Customer Reviews

Classical T'ai Chi Sword (Tuttle Martial Arts)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Unlike the other reviewers I was looking for a very short and concise book on Tai Chi sword. This book fits the bill perfectly. Gives very good high level overview of the aspects of Tai Chi sword, but the majority of the book is the sword form in step-by-step pictures that are done very well with directional arrows. I use it with a Tai Chi sword DVD and it makes a good complement to my training and study.

This book offers little more than a look at the common Yang Style Taiji (Tai Chi) sword & is little more than that. It is the kind of book which would have been acceptable years ago but pales in comparison to Rodell's, "Chinese Swordsmanhip - The Yang Family Tradition," which covers two Yang Taiji forms in greater detail or in comparison to Zhang's, "The Art of Chinese Swordsmanship," which covers Wu Style Taiji Sword. Kobayashi's book states there are no applications for certain movements that Rodell's & Yang Jwing-ming's books give clear applications for. Save your money, skip "Classical Tai Chi Sword."

The collaborative effort of Petra Kobayashi, Toyo Kobayashi, Chiang Tao Chi, and Petra, Classical T'ai Chi Sword blends martial arts insights with an exercise program which should appeal to a wide audience of martial arts students. These special exercises use a sword, staff or saber and provide keys to understanding a form which is growing beyond its tai chi roots. A specialized, excellent guide for the devoted martial arts student interested in exploring all forms.

This book has its positives and negatives as follows:

Cons -
Some poor translations, a lack of detail on some of the applications, incorrect applications here and there, and the picture sequences in some of the techniques are missing useful information on getting to the next move.

Pros -
This is probably one of the best books I've seen on Tai Chi due to the organized manner in which it was assembled. It may not be 100% accurate in all regards but there is a definite wealth of information provided in this book that was not included in other previously published documents on this art.

There is a break down of the sword itself, basic history, the 13 sword techniques, a list of which techniques are used in what move (not always accurate but a fair attempt), and a foot weight/position diagram included at the bottom of each move which is thoughtful.

This book is certainly not the be all and end all of Tai Chi Sword but it has it's useful pieces of knowledge - beginners as a tool, experienced practitioners as a research source.

I think the previous reviewers are overly harsh. This is a well written and organized book that gives valuable insights into the history, development and practise of Tai Chi Sword. It answered a lot of questions I had in how the various teachers and styles relate to each other and provided a complete explanation of the relationship between Wu Tang Sword and Tai Chi Sword. The addition of graphics for foot positions, hip positions and sword position are very clever and useful. In addition, directional curves and lines are drawn over the photographs to depict transitions and movements.

As I practise and study tai chi sword I have purchased several books on the subject and done extensive internet reading. This is so far my favorite book/resource on the subject. Buy it and decide for yourself!

I have to agree with the previous review, this book offers very little. Many of the "Chapters" are little more than a few paragraphs. Honestly, this booK is little more than an illustration of the well known public Yang Style Taiji Jian form.

Those really interested in Taiji Jian and traditional swordsmanship will find Scott Rodell's book, Chinese Swordsmanship, more useful than this book.

I also agree, don't buy! A book, which might have been acceptable 30 years ago. It seems the 2 authors have not evolved since they first brought Taiji (ZMQ-Version, 37 step) to Germany. Their writings and teachings aren't up to modern standards, like nothing was learned in all those years. The sword book is not only flat in contents, there are also a lot of translation faults, it shows, that none of the 2 speaks Chinese, and Japanese is not good enough, sorry! Save your money or better, get Dr. Yang or Mr. Rodell's works