Chinese Language Martial Arts Books
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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).

Hand Arm RecordTC833 Taoist Tai Chi Stick Ruler Internal Strength
Wang Fengming
221 pages, Traditional Chinese Characters $14.95

There was a time when information on the Tai Chi Bang Chi was a secret high-level Taoist cultivation method. But with research collected and correlated has come a manuscript which finally compiles techniques and methods related to the internal power of Tai Chi Bang Chi, or the Taoist Tai Chi Bang Internal Strength.

The Bang is a short piece of wood shaped smoothly or more elaborately. This approximately “12” long prop can be held between both hands while performing highly concentrated but simple physical exercises with deep Qi Gong, thus unifying the entire body. This text records valuable experiences, with much of its information passed down by ancestral cultivators, as well as the well-known teacher Feng Zhiqiang.

Here is a detailed, not to mention systematic, introduction to the qigong Levels of cultivation methods and essentials. We also see exercise methods suitable for ordinary students to learn and practice for the purpose of curing diseases, prolonging life, and strengthening the body, specifically introducing the formation of dantian, internal movement, big and small Zhou Tiangong, and qi practice methods such as turning with the whole body.

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Hand Arm RecordHand-Arm Record School Notes A614
by Qing WuPan, Xu JinYin
$19.95 Traditional Chinese Characters;
364 pages, softbound, illustrated original drawings

If anyone wants to instruct himself on some principles of martial movement: speed; solidity, coordination are good place to start in the classic cornerstone weapons division at the next tournament. These weapons are familiar to the oldsters who just sit in the gray division, nodding slowly at the exhibition of the key forefathers: club, staff, and spear.  These are members of a clan with immortal participants who can never age. Examine the club, stick or staff. Incredibly simple, easy to learn (at the first stage), eminently adaptable to other situations and conditions.

The very simple illustrations in this book show themselves well- recognized in the martial sphere. Though they may seem to fall short of a fully functioning handful, they are actually the building block of reliable weapons that are just a bit shy.  What is “shy” to a weapon?Here is one amazing example of their strength and longevity associated with what would become the most famous bladed weapon of all. The blade, now known as the Miao Dao, was originally developed in China centuries before, then—when captured and employed with great effect in Japan, where it became the standard for the weapon until the sword was captured by the Chinese soldiers and forced to show all the skill developed by the Japanese sword masters; for fighting and construction.

A brief of comparison explains the…

CHINA: The Miao Dao (Leaf Knife) was created in China with a longer shape than present day. Rea soldiers carried and drew somewhat longer and heavier blades.  generally used a larger model so both soldiers  could draw the longer weapon and gain valuable inches for combat.

JAPAN: The Miao Dao was recast as a smaller version but with excellent workmanship. Perfectly modeled, famously strong. So advanced did the sword adapt that within a few years Japanese sword blades were literally chopping  other blades in half.

CHINA: Particular skills were brought to bear by pirates and other Ronin. Japanese technology was brought to the scene along with, ironically, those blades gathered were picked up from the battle field and sent “home to study and try to best even the Japanese design. Prisoners were interrogated, the secrets were spear, now the world display the weapon as a blend of science and artistry.

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Kang Ge Wu Wushu dictionaryHand-Arm Record, Wrestling, Archery notes, Shooting record- C097
by Wu Shu Deng
$15.95 Traditional Chinese Characters;
195 pages, softbound, illustrated original drawings


Author Bio:Wu Shu Deng, the poet/historian, was born into a seventeenth century family of skilled martial artists and scholars. The famous Arm Record was among his martial writings. Along with other texts, this brought him some degree of fame. This book has a number of sections—all in traditional Chinese—with two sections of old time hand-drawn figures. One demonstrates the key postures for the Miao Dao (leaf saber) and the other exhibits methods with the spear. One of the essential texts of Chinese martial history.

 

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True Martial Stuies #2True Martial Studies Volumes #1 and #2
LionBooks A143
by Ma Ming Da

$32.95 Traditional Chinese Characters;
552 Pages, Softbound

This book was originally published in two volumes (A113 and A114), which are now combined into this one volume.

This is a series of essays.Widely historical they cover many topics of interest to martial afficionados and historians. Nicely illustrated with photographs and old drawings this book covers a number of topics including...
Crossbows • PiGua • BaJi • BaJi & 6 Harmony Spear •BaJi Short Fist • Yue Mountain BaJi • 6 Harmony Big Spear • Fan Chuan • Living Staff & Dying Staff • Short Weapons • San Shou • Chang Deng-Sheng & Shuai Jiao

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Kang Ge Wu Wushu dictionary Health Enhancing Tai Chi Ruler - TC817
By Zhang Guang De
$19.95 Traditional Chinese Characters;
93 pages, color photographs, softbound, VCD included

This is full-color Taiji ruler book sits at a higher level than most. The movements here are different from the typical Taiji ruler forms. There are the typical symmetrical motions like rolling, bending and hold but there are also movements, with one end extended a little like a weapon, that are more classically martial though performed in the soft, fluid and graceful manner so characteristic of Taiji ruler. Both the book and the accompanying VCD are in Chinese, but the illustrations and instruction are beautifully simple and clear. Anatomical charts in the text show the acupuncture points referred to in the breakdown. On the VCD, two distinct groups of exercises are shown which can each be practiced as a continuous sequence on both sides. Nicely designed and presented. Good instruction and interesting moves.

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Kang Ge Wu Wushu dictionary

5 Element Tong Bi Boxing Demolishing Fist - TC829
By Zhang Zhi Tong
$14.95 Traditional Chinese Characters;
162 pages, photographs, softbound.

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.

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Kang Ge Wu Wushu dictionaryTan Tui 10 Road Spring Leg - A216
Compiled by Zhang Zhi Bo
$14.95 Traditional Chinese Characters;
80 pages, illustrations, softbound, oversized
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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.

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Kang Ge Wu Wushu dictionary The Ambush Fist - A217
Compiled by Zhang Zhi Bo
$12.95 Traditional Chinese Characters;
80 pages, illustrations, softbound, oversized.

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.

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Jow Gar Bagua StaffJow Gar Bagua Staff 鄒家八卦棍 - TC813
By Tan Han 譚漢
$10.95 Traditional Chinese Characters;
69 pages, old photographs, softbound.

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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.

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Er Mei 12 Qigong SecretsChi Men Yang Mei Sword 戚門揚眉劍 - TC 812
By Chen Sheng Tian 陳勝天
Hua Lian ChuBanShe, 1987
$9.95 Traditional Chinese Characters;
120 pages, illustrations, softbound.

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.

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

"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.)

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Shaolin Jin Gang BoxingShaolin 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.

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Fan Zi Kao Shou Boxing

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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.

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Tsai Mo Cai Mok BoxingTsai Mok boxing Southern Shaolin - TC 803
By Lau Biu
24.95 Traditional Chinese Characters
PLUM new price: $17.95, 192 pages, photographs, softbound.

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!

Learn about Mok style

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Guo Shu Complete GuoShu Complete
by Yang Gui Yuan
Classic Reprint: C039X
$13.95 Traditional Chinese Characters;
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.

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Boxing Teacher's Record

A Boxing Teacher's Record
Classic Reprint: C033X
$15.95 Traditional Chinese Characters;
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.

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"Changing" Section #6
In most cases, altering the hand changes the sword, altering the elbow changes the hand, altering the shoulder changes the elbow, altering the body changes the shoulder, altering the footwork changes the body, alering the shape changes the footwork making sure that the movements are not too close, too high or too low this method can improve hand-foot coordination making folding easier, improving jumping, fast footwork and structure with changing actions difficult to enumerate.