#EKF91 The
Sword Polisher's Record
by
Adam Hsu
$ 16.95 paper, 204 pages (see our "hurt books" section for this text discounted)
Highly recommended.Originally a monthly column that appeared for fifteen years in several Kung-Fu magazines, the Record is now collected, updated and expanded. It is loaded with important concepts, tips on training and philosophical insights into the practice of true Kung Fu. A major book by one of Kung Fu's most significant thinkers. This is a book that discusses what so few people in the martial arts talk of: the meaning and soul of the art. Enjoy!
A scholar and a great teacher, Adam Hsu, is outspoken and thoughtful. Of late he has almost become controversial but that could not be avoided. Mr. Hsu has a impeccable background. College professor in Taiwan in Chinese Classical literature he is a third generation Kung Fu practitioners. In addition his status as one of the primary disciples of Liu Yun-Chiao and the editor of Wu Tang magazine lend his voice authority. His opinions are strong, but informed. We have heard many criticize but never substantially disprove any of his views. You, too, may disagree but Adam Hsu's straightforward honesty contributes just as much as it debunks. Definitely a book that will make you think.
Topics include:
Myth
and Reality of Kung Fu styles
Role of form in Kung Fu
Internal Training, is it necessary?
Kung Fu Mind, Multi-dimensional Mind
Counterfeit Kung Fu
Adapting Western Methods to Kung Fu Take
me to a review of this book
#EKF98 The
Martial Arts Teaching Tales
by Pascal Fauliot
Softbound, 117 pages, $ 12.95
From
the back cover:"True
martial arts should never be confused with simple combat techniques.
Rather, martial arts area a way than an individual, after a long and
difficult apprenticeship, can gain a profound understanding of the true
nature or reality and one's place in it. Over time the apprentice discovers
the laws governing subtle forces of life and realizes that their mastery
is only possible after one has mastered oneself. "He who has mastered
the Art doesn't use his sword: he compels his adversary to kill himself."
This quote from renowned sword master Tajima no Kami perfectly expresses
the paradoxical nature of martial arts teaching in China and Japan.
These
teaching stories are moral fables; in fact, they have nothing to prove.
Their purpose is actually to inspire questions and insights that will
aid the student to achieve self-realization.Most of the stories in this
book are based on actual events in the lives or martial teachers who
have achieved legendary status. The almost superhuman abilities of some
of the masters described here are evidence of the secret powers that
can be wielded by those whose martial arts training is not simply the
learning of physical techniques but involves mastering subtle energies
of mind and body. Master of the art of archery Kenzo Awa could hit the
center of a target even when shooting in total darkness. Assailants
of T'ai Chi master Yang Lu Chan found their blows did more damage to
themselves than to their would-be victim. By reading - and comprehending
- the tales in this book, we can acquire the same essential knowledge
that these masters had - that extraordinary forces are within the grasp
of those who have achieved inner peace and self-mastery."
#ETC84 Scholar
Boxer
Chang Nai Zhou's Theory of Internal Martial
Arts and the Evolution of Tai Chi
Translated with Commentary by Marnix Wells
247 pages, softbound
US $ 18.95 PLUM discount $ 16.95
It is our belief that every one interested in the history of Tai Chi Chuan, and really the history of Kung Fu in general, should be familiar with the writings of Chang Nai Zhou. It will not change significantly anyone's practice but it will show a key point - one we often make along with other instructor's - and one that may indeed change one's attitutdes substantially. This key point is that Tai Chi, for instance, is in no way divorced from the general history of the Chinese Martial Arts. It is simply another branch of that history.
Change Nai Zhou was a scholar who worked around 1750. He not only practiced martial arts but left key writings on the subject. In this book Mr. Wells, a highly educated and knowledgeable writer, has translated Chang's work and added commentary. Many of Chang's writings are so similar - and predate - the Tai Chi Classics that there are those who believe Chang's work may have been the forerunner for Tai Chi's acknowledged Bible. Contained within this text we have:
Introduction:
Towards a martial philosophy
Chang's writings: Nourishing Central Energy
Chang's writings: Martial Defense
Boxing Laws
24 Word theoy
Rising and Springing Explained
Spear Laws
In addition the original illustrations, charming and basic, are reproduced along with pictures of living members of the Chang family performing and some other correlative historical works. Overall a major volume on a crucial part of Chinese martial history. Marnix Wells has done a fine job. If he had not, some other translation of this text would necessarily be in our libraries. Chang's work is that important to grasping the general schema of Wushu.
See the movements of the actual Chang Family style
