NOTE: Please be aware that we only have one or two copies of some of these. Many aren't even in print any more. Even if it is listed here it may already be out of stock (we'll try to keep it updated but they may go fast).

A Discourse on the History of the Praying Mantis Boxing for the Last One Hundred Years - TCPM 617
by Wong Hon Chiu
$24.95 Traditional Chinese Characters
311 pages, no illustrations, softbound

This is what a martial arts book should be like. Mr. Wong has written a Chinese language text on the history of the Mantis with a special emphasis on Lo Kuang Yu and Wong Han Fa, those giants of the system in the last century. The only unfortunate thing is that though he intended it, Mr. Wong was only able to contribute an ENGLISH language introduction and not translate the entire text. This comprehensive volume is filled with pictures of "Mantis King" Wong Hon Fa. The layout is excellent, clear and clean. The chapters, all in Chinese, cover such important topics as:

• Sources of Praying Mantis Boxing and its Early Popularity
• Lo Kuang Yu's teaching at the Chin Woo Association in Shanghai
• Teaching at the Chin Woo is Kwangtung and Hong Kong
• Activities after Lo's retirement from the martial arts circle
• Wong Hon Fan and the Chin Woo Association
• Wong's efforts in the study of Praying Mantis
• Wong's contributions to the circle of martial arts
• Wong's theories in form practicing and energy cultivation.
• List of empty handed forms and of weapons in Wong's teaching of Mantis
• The practices of grabbing and catching and the use of the fingers in Mantis
• Essentials of empty handed techniques in the style
• Notes on the scroll of the Pronouncement of the History of Mantis
• A brief biography of Wong Hon Fan
• ENGLISH language introduction.

Southern Mantis Fighting Forms - TCPM 516
by Ye Rui Bian
$10.95 Traditional Chinese Characters
76 pages, photographs, softbound

Tang Lang Quan Dui Shou. This is a classic book showing Kung Fu boxing as is rarely seen nowadays. This shows the less well known Southern Style Praying Mantis Boxing. Not a form book; each large picture shows first the posture and then the application of the major hand positions and strikes. A close, Short Arm boxing form. A truly representative addition to a Kung Fu library whether or not you practice Mantis.

Praying Mantis Mei Hua Boxing - TCPM 415
by Li Zheng Tang
$7.95 Traditional Chinese Characters
103 Pages Softbound - illustrations

The only flaw in this text is that the illustrations are really pint sized. They are clear though having been photo reduced probably from some other text. This is a nice reference if you are into Mantis. It contains Mei Hua Road, Zhou Gang, Zhai Yao #1 Road and Zhai Yao #2 Road. That's right, FOUR mantis forms in 103 pages. This is only possible from having illustrations about an inch tall.

Seven Star Mantis Zhai Yao - TCPM 409
by Zhang Xiang San
$9.95 Traditional Chinese Characters
140 Pages Softbound - illustrations

This one should be in the library of anyone interested in the Praying Mantis. Zhang Xiang San was one of Taiwan's best in the art of Praying Mantis. He was particularly known for his Liu He Mantis. Here is an important set rendered in the art of Seven Star Mantis. In his teachings Zhai Yao (Summary Set) was an introduction to many of the important basics and concepts of the Mantis. His style shows Seven Star but with a distinct Liu He flavor. This book has only one or two photos per page with a hand written text.

Entering SECRET DOOR Praying Mantis Style - TCPM 115
by Matsuda Ryuchi
$18.95 Traditional Chinese Characters

255 pages, Softbound, Photographs
PiMen Tang Lang Quan RuMen. Another in this well photographed and interesting series. Though this is a Secret Door style book most of the basics are straight Mantis. Beng Bu is explained in three forms, singly, as a duet set and with applications. The photos in this book are larger and clearer than almost any others we've seen. Typography very clear too. These books are no longer very easy to find. Printed in Taiwan. Sensei Ryuchi was a student of Grandmaster Liu Yun Chiao.

SHANDONG PRAYING MANTIS - TCPM 113
by Various
$8.95 Traditional Chinese Characters, click picture to enlarge

192 pages Softbound - NO ILLUSTRATIONS
Now we're getting scholarly. Practicing or doing research on Praying Mantis? This is the text for you. After a few introductory words on the branches of Mantis this entire book is a listing of the postures in many, many Mantis forms. That's right which postures in which forms. No illustrations, no applications. Why would we sell this? Because for the researcher who needs it this would be invaluable. So here 'tis.

OUT OF STOCK! Please place me on your WANT LIST for this item.

7 SEVEN STAR PRAYING MANTIS -TCPM 107
$18.95 Traditional Chinese Characters

222 pages, softbound
This is actually a very nice text on Tang Lang with a special emphasis on usage. Clear photographs and text. Traditional Chinese but excellent layout makes everything ease. Tang Lang Hand is represented but so is a lot of information about one and two person practice, postures, applications. A decent presentation of the Seven Star branch.

LionBooks # LBPM- -A203 US $10.75
TWO ROAD LONG FIST by Gao Tao Sheng

Another clear presentation of a Praying Mantis form in the Long Fist branch . This set, demonstrated by a seasoned teacher, emphasizes Long Fist energies and speed, opening/closing and Fa jin (issuing power). This is the Mantis version of Shaolin type moves, including jump kicks. Beautifully laid out, each page of text opposite a high quality page of photos.

Lion Books #LBPM-A210 US $12.95 209 pages.
EIGHT STEP PRAYING MANTIS FIST
by Wei Xiao Tang (Wei Hsiao Tang)

A good book on the Praying Mantis known as 8 step. Master Wei demonstrates the fundamentals of his style and movements from the important Zhai Yao or "key points" mantis set. Master Wei was THE 8 Step Mantis master of Taiwan. He taught such luminaries as Adam Hsu. Originally studying with his father (Throwing Mantis Hand) the both of them then learned under Feng Huan Yi the direct disciple of Jian Hua Long founder of the Eight Step. Applications included.

Read the description from the Chinese on the back of this book.