Chen Shi Taijiquan Huizong(Chen Style Tai Chi book)
Chen Shi Taijiquan Huizong (A Comprehensive Collection of Chen Family Tai Chi Quan) is a significant text that systematically organizes and explains the Chen Style Tai Chi system. Such compendiums aim to comprehensively gather a school's core forms, weapons, pushing hands practices, and theory, serving as an authoritative source for studying that tradition. It is more than a technical manual; it is a vessel for the historical lineage and philosophical ideas of Chen Style Tai Chi.
Core Content & System
Complete Forms Library: Systematically includes Chen Style's core traditional routines, such as the Old Frame (also called Large Frame) First and Second Routines, and often incorporates other transmitted forms like the New Frame and Small Frame, detailing movement sequences, pathways, and body mechanics.
Weapons & Pushing Hands: Presents the complete Chen Style weapons practice system (e.g., single saber, double sabers, spear, sword) and provides progressive instruction and theoretical analysis for core practices like Pushing Hands, from basic exercises to free application.
Commentary on Classical Texts: Compiles and explains key theoretical writings passed down through Chen Style history, such as The Ten Important Theories of Tai Chi Quan and Essential Words on Martial Application, offering deep insight into unique principles like hardness/softness, silk-reeling energy (Chan Si Jin), and substantial/insubstantial.
Practical Application & Analysis: Focuses not just on external movement but extensively analyzes the martial intent, energy application, and practical usage of each technique, embodying the martial essence of "integrating theory with practice."
This text played a key role in standardizing and formally transmitting Chen Style Tai Chi. It codified knowledge that was often oral or fragmented into a structured, illustrated format, providing later generations with a clear and standardized learning model. For practitioners, it serves as a step from learning individual forms toward systematically mastering the complete Chen Style Tai Chi system, aiding a deep understanding of the style's full technical scope and philosophical depth.