video tape. First, following a short introduction, the routine is presented completely (front view, low stance; 10 min.). Then each of the 75 movements is presented from three sides (front, left, right; 35 min.), and names are displayed in Chinese, pinyin transcription, and English. In the end, the whole routine is repeated once more. Quality is good; the different views of the movements are fluently blended with one another, i.e. the making is more professional than other instructional videos I have seen. It may be obtained from Ren Guangyi, 66 N. Middletown Rd., B2, Pearl River, NY 10965, USA. [top] | 59 | en, zh | VHS |
| 1994 | If you are looking for the optimal taijiquan teachers, Ma Hong, one of Chen Zhaokui's indoor students, is bound to be among them. Chen Style Tai Chi Form 1 Part 1 ("Chenshi Taijiquan Diyi Lu") is a real course to follow. Following a short general introduction (2 min.), Ma Hong presents the complete new style routine in front view first (11 min., Chinese music background) before he goes into the details with an assistant. While you see Ma Hong's front, the assistant provides the back view at the same time. Thus, you have the benefit of seeing both sides simultaneously which is sometimes difficult when you are following in a class and there are no mirrors in front of the teacher. Following the presentation of each single movement, there is repetition and discussion, and Ma Hong also corrects the position of the assistant for clarity. Movements presented before, are skipped later in the tape. Part 1 ends with movement no.32: Gao tan ma. Quality is good. It is possible to order the tape with Master Xu Guoming, 4309 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA. [top] | 90 | zh | VHS |
| 1994 | The second part of the first routine of the new style comes on a tape labeled Chen Style Tai Chi Form 1 Part 2 (second part of "Chenshi Taijiquan Diyi Lu"). The structure is the same as on the recording of part 1 with Ma Hong and one assistant presenting indoors. It begins with movement no.33 (You ca jiao - Rub the Right Foot) and takes you all the way to the end. Movements presented before are skipped. There is no presentation of the complete routine as on the tape for part 1. Quality is good. You may order the tape with Master Xu Guoming, 4309 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA. [top] | 58 | zh | VHS |
| 1994 | Push Hand and Power Training, or rather "Tuishou Jiqiao Ji Gongli Xunlian" (Push Hand Skill and Efficiency Training - or: Drills), is one of the tapes in Master Ma Hong's Training Series for Chen style taijiquan. It is for advance practicioners who want to go into push hand competitions or anyone who wishes to further build their strength and skill. Ha Hong goes into considerable detail concerning push hand exercises with over 20 different exercises presented and discussed (69 min.). The rest of the tape is devoted to power training and presents diverse methods, including exercises with utensils such as short staff, long staff, ball, and drums (34 min.). Quality is good. It is possible to order the tape with Master Xu Guoming, 4309 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA. [top] | 103 | zh | VHS |
| 1994 | Another tape in Master Ma Hong's Training Series for Chen style taijiquan introduces you to the martial applications of xin jia yi lu. It begins with a front view outdoor presentation of the complete routine (14 min.; picture quality modest). Thereafter, martial applications are being explained indoors (73 min.; good quality) with two assistants who need to bear the tumbling and the joint locking. Colors and lighting are very well selected so the images do not blur: Ma Hong wears white, his assistants red and blue, and the background is dark (as on a theater stage). Twenty- four movements of the routine's first part are covered, a few of them in succession (i.e. 2-3 movements following each other). The tape is called Chen Style Tai Ji Usage Form 1 Part 1, or rather "Danshi Dongzuo Ji Shizhan Yongfa" (Single Pattern Movements and Actual Combat Usage). You may order the tape with Master Xu Guoming, 4309 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA. [top] | 92 | zh | VHS |
| 1994 | The second part of Chen Style Tai Ji Usage Form 1 Part 2, i.e. "Danshi Dongzuo Ji Shizhan Yongfa" (Single Pattern Movements and Actual Combat Usage), follows exactly the same pattern as the first tape. However, it does not provide a demonstration of the complete routine as the first part does. It begins with Gao tan ma's application (which is where the first tape cuts off), and takes you through another 27 movements of the routine. The applications which were already presented in the first tape (for such movements which are repeated throughout the routine), of course, are skipped to avoid duplication. In this second part, most of the applications are presented based on a succesion of 2-3 movements. Quality is identical with the first tape, and it can be ordered with Master Xu Guoming, 4309 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA. [top] | 69 | zh | VHS |
| 1994, 1990 | If you wish to compare different Chinese martial art (wushu, kungfu) styles with one another and do not have any previous knowledge, you may wish to turn to a video tape called Chinese Gongfu (Martial Art) which contains an excerpt of a performance by Chen Xiaowang. Unfortunately, it is the only performance which has been cut short on a selection which contains a total of 35 performances from the late 1980s with top competitors at Chinese national level. Chen Xiaowang's presentation is cut off just in the middle of the first fajing movement of xinjia yilu and lasts 2 min. and 10 sec. Most other performances are actually shorter but also can be completed in this short time span. The tape displays mizuquan, changquan, fanziquan, nanquan, ditangquan, xingyiquan, tongbeiquan, piquaquan, zhaquan; mantis, eagle claw, monkey, drunkard, eight trigrams boxing; and diverse weapon routines. Also, and unusual in the West, you will find female competitors performing at par with male competitors, including in weapon routines as long-handled sabre, double hooks, three-sectional staff, Emei sting, etc. Quality is good. I believe it may be obtained from the same source as Chen Xiao Sing's tape below. [top] | 48 | en | VHS |
| 1991 | Master Xu Guoming provides an introduction to Chin-Na (grabbing and joint locking) techniques - which are very prominent in Chen style taijiquan - on Vol. XVIII of the China's Living Treasures video series. The tape starts out with basic exercises (with long chop sticks; 5 min.) and an explanation of principles, continues by going thru different movements of lao jia yi lu while demonstrating selected qin na applications (32 min.). It closes with an elaboration and then short summary of main points to remember (22 min.). Master Xu stresses the different applications of the same movement, thereby displaying the incredible richness of the form. Quality is good (sound recorded outdoors). The tape may be obtained from One Hand Video, PO Box 185, Mamaroneck, NY 10543-0185, USA. [top] | 61 | en | VHS |
| 1991/ 1992? | Master Zhang Xuexin, a senior student of Feng Zhiqiang, demonstrates Chan Ssu Chin, i.e. silk reeling training exercises, on Vol. XV of the China's Living Treasures video series. Exercises on this tape (a total of 45 min.) begin with the head and end with the feet (although all originate from the waist, of course). The demonstration closes with one short martial art applications of two exercises. Quality is good. The tape may be obtained from One Hand Video, PO Box 185, Mamaroneck, NY 10543-0185, USA. [top] | 55 | en | VHS |
| 199? | Spirit of Chen Style Taiji Quan has been produced by INBI of Russia. While the first section of the film (11 min.) merely assembles sequences from other videos, as, e.g. Tai Chi Chuan - Vollendete Kampfkunst aus China, and Taiji and Shaolin Quan - The Fighting Arts of Henan Province, the rest is devoted to presenting impressions from Chenjiagou taijiquan competitions. It contains a number of barehand, sword, and ball competition routines by renowned grandmasters as Chen Xiaowang (2 x barehand - 2 min. and 1.5 min. plus fajing encores; as well as spear and guan dao) , Chen Zhenglei (barehand 2 min.), Wang Xi'an (barehand 5.5 min.), and others which were mostly taken from the right side. There is also an amusing sequence where Chen Xiaowang performs the sword routine with an umbrella (1 min.), and various views of training sessions with Chen Xiaowang (7 min.). Finally, the tape shows scenes from Chenjiagou tui shou competitions (6 min.) where INBI members apparently landed a first place in one of the groupings of the year concerned. The images are accompanied by Chinese pop music which you may turn down if it does not meet your disposition since there are no spoken words. Total running time is 62 min. (including a 5 min. advertisement on the Dao Camp 1999 in Slovenia) and quality is medium. I am not sure about the colors: The images looked black and white to me on Pal and NSTC, but Russia may use a different standard. [top] | 62 | en | VHS |
| 19?? | There is a beautiful performance of the first form by the late Gu Liuxin (ca. 7 min.), some nice push hand scenes between Gu Liuxin and Tao Renxiang (ca. 2 min.), and demonstrations of sticky long staff training by Gu Liuxin and Zhang Yu (ca. 1 min.) on Video Tape One of Master Tong Yausun's Rare Historical Videos of the Great Masters of China collection. There are nice performances of masters of the other 4 main schools also. Tape quality is good; the material is historical, and taken from black and white film without sound. You will not mind the expectable defects in the quality of the images, though, as the performances easily make up for that. The tape may be obtained from Master Tong Yausun. [top] | 64 | (en) | VHS |
| 19?? | Video Tape Four of Master Tong Yausun's Rare Historical Videos of the Great Masters of China collection displays a Chen style sword play performance of Master He Bingquan in front and back views (each 3 min.). There are also two excellent sword duets and another sword play of other schools. Total running time is 14 min. Tape quality is good; the sword duets' material is taken from black and white film, the sword plays were recorded on video; there is no sound. You may order the tape with Master Tong Yausun. [top] | 14 | (en) | VHS |
| 19?? | There is a Chinese video tape by Feng Zhiqiang on 24 Movements & Push Hand Techniques with some sections summarily subtitled in English, and with Chinese and English titles displayed for each section. His 24 movements form is first presented with a group (front view), then by Feng Zhiqiang alone: once in front view, then movement by movement (with extensive commentary), and then in back view. Some five attack and defense applications are also included in this presentation (total length 55 min.). The second part (a total of 48 min.) contains five push hand sections: a short introduction, 12 exercises for single-hand pushing (including elbow and shoulder pressing, hip and knee strikes, etc.), 9 exercises for two-hand pushing, a few solo exercises, and 12 free sparring techniques. Quality is good. You may obtain the tape with Master Tong Yausun. [top] | 103 | zh/ sub, en/ sub | VHS |
| 19?? | If you are ready for pao chui or cannon fist, i.e. the second barehand routine of the old frame of Chen style, you may want to turn to a tape by Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang called Chen Style Taijiquan - Series II. The spoken commentary is in Chinese throughout the tape, but there are some English subtitles for the general introduction, and each movement is listed in Chinese and English. After a general introduction of 4 min., the list of movements are displayed in both languages. The form is first presented in front view (9 min.), then movement by movement (61 min., front and back views, extensive commentary). This is followed by a demonstration of selected martial applications of 14 movements (18 min.). The tape ends with a back view demonstration of the whole routine (motto: "follow me", 9 min.). The quality is good. The tape may be purchased with Master Tong Yausun. [top] | 109 | zh, en sub | VHS |
| 19?? | If you are interested in an overview of a number of weapon routines of Chen style taijiquan on one single tape, you may want to turn to demonstrations by Chen Quanzhong called Chen Style Tai Chi Weapons Form. This video contains presentations of the guan dao (Guan's long-handled saber, also frequently translated as helbard; 14 min.), qiang (spear; 20 min.), dan dao (sabre; 6 min.), and jian (sword; 13 min.) routines. Each section commences with general explanations of the weapon and the particularities of the routine along with some first views. Then the whole routine is presented movement by movement from one angle and at normal speed. And finally the names of the movements of the routine are listed. The tape closes with a few informations on Chen Quanzhong and the American Chen Style Tai Chi Association which is also where you can order the tape: P.O. Box 5026, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310-5026, USA. Tape quality is moderate. [top] | 59 | en | VHS |
| 19?? | Chen Xiao Sing has recorded a presentation of Tai Chi Chuan, Chen Style Traditional, Route One which contains lao jia yi lu. First, there is a front view of the whole routine and, I believe, general explanations (10 min.). This is followed by a presentation of each movement (45 min.) with, I presume, specific explanations for each movement. Some 10 of these movements are repeated from different angles and in slow motion. Language is Cantonese Chinese (from what I am able to perceive), quality is very good. You may obtain it in bookstores in Hong Kong (this is where I saw it, at least) or directly from Video Learning, Block B, 1/F, Shun King Building, 33-35 Takuling Road, Kowloon City, Kowloon. [top] | 55 | en | VHS, VCD |
| ???? | It's generally not easy to come by recordings of performances of Wang Xi'an although he is one of the four genuine standard bearers of Chen style taijiquan. The Tokio Broadcasting System (TBS-V) has recorded some material presented as Chen Shi Taijiquan Lao Jia Yi Lu that apparently contains sessions which Wang Xi'an conducted in Japan. Included are several short interview sequences with Wang Xi'an which are dubbed in Japanese. There is an excellent demonstration of the first routine of the old frame in high stance front view (12 min.) which is followed by training workshop sequences which include his explanations of specific movements to the training class, and which are consecutively translated by an interpreter (to Japanese). Not all of the different movements are covered, but a selected stock is (total 19 min.). The recordings close with a sequence on gathering qi in Chen style taijiquan (1 min.), fajing (2 min.), tui shou (2 min.), as well as what apparently are preview shots from a further recording. The resolution is not very high. The producer apparently is some type of workshop (fuku shou dou). I came across this recording in Jiaozuo (Henan) in 2002. [top] | 50 | jp | VCD |
| *** | Taijiquan movies | *** | *** | *** |
| 1995 | Li An's (Ang Lee's) classic Pushing Hands (Tui Shou) actually preceded his recent hit Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (Wo Hu Zang Long) by half a decade. As with other martial art movies, performers are not masters of martial art, but (usually Chinese opera) actors who occasionally specialize in the martial sub-disciplines, as, for example, Cheng Long (Jackie Chan). Therefore, you will not find any taijiquan master performance here, but rather a (beautiful) story about a taijiquan master (performed by Sihung Lung) following his son to New York. The setting is perfect for a clash of cultures, namely traditional Chinese (in particular taijiquan) with North American or Western attitudes and life style. While the plot is fiction, taijiquan mastery is presented in a way which comes close to reality. Emphasis is also, and correctly, placed on the natural link taijiquan establishes between martial art and healing. Besides Sihung Lung, the movie starrs Bo Z. Wang, Fanny de Luz, and Lai Wang. According to the cover, the movie is exclusively distributed by Image Entertainment. The ISRC is CN-K07-00-0795-00/V.J6. [top] | 107 | en/ sub, zh/ sub | DVD |
| 1983 | A Chinese classic, Wudang, directed by Sun Sha and starring Lin Quan and Zhao Changjun, describes a common martial art theme: Evil hands hideously murder a renowned and honest martial artist, including some family members and friends. The daughter seeks to avenge his death, and climbs the Wudang mountains to improve her skills with the daoist priests. Following hard study, she descends the mountains and is rewarded by being able to subdue the responsible traitors. Besides this, ousting of the collaborators spurs revolt against Japanese occupation. The movie has been shot on real locations at Wudang (which at the time of production were more dilapidated than nowadays), and film tricks are not excessively used. On the whole, a martial arts movie which compares favorably with other productions of the early 1980s. I have watched the movie on German TV before, where it was called Die Tochter des Meisters (The Master's Daughter). Hence, I believe it should be available in other languages too. [top] | ## | zh | VCD |
| 199? | There is a movie called Taiji Zhang Sanfeng in China which I have seen called Tai Chi elsewhere. It is starring, among others, Li Lianjie (Jet Lee) and Yang Ziqiong (Michelle Yeoh) and tells the story of two monks expelled from the Shaolin monastery. One of them recklessly pursues a career with the military. The other discovers daoist's principles for application in martial arts after turning crazy and being treated by a daoist priest. Subsequently he is called master Zhang Sanfeng and subdues the reckless former gongfu brother with his superior skills. There is a lot of bloodshed and quite a few film tricks. Thus, the strongest merit the movie may have is to establish for the average movie goer that taijiquan actually is a martial art. Practicioners of taijiquan also may find comfort in the fact that even a skilled martial arts actor as Li Lianjie obviously was not able to learn to adequately imitate taijiquan during the time it took to shoot the movie. The "taijiquan" displayed is quite a far shot from real taijiquan. The only real taijiquan you actually get to see is a group of daoists monks praticing Wudang Sanfeng taijiquan in the background while the credits are being displayed at the end of the movie. The plot also bears no relationship to the existing Zhang Sanfeng legend either. [top] | 87 | zh | VCD |