Chen-style Tai Chi, Sword: Thirty-six Forms

Author: Guixiang Kan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2000-03-01
Features: Following the promotion and popularization of Chen-style Tai Chi, readers have requested the introduction of weapon routines with distinctive Chen-style characteristics to enrich training content and further grasp the spirit of Chen-style routines. The traditional Chen-style Tai Chi Sword (58 Forms) was brought to Beijing by Chen Zhaoquan, the son of Master Chen Faku, from Chenjiagou, Wen County, Henan. It was developed based on Chen-style Tai Chi, and its fundamental principles are equally applicable. For the purpose of popularization and promotion, the author has also created a simplified routine based on the traditional one. The simplified routine, known as the Chen-style 36-Form Tai Chi Sword, is divided into four sections. While preserving the stylistic features of the traditional routine, it has a rigorous structure, logical layout, symmetrical yet non-repetitive movements, and is easy to learn and remember. In creating the simplified routine, the author further integrated and imitated the training principles of Chen-style Tai Chi. For example, the opening move "Blocking Sword" and the concluding moves "Sitting Posture and Drawing the Horse" and "Combining Sword Posture" are clearly derived from Chen-style Tai Chi stances such as "Holding the Robe," "Head-Piercing Cannon," and "Diamond-Pounding Pestle," thereby further highlighting the Chen-style characteristics. After the names of each traditional move in the simplified routine, easy-to-understand action names are appended to aid readers in memorization. To adapt to the widespread development of mass Tai Chi activities and meet the needs of learners, as well as to facilitate teaching and learning, the book "Introduction to Simplified Chen-style Tai Chi" and the "Chen-style Simplified Tai Chi Sword" section from "Chen-style Tai Chi" have been combined into "Chen-style Tai Chi and Sword—36 Forms" for publication.