Not to mention that Linda has also repurposed our overstock of yellow sashes.
Apr
22
2020
22
2020
Mar
10
2020
10
2020
Lost in Translation: The Hidden Gems of Kung-Fu
In speaking with another shifu a few weeks ago, he brought up something that I took notice of quite some time ago, something that has always stood out to me, something that I have always made it a point to rally against in my Kung-Fu training and teaching. He spoke of today’s state of affairs […]
Sep
2
2019
2
2019
“Baji” vs. “Taiji”—Only “One” “Dot” Different
Here is a new piece by Adam Hsu. This article contrasts two superstars of Chinese martial arts: TaiJi Quan Chuan and Baji Quan, each of them a brilliant martial art, each based on some profound principles, each a model for understanding Chinese Wushu. Never disappointing, he examines these two seemingly opposed arts and uncovers similarities […]
May
8
2016
8
2016
Li Tianji’s Xing Yi Legacy; Andrea Falk’s Dictionary
Plum is adding another text by Andrea Falk, a translation of significance to Xing Yi practitioners: Li TianJi’s The Skills of XingYiQuan; 311 pages, with hundreds of illustrations. This is a thorough text on the style handed down to Li Tianji from his father, Li Yulin. It’s very well laid out with sections covering basic […]
Aug
27
2015
27
2015
Get ‘Em While They’re Hot: Xing Yi and Tai Chi
We’ve added two books to our wonderful “Hurt Book” section: Shang Yun-Xiang XingYiQuan and Classical Wu Style Tai Ji Quan. The excellent Xing Yi text is one we have been carrying, but these are special priced at $12.95 (as opposed to the previously discounted Plum price of $19.95.) The Wu Style book is an old […]
Jun
28
2015
28
2015
Our NEW Kung Fu Spear Book & Dvd Training Manual
Why is it sometimes less difficult to write a book than to write the post announcing the publication of that book? Well, for one thing, we spend years gaining the information and experience to put together a volume on—let’s say—the Kung Fu Spear. But we don’t (hopefully) spend even a fraction of that time putting […]
Jun
23
2015
23
2015
First Book on Dai Style Xin Yi
We’ve been waiting for this, but did not really expect it for a long time: a book on Dai style Xin Yi. We’ve had many requests for DVDs and books on this subject but the pickings have been slim. This text details standing practice, elements and a special sequence of Eighty Trigram movements for flow. […]
May
11
2015
11
2015
FINALLY! Books from Hong Kong are here
Here’s the short version: Last year, we re-ordered these wonderful titles from Hong Kong Chin Woo. It took 3 months and they arrived…sort of—one of the boxes from the order went missing in the US Postal System (it actually navigated the oceans but got lost between New Jersey and California.) It took a while but […]
Apr
19
2015
19
2015
Treasures of the Sword
Adam Hsu, the only person every voted Instructor of the Year by both Black Belt and Inside Kung Fu, is once again tackling the gargantuan challenge of setting the art of Kung Fu aright. To aid in this, he is producing a whole new line of books and dvds. Without a doubt, one of the […]
Mar
10
2015
10
2015
Wei Shuren and Shaolin Books
Just a quick note to say that we received a few copies of this hard-to-get text by Wei Shuren on Yang Tai Chi. We’ve also restocked this nice Chinese/English dual-language series (SC800 series), on many Shaolin forms. They have different covers than shown, but are the same inside. Click on each picture on the page […]
Feb
26
2015
26
2015
Return of the Hurts
The problem with those closets you have filled and would like to forget, like the ones out back or under your staircase, is that they invariably contain treasures. I admit it, we’ve been neglectful with our Hurts books. And we even like this section! Things are no longer amiss, though, since we just finished putting […]
Feb
22
2015
22
2015
A Daoist Roadmap for Nourishing Life
Wu Dang Daoist Priest Yun Xiang Tseng (Chen) Master Chen, comes from a 700 year old unbroken line of Wu Dang teachers. He is a 14th generation Zhang Sanfeng lineage holder and a 25th generation Longmen Daoist Priest. At a young age he was chosen to train on Wu Dang Mountain by Master Li Chengyu, […]
Feb
19
2015
19
2015
Xin Nian Kuai Le! Gong Hay Fat Choy! Happy New Year!
From our family to yours, warmest wishes for a healthy and prosperous new year. Keep practicing! Ted, Debbie and Linda 新年快樂
Feb
16
2015
16
2015
Adam Hsu Speaks Up
From a lifetime of teaching and writing about Martial arts, internationally known Adam Hsu has compiled many of his thoughts in this three+ hour discussion. Billed as a “debate” it would be more fitting to call this “debate points” like what you might rehearse with your own hometown debate team. His approach challenges many ideas […]
Feb
9
2015
9
2015
Shang Style Xing Yi by Li Wen-Bin
This is a large name in Xing Yi studies. This translation of a book by top stylist of the Shang school of Xing Yi is one of the most in-depth discussions on the art that we have seen. Nicely translated it goes beyond simple instruction into topics of origins, who wrote what, what does it […]
Jan
26
2015
26
2015
Two More from Jack Yan: Whip Stick and Sword
Aside from his good work in bringing so much material on Chen Zheng Lei’s work in Chen style Taiji, it is no wonder that teacher Jack Yan’s recent contributions have gained so much popularity. First fact, he holds a Ph. D. in Chinese Martial Arts. He also holds a Master’s degree in English. He has […]
Jan
3
2015
3
2015
Ba Gua Nei Gong series adds Volume #5
Tom Bisio, founder of New York Internal Arts and Internal Arts International, continues his chronicling of the Gao style Ba Gua Qi Gong training. This newest addition, brings the series to a famous title in Nei Gong—Tian Gan— which means Heavenly Stem and refers to the long axis of the body, a crucial directional component […]
Dec
15
2014
15
2014
Traditional Kung Fu Trio: Through the Back Boxing, Whip and Sword
Whirling like a windmill then zipping past as straight as a sparrow hawk, Tong Bei style Kung Fu is as distinctive as a green fire engine. The very name of the style, Through the Back Boxing gives a big clue manifested as whipping, circling and hooking arms. This is set off against TBQ’s tight, straight […]
Dec
10
2014
10
2014
Nov
26
2014
26
2014
Chop Chop
At Plum, we never give up on books, even if we are told they have gone out of print. And sometimes we are rewarded by the return of a classic; in this case, it’s Yin Yu Zhang’s slim volume on the famous Chopper Knife. We now, once again, have a few copies available. Click image […]
