Many years affter learning the Laojia from their teacher Chen Zhaopi, the four masters Chen Xiaowang, Chen Zhenglei, Wang Xian and Zhu Tiancai were requested by the Wen County officials to meet and discuss and as far as possible “restore the old frame to the original traditional form” as taught by Chen Zhaopi. This was for the purpose of promoting unity as there are many claims, misinterpretations and variations today. The four senior masters are tasked to carry on transmitting the tradition and method of Chen Family Taijiquan.
Chenjiagou celebrates the life and achievements of Chen Boxian
On what would have been his 100th birthday Chenjiagou came together to celebrate the life and achievements of Chen Boxian (1920-1989). Chen Boxian was a direct descendant of Taijiquan creator Chen Wangting’s nephew Chen Soule and learned from teachers including Chen Ziming, Chen Zhaopi, Chen Zhaoxu, Chen Zhaokui, and Chen Kezhong.The highly respected 19th generation master of the Chen family is credited for protecting the old masters from the excesses of the Cultural Revolution, for the preservation of the lineage/genealogy records of the Chen Family, and for collating and recording many historical records of the village.
Getting Through the Coronavirus - Encouragement from Chenjiagou...
The following stark message in today’s Financial Times (31st March 2020) shows we are all in the middle of a battle none of us foresaw. “
The humanitarian costs of the coronavirus outbreak continue to mount, with more than 799,000 people infected globally. The number of people confirmed to have died having the virus has now surpassed 38,700.The virus’s proliferation has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, meaning it is spreading rapidly in different parts of the world. More than 190 countries have confirmed cases so far. The epicentre of the virus is now Europe, with the largest number of confirmed cases in Italy, and death tolls growing more quickly in Italy, Spain, the UK and US than they did in China at the same stage of the outbreak.”
A short while ago it seemed like a problem only for China and we were worrying whether or not our visit to Chenjiagou would be affected. In the present climate it is not unsurprising that for the first time in many years we may not get to visit the village this year. Below are the words of solidarity and encouragement from the Chief Coach of the village school, Chen Ziqiang, on how we can collectively get through this situation.
To all my Taijiquan friends:
Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, Taijiquan friends from all over the world have sent us a lot of greetings of concern. Under the leadership of my government, the epidemic in China is now under control and the crisis situation is easing. Today COVID-19 has spread on a global scale, and each of us is just an ordinary member of the global family. Although we are not all able to be fighting the virus in the frontline like medical and hospital staff, we can all contribute to our country’s effort by protecting ourselves.
My friends, following the outbreak in my country, I wish to convey to you China’s valuable experience and the measures taken to prevent the spread of the contagion. You must treat the virus outbreak very seriously and protect yourself well!
1. Stay at home as much as possible
2. Wear a mask when you go out
3. Keep distance between people
4. Avoid crowds
5. Avoid touching things; don’t rub your eyes
6. Be sure to wash when you get home
7. Leave outdoor coats and shoes at the door
8. Avoid bringing the virus into your home
9. The house should be ventilated every day
10. Keep regular hours and eat a balanced diet
Remember to practice Taijiquan every day! Enhance your immunity!
Friends, please protect yourselves. I look forward to meeting you again!
Chen Ziqiang
Photo by Marek Balinski
Slovenia Taijiquan Documentary
Just back from a week of full on Taijiquan activities in our Slovenian branch. Since 2011 we have been working closely with Biljana Dušić and Dragan Lazarevic to help in the development of traditional Chen Taijiquan in Slovenia. It’s great to see the progress year by year as students begin to deepen in their understanding.
On the final evening we enjoyed a film evening at Ljubljana’s Kreativni Center Poligon - a quirky collaborative creatives hub situated in a giant former tobacco factory. Biljana Acted as compère announcing the showing of a documentary film made in Tolmin during the final international camp of GM Chen Xiaoxing in August last year. Many of our school members were at the camp, so as soon as we get a copy of the film we’ll share it with you.
Camera team Tina Lagler and Blaž Miklič did a wonderful job catching the essence of the camp with their atmospheric film. The work was commissioned by the Slovenia Chenjiagou Taijiquan Association and produced by Tatjana Tomažin Dakić.
After the showing, there were lectures by Davidine and David. Davidine spoke about the three main philosophies that influence Chinese culture - Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism. David on Taijiquan’s creation and its connection with Chinese traditional military texts and historical figures.
Chen Zhaopi Book Translation
Paul Brennan’s site (www.brennantranslation.wordpress.com) is a great place to check out if you like to read old Taiji books. The latest book he has translated is Chen Zhaopi’s 1930 Introduction to Chen Style Taiji. The book is probably most interesting for the inclusion of Chen Changxing’s writings on the most essential aspects of Taijiquan. Well done Mr Brennan!
Warsaw Asia and Pacific Museum - Taijiquan Lecture
On the evening of 8th September, after six days teaching at Marek Balinski’s Chen Taijiquan Akademia, Chen Ziqiang gave a lecture at the Andrzej Wawrzyniak Warsaw Asia and Pacific Museum. The museum was established in 1973 and includes wonderful side arms, rich textiles, numerous shadow theatre puppets and masks, musical instruments, sculptures and paintings of contemporary artists – Indonesia, Mongolia, India, Nepal, Tibet, Vietnam, Burma, Laos, China, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu are especially richly represented within the museum’s collection.
Chen Ziqiang’s talk focused on: the requirements of Taijiquan practice; some common mistakes people make in their practice; the different reasons for and the benefits of training Taijiquan. The lecture was translated from Chinese to English by Davidine and then from English to Polish by Tomasz Jurewicz. He spoke about the three main areas people benefit from practising Taijiquan – health, self defence and character cultivation. He also spoke about the main requirements of Taijiquan practice that need to be followed regardless of which area you are interested in. Some of the lecture’s content can be found on this website under the “Conversations” tab.
Chinese Wushu Association 2019 National Tournament in Chenjiagou
On 20th July Chenjiagou’s International Culture Centre hosted the Chinese Wushu Association’s (CWA) three day long national taolu (forms) tournament. This is the first time it has been held in Chenjiagou since the inaugural competition in 1993. Theme of the 16th tournament is promoting the development of China’s “martial arts villages” or significant locations in the ongoing history of the countries martial arts. At the opening ceremony one of the Wenxian official explained that the competition was emphasising the taolu of each system because learning a set of taolu is the first step in laying a lifetime practice. Secondly the competition was intended to let people to feel the “atmosphere and warmth of family” – with competitors taking part in a discipline that has a family feel to it. One of the aims of the competition was for all the competitors taking part to have a deeper appreciation of the story of Chinese wushu. In all 97 different wushu locations were represented consisting of 1600 competitors. Each different location has its own story to tell about its part in the development of China’s many different martial arts systems. Competing on the same stage individuals highlighted the 129 disciplines recognised by the CWA.
Wenxian in which Chenjiagou is situated was itself recognised by the country as a representation of a martial arts village in 1988 and 1992. In 2007 the CWA recognised Chenjiagou as the birthplace of Taijiquan. In Wenxian are over 3000 Taijiquan coaches teaching in China and abroad. As part of the opening ceremony representatives from all the major Taijiquan styles demonstrated - pictured above Chen Xiaoxing and his students.
Chenjiagou Taijiquan School Class of '83 Reunion
The Chinese Wushu Association’s 2019 National tournament taking place in Chenjiagou was the perfect excuse for the Chenjiagou Taijiquan School’s class of ‘83 to organise a reunion. Familiar faces in the class include Chen Hong on the far left and Chen Bing.
