Sanshou: Understanding Taijiquan as a Martal Art

Authors

  • Greg Wolfson Great River Taoist Center

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18002/rama.v2i3.319

Abstract

Today taijiquan is usually sought after not as a martial art, but as a health art. Within this milieu, sanshou or “free hands,” in which form applications are trained within a martial context, is rarely practiced and often misunderstood. By investigating the role sanshou plays within the taijiquan system, this article argues that the health benefits widely associated with the art can only be obtained through a mindful practice of martial application.

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References

Chen, Gong (1943). Taijiquan dao jian gan sanshou hebian (Combined taijiquan, broadsword, two edged sword, staff, and sparring). n.p. .

Cheng, Man-ching (1999). Master Cheng’s new method of t’ai chi self-cultivation. Trans. Mark Hennessy. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

Liang, T. (1974). T’ai chi ch’uan for health and self-defense. New York: Vintage Books.

Lowenthal, W. (1991). There are no secrets: Professor Cheng Man-Ch’ing and his tai chi chuan. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

Rodell, S. (2005). Taiji notebook for martial artists. Annandale, VA: Seven Stars Books and Video.

Wile, D. (Trans.). (1983). T’ai-chi touchstones: Yang family secret transmissions. Brooklyn, NY: Sweet Ch’i Press.

Yang, Chengfu (1931). Taijiquan shiyongfa (Taijiquan practical methods). n.p. Reprinted as Taijiquan Yongfa Tujie. Taipei: Wuzhou Chu-banshi, 1996.

Yang, Chengfu (1934). Taijiquan tiyong quanshu (Complete form and practice of Tai-jiquan). Hong Kong, n.p. Reprinted, Taipei: Wu Xue guan (Lion Books), 2001.

Published

2012-07-18

How to Cite

Wolfson, G. (2012). Sanshou: Understanding Taijiquan as a Martal Art. Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticas, 2(3), 62–75. https://doi.org/10.18002/rama.v2i3.319

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Section

Articles