Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Earliest Video of Wu Style Tai Chi





"Possibly the earliest Wu style Taijiquan video with Zhu Minyi, disciple of Wu Jianquan, recorded in 1937 in Shanghai. The video shows the Wu style set, tuishou and even Zhu's 'modern and scientific' approach including his 'stick' and 'ball' system. A piece of history"


Here's the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDaV9C0ERP8

I'm not sure if this is the "earliest" video of what Wu Style Tai Chi does.   In addition,  Archery, "hackey sack" or "Jianzi", "Push Hands" with a ball on a bungee cord, "Push Hands" with a bungee cord apparatus are not any of the trainings I have ever encountered.



  • Certainly, early photos of Wu Jianquan (Wu Chien-chuan) show him in "large frame" postures.  Stephen Hwa reports in "Uncovering the Treasure", p. 32; "In the "Gold Book" of the Wu Family "Wu Chien Chuan's Form photos are excellent examples of Large Frame", "Wu Kung Yi's photos show a form more compact". 
  • Link to photos:  http://wustyle.co.uk/gallery.html  (scroll to bottom of page for images)
  • From that same  Gold Book:
  • In photos of Wu Chien Chuan, knee never projects over the toe.
  • In photos of Wu Chien Chuan, pelvis faces forward when sitting back.
  • In photos of Wu Chien Chuan, back foot is always seen as rooted to ground during  movement.
  • In photos of Wu Chien Chuan back foot is never seen as turned out.
  • In photos of Wu Chien Chuan elbow does not extend past the back when punching. 

I will leave it to the reader to decide for themselves if the disciple is in accord with what the master does.

2 comments:

Rick Matz said...

I love vintage videos.Thanks.

Max said...

Nice share!
I always love seeing bits of history,wonderful!