The Forbidden City
Image taken by Yau-Sun Tong.
"Wanted to report what an extraordinary experience it was to view the
videos--a trip into the history of tai chi with one legendary player
after the next performing their forms. How fortunate that someone took
the time and effort to film these people before they passed on.
It's extraordinary that so many "tai chi celebrities" would agree to be
filmed in this way..."
- Stan Bernstein, New York, NY-
[Click Here To View Comments About The Videos]
Available are the best known great masters and standard bearers of the 5 schools of Taijiquan.
These unique one-of-a-kind historical videos give you a glimpse of the most famous masters... They are only available through Mister Tong's video
archives from his early days in China. They are the greatest classics
available from an era when these masters were in their prime (all of whom
have since passed away).
These videos include examples of pushhands,
taiji long-staff, yang and chen-style two person (duet) sword sets,
chen-style sword form, Wu-style fast set by Ma Yue-Liang
(born 1901) whose wife (1905-1996) is the daughter
and standard bearer of the well known Wu Ying-Hua
 , and Chen and Yang style sets featuring Master Gu Liu-Xin. 
Plus many more... click here to see
detailed tape descriptions.
Click here to get ordering information.
These demonstrations are one of the best tools available for distinguishing the performances of the great masters, to help one learn to enjoy and appreciate what taijiquan (taichi) is really all about. Repeated viewing is recommended to inspire and instill the spirit and essence of these great masters in one's own practice.
Descriptions of Rare Historical Tapes
Available rare and valuable old video collections of some of the best known
TaiChi masters in China. ABSOLUTELY NO ONE ELSE HAS THESE COLLECTIONS!
Please click here for a detailed descriptions of the available tapes:
Tape 1
Tape 2
Tape 3
Tape 4
Video Tape One: "Masters I"
This video consists of the following programs:
1. Yang Style traditional 85 movements TaiChi / 15min. 30sec. length
Performed by late Master Fu Zhong-Wen (1908 - 1996) who was the best
student of Yang Chen-Fu (1883 - 1936) and is known to be the formal
inheritor of the Yang Style. This portion of the performance is possibly
the only known live recording of Master Fu doing the complete set of 85
movements Yang Style TaiChi from beginning to end.
2. Wu Style ( Wu Jian-Quan Style ) traditional TaiChi / 10min. 40sec. length
Performed by late Master Wu Ying-Hua (1905 - 1996), inheritor of the Wu
Style, who was the daughter of the Wu Style founder Wu Jian-Quan
(1870 - 1942). She started learning from her father at the age of 8, and
from 19 years of age, Master Wu Ying-Hua started TaiChi teaching for the
rest of her life. A valuable live recording of the complete set of Wu Style
TaiChi by the remarkable best known Wu Style Master.
3. Wu Style ( Founder, Wu Yu-Xiang 1812-1880 ) traditional TaiChi / 11min. 10sec. length
Performed by late Master Hao Shao-Ru ( 1908- ), who is the grandson of
Master Hao Wei-Zhen (1849 - 1920). Master Hao Wei-Zhen was the third generation
of this Wu Style TaiChi, the best known standard bearer of the Wu Style.
4. Sun Style ( Founder Sun Lu-Tang 1861-1932 ) traditional TaiChi / 6min. 30sec. length
Performed by Master Wang Xi-Kui (1910 - ), who was the best student of Sun
Lu-Tang, was considered as the standard bearer of the Sun Style. Also known
for XingYi and BaGua.
5. Chen Style TaiChi Yi-Lu / 6min. 20sec. length
Performed by Master Gu Liu-Xin (1908 - 1990),
China's best known Martial artist, theorist, scholar, Wu-Shu (martial arts) historian, writer and practitioner. Master Gu was a unique and remarkable individual who
had contributed greatly to China's Wu-Shu development. Master Gu learned
from some of the greatest masters of the century: Chen Fa-Ke (1887 - 1957),
Chen Wei-Ming (1882 - 1958), Wu Hui-Chuan (1890 - 1936),
Yang Chen-Fu (1883 - 1936) and Yang Shao-Hou (1862 - 1930).
6. Yang Style Competition Routine / 5min. 40sec. length
(in competitions, the rules for forms is not shorter than 5min, but not longer than 6min.)
Performed by late Master Pu Bing-Ru (1908 - ), who was student of
Yang Cheng-Fu (1883 - 1936), Ye Da-Mi, Wu Hui-Chuan (1890 - 1936)
and Li Jing-Lin. During her life span, she had won many national Wu-Shu
competitions all the way to her senior years. This wonderful Competition
Routine based on Yang Style TaiChi performed by Master Pu is a must-see
one, which lets one fully enjoy the beautiful forms and graceful movements
of the style while fully maintaining the traditional Yang Style's strict
standards and practical meanings. Really the best short routine for competition
or performance!
7. TaiChi Push-Hands
By Master Gu Liu-Xin and Tao Ren-Xiang. This is
a classic performance of
push-hands, truly present the skills and sensitivities of TaiChi push-hands
exercises, it is not only highly valuable as the learning of the techniques,
but also a great fun to watch and enjoy.
8. TaiChi Push-Hands by Master Hao Shao-Ru and student.
A very informative and interesting push-hands section by this great Wu
Style ( Wu Yu-Xiang style ) Master and his student reveals the unique
push-hands practice method of this Wu Style TaiChi.
9. TaiChi Sticky Long Staff.
Performed by Master Gu Liu-Xin and Master
Zhang-Yu. TaiChi Long Staff training has long been part of the TaiChi ability training in the Old days.
Video Tape Two: "Masters II"
This video consists of the following program:
1. Wu Style Traditional Fast-Set / 3min. 45sec. length
Performed by Master Ma Yue-Liang (1901 - 1998), husband of the daughter of
Wu Style founder Wu Jian-Quan (1870 - 1942), Master Wu Ying-Hua
( 1905 - 1996). Master Ma Yue-Liang is extremely well known in the TaiChi
circle as Master Ma not only is a best known student of Wu Jian-Quan, his
TaiChi skill is superb, also well known to the field is his push-hands, his "qi"
and his Wu Style Fast-Set, which is so interesting and highly valuable. This
complete set of the Fast-Set live performance is perhaps the only document
of this kind , and is highly sought after.
Master Ma Yue-Liang graduated from the Beijing Concord Medical School in
1924, he was the close student of Wu Jian-Quan, from 1929, Master Ma came to
Shanghai and helping his teacher (and father in-law) Wu Jian-Quan to teach
TaiChi in his spare time.
2. Wu Style ( Wu Jian-Quan Style ) traditional TaiChi / 10min. 40sec. length
Performed by late Master Wu Ying-Hua (1905 - 1996), inheritor of the Wu
Style, who was the daughter of the Wu Style founder Wu Jian-Quan
(1870 - 1942). She started learning from her father at the age of 8, and
from 19 year of age, Master Wu Ying-Hua started TaiChi teaching for the
rest of her life. A valuable live recording of the complete set of Wu Style
TaiChi by the remarkable best known Wu Style Master.
3. TaiChi Swords Duet
Performed by the famous Wu Style couple Master Ma Yue-Liang
(1901 - 1998) and his wife Master Wu Ying-Hua (1905 - 1996). This
is a beautiful set of swords duet, and is a most unusual record of this
kind.
4. Coral Dragon Sword
A set of very valuable performance of internal swords form by Master Xu
who's father Master Xu Wen-Zhong is a great martial artist. This is a
must-see internal sword form set, allowing one to enjoy and further understand the
beauty of the internal style of swords. It was the only recording ever made of his
performance.
Video Tape Three: "Masters III"
This video consists of the following programs:
1. Yang Style traditional 85 movements TaiChi / 15min. 30sec. length
Performed by late Master Fu Zhong-Wen (1908 - 1996) who was the best
student of Yang Cheng-Fu (1883 - 1936) and is known to be the formal inheritor
of the Yang Style. This portion of the performance is possibly the only
known live recording of Master Fu doing the complete set of 85 movements Yang
Style TaiChi from beginning to end.
2. Yang Style Competition Routine / 5min. 40sec. length
(in competitions, the rules for forms is not shorter than 5min, but not longer than 6min.)
Performed by late Master Pu Bing-Ru (1908 - ), who was student of
Yang Cheng-Fu (1883 - 1936), Ye Da-Mi, Wu Hui-Chuan (1890 - 1936)
and Li Jing-Lin. During her life span, she had won many national Wu-Shu
competitions all the way to her senior years. This wonderful Competition
Routine based on Yang Style TaiChi performed by Master Pu is a must seen
one, which let one to fully enjoy the beautiful forms and graceful movements
of the style while fully maintaining the traditional Yang Style's strict
standards and practical meanings. Really the best short routine for competition
or performance!
3. Yang Style TaiChi Condensed form / 6min. 30sec. length
Performed by the late Master Gu Liu-Xin (1908 -
1990). This is a set of condensed TaiChi form based on the traditional Yang Style TaiChi, arranged by Master Gu, which has no repeat moves but concentrates on the flow of the moves and suitable for practice and perform in about 5 to 6 minutes, which is good for competition routine as well. Here Master Gu performed extremely serious,
has truly shown the ways that TaiChi needs to be done, the spirits and
the martial arts meanings radiated through out the whole form. A wonderful
record of a great master of the modern time.
4. Yang Style TaiChi Simplified / 5min.
Performed by the late Master Gu Liu-Xin (1908 - 1990).
5. Yang Style TaiChi Swords Duet
Performed by late Master Pu Bing-Ru (1908 - )and student. This sword duet
set is beautiful like butterflies flying around, and shows the masters' highly
trained skill and understanding of the swords. Great performance!
6. Yang Style Push-Hands Practice "Da-Lu"
Performed by Master Gu Liu-Xin and Master Zhong Yu (1909 -).
Da-Lu is part of the push-hands practice, here Master Gu and Master
Zhong Yu gave a unique demonstration of the techniques.
Video Tape Four: "Masters IV"
This video consists of the following programs:
1. Chen Style TaiChi traditional Sword play
Demonstrated by the late Master He Bin-Quan.
Chen style sword play is an important part of the Chen Style TaiChi practice. This demonstration by Master He Bing-Quan is shown in two parts, the first part is filmed Master He facing the camera to record the complete set of swords, while the second part is filmed with Master He's back facing the camera to record the complete set of swords, in this way, lets the viewer easier to follow Master He to learn the sword
play set . This is the only live recording ever being made of Master He
doing the Chen Style sword play set.
Master He Bing-Quan's hand written transmission of the Chen-style sword
form, as passed on to him from Chen Zhao-Kui, including sequence and
names:
2. Wu Style TaiChi Swords Duet
Performed by the famous Wu Style couple Master Ma Yue-Liang
(1901 - 1998) and his wife Master Wu Ying-Hua (1905 - 1996). This
is a beautiful set of swords duet, and is a unusual record of this
kinds.
3. Yang Style TaiChi Swords Duet
Performed by late Master Pu Bing-Ru (1908 - )and student. This sword duet
set is beautiful like butterflies flying around and shows the masters' highly
trained skill and understanding of the swords. Great performance!
4. Coral Dragon Sword Play
A set of very valuable performance of internal sword play form by Master
Xu who 's father Master Xu Wen-Zhong is a great martial artist. This is a
"must see" internal sword form set, it lets one to enjoy and further understand
the beauty of internal style of swords. And was the only recording ever
made.
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