By Chen Zhenlei, Gao Deng Jiao Yu Chu Ban She, Beijing 1989.
Reviewed by Tu-Ky Lam
Recently I have been doing research into the Chen style Taijiquan Old Frame, looking at videotapes of Chen Xiao-wang, Chen Zhenlei, Chen Qingzhou, etc. as well as reading books.
Of the videotapes I have viewed, Chen Xiaowang’s tape stands out as the most impressive. Among the books, the three volume works entitled Chen Shi Tai Ji Quan Xie Hui Zong by Chen Zhenlei are the best. The three books are the written records of the empty-handed as well as all the weapons routines of Chen Taijiquan practiced in the Chen Village – something has never been done before.
The first volume includes: the first routine (Old Frame), broad sword and straight sword routines. Chen Taijiquan’s history and training methods are also included in this volume.
The second volume includes: the second routine (Old Frame), spear, Spring and Autumn halberd, and 13-posture staff routine. The circulation of qi and the meridians are mentioned in this volume.
The third volume includes: 5 patterns of push-hands, double straight swords, double broad swords and double maces routines, and two-person staff routine.
What makes these books stand out as the best is that they are well written in fluent modern Chinese, with very easy-to-follow step by step instructions. They include not only the precise description of each movement in the routines, but also its breathing, the circulation of qi and jing, and its martial arts application. This set of books can be said to be the dream books of Chen style Taijiquan teachers. It is very hard to do without them.
To prove my point, here is an example from the book. In the first move of “Pounds the Mortar”, we inhale. We turn left, sitting more on our right leg, to lift both hands up in a curve to our left and front with left hand “Ni chan” and right hand “shun chan” as in the photo.
Martial art’s application: This is to intercept a right hand punch to our chest. Our right hand sticks to the opponent’s left wrist, and left hand to his right elbow to control his right arm.
Qi circulation: Qi from dantian sinks down to our feet. Our left leg goes shun chan (turn left) and our right leg goes ni chan (also turn left) to send qi to our waist (lower spine). When we turn left, we send qi along our spine to our shoulders, elbows and hands.
The whole book from beginning to the end goes on like this. If a person has good foundation on Taijiquan, he can learn all the routines by reading these books with the help of watching videos to good result.
With the publication of these books, Chen Zhenlei’s contribution to the preservation of Chen Taijiquan is invaluable and has surpassed any Taiji authors, including Chen Xin. Now there are written records of Chen Taijiquan, which people can use. Chen Taijiquajn will not disappear because of conservatism.
Luckily one of the books has been translated into English. So people who cannot read Chinese can read the English version.
Before I conclude, I would like to say the three books are about Chen Taijiquan in the Chen Village. Outside the Chen Village, a lot of people practice the routines taught by Chen Fake and his son Chen Zhaokui. These routines are mainly the empty-handed routines called New Frame. If you want to read books on the new frame, then the best books available are those written by my teacher Ma Hong and his kunfu brother Liu Peng. Feng Zhiqiang’s and Hong Junsheng’s books are also very useful although they have set up their own styles.