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Visual Bibliography: Traditional Chinese Characters

The history of Kung Fu is just being assembled. Sometimes a picture, or a small description can indeed help with the research. Here, presented for the aid of the interested, is a collection of pictures and descriptions. We have no idea if these will ever be available again in any form. They do record a very important phase of Chinese WuShu when publishing was just beginning in the field. We welcome contributions to this section from other collectors.

These books are NOT AVAILABLE through PLUM at the present time.

SHAOLIN KNIFE (MIAO DAO)- TC 305995 Not for Sale
by Cheng Chung
Traditional Chinese Characters

43 Pages Softbound. Drawings.
Printed in Macao, this is a hard-to-find edition on the Miao Dao. Old fashioned illustrations demonstrate the move. This series has some surprises like throwing the knife up into the air and throwing a dagger at the close of the form. Great fun.

IRON LUO HAN FIST - TC 306795R Not for Sale
by Wang Yu-Ting
Traditional Chinese Characters

202 Pages Softbound. Photographs.
Want to get an idea of what classical Kung Fu looked like in the early part of the 20th century. Check out this Iron Luo Han and see what a Horse Stance really looks like. A learnable set definitely in the Gang or "strong" manner with explanations of usage every few photos. Photographed in alleys and back streets. A classic text from the early days of such books. Not easy to find any more.

ENTERING XING YI CHUAN - TC 3081495 Not for Sale
by Matsuda Ryuchi
Traditional Chinese Characters

256 Pages Softbound. Photographs.
This whole series of books, originally printed somewhere in the 70's are always worth having. Published in Taipei they utilized a approach to photography generally associated with Japanese martial books where floating photos, many to a page, beautifully give a feeling of action to the instruction. The volumes we possess are - if not originals - pretty old and somewhat worn. But the clear pictures and big print make for very understandable text. Basic XY knowledge of Elements and Animals but with applications and, as we've said, excellent layout. Sensei Ryuchi was a student of Grandmaster Liu Yun Chiao.

Buddha Sect Seven Figure Boxing - TC 310895 Not for Sale
by Li Min-Chin
Traditional Chinese Characters

140 pages, Softbound. Illustrations.
Pages of this Southern Style Fist alternate with a single page illustration facing a brief paragraph of description. The figure was drawn to look like a Bruce Lee style actor with the signature white undershirt and black pants. This book is unusual in that it has both ENGLISH and CHINESE texts though not entirely parallel. There is also an ENGLISH INTRODUCTION. In Chinese we have a introduction and description about Fut Pai, or "Buddha Style."

YUE FAMILY FIST Arts - TC 3131695R Not for Sale
by Zhang Ye-Chin
produced by HuBei Science and Technology Press
Traditional Chinese Characters, Click picture to enlarge

123 Pages Softbound. Photographs.
Legend has it that this is the style developed by that national hero, Yue Fei some time around 1150. It has been handed down for many centuries through the Yue family. This oversized book (around 7 X 10 inches) outlines a very direct style. 7 Leg methods and 12 Striking "ploys" are illustrated as are a good number of Chin Nah applications. There is a nice section on history with photos of old manuscripts. A form called "Double Three Gates" is shown in its single form and then demonstrated with applications. There is also a section known as the "Dim Mak Timing Song". And, just as an extra, there are some nice COLOR plates in the frontpiece.Striking, kicking, wrestling and many aspects of this art.NOTE: these editions are all from the 90's and a bit roughed up but otherwise is good condition.

Wu Dang Tai Yu Arts - TC 3151695R Not for Sale
by Lu Si-Jian
produced by HuBei Science and Technology Press
Traditional Chinese Characters, Click picture to enlarge

69 Pages Softbound. Photographs.
Three very interesting forms are shown in this book: BaGua Double Chopper Sabers, BaGua Chicken Claw Halberd and Fire Dragon Palms. The demonstrator of two of these is the famous practitioner Lu SiJian. This oversized book also has a number of pages of COLOR photographs of WuDang and Lu along with his student. Originally printed in 1992. No longer easy to find. NOTE: these editions are all from the 90's and a bit roughed up but otherwise is good condition.

Flying Meteor Hammer - TC 3161695 Not for Sale
by Zhong Ping & Li WenMing
produced by HuBei Science and Technology Press
Traditional Chinese Characters, Click picture to enlarge

160 Pages Softbound. Photographs.
This is one of the most advanced and famous of the "soft weapons." Everything is covered here: basics actions, elbow catching, stepping patterns. There is a representative set where Li WenMing shows here skills. An interesting point is that a bag or weight has been attached to the normally smaller hammer head making its easier to see and probably a good suggestion for beginners who want to brave the dangers of learning the weapon. Keep your mouth closed to protect your teeth, and drop the weapon if anything goes wrong: the two most important pieces of advice when handling the softer instruments. NOTE: these editions are all from the 90's and a bit roughed up but otherwise in good condition.

Tai Chi and Hidden Door Sword - TC 3171695 Not for Sale
by Zhang Yao Zhong
produced by Hu Bei Science and Technology Press
Traditional Chinese Characters, Click picture to enlarge

100 Pages Softbound. Photographs.
Two more unusual Tai Chi Sword sets are shown in this volume. The first is the shorter, the 24 Postures Hidden Door Sword. The second is the fuller version of 64 Postures Hidden Door Tai Chi Sword. Hidden Door may also be interpreted as Dark Door and implies more of the WuDang Taoist origins since Xuan Men refers to meditative techniques as well as martial practices. There is a section of COLOR photos at the front of the book show teachers and poses. As the book says, this sword is like "A Swimming Dragon and a Flying Phoenix."NOTE: these editions are all from the 90's and a bit roughed up but otherwise is good condition.

BaJi Boxing - TC 4061595G Not for Sale
by various
Traditional Chinese Characters
266 Pages Softbound - illustrations

This is a comprehensive text on Ba Ji (8 Ultimates) Boxing. Much information in a single volume. This is meant to be a basic text with newly combined forms but ones that are based on traditional posture and application. This single text includes three short and graduated forms with empty hands; a partner set for two players; BaJi saber; BaJi staff and BaJi spear. The illustrations are quite clear and the instructions in Chinese are simple and lucid.

12 Road Tan Tui Partner Boxing - TC 4070995R Not for Sale
by Ding Jing Yun
Traditional Chinese Characters
156 Pages Softbound - illustrations

The Tan Tui (Spring Leg) form is popular as well it should be. It is an excellent introduction to Long Fist boxing. Some years ago there was doubt it would survive into this century. This is a hand written traditional Chinese book with small illustrations of the Two Man Tan Tui. 153 illustrations.

Long Fist Partner Boxing - TC 4080750 Not for Sale
by Ding Jing Yun
Traditional Chinese Characters, Click picture to enlarge
70 Pages Softbound - illustrations

This is another of Ding's hand written books with illustrations all placed at the bottom of the pages (see scan). Here, within 108 illustrations we have a two person Long Fist set that is simple and easy to learn.

Northern Style Monkey Fist - TC 4130695L Not for Sale
by Su Yu Zhang
Traditional Chinese Characters
41 Pages Softbound - illustrations

Wonderful old wood block style illustrations highlight this version of a short Monkey Boxing Form. You'd have to go some to learn it from this text but the presentation is delightful enough with handwritten Chinese and great illos.

Flying Dragon LongFist - TC 4140795W Not for Sale
by Ding Jing Yun
Traditional Chinese Characters
112 Pages Softbound - illustrations

Another of Ding's handwritten texts with small but very clear illustrations. This is a long, handsome but essentially generic Long Fist. Considerably longer than most with high kicks. One might say this set has the feel of contemporary WuShu. It partakes of Cha or Hua movements and hyperextensions. If you are limber and young you could do worse.

Yue Family Ba Fan (8 Tumbles) Hand - TC 4160595D Not for Sale
by Wang Chin Wu
Traditional Chinese Characters
69 Pages Softbound - illustrations

This is, overall, one of the handsomest series we carry. Flat covers with glossy metallic lettering, yellow paper pages, and turned over cover flaps. Now Yue Family Boxing is said to be derived from Yue Fei, great folk hero of China. He was also to have developed Xing Yi according to some accounts. Now it gets a little complicated. We know that Eagle Claw which is hybridized with Fan Zi (or in this case called Ba Fan) boxing is ALSO supposed to derived from the brilliant Yue Fei. So here's a Ba Fan set that looks a lot like Xing Yi. Could it be an early example? Simple, isn't it. You will never be at a loss in Kung Fu for research topics, we guarantee that.

Yi Jin Jing - TC 4240695T Not for Sale
Traditional Chinese Characters
80 Pages Softbound - illustrations

Here is the a nice little inexpensive copy of the famous Shaolin text the "Sinew Changing Classic" said to be one of Boddhidharma's original contributions to the Shaolin Temple regimen and a cornerstone of the birth of Shaolin style. This is a slim edition that keeps to the essentials. The woodblock reproductions are all full page and that's makes for a nice effect. A basic.

Ling Nan (Guang Dong) Martial Arts - TC 4290850W Not for Sale
by Shi Yu Lun
Traditional Chinese Characters
132 Pages Softbound - illustrations

This is a book of Chinese TEXT only. Essays discuss different aspects of Southern Style Kung Fu. It covers a diverse selections of topics including: Tiger/Crane Double Fist, Rat's Steps in Mei Hua Boxing, BaGua stick (not necessarily from the BaGua style), Wong Fei Hung, Mei Hua Spear, Dragon Claw arts, Tiger Tail kicks and other points of historical interest.