The Complete Taiji Dao: The Art of the Chinese Saber
"Handled well, the Taiji saber reflects the practitioner’s skill level and depth of knowledge in applications and results. A sword master is sensitive to conditions and fully integrates body and mind in precise execution. The same can be said of Zhang Yun’s skill in crafting this new book. Sensitive to readers’ needs, Zhang integrates the history, design, construction, and practice of the Chinese saber with great detail and clarity. The resulting work is an inspiring leap in the field of Chinese martial arts publications by presenting a major weapon in such a thorough way. It will be a standard reference work for decades to come."—Michael A. DeMarco, publisher,Journal of Asian Martial Arts"Martial arts books often include photos and extensive descriptions of the techniques, but that which is essential is not included. This book is different—each movement and technique is accompanied by an exposition on what you should feel, and how to use your mind and body to engender that feeling. By ‘feeling,’ I do not mean ‘emotional state.’ I mean the physical organization you must develop to do the technique properly, using mental imagery, sensation, and the direction of attention to link up parts of the body so that one functions in an integrated fashion. I have never read a book that so clearly delineates what one should actually try to do while practicing an internal martial art. And that this is a book on weapons technique makes this all the more remarkable."—Ellis Amdur, author ofOld School: Essays on Japanese Martial Traditions“The Complete Taiji Dao: The Art of the Chinese Saberby Zhang Yun is the most complete book on swordsmanship that I have seen yet. Zhang Yun provides very clear photos of all form work in the book, something that is usually difficult to read and put into practice. The book explains in great detail how Taiji principles are extended to weapon use as well as how the Taiji Dao is unique and different than conventional broadsword use. This book will stay with my collection forever.”—Dojo Rat