[As part of an official programme documenting China’s different martial arts] I was asked to present a set of jibengong (basic exercises) characteristic of the system. At first I didn’t want to do it, and explained we already have a jibengong and that is the Laojia. Despite my protests I was tasked to do it by my superiors
CXW was asked by the local government to create a simplified exercise with simplified body mechanics to teach as a standard. Thus many principles about body movement found in other Tai Chi styles and lineages, as well in other IMA, is not found in Village Chen style. Some tai chi people also believe that they overemphasize dantian movements too early and by this they lack the correct foundation and whole body movement coordinated from the feet. I am not taking all Chen style into account.
CXW adapted the term from Chen Xin's book without understanding that Chen Xin meant a principle found in ALL Internal styles or IMA. However as Robert shows, he tells different stories at different times.
Steve James wrote:Obviously
When, in fact, did that start? Was Chen village near to or connected with the silk industry? It stands to reason, imo, that silk reelers invented/developed it. Whoever didn't do it didn't invent it.
I know. It's not helpful; it's just a direction for research.
An explanation of the silk trade around Chen village is mentioned in the article above. You also have an explanation of the name "Zhouzi" or "silk-pulling"
You also have more interesting facts in the article about the Silk God mentioned as source there:
"In medieval China this ancient Indian dhyāna-master, transmitter of the Dharma-treasury, and author of the seminal Awakening of Faith (Dasheng qixin lun 大乘起信論), was also represented as an immanent deity who specialized in rituals for
promoting silk production."
So you see that personal cultivation and silk rituals were intimately connected in China through Buddhism since a very long time ago.