Delighted to announce the addition of five strong books into the Plum library. These gems from Hong Kong, all with boh Chinese and English text, are beautifully designed and laid out with large, easy to read photos, on subjects we just never see in English.
KH020 Hao Style Tai Ji Quan Developed by Master Liu Jishun
This teacher derives his techniques from Hao Shaoru. Hao style (one of the five top Taijiquan styles), along with its sister Wu Style, has always been strong in Push Hands practice, and given the questionable state of that training these days, the instruction in this book is solid, a reminder of the traditional purpose of Push Hands practice.
KH021 Hong Style Tai Chi Chuan Developed by Master Wu Shi-zeng
Hong Tai Chi gained great advantage from its founder’s (Hong Jun Sheng’s) apprenticeships under several important Tai Chi masters, especially Chen Fa Ke. This breadth is evident in the strong usage that Hong is known for, with a special emphasis on Chin Na. Master Wu, in this rare book in English on Hong Style, is an expressive practitioner and carries on the tradition of his lineage.
More info on Hong Jun Sheng and his style
KM022 Master Cai Haikang Leg Techniques of Ba Gua Zhang Succeeded from Jiang Rongqiao
This book is a significant addition to the library on Leg Techniques in Bagua Zhang. Although the teacher is a Jiang stylist, I believe that any Bagua practitioner could gain valuable insight from this well laid-out text, containing over 250 decent-sized photographs. Additionally, if like me you have practiced Jiang Style, you will be particularly intrigued by the authentic correspondence Cai Sifu makes between the techniques and the form movements themselves. Highly recommended.
KS062 Secret Contents of Hao Weizhen Yi Qi Tai Ji Quan
This wonderful book on Hao Weizhen’s techniques has a lot to offer. Although probably many readers pass over the obligatory lineage remarks to get to “the good stuff,” this text offers a clear history of Hao style’s development.
Interestingly, the focus of this well-illustrated text (even including vintage photos of Hao Shaoru) is on applying Yi (intent) and Qi (Energy) to practice, especially when concerning Push Hands. Hao style is perfect for the Tai Chi practiitioner who has graduated to a conceptural level of the art.
KT063 Tai Ji Quan Developed by Master Li Shujun
Li Sifu’s version of Tai Chi tends towards elegance, but this does not mean it lacks authentic power. His father was Master Li Jingwu, one of the most famous Tai Chi teachers in the 20th centruy.
Master Li studied with many great teachers across the entire Tai Chi spectrum, such as Chen FaKe, Wang Pei Sheng, Wu Tu Nan, to name a few, and he passed along this knowedge to his students, including his son and disciple. In this book, Sifu Li presents a frame by frame routine from the system he inherited from his father.
