T'ai Chi Ch'uan Ta Wen: Questions and Answers on T'ai Chi Ch'uan [Paperback]

Chen Wei-Ming (Author), Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo (Translator), Robert W. Smith (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 26, 1993

"This book, T'ai Chi Ch'uan Ta Wen, was written sixty years ago by Professor Ch'en Wei-ming, who was a famous exponent of the Yang style T'ai Chi Ch'uan and a student of the great master, Yang Cheng-fu. In 1927 he established the Chih Jou School in Shanghai where he taught many students. At that time he saw how popular T'ai Chi Ch'uan was becoming and he was concerned that if it became a fad it would lose its original spirit. In the process of its being spread, its principles would be forgotten or mixed with other forms, thus leading to the loss of an important part of its essence. Therefore, this book is based only on what Professor Ch'en heard in his teacher's classes. The questions are his own personal questions."
-Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo, from the Introduction

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Chinese (translation)

About the Author

Robert W. Smith is one of America's great pioneers in the Asian martial arts and has written numerous books and articles on theses ancient fighting traditions. Smith is the author of Chinese Boxing: Masters and Methods, also available from North Atlantic Books. He lives in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Blue Snake Books (January 26, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0938190679
• ISBN-13: 978-0938190677
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.2 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,035,267 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best on Application, June 1, 2000

By 

Craig Heimbichner - See all my reviews

This review is from: T'ai Chi Ch'uan Ta Wen: Questions and Answers on T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Paperback)

This slender and concise classic has never been surpassed. In just a few pages, Chen Wei-Ming outlines the key points regarding T'ai Chi application, particularly explaining the use of the art in clear language with excellent examples (although other areas are covered as well). The chapter on Free-Fighting alone is worth the price of the book. In an era where knowledge of T'ai Chi application as a martial art has almost disappeared, this book is not only the best study guide (to be read and reread) but also a great "test" for steering clear of bogus teachers. Simply put, if a teacher of T'ai Chi cannot understand or demonstrate the concepts within this book, he or she should close up shop at once. Finally, this book was translated largely by Ben Lo, world renowned for his extremely high level of skill in push hands and application. Every true T'ai Chi practitioner will treasure this classic.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real treasure, August 13, 2001

By 

Marco Morena "Mormarc" (Italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: T'ai Chi Ch'uan Ta Wen: Questions and Answers on T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Paperback)

It is incredible how in only 60 pages you get the most of answers you were looking for about Tai Chi. There is matter enough in this book to write at the least 5 books. Anyway this is not a book for beginner or not Tai Chi practitioners. You can get the most from this book only if you are an experienced Tai Chi student. The best chapters in my opinion are the ones dedicated to pushing hands exercise and real fighting. If you have approached Tai chi from years of study on a hard stile, the answers could also sound trivial but at the least they will reinforce your intuitions on Tai Chi. On the other hand if you don't have experience on fighting this book clarify you on the item.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lot of information in a small book, January 4, 2002

By 

John Ball (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: T'ai Chi Ch'uan Ta Wen: Questions and Answers on T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Paperback)

This work is a brief text written by Chen Wei-Ming, a tai chi master in the early twentieth century. It is in a question and answer format, and was written with the purpose of responding to common difficulties that students were having with the form. Chen covers a variety of topics, ranging from the history of tai chi, to the form, to combat applications. The answers are usually fairly short, but the translation is good, and this book contains much useful information. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in an old master's thoughts on Yang style tai chi chuan.