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Cheng Man-ch’ing (1902–1975)—also romanized as Zheng Manqing— certainly played a lead role in popularizing tai chi ch'uan throughout the world and greatly influencing the way the art is perceived and practiced. This fact alone should drive all those interested in tai chi to study the man’s history and thought. There is a huge body of writings and video representations of Cheng’s tai chi theory and practice. Unfortunately, much of the available content actually obscures Cheng’s message. The result is that Cheng and his role in tai chi evolution are often not fully understood and faulty conclusions are made. A further result is that many feel either enlightened with what they bel...
A few years ago, I sought to record a few memories and observations gleaned on the way from beginner to senior student. The result was 'Laoshi: Tai Chi, Teachers, and Pursuit of Principle'—a semi-fictional memoir, using the device of dialogue between student and teacher, to examine the agony and elation of sincerely pursuing the art of taiji. The thirty-seven chapters of 'Laoshi' shone light on the various aspects of taiji and martial arts which occupied my thinking as I progressed along the Way. Laoshi, which translates as ‘teacher’ in Mandarin, was the main character of the book and, though not a real person, represented the best aspects of the many martial artists whose skills, dedi...
In every century there are unique individuals whose fate makes them standing symbols of unique merit and accomplishment. Robert W. Smith's Martial Musings stands out as the sole literary work which offers readers a special perspective of martial arts as they evolved during the 20th century. Smith personally escorts the reader on a martial arts tour. He starts with his own initial involvement in the arts, then launches outward, across the nation, over to Asia, and eventually home again. Some of the topics covered in the book include martial arts theory and practice, portrayals of leading Asian instructors, profiles of Westerners who studied the arts and brought them back to their respective c...
The book is a kind of semifictional memoir. Chapters reflect the author's own experiences gained in the pursuit of tai chi and other martial arts. The text flows as a novel, but with substance based solidly in reality applicable to anyone, tai chi practitioner or not, since the main theme is the pursuit of principle in everyday life. Book Description A tai chi student explores the Dao of Zheng Manqing with the aid of his teacher, Laoshi. Through personal accounts, reflection, and dialogue with Laoshi, we witness the novice s evolution in his search for the spirit of the art and the resulting bond forged with his instructor. Together, student and teacher examine the philosophical and martial aspects of tai chi. They demonstrate what it means to pursue principle, and they see the ease with which it can be lost to that trickster and provocateur, the ego. Engaging, sincere, and at times lighthearted, this fictional memoir narrated from the student s perspective addresses themes familiar to all who study tai chi and the martial arts. Laoshi is a journey into tai chi and a meditation on life and living without fear.
If you are interested in practicing a martial art for health, this anthology is highly practical for this purpose. The content will inspire readers to adapt ways to enrich their martial art practice to reach a higher standard of health. Whenever considering health, one’s diet should be a priority. The chapter by Roberto Nurchis shows how the kind of foods ingested have a negative or a positive influence on martial performance. General conditioning exercise are illustrated in Oga-Baldwin’s chapter. These exercise are in line with traditional qigong/stretching exercises. Netherton and Durstine’s chapter addresses the sports-medicine views of the physiology of warm-up exercises. The autho...
“Pioneer” — as a noun is defined as “a person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area.” As a verb, it means “develop or be the first to use or apply (a new method, area of knowledge, or activity).” This anthology gives the reader the experience of the explorers who went to foreign lands to discover and learn about a specific field of knowledge and skills:the Asian martial arts.The eight chapters included here share a common root in the pioneers' desire to travel far and wide in search for practical martial arts useful in the street as well as for commando units. The pioneers discussed in this anthology experienced lives submerged in foreign cultures, l...
An important reference source for scholars and students of modern Chinese art, collectors, museums and libraries, dealers and auction houses. It includes biographical entries for approximately 800 Chinese artists who grew up or were trained in China and who are likely to be represented in collections, exhibitions, and auctions within and outside China.
A needle may draw a thread through printed pages to bind a book. In this little memoir, I feel like a needle that drew a common thread though a segment of martial art history. This book details three interrelated activities: (1) martial art studies, (2) involvement as founder of Via Media Publishing, producing a quarterly journal and books, and (3) teaching martial arts. Publishers, writers, researchers and serious martial art practitioners will benefit with the detailed overview of Via Media and its publications. Via Media produced the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, known for its high academic and aesthetic standards. Its contents reflect the history of two decades and provides rich informa...
Donn Draeger was the most influential martial artist/scholar of the 20th century. His more than twenty books and long list of accomplishments support this argument. For this reason, we are publishing this anthology of articles that focus on this outstanding person. Although short in length, this book is rich in content covering the inspiring life and contributions of a leading pioneer in the Asian martial traditions. The author of the first chapter, Robert W. Smith, was a close confidant of Draeger during his career. With Draeger, Smith co-authored the classic Asian Fighting Arts (later renamed as Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts). Smith was in a unique position to provide details about Dra...
Why do so many Americans practice martial arts? How did kung fu get its own movie genre? What makes mixed martial arts so popular? This book answers these questions for the first time with historical research. At the turn of the 20th century, the United States enjoyed a time of prosperity but feared that men were becoming soft. At the same time, the Japanese government sponsored research to develop the best fighting techniques for its new empire. Before World War II, American men boxed and Japanese men practiced judo and karate. Postwar Americans began adopting Chinese, Brazilian, Filipino and other fighting styles, in the process establishing a masculine subculture based on physical and soc...