The Complete Taiji Dao: The Art of the Chinese Saber [Paperback]

Yun Zhang (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 23, 2009

The dao, a single-edged sword with a curved blade, is one of the most popular weapons in traditional Chinese martial arts. The art of Taiji Dao is a set of skills for using the dao, derived from the popular martial art Taijiquan. One of the most important aspects of Taijiquan practice is weapons training, eagerly pursued by students who have become adept in the basic skills of the art.

The Complete Taiji Dao introduces the principles and practice of Taiji Dao and provides illustrated discussions of the history of Chinese swords. The book covers the history and features of the dao; the Taiji principles from which Taiji Dao practice derives; the basic skills and techniques of the art; detailed descriptions and photographs of the traditional Taiji Dao form; and Taiji Dao fighting principles and training methods. Broad in scope and detailed in its presentation of the principles and practice of Taiji Dao, The Complete Taiji Dao represents a significant contribution to the field of traditional Chinese weapons practice.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Handled well, the Taiji saber reflects the practitioner’s skill level and depth of knowledge in applications and results. A sword master is sensitive to conditions and fully integrates body and mind in precise execution. The same can be said of Zhang Yun’s skill in crafting this new book. Sensitive to readers’ needs, Zhang integrates the history, design, construction, and practice of the Chinese saber with great detail and clarity. The resulting work is an inspiring leap in the field of Chinese martial arts publications by presenting a major weapon in such a thorough way. It will be a standard reference work for decades to come."
—Michael A. DeMarco, publisher, Journal of Asian Martial Arts

"Martial arts books often include photos and extensive descriptions of the techniques, but that which is essential is not included. This book is different—each movement and technique is accompanied by an exposition on what you should feel, and how to use your mind and body to engender that feeling. By ‘feeling,’ I do not mean ‘emotional state.’ I mean the physical organization you must develop to do the technique properly, using mental imagery, sensation, and the direction of attention to link up parts of the body so that one functions in an integrated fashion. I have never read a book that so clearly delineates what one should actually try to do while practicing an internal martial art. And that this is a book on weapons technique makes this all the more remarkable."
—Ellis Amdur, author of Old School: Essays on Japanese Martial Traditions

“The Complete Taiji Dao: The Art of the Chinese Saber by Zhang Yun is the most complete book on swordsmanship that I have seen yet. Zhang Yun provides very clear photos of all form work in the book, something that is usually difficult to read and put into practice. The book explains in great detail how Taiji principles are extended to weapon use as well as how the Taiji Dao is unique and different than conventional broadsword use. This book will stay with my collection forever.”
—Dojo Rat

About the Author

Since the 1990s, Zhang Yun has taught martial arts classes throughout the United States and has conducted more than 50 seminars worldwide. He is the author of The Art of Chinese Swordsmanship: A Manual of Taiji Jian and the translator of Lu Shengli’s Combat Techniques of Taiji, Xingyi, and Bagua. He lives in Pittsburgh, PA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Blue Snake Books (June 23, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583942270
• ISBN-13: 978-1583942277
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 1.1 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #849,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Fencing

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well constructed, sound information., February 1, 2011

By 

Adam W. Kofoid - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Taiji Dao: The Art of the Chinese Saber (Paperback)

I found this book to be both well written and a useful manual for studying Taiji Dao. The book begins with history of the Dao and depicts many swords used in China throughout time. The author then examines the basics, including methods of holding the Dao, Hand positions, Footing, etc. The author makes a point of labeling all important names throughout the book with Mandarin (Pinyin and Characters) and English for a clear presentation.

To the point I think most are interested in: "THE FORM"
The book follows into basic skills and then enters into a "Thirteen Posture Form" along with applications vs. spear attack. The Author describes that the form taught in his book comes from "Grandmaster Wang Peisheng, the president of the Beijing Wu Style Taiji Quan Association. He was instructed in this form by his grandmaster, Wang Maoshai, and his master, Yang Yuting. Wang Maoshai had learned it from Quan You, a student of Yang Luchan and the founder of Wu Style Taiji Quan." So for all intents and purposes I think this form can be classified as Wu Taiji Dao form. However, it is markedly similar to the Yang style form/s as well. The author makes note that a practitioner should keep in mind, "Although the movements of the form may differ from one group to another, all variations derive from the same fundamental Taiji Dao principles."

Ultimately, any stylist can benefit from this book whether they are looking for an introduction to Taiji Dao or for further education on the subject. With over 400 pages, this book certainly delivers your money's worth of Dao instruction.

3.0 out of 5 stars Taichi Dao review, October 3, 2011

By 

RAM "Tank" (USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Complete Taiji Dao: The Art of the Chinese Saber (Paperback)

A compilation of movements and information well put, however I would not recommend it to those looking to improve their movements w/ the sword or learning a new form by it.

2.0 out of 5 stars who edited this thing??, August 29, 2011

By 

Michael E. Kaye (State College, PA, US) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Complete Taiji Dao: The Art of the Chinese Saber (Paperback)

This is really a mixed bag. Very good history, and fairly good explanations of the movements. The photos are completely useless. I have never seen a published work with such poorly reproduced photos. It is a shame that the publisher allowed an otherwise good and useful work to be ruined by lazyness or unwillingness to improve the photos. I would be happy to see another edition that was properly printed.