Product Description

This is the first book ever published on the art of Tai Ji Quan, and remains a classic of Chinese martial arts literature. Written in 1919, it was the first illustrated, instructional manual detailing both the theory and practice of this unique style of Tai Ji Quan created by the author himself. It discusses the underlying philosophy, based on the Yin/Yang theory of the harmony of balancing extremes, and offers detailed explanations for each movement of the form.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #223926 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Synopsis
This is the first book ever published on the art of Tai Ji Quan, and remains a classic of Chinese martial arts literature. Written in 1919, it was the first illustrated, instructional manual detailing both the theory and practice of this unique style of Tai Ji Quan created by the author himself. It discusses the underlying philosophy, based on the Yin/Yang theory of the harmony of balancing extremes, and offers detailed explanations for each movement of the form.

Customer Reviews

Useful and historical book...
This is a welcome addition to the increasing resources now available for those wishing to study authentic Chinese martial arts. Sun Lutang became famous as an author of books on all the main internal styles and this work documents his own version of Taijiquan. It takes elements of Ba Gua and Xing I and combines all three 'internal' Chinese martial arts into a neat synthesis. As the editor, Tim Cartmell, points out, it is a supremely practical form, with many clever moves designed to answer likely tactics in a real encounter.

I personally believe it is quite possible to learn taiji working on one's own. It might even be preferable, given the ease with which unskilled and unscrupulous people set themselves up as teachers (masters, even.) This book would be useful for anyone wanting to learn the authentic art and prepared to think about it. It might take a bit of effort on it's own as the descriptions are not totally clear and foot position diagrams would have been a nice appendix, though it is possible to follow what is going on if you are serious (hence only 4 stars.) Maybe in the next edition?

However, we do have a valuable guide in the form of a video of Sun Lutang's daughter performing the set. Search the google video facility, where there is also rare foorage of Cheng Man Ching. Together, book and video are enough to learn from and would be of interest to anyone keen to learn from one of the early, pre-commercialised sources.

Very good
I was looking quite a long time for a translation of this book, and I'mvery glad there are two in the market these days. Althought Sun Lutangdescribes his own style, he gives a wonderfull theoretical insight,usufull for all taiji styles.
Thanks for the translation.