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).

This book by "Fu Niu" is a series of twelve chapters broken down into multiple sections on topics of the art of the sword (Jianshu). There are a few illustrations but this facsimile edition is mostly text. Average chapter is about half a page so if you are translating you won't go mad on too long a project. Here's a short, informal (very) translation to get a taste of the style.

Sections include: sword theory, empty and full methods, knowing yourself, testing power, thorough understanding, character and morals, caution, the sword's body and more...
This text has been much studied by experts in Japanese sword arts: Ken Jitsu etc.

See Jason Tsou's English book on Jian Shu

This book is by a Tong Bi (Tong Bei) teacher in the Five Elements tradition. It does not give a lot of background but it does jump into the three set sequence with large photos and many comments on the execution of these key Tong Bei actions. The author also was one of the first to write on Five Element Qigong some times in the 60's. See our info section on Tong Bei.

This text—in traditional Chinese—outlines the significance of the Tan Tui also linking it to such styles as Yin Fu’s Bagua. The author, Zhang Shi Bo, represents the Ma Yong Sheng version with its roots in Cha Quan or Muslim style of Kung Fu. The student performing the set certainly shows a great range of motion and even hyperextension of the upper body. Much as we dislike the modern tendency to confuse Chinese martial practice with over-stretched poses we see that this performer keeps a nicely bent prop leg even for extended kicks. Her otherwise excellent form, though a little extreme, shows good strength, a strong and accurate form and those distinct Tan Tui lines and shaes we enjoy so much.

This form of Kung Fu practice known as the Ambust Fist is a basic, but not simple, form in a few styles each of which has at least some historical connection to Chinese military history. Most commonly this beautifully balanced set is know in the Mei Hua style and the Sun Bin sect. The essential element of this boxing is contained in Open and Closed, Apparent and Hidden ... hence the name. Though she's a little over-stretched for our tastes the demonstrator is limber, strong and clean. A famous and interesting form.

This fourth and lesser known volume by the out-spoken and very well known Ving Tsun teacher Leung Ting talks more about the instructors, the style in general and the heritage. Articles in this primarily text loaded book include: "Again back to Fushan", "A Word About Bruce Lee", "Th Complications of Southern style Kung Fu", and more...

This by the eminent Chinese martial historian, Professor Kang Ge Wu. This is one of the first and best encyclopedic surveys of Chinese martial arts. It is a reference used by just about everyone. Styles, basic movements, stances, basic weapons, exercises, basic principles, historical perspective and famous adages are all covered. This huge text has clear illustrations and a wealth of knowledge. A perfect companion to the book we published with Kang, The Spring and Autumn of Chinese Martial Arts — 5000 Years.

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Our next entry towards the complete Tan Tui library is another esteemed lineage not to mention an awful lot of information for the money. This book contains not one but three forms, all of them fundamental and widely respected as great training sets. Here we have Tan Tui ten road, Lien Bu Quan (the Continuous Step Boxing) and Gong Li Quan or Flowing Strength boxing. That’s not all. For years one of the best Tan Tui’s in Taiwan was taught in the New Park in Taipei by the respected Han Qing Tan teacher of many fine practitioners like Jason Tsou and our own Adam Hsu. Han was widely known as a practical teacher with an expertise in Chin Na. So this book not only shows three forms but some nice, clear applications mostly emphasizing the correct use of Long Arm. Well designed, big photos, footwork maps and more. A well known series.

Jow Gar Bagua Staff 鄒家八卦棍 - TC 813
By Tan Han 譚漢
$10.50 Traditional Chinese Characters
69 pages, old photographs, softbound

First we should note that "Bagua" this or that is not, necessarily, a connection to the style Bagua Zhang (Trigram Palms) and in fact is a good reason knowledgeable martial artists should not use the term Bagua when they mean Bagua Zhang. In this case the Bagua refers to the 8 directions and comes from the Jow Gar (Chow Gar, Zou Jia) style of Southern Kung Fu. This book starts with a long section on the teacher, his training in Southern Shaolin, and his predecessors. This is a long stick as in the Lau Gar style with movements that are addressed to calvary usage and relate directly to the "Bagua Spear". The photos are old and this reprint , though not easily found, is pretty well known in martial circles as one of the only representations of this style. The whole set is shown with foot charts and a section in the back with photos of Tan teaching students and more discussion of the weapon.

Chi Men Yang Mei Sword 戚門揚眉劍 - TC 812
By Chen Sheng Tian 陳勝天
$9.95 Traditional Chinese Characters
120 pages, illustrations, softbound, Hua Lian ChuBanShe, 1987

This was originally the Chi Men (Ji Men) 13 Sword before revision。
It has seven sections and 63 moves. The key words contain: Gua , Liao 撩, Ma 抹, Dian 點, Beng 崩, Tiao 挑, Zhan 斬, Jiao 絞, Yun 雲, Sao 掃, Jie 截, Quan 穿, Jia 架, Bao 抱, Dai 帶, Bai 背, Jian Wan 剪腕. We thought we'd let you puzzle out there meaning though we have such a "keyword" explanation in the works... By the way, Chi Men, though not well known in the West, is quite a respectable style.

Lian Shou Boxing 練手拳圖說 - TC 809
By Ding Jing Yun 丁景雲
$8.95 Traditional Chinese Characters
115 pages, illustrations line drawings, softbound, HuaLian Publishers, 1985

"Lian Bu Quan" or Linked Step Boxing is a very famous "beginning" Shaolin set. This is the lesser known "Continuous Hand Boxing" or Lian Shou Quan. Like "Charles Dickens' younger brother" the lack of reputation may be deserved. However to appearances the set, shown with line drawings and accompanied by free hand written text, appears solid and Xing Yi-like (Xing Yiesque?). The author gathered and compiled this information from Sifu Huang Xiao Xia . (Note: Huang Xiao Xia - Wang Hsiao Hsia- was considered the top student of Sun Fu Yun, famous for his association with the Canton Qing Wu .)

Shaolin Jin Gang Boxing 少林金剛硬氣功 - TC 807
By Yang Wei 楊維
$17.95 Traditional Chinese Characters
286 pages, illustrations line drawings, softbound, Great Publishers, 2003

Small drawn "monk figures" show a wide range of activities such as wooden dummy conditioning, training with equipment, bag work and applications, all in the Shaolin manner. Other topics in this big book include: Shaolin "hard" practice summarized, move blood and increases acrobatic performance, internal development, character development and benefiting internal organs, respiration and Qi movement, training body weapons.

FanZi Manacled Boxing 铐手翻子拳 - TC 806
By Wen Jing Ming 温敬銘
$12.95 Traditional Chinese Characters
175 pages, illustrations line drawings, softbound

Like the form "Wu Song Breaks Manacles" this is a set based on the idea of the performer having bound hands. Unlike the legendary figure this FanZi routine is passed to the author from his teacher Luo Cheng Li. According to the slight research available, a Mister Yan during the Qing dynasty was actually jailed and attempted to practice his FanZi CuiBaFan but hand to modify the actions to fit the conditions of being manacled. There are 64 postures in the style and it concentrates on joined hand motions and low kicks.We also sell an ENGLISH LANGUAGE version of this same book and the two can be used in tandem to improve one's Chinese.

Tsai Mok boxing Southern Shaolin - TC 803
By Lau Biu
$24.95 Traditional Chinese Characters PLUM new price: $19.95
192 pages, photographs, softbound, learn about Mok style

Tsai Mo as derived from old sifu, Liu Shi Zhong (Lau Sze Chung), is a Southern Shaolin system. This book is a no nonsense exposition on the family hybrid styles, the cross between Tsai and Mok (Mandarin: Cai & Mo). The majority of the book is devoted to APPLICATIONS. It's an excellent introduction to the style because it shows so many phases of person-to-person training. One of the early sections show quite a few different Bridge exercises (partners crossing their forearms against one another). The Southern blocking exercises and positions are strong and flavorful with the typical Southern "sunken bridge" predominating. The style utilizes many finger strikes and many of the movements look like Wing Chun or Southern mantis done with dynamic stances. Next are clawing movements, locking moves and the famous kicking motions associated with Mo style. There is even a section on the principles of the style applied to weapons such as staff and umbrella.

Monkey Strike Road Number One, a very short, very basic Tsai Mok form is shown. To say our supply is limited is an understatement. This is the first batch of this text we've seen in decades. And now we have the same text in English!

Classic Reprint: LBRP-C039 $13.95
GuoShu Complete
by Yang Gui Yuan

112 pages, old drawings.
GuoShu Da Quan. 1929 - Shang Hai ChuanShu Research Society publisher. This is a wonderful old book of essays in "handwritten" calligraphy style instead of type font. Though there are only a few pages of illustrations they are really charming (click picture on the right for a sample). This book deals with many aspects of Guo Shu (WuShu) including the changes between the Qin and Han dynasties; the evolution of concepts in boxing; the era of chilvary; a martial survey and thedecline of boxing methods. There's also a section of boxing Q & A, boxing essentials, names and descriptions of boxing apparatus; informal talks. There are also 26 sections of boxing styles and information.

Classic Reprint: LBRP-C033 $15.95
A Boxing Teacher's Record
112 pages, NO illustrations.

The record of thoughts of a sage boxing teacher. September, 1923 Shanghai Zhen Min Editorial Society Publishers. Traffic Map Library distributors, Lou Tian Quan annotations. Xiang Kai Ran corrections. Mei Xia Hun editor. This book's author described this as “A catalogue of anecdotes observed in Chinese Boxing. Republished in 1933 there are numerous sections (117) including commentary on characters, Confucian principles, events and anecdotes, with specific sections like "A Shifu's collection", "Uprightness", "Chivalrous Record", "Teaching Students", "Punishing Traitors" and others. Could this be the original version of our "Instructor's Notebook"? This is a great candidate for translation, partial or complete.

LionBooks #LBTB-A113US $12.95
True Martial Studies Volume #1
by Ma Ming Da

LionBooks #LBTB-A114US $12.95
True Martial Studies Volume #2
by Ma Ming Da