The Taijiquan Classics: An Annotated Translation

by Barbara Davis, Chen Wei-Ming (Commentary)

Along with Chinese art, medicine, and philosophy, taijiquan has left the confines of its original culture, and offers health, relaxation, and a method of self-defense to people around the globe. Using the early texts now known as The Taijiquan Classics which have served as a touchstone for t’ai chi practitioners for 150 years, this book explores the fundamental ideas and what they mean to practitioners, students, and scholars. It also incorporates newly discovered sources that address the history of taijiquan and newly translated commentaries by Chen Weiming.

Genres: Martial Arts

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 5, 2004

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Barbara Davis is editor of the Taijiquan Journal and international quarterly. She has a master's degree in East Asian Studies, and is translator of Taiji Sword by Chen Weiming. Davis is director of Great River T'ai Chi Ch'uan in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Neil Crowle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely one only for people studying or interested in Taijiquan, this was nevertheless a very interesting work. The author's obvious scholarship was faultless but perhaps a smidge overdone. Chen Weiming's comments, as always, were spot on.

[Will Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok. I finished this book and found it easy to read and tremendously useful. I can see it being back in my hands soon. there is so much that is clarification and detail, I am sure I have. overlooked something. highly recommended.

[Kieron Niven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough and academic study of the Classics which places them firmly within their historical and cultural context. Thoroughly recommended for anyone seriously looking into the early development of Taijiquan.