Classical T'ai Chi Sword (Tuttle Martial Arts)

I gave this the high rating because it's very helpful in a few ways.1. The pictures for the form are large and clear (black and white).2. The instructions for each posture are clear and systematic.3. The authors have incorporated a simple system under each picture that gives crucial information on such things as weight distribution of the feet, angle of the sword blade, and position of the torso. This is relayed through simplified illustrations under the large pictures of the posture, and follows the directions.4. There are a few interesting historical anecdotes.5. There is an introductory discussion of the basic cuts used throughout the form.It's true that other TCC sword books tend to have more historical info, more thorough discussions of basic cuts, more in-depth considerations of the sword's characteristics, etc., but this book does do one thing really well, and that is teach the form. It's difficult to portray 3D movement in a photo, but because of the points I mentioned above, the authors of this book have succeeded. In addition, every posture picture includes a system of arrows moving from each hand and each foot, to the next picture. Subsequent pictures begin where the last left of. Other books tend to include an occasional arrow here and there, but nothing as systematic as this book. In short, when you turn a page in Kobayashi's book, the picture you see will be where you find yourself if you followed the directions of the previous picture, and so on.I didn't give 5 stars because the book omits an in-depth presentation of solo drills, partner exercises and applications. Other books do include these things. But if you want learn a good basic form, this book will make the process enjoyable. Of course, there's no DVD available, as there are with some of the other books out there, but a video search for a Chen Man-Ching short form, or Fu Zhong-Wen's (whom the authors say they studied with), will cover most of the moves in this book, with a few slight alterations here and there. In any case, the pictures/explanation are clear enough that one can manage without video. If your situation is such that you're forced to learn from a book, rather than a real teacher, this is your ticket. In any case, how many real teachers of tai chi sword are out there these days? Good luck.

Try what is in effect the real Yang Tai Chi Sword Form, the base of an exercise so popular in China that you can buy a portable expandable sword to carry and practice everywhere.With this book and the old videos in YouTube of Cheng Man Ching you can learn a very traditional form.I have checked it till the eighth movement and so far they mach perfectly. I finished the form, and it does not mach 100%, more like 90% with the form done by Cheng in YouTube. It is nevertheless useful.The 32 movement form done by a committee has better resources to learn it, and is very nice, but this one comes with a much more interesting pedigree: From Yang Cheng Fu himself trough his best known disciple, and some of his followers in the West.Even today the legacy of Cheng Man Ching lives, and in a world in which the martial arts are sometimes a fad or a business is refreshing to see something different. No is not perfect, but is beautiful and highly interesting.The book is very well written, the photos are as good as you can get, with arrows and diagrams to help. In fact even with today advances I have not seen any better, and is full of interesting information for the serious Tai Chi player.I can not understand the one star ratings except as the product of the "politics" that unfortunately plague the martial world.Also check the efforts being done to recreate the Western Martial Arts, the resources in quantity and quality are wonderful, check HEMA, and Guy Windsor; and you will be pleasantly surprised.Peter

I think the previous reviewers are overly harsh. This is a well written and organized book that gives valuable insights into the history, development and practise of Tai Chi Sword. It answered a lot of questions I had in how the various teachers and styles relate to each other and provided a complete explanation of the relationship between Wu Tang Sword and Tai Chi Sword. The addition of graphics for foot positions, hip positions and sword position are very clever and useful. In addition, directional curves and lines are drawn over the photographs to depict transitions and movements.As I practise and study tai chi sword I have purchased several books on the subject and done extensive internet reading. This is so far my favorite book/resource on the subject. Buy it and decide for yourself!

Outstanding book but you do need some to be working with you. My Master recommended to for us work on Tai Chi Sword form. It’s a beautiful form but you do need prior Tai Chi experience

Very helpful to the beginning sword student - I recommend one also work with a knowledgeable instructor. The descriptions and diagrams try very hard to communicate the movements, intentions and spirit of sword-in-hand tai chi, but it ain't a walk in the park to learn.

Great book if you like Taiji Sword. The book gives brief history and theory, Many photographs, the forms and postures.Forms are correct, postures are correct. it lacks in the quality of the book itself, but the content is really neat.

Written with great clarity and research, it is succinct and effective guide to the practice of Taichi Sword form. This is a great instructional guide for the practice of the sword form.

I love the detail and clarity of this book. When you are ready to study Tai Chi and Sword; this is a perfect manual to study.

Sorry about the corny title ;-)I bought this book as it promises simple information about the practical training aspects of Jian - the Chinese double-edge straight sword used in Taijiquan.The book delivers. The information is as you would expect from a high-level practitioner of the Internal arts, factual and (no pun intended) to the point. If you want to expand your library this book is a worthy addition. If you wish to expand your knowledge then practice is the only way, but aided by essential viewpoints of different teachers it will be less illusive and more illuminating.The authors (plural) are by Chiang Tao Chi (Author), Petra Kobayashi (Author), Toyo Kobayashi (Author), all accomplished students of the Arts to whom I would like to extend my thanks and sincere wishes for their time, dedication and unswerving efforts to preserve this knowledge.

I have been practicing tai chi for a while, and just started using swords. This a lovely book, with lots of step by step easy to follow instructions, along with info on swords X Well worth buying.

Very useful. I recommend to everybody studding Tai Chi sword. And not necessary Yang style. You still need to know the form to understand the instruction but it helps a lot to get closer to the detail.

très bien illustré, écrit avec clarté et concision et pourtant nombre de choses apprises au fil des pages. Parfait pour le débutant.

Well thought out book,clear pictures,and very clear instructions...This is a must for anyone thinking of starting the art form. highly recommed