Chen Style Taijiquan Collected Masterworks: The History of a Martial Art

The first-ever English translation of the most important masterworks of Chen Style Taiji, as originally published by its grandmaster and senior teacher to today`s masters, Chen Zhaopi Chen Zhaopi (1893-1972) is universally recognized as a grandmaster of Chen Style Taiji, an ancient martial art that is the foundation of all Taiji schools. During his lifetime, Chen was lineage successor and teacher to Chen Village`s current generation of senior masters, including Chen Xiaowang, Wang Xi`an, Chen Zhenglei, Zhu Tiancai, and the late Chen Qingzhou. This book is the first-ever English translation of key selections from his seminal 1935 publication, Chen Style Taijiquan Collected Masterworks. Gathered together are Taijiquan`s most important texts dating back to its earliest period of development. These include the writings of its putative creator, Chen Wangting, its reorganizer, Chen Changxing, and the biographies of eminent family members such as Chen Zhongshen. Author and translator Mark Chen`s commentary provides readers with the most complete picture of Taijiquan`s origins, evolution, and theory to date. Also included is a step-by-step, pictorial exposition of Chen Taiji`s `old frame` first form, demonstrated by Chen Zhaopi himself.