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The Tan Tan Tan Tui 彈 潭 譚 腿

Tan Tui's history is long and unsubstantiated. Most versions of its orgination are represented here from various writings and translations. Much of the speculation focuses on the word Tan itself which can have a number of interpretations ...

" Tan(Spring) Tui , also known as Tan(Pool) Tui or Tan(Surname) Tui, is a representative form of Northern style Chinese Boxing. Since ancient times this has been widely utilized by teachers, especially in Hebei, Shandong, Henan and other places, even to the present day. Furthermore its simple movements are practical, and many beginners practice their fundamentals with this form, therefore many generations of instructors continue this practice.

At the same time, (Tan Tui), as it is designated, it is chosen from among other forms and employed to introduce basic martial arts, with Cha Quan's being one of the best forms of this. However, due to because it was created by one faction, nowadays it is again thought search for the source, though with some difficulty.

It is ordinarily said that you can classify this under two types.

a. It might have originated from the Shandong province's Dragon Pool Temple, this description has become universal.

b. A man named Tan from Henan province may have been the originator, afterwards some mistaken teacher changed it to Tan for Pool, so that is now known as Pool Leg to some people.

Few people endorse this particular rumor.

The 'Spring' Leg background
Because the kicking leg's spring actions are similar to the fierce rebounding of a boat, this form is commonly called Tan (Spring) Legs.

More people employ this more likely name associated the Hui (Chinese Muslim) people. Teachers of this style have a poem: (KunLun Great Immortal teacher taught following generations a form named Tan Tui; its secrets are boundless.) It is also said: (From Nanjing to Beijing, the truest Tan Tui is from the Jiao Men style.) Furthermore it is seen that this boxing method is passed down from instructors of China's Western regions."

A famous poem on the Ten Road versions gives us insight into each road's character:

  • "The First Road thrusts along a single line.
  • Road #2 Cross toward the leg.
  • Road #3 Cover and strike with a crescent shape.
  • Road #4 Lift, spear, hold and block.
  • Road #5 Block and strike simultaneously.
  • Road #6 Single Spread.
  • Road #7 Double Spread.
  • Road #8 Rotate Body.
  • Road #9 Spring manacles.
  • Road #10 Arrow strike."

Tan Tui DVD


Tan Tui: Sources and readings...




Chinese editions generally available through PLUM

中國武術入門...教門長拳:松田隆智 監修, 水田德隆 (Matsuda Ryuchi), 蕭京凌,編譯: 大展出版社, 1988, 220 pages

 

 

十路潭腿•連步拳•功力拳:汪調源者, 益群書店印行

En Face: English/Chinese editions

Tan Tui & Gong Li Quan: Ten Fundamental Chinwoo Routines;
Lam Wing Kit & Ying Fun Fong,
Brilliant Publications Limited, 150 pages
, softbound

 

Partner Tan Tui #1: 10 Fundamental ChinWoo routines
by Lam Wing Kit & Ying FunFong
Brilliant Publications Limited, 150 pages, softbound

 

Partner Tan Tui #2: 10 Fundamental ChinWoo routines
by Lam Wing Kit & Ying FunFong
Brilliant Publications Limited, 150 pages, softbound

 

Basic Chinese Boxing
by Cai Yun
246 pages, softbound

 

10 Routine Spring Leg:
Shih Lu Tan Tui

Ma ZhenBang
147 pages,
softbound

 

Northern Shaolin 12 Tan Tui Boxing
(Spring Leg 12 Road)

by Chan Kin-Man & Hui Tin-Hing
277 pages, softbound

 

For reference only, not presently available through PLUM)

十路弹腿, 马永胜著: 北京市中国书店, 1984 reprint of a 1934 text

 

 

十二路彈腿新教授法: 王懷琪著, 真善羔出版社印行

 

 

六合潭腿图說: 朱国福 吕光华著, 北京市中国书店, 1984 reprint of a 1933 text

 

 

 

武術運動基本言訓練: 藰龍雲 者, 香港太平書局出版 1974 reprint of a 1969 book, 152 pages

 

Related writings

中国查拳: 张文广 ; 主編, 山东教育出版社, 766 pages, 1985

 

 

 

少林拳拆法 (原名:六路摛拿對拆):趙連和陳鐵笙合著, 華源出版社印行

 

 

 

楊家拳樹十六路, 宋代名拳: 楊繼保著, 楊式拳樹公會印行

 

 

Tan Tui Applications by Sui Shi Guo

 

 

Cha Quan (Zha Quan) 10 Road Tan Tui by Liu Hong Chi

 

 

Lost Track Tan Tui by Li Yu Chuan

 

 

12 Road Four Gate Tan Tui by Zhao Zhan Jun

 

 

12 Road Coiling Dragon Tan Tui by Sun Xiang

 

 

 

10 Road Cha Quan Tan Tui by Wang Ai Ren & Wang Mo Nuo

 

 

10 Road Cha Quan (Li Branch) Pounding Fists by Wang Feng

 

 

10 Road Gansu Tan Tui Spring Leg by Zhou Jian Rui