Chinese Language Martial Arts Books
TRADITIONAL  Chinese Characters Page 17: Tai Chi (Taiji) Books
Traditional
Chinese
Lion Books

Simplified
Chinese
 P1
Lion Books of Taiwan

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).

Tai Chi Cuan Pu Li Dont Bian Wei He BianC067X Wudang True Teaching
The Complete Book of Tai Chi Quan
By Yu Hua Xing, 146 pages, old photographs, $16.95

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This is one of the first books written on WuDang style Tai Chi. The author knew some real luminaries, Li Jing Lin, Yang Ban Hou and Yang Chen Fu. This books discusses the classics and principle of Tai Chi. The we are given the entire long set, based on the Yang Chen Fu model, shows a different, even longer variation of the solo set. The pictures and postures are instructive and nice examples of the quality of martial arts in the early part of the 20th century. The set is shown in 385 photos, just about the most broken down next to a video. There is a short section of Push Hands to close the book. A fine document showing the art at a crucial time in its development.

Tai Chi with Gu Ru Zhang

C530 Internal Boxing Methods (Essays)
by You Zhi Qiong 左致強
Traditional Chinese Characters;
160 pages, photographs, $16.95


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Musings and essays by a long time student of the art. After a lifetime of studying with people such as Feng Zhi Qiang and Li Jing Wu this Muslim gentleman has compiled his writings on the whole subject of Nei Jia practice. Besides showing some internal cultivation methods he discusses many aspects of martial culture with a special concern for Wu De (martial virtue) and the truths of Nei Gong practice.

To see a partial topics list, click here.

Tai Chi with Gu Ru Zhang

C123 T'ai Chi Ch'uan
by Gu Ru Zhang  顧汝章
Traditional Chinese Characters;
190 pages, old photographs, $16.95

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Gu Ru Zhang is known worldwide as the master of the Northern Shaolin system. He is far lesser known for what some people consider his superior calling as a master of Cha style. And then he is even lesser known for his expertise in Tai Chi Chuan. A friend of Sun Lu Tang who taught him Tai Chi, his version that came through Sun of Yang style is an unusual combination of Yang style and Sun’s own characteristics. In this book, besides the form broken down, there are a number of introductory statements. One section focuses on the basic principles of Yin and Yang with some interesting illustrations. The last section in the book concentrates on Push Hands and, for its time, was one of the longer essays on this art. Really a key book for its time by someone who was not among the well known Tai Chi inner circle.

More about Gu Ru Zhang's life...

Chen Di Shi's Tai Chi

LionBooks B103
Chen Di Shih's Tai Chi Boxing
by Chen Tzu Ming
Traditional Chinese Characters;
75 pages, old photographs, $10.35

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A reprint of a great old book on Chen Style Tai Chi with some beautiful classic photos on posture, some push hands notes and then general explanations of Tai Chi from the Chen Style perspective. Definitely an essential reference text just for the postures and a good additon to anyone's TC library.
Tai CHi Ancestor's secrets

C031X
Tai Chi Chuan Ancestor's Methods Clarified
Compiled by Wang Jin Wu:
Traditional Chinese Characters;
over 220 pages, illustrated, softbound, $17.95

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This is a reprint of writings by Wang Jin Wu, author of "Tai Chi Explanations." The illustrations are very basic. The writings explore Tai Chi and its antecedents such as Li Dao Zi's Pre Heaven Boxing, Cheng Yun Di's 9 Small Heavens Boxing, Chang San Feng's 13 Postures, etc. He also deals with the Tai Chi Songs and other classical writings, the Tan Tian, Opening and Closing, there is then a breakdown of all major moves in the Yang set, then sections on Tai Chi foot and body work. A very early explication of Tai Chi's principles.
Li style Tai Chi

Classic Reprint: C011X
Li's version of T'ai Chi Chuan
by Li Hsian Wu
Traditional Chinese Characters; 201 pages, $13.95

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This book, published in 1933, was written by a student of Liu Fang Shen. It is said to be WU style but the postures are longer, larger frame and more like typical Yang. The costume and the general movements of this early Tai Chi book are pretty well known among Tai Chi scholars. The book is nicely laid out and reproduced.
Tai Chi by Yang Chen Fu

LionBooks B102
Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Complete
by Yang Chen Fu
Traditional Chinese Characters; $10.25

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The famous book of Yang demonstrating postures of the Long Fist. Nicely reproduced with clear printing this is a basic reference for the whole world of Yang Long Set. Also a section on Push Hands and some indication of applications. But, really, this books is famous as a clear photographic reference.
TaiCHi 9 Secrets

B101
Tai Chi 9 Secrets 81 Postures Explained
by Wu Meng Hsia & Wu Bei Feng
Traditional Chinese Characters;  $10.95

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This is a book on the legacy of Yang Ban Hou's Tai Chi. Wu Meng Xia studied Shaolin in his youth. Then Xing Yi, Ba Gua and Tai Chi. Among his teachers were Niu Lian Yuan ( a Yang Ban Hou student), Han Mu Xia and Gao Yi Sheng. These are said to be the secret transmissions from Yang Ban Hou. The book starts with very brief descriptions of each posture and how it is applied then continues to commentaries on the oral and written transmissions of Tai Chi.

Example: "Cai Zai Shi Zhi." Plucking is in the ten fingers. Plucking (Cai) is to use form grabbing strength, it therefore uses the strength of the ten fingers using gripping power." It gives key phrases and condensed concepts.

Also, we have a partial translation of this book available from Marcus Brinkman.
Tai Chi Cuan Pu Li Dont Bian Wei He Bian

C016X
Tai Chi Chuan Pu Li Dong Bian Wei He Bian
by Xu Zhen
Traditional Chinese Characters;
70+ pages, no illustrations, softbound, $9.95

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The Published April, 1937 in Shanghai. This book discusses the Primal Chaos theory and distinguishing the principles of Tai Chi. Topics survey some unusual ideas such as Yueh Fei's and Jian Fa's contributions: Wang Tsung Yueh's writings, Wu Yu Hsiang writings, Li Yu Yi's own writings and more. The author is credited with doing initial historical work on Tai Chi that lead to the idea that the Yang Family Tai Chi we currently practice mixes Chen family Pao Chui with softened input from Jiang Fa. Text Only.
Tai CHi Length and Bredth

A418
The Length and Breadth of Tai Chi
by Jung Wen Yuan
Traditional Chinese Characters;
151 pages, softbound, $13.95

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This is a series of essays by a student of Shih Lin-Jiu. They indeed cover the length and breadth of the art talking about such things as: Tai Chi Classics; Push Hands; practice methods; Fa Jing; Internal Practice; Hard and Soft; Standing practice and more. Short, not too difficult traditional Chinese. No illustrations.
Tai Chi Chronicles

A408BX
Tai Chi True Chronicles
compiled by Yan Tzu-Yuan
Traditional Chinese Characters; $17.50

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"Tai Chi" MiPu Quan Zhen.

This oversized book (7 1/2 X 10 1/4) is a compendium of Tai Chi's history with emphasis on Push Hands and applications. It also focuses on the Wu style taught, until a while ago, by Ma Yueh Liang. It contains explanations of style and personalities and a lot of really wonderful old photos such as the knock-out blow from the famous White crane match 1933.

This volume has many big photos and a good deal of text. It contains some excellent in depth writings, all in traditional Chinese, from different masters and on different aspects of the art. As we've mentioned, Ma Yueh Liang and the graceful Wu Ying Hua are well represented, with numerous photographs of both practicing push hands, spear and sword. There are a number of shots of Ma Yueh-Liang projecting people off the ground during Push Hands demonstrations.

The book is laid out to be informative. For instance there are lists of all the movements of the Wu Tai Chi sword, spear and saber. There is a long part on Chang San-Feng with an old book illustration on Chi Kung from a Wu Dang manuscript. Some of the non-Tai Chi photos alone are wonderful such as a portrait of Du Xin Wu, the top instructor of the Tzu Ran Men style of Kung Fu and Tong Bei Chuan master Tian Zuo Lin. There's a section on Tai Chi history with a special emphasis on the story of the Wu style. There is a section of Chinese philosophy and some old pages from illustrated manuscripts.The final section is a compendium of major instructors and lists of their students which, alone, makes this an excellent addition to a research library on Tai Chi.

The Range of Internal BoxingA103
The Range of Internal Boxing Studies
Compiled by Pan Yueh
Traditional Chinese Characters; 374 pages, $14.95

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This book is sub-titled "10 000 Miles of Martial Tracks" implying an exhaustive study of the internal arts of WuShu. And indeed this is a big book. Many famous teachers of the main three arts are profiled here. BaGua is shown through a number of practitioners including Yin and Gao styles. Xing Yi is shown with many top teachers each demonstrating characteristic moves. There are many clear photographs and number of them in color. A big study on an important subject. A good reference volume.

Tai CHi Self Defense and Alchemy A415
Profound Mysteries of Tai Chi Chuan
Self Defense and Alchemy
by Qi Jian Hai:
Traditional Chinese Characters;
280 pages, photographs and figures, softbound, 2003, $17.50

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Tai Chi Quan Ji Ji He Lian Dan Shu Zhi Ao Mi. This is a literate book of essays in Chinese by a student of Li Ya Xuan (Yang Style) and Ren Zhi Yi (Chen Style). It covers a variety of topics including the Tai Chi Classics, practice, the Taoist inheritance of Tai Chi, Chang San Feng (with an illustration of his calligraphy), the Songs (poems) of Tai Chi, the philosophical basis, Tai Chi self defense. As one can see from the title this is a book of historical and speculative pieces. It is accompanied by illustrations and an initial sections of photos of Qi's teachers and classmates some of them demonstrating.

Collected Essays on Tai ChiA406
Collected Essays on Tai Chi Chuan Theory
by Xue Ni Yin:
216 pages, NO illustrations, softbound, 1999, $13.95

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Tai Chi Quan Li Lun Wen Ji. This is a collection of essays by famous Tai Chi teacher Xue which cover 1992 to 1999. He is well versed in Ba Gua, Xing Yi and Tai Chi being a generation holder in the latter. Mr. Que is well known in Taiwan as a teacher and the author of a number of books. He covers important topics in the practice of Tai Chi giving his own insights on such topics as Double Weighting, Relaxation and Sinking, Gang Jin and Beng Jin (Hard and Repulse Energies), Tai Chi and life, the principles of Yin and Yang, Push Hands, sword arts, the Tai Chi spirit and more.
Tai Chi Essays

A405
Tai Chi Chuan Essays Reprinted
by Zhang Dun Xi:
Traditional Chinese Characters;
265 pages, color photographs, softbound, 1999, $18.95


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Tai Chi Quan Lun Zi. This Tai Chi book starts with a complete, color presentation of over 130 postures performed by the author. The rest of the volume is entirely text. Essays and articles cover diverse topics: Tai Chi's origins, major ideas, spread, the Eight Methods, Reeling Silk, Yang Family TC, cavities, Tai Chi is "one family", correct practice, self defense, correct practice and many other considerations.