C S Tsang’s "The Mysterious Power of Xing Yi Quan"
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:31 pmSystematic and unpretentious, C S Tsang’s new book on Xing Yi Quan is a complete guide to the style’s theory, evolution, weaponry and unarmed fighting skills.
The opening chapter largely documents Tsang’s own history with Xing Yi, his relationships with teachers and martial brothers brought to life through photos, paintings and works of calligraphy. The writer’s openness in printing his various teachers’ advice, combined with the colourful anecdotes of Hong Kong cinema visits, Sumo matches and WWF wrestling demonstrations, makes for an entertaining read and establishes Tsang as an authority on the subject. The next section of the text explores the various legends associated with Xing Yi’s origins, from Southern Song Dynasty general Yue Fei’s adventures in northern China through to Li Cun Yi’s sabre-clad antics. Tsang includes numerous photos of famous masters through history, and key locations such as Boddhidarma’s cave and the Song Clan courtyard.
The real meat of the book however can be found from Chapter 4; a full curriculum of Tsang’s system with extraordinarily detailed dissection of San Ti’s subtleties, full description of its fighting techniques and tactics (from Five Element Fists, through the Twelve Animals, Elemental Evolving, Destroying and Linking forms, Ba Shi, Six Harmony form, Zashichui and Twelve Combat form) curative practices with descriptions of meridian lines and diagrams taken from Chinese Therapeutic Methods of Acupoints (Shaozhi, Xiaohong & Quon, 1998). Partner exercises detailed include San Shou Pao (three hands cannon), Wu Xing Pao (five elements cannon), Wu Hua Pao (five flowers cannon) and Fixed Step Wu Xing Pao. The final chapter deals with Xing Yi Quan’s sabre, sword, cudgel and the Twelve Dao Linking Form, complete with descriptions of interactions between the weapons and large demonstrative photos of Tsang wielding spears and swords with poise and composure.
A rare joy of the text lies in the theory, with meticulous descriptions of Xing Yi Quan’s creative and destructive cycles, energetic developmental stages, five forces generated in the art (distinct from the elemental energies), four stages, four extremities, three joints, six harmonies… etc. Tsang’s scrupulously researched work can be truly described as encyclopaedic. Yet despite the density of its content, the photos, drawings and unassuming writing style render this book both educational and entertaining.
For beginners in the neijia and hardened veterans alike, C S Tsang’s The Mysterious Power of Xing Yi Quan is an essential addition to any martial library.
S
The opening chapter largely documents Tsang’s own history with Xing Yi, his relationships with teachers and martial brothers brought to life through photos, paintings and works of calligraphy. The writer’s openness in printing his various teachers’ advice, combined with the colourful anecdotes of Hong Kong cinema visits, Sumo matches and WWF wrestling demonstrations, makes for an entertaining read and establishes Tsang as an authority on the subject. The next section of the text explores the various legends associated with Xing Yi’s origins, from Southern Song Dynasty general Yue Fei’s adventures in northern China through to Li Cun Yi’s sabre-clad antics. Tsang includes numerous photos of famous masters through history, and key locations such as Boddhidarma’s cave and the Song Clan courtyard.
The real meat of the book however can be found from Chapter 4; a full curriculum of Tsang’s system with extraordinarily detailed dissection of San Ti’s subtleties, full description of its fighting techniques and tactics (from Five Element Fists, through the Twelve Animals, Elemental Evolving, Destroying and Linking forms, Ba Shi, Six Harmony form, Zashichui and Twelve Combat form) curative practices with descriptions of meridian lines and diagrams taken from Chinese Therapeutic Methods of Acupoints (Shaozhi, Xiaohong & Quon, 1998). Partner exercises detailed include San Shou Pao (three hands cannon), Wu Xing Pao (five elements cannon), Wu Hua Pao (five flowers cannon) and Fixed Step Wu Xing Pao. The final chapter deals with Xing Yi Quan’s sabre, sword, cudgel and the Twelve Dao Linking Form, complete with descriptions of interactions between the weapons and large demonstrative photos of Tsang wielding spears and swords with poise and composure.
A rare joy of the text lies in the theory, with meticulous descriptions of Xing Yi Quan’s creative and destructive cycles, energetic developmental stages, five forces generated in the art (distinct from the elemental energies), four stages, four extremities, three joints, six harmonies… etc. Tsang’s scrupulously researched work can be truly described as encyclopaedic. Yet despite the density of its content, the photos, drawings and unassuming writing style render this book both educational and entertaining.
For beginners in the neijia and hardened veterans alike, C S Tsang’s The Mysterious Power of Xing Yi Quan is an essential addition to any martial library.
S
