Wu style Taijiquan

Questions and Answers

Ma Jiangbao
Interpreter: Benjamin Kasenda
Text and translation: Mark Rusman
Organisation: Bart Saris


rn mn yn l x ku shu.
To enter into study one must have the oral teaching.

Source:
Text:

- Shsn sh g - Thirteen posture song

Author: Anonymous

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y ru k gng

Overcoming hardness with softness

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1.1.

ru l yu gng gng b p, gng zhng w ru b wi jin.

(If) there is hardness within softness, it is impossible to break through. (If)

there is no softness within hardness, then it is not really strong.
Source:
Text:
B z f ju - Eight secret words of techniques
Author: Yang Banhou

1.2.

su nn zh, ni yo hn x jin gng r b sh, wi zhng ru run r yng d, y ru

run r yng jin gng, sh jin gng jn hu w yu y.

What is difficult is to remain internally reserved, to contain the hardness

without expressing it, while externally meeting the opponent with softness.
To respond to hardness by using softness causes the opponents hardness to
be dissolved into nothingness.
Source:
Text:
Author:

1.3.

Tij xi chng w sh ji An explanation of taijis lower martial aspects

Wu Jianquan

yng y b yng l

Use intent not muscular force.

Source:
Text:
Tijqun sh yo - Ten Important Keys to Taijiquan
Author: Dictated by Yang chengfu and recorded by Chen weiming

26/27-05-2012 EWTC Whitsun-weekend Wu style Taijiquan Questions and Answers Ma Jiangbao, Benjamin Kasenda and Mark Rusman

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Notes

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y jng di dng

Meet the offensive with calmness

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2.1.

bn sh sh j cng rn.

The foundation is in giving up oneself to follow the other person.

Source:
Text:
Tijqun ln The Taijiquan treatise
Author: Wang Zongyue

2.2.

y jng zh dng, y ru k gng zh, yu y gn ju sh rn.

Using calmness to subdue movement and using softness to defeat hardness

are all possible due to touching and feeling.
Source:
Text:
Mn y b yng l zh ji sh The Interpretation of Slow and Without
Force
Author: Wu Gong Zao

2.3.

b w zi wi jn xng gng j y qin, w yng y jng di dng, y y di lo, ho w

chng jin. b wi dng, w b dng, b wi dng, w xin dng.

Before the opponent and I engage into battle, I meet (his) offense with
calmness, waiting at ease for his actions without perceiving them. (If) the
opponent doesnt move, I dont move. (If) he moves but the slightest, I
move first.
Source:
Text:
Ling d Gauging the Opponent
Author: Wu Gong Zao

26/27-05-2012 EWTC Whitsun-weekend Wu style Taijiquan Questions and Answers Ma Jiangbao, Benjamin Kasenda and Mark Rusman

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Notes

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y xio shng d

Overcome the opponent with lesser strength

but greater skill

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3.1.

rn t j l li d w. qin dng s ling b qin jn.

No matter how much force he hits me with, it is led along so that four
ounces can move a thousand pounds.
Source:
Text:
D shu g - Playing Hands Song
Author: Anonymous

3.2.

y y b nng ji. yng chng b nng lu. rn b zh w. w d zh rn

A feather cannot be added, a fly cannot alight. My opponent does not know
me, I alone know him.
Source:
Text:
Tijqun ln The Taijiquan treatise
Author: Wang Zongyue

3.3.

yn jn lu kng h j ch.

Lead [the opponent] in, [and he] falls into emptiness, [I] unite and
immediately issue.
Source:
Text:
D shu g - Playing Hands Song
Author: Anonymous

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Notes

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y tu wi jn

Retreat in order to advance

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4.1.

tij zh su q ji shn, y zi rn xin

Taiji follows the bend with regard to the extend, my intent is ahead of the
opponents.
Source:
Text:
B - A Postscript
Author: Wu Cheng Qing

4.2.

tu zhng yn yu jn j, c zhng x yu zhun h

Within retreat, there is a hidden possibility to advance. Within this, it must

have turning and unification.
Source:
Text:
Sh yun ln Thesis of interpreting the origin
Author: Wu Cheng Qing

4.3.

s q d f, zi tng q x sh. ru wn r b d, z k jn r j zh. ru yu su d, z x

tng q dng jng zh hun j, j jn tu zh fng xing, sh nng bin q x sh y.

If [I] ask and there is no response, then [I] can advance and attack.
[Nevertheless,] if there is a response, then [I] have to listen to the speed of
his action in combination with the direction of his forward or backward
motion, only then [I] am able to differentiate his insubstantial and
substantial.
Source:
Text:
Wn d - Questions and Answers
Author: Wu Gong Zao

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Notes

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dng zu zu h xin

Circular movements

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5.1.

tu qun rng y jn qun nn, b l yo dng hu y qin. su nn zhng t b l wei

The retreating circle is easy, but the circle of advance is difficult. Whether
advancing or retreating, maintain [the alignment of] the waist and the
crown of the head. What is difficult is [to keep] the central earth without
losing its position.
Source:
Text:
Tij qun The Taiji Circle
Author:
Wu Jianquan

5.2.

y q x hun de lng. ni yu yun hu zh mio. su wi bin zhun x sh y.

The intent and qi must change with agility, only then will there be the
wonder of roundedness and liveliness; this is what is called changes of the
empty and full.
Source:
Text:
Shsn sh xng gng xn ji Exposition of insights into the thirteen postures
Author:
Wu Yuxiang

5.3.

[]


[]

ti j zh, yun [yun] y, w ln ni wi shng xi zu yu, b l c yun y; ti j zh,

fng y, w ln ni wi shng xi zu yu, b l c fng y. yun zh ch r, fng zh
jn tu

What is taiji? It is round. Regardless of whether it is internal or external,

up or down, left or right, it will not deviate from this roundness. What is
taiji? It is square. Regardless of whether it is internal or external, up or
down, left or right, it never leaves this squarness. Enter and exit with
roundness, advance and retreat with squareness.
Source:
Text:
Tij zhng gng ji Explanation of how to practice Taiji correctly
Author:
Wu Jianquan
26/27-05-2012 EWTC Whitsun-weekend Wu style Taijiquan Questions and Answers Ma Jiangbao, Benjamin Kasenda and Mark Rusman

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Notes

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