How to Grasp the Bird's Tail If You Don't Speak Chinese [Paperback]

Jane Schorre (Author), Margaret Chang (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2000

This book shows how Chinese calligraphy reveals the deeper meanings - mysterious or playful - found in the names of taijiquan movements.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is an interesting and enjoyable work that celebrates and explores the names of taiji movements. . . . . The aim here is not to give any definitive meaning of the words or names, says the author, but only to explore possible meaning. Letting go of this aim is necessary because both words and names can be interpreted in many ways and on many levels -- at least as many as there are facets to Taiji.

Taiji Quan, like so many other aspects of Taoist cultivation, can be practiced on many levels. To understand and play with the meanings of the movements can be both informative and fun! In this case both the author and the calligrapher have worked together to create a delightful interweaving of fact, fancy and erudition to inspire and enlighten taiji practitioners everywhere. -- The Empty Vessel, Summer 1998 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Language Notes

Text: English, Chinese

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Product Details

• Paperback: 116 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556433360
• ISBN-13: 978-1556433368
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,060,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adding more value to your Taijiquan lessons. Great Book!, December 5, 1999

By 

Mr. L.J. Oosting (Hilversum, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How To Grasp The Bird's Tail If You Don't Speak Chinese : A light-hearted look at meaning in Taijii (Paperback)

This great book gives a lot of valuable background information about the meaning of the Taiji movements. It adds much to taijiquan lessons thanks to its light-hearted look. Much too often taijiquan practitioners do not exactly know what the movements mean they practice. Diving into a Chinese dictionary is not easy either. My Chinese teacher explained a lot, but language often was some sort of a barrier. Thanks to Jane Schorre's book this barrier has gone. Further the book contains beautiful calligraphy by Marget Chang in a large size. I like the structure of the book; left side calligraphy, right side explanation. This book is a must for every taijiquan practitioner no matter the style.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for Taiji students and teachers alike, January 26, 2001

By 

CS (Blackrock, Dublin Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How To Grasp The Bird's Tail If You Don't Speak Chinese : A light-hearted look at meaning in Taijii (Paperback)

As a teacher of Taiji I often find my beginners classes full of people who have no other Martial Arts experience nor even take any other form of exercise - making the teaching of the complex movements and concepts of Taiji quite a challenge! One of my teaching tricks has been to have the pupils come up for their own descriptive names for the movements which, while useful and indeed entertaining, does result in some of the flavor and meaning being lost. This book, with it's breakdown and explanation of the elements of the Chinese characters, will allow teachers and pupils alike to understand the meanings of the names and their inferred movement concepts while still allowing the reader to use his/her creative imagination to reach a deeper level of understanding and retention. And as if that's not enough, it's an entertaining read. A winner!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Increase your knowledge of taijiquan and enjoy it!, February 15, 1999

By A Customer

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This review is from: How To Grasp The Bird's Tail If You Don't Speak Chinese : A light-hearted look at meaning in Taijii (Paperback)

It is not absolutely necessary to understand the origins and meanings of the movement names in taijiquan. But it sure is fun! This book scratches an itch. It informs without boring. It is added insight for the student of taijiquan, but it tickles as it goes down.