The Making of a Butterfly: Traditional Chinese Martial Arts As Taught by Master W. C. Chen

by Phillip Starr

The only American heir to W. C. Chen, Phillip Starr continues the master’s teachings in this useful guide that also profiles the exciting early years when martial arts were still new in America. Through this entertaining collection of personal anecdotes involving Master Chen, the author, and his classmates, readers learn a particular aspect of the traditional martial arts. Included are explanations of the importance and meaning of courtesy and the custom of bowing, the significance of training with weapons and how it impacts bare-handed skills, and the value of traditional forms and how they relate to actual combat.

Genres: Martial Arts

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2006

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. It's a story image heard a hundred times, well enough told. Chi, lessons from a master, struggle. My favorites in the genre are Way of the Heavenly Dragon and Iron & Silk, whichninc,IDE a little more of the whole person in the story, not just the teacher and student.

[Jonathanj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, a good account of a young student training under a traditional teacher. It's in a similar vein to Autumn Lightning.