Master Cheng's Thirteen Chapters on Tai Chi Ch'üan

by Cheng Man-ch'ing, Douglas Wile (Translator)

This revised edition of the classic Thirteen Chapters with notes and index was prepared for teachers, scholars, and serious students seeking both T’’ai-chi treasures and a broader understanding of the sources of Cheng’’s teaching. In the Preface he "My teacher, Yang Ch’’eng-fu, suspended the family transmission. He did not lightly share his knowledge, fearing it would fall into the wrong hands. Therefore I have taken all of these secrets and presented them here in this book." 101 pages

Genres: Martial Arts, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Philosophy, Health

101 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1984

Reviews

[M. Apple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly Master Cheng did not have tuberculosis but a kind of bronchial asthma. It is not possible to contract tuberculosis from "chalk dust" (this phrase is repeated at least twice). But as an asthmatic, I have found that martial arts practice improves my control over breathing. Much of the treatises show the connection between the practice and the theory of Taoism, and some of the chapters show the traditional view of the Five Elements. A bit too mystical and unscientific for me, but this book does clearly show a classical, cultural viewpoint that is illuminating. The photos in the second half of the book (the third part is very short and responds to "questions" primarily about the ch'i) are much clearer than in other books, and the explanation is extremely clear. The description of application of the techniques demonstrate the origins of the style as a martial art and not merely a form of calisthenics.

[ila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Testo importante, lo consiglio, anche se c'�� una bella fetta di libro nella quale Cheng Man Ch'ing tenta di descrivere una forma semplificata (a 37 tecniche) a parole, e con qualche foto. La cosa ovviamente �� poco pi�� che tempo perso al punto di vista didattico...

Ci sono diversi spunti di riflessione stimolanti... certo meglio evitare di soffermarsi su certi dettagli, come quali cure siano adatte per la tubercolosi: riporto (e non �� il pi�� raccapricciante) un favoloso "alcuni mangiano i polmoni di cinghiale i cui canali bronchiali siano stati riempiti con il liquido di dodici uova crude; il tutto viene fatto poi al vapore e dopo quattro o cinque dosi di ci�� guariscono".

Le parti pi�� interessanti sono quelle nelle quali il Maestro parla della storia del TCC, dell'interpretazione dei Classici, e delle varie forme di energia coinvolte.

Feltrinelli, costa poco, Cheng Man Ch'ing �� stato uno dei grandi maestri del secolo scorso (allievo diretto di Yang Chen Fu), lettura utile se non "necessaria".

[Dori Ban · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book explains well the philosophical-spiritual side of tai-chi but for practical description and for correction for the forms itself the other book of Cheng Man-Ch'ing: The "Supreme Ultimate" Excercise for Health, Sport and Self-Defense is better. Still very valuable reading for the mental insight of tai chi.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "Secrets" of Tai Chi revealed. Will read and re-read many times! - 2019

Just as attending a beginners class, I learn more each time I read these classics.

[Mike Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book added to my Westerner's ignorant experience with Chinese medicine. But I noticed his cure for Tuberculosis changed from paragraph to paragraph. I would just assume, without being told so, that he found a different cause of the disease, or maybe a different manifestation for each patient, so treated with different methods. But then he also goes on to see that the "placebo effect" is just as reliable in curing tuberculosis. Maybe something was lost in translation, I think. The nuts and bolts of anatomy, and how the organs interact is discussed in points across the book. I enjoyed reading that and now consider myself enlightened to an extent on the anatomy. No fighting technique is featured in the book, only forms for practice alone.

[Ray Gates · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting insight into the teachings of Cheng Man-Ch'ing. I do wonder if at least in parts there is something lost in the translation as it is not always clear. I think this can be more appreciated with a little knowledge already on board and think it will be confusing for the absolute beginner.

[John Fredrickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My middling rating of this book most likely derives from my level of understanding. The book is decently written/translated, but deals with things that probably will not make a lot of sense unless guidance from an astute teacher is also present?

[Daniela Torrisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Io credo che sia ancora facile trovare gente di talento, ma che la difficoltà consista nel trovare gente davvero coltivata"

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Manuale ben fatto. Tocca tutti i punti necessari per apprendere il Taiji. Si vede che Cheng era un maestro dei tempi andati. Ogni tanto qualche bizzarro riferimento ala medicina tradizionale cinese e al nazionalismo, due temi cari all'autore. Lettura indispensabile per uno studente di taiji, di qualsiasi stile.

[Clint · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Thirteen Treatises are excellent, the form description is confusing if you don't already know the form. You shouldn't learn taijiquan from a book anyway.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too pseudo-scientific for my tastes but there is a description of his short form near the end which is pretty good.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helps to deepen a study of Tai-Chi.

[Blaine Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sage advice and instruction from one of the great masters of the art of taiji quan.