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How to Grasp the Bird's Tail If You Don't Speak Chinese | 
 enlarge | Author: Jane Schorre
Creator: Margaret Scrogin Chang
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Category: Book
Buy New: $42.93
New (1) Used (5) from $42.92
Avg. Customer Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 1456761
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 115
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 0.4
ISBN: 1556433360
Dewey Decimal Number: 613.714803
EAN: 9781556433368
ASIN: 1556433360
Publication Date: April 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: New copy! May have minor edge wear. Never read! We ship daily!
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| Editorial Reviews:
Book Description
This book shows how Chinese calligraphy reveals the deeper meanings - mysterious or playful - found in the names of taijiquan movements.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Great, as far as it goes December 3, 2005
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I would encourage English-speaking taiji students to learn the names of the movements, and to learn the Chinese names too. As the other reviewers have said, this book does a great job of presenting the Chinese and English names in all their glorious ambiguity.
It's definitely worth having, in fact really fills a need. I'm grateful for it, but there was so much more that could have been done.
Unfortunately, the author never mentions, and show no awareness of, the fact that taiji has a history, and at least 5 distinct major schools, and martial origins, even a martial aspect if you get the opportunity to learn a fairly complete version of the art.
All of the movements presented are from the Yang style; it would have been nice to have common movements from other styles, such as Lazy About Tying Clothes or Cannon Fist, included.
A more serious criticism is that the author, seeking meaning in the movements or in their names, feels absolutely free to make up those meanings by free association, with no reference whatsoever to what the people who gave the names to the movements may have had in mind. The names of taiji movements can be prosaic and descriptive (turn body, chop and block); or may be poetic, like Fair Lady Works at the Shuttles; can refer to mythical or real animals (White Crane Cools its Wings, Carry Tiger to Mountain). Some of them are mistakes made by illiterate martial artists.
If you know that the "Sea Bottom" is the perineum, or that Tiger refers to the torso, that sheds some light on the applications of Pick Up Needle at Sea Bottom or Embrace Tiger, or Strike Tiger.
Many of the names, if you understand what was meant, not just the literal translation, tell you something about the martial application of the movement; in some cases they may say something else about the philosophical associations. Every name was originally given for some reason. It's nice to know what the characters are for Grasp Bird's Tail or Step Back and Repulse Monkey, but it really doesn't tell you a thing about what meaning was originally intended.
I don't really see why movements would have meanings anyway. What they do have is purpose, mostly martial purposes, since this is a martial art. The names do have meanings, but we haven't gotten to any of those meanings here, just to the most superficial layers of meaning. Still, it's nice to have this much, and as far as it goes, it's very well done.
 A must for Taiji students and teachers alike January 26, 2001
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
As a teacher of Taiji I often find my beginners classes full of people who have no other Martial Arts experience nor even take any other form of exercise - making the teaching of the complex movements and concepts of Taiji quite a challenge! One of my teaching tricks has been to have the pupils come up for their own descriptive names for the movements which, while useful and indeed entertaining, does result in some of the flavor and meaning being lost. This book, with it's breakdown and explanation of the elements of the Chinese characters, will allow teachers and pupils alike to understand the meanings of the names and their inferred movement concepts while still allowing the reader to use his/her creative imagination to reach a deeper level of understanding and retention. And as if that's not enough, it's an entertaining read. A winner!
Adding more value to your Taijiquan lessons. Great Book! December 5, 1999
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
This great book gives a lot of valuable background information about the meaning of the Taiji movements. It adds much to taijiquan lessons thanks to its light-hearted look. Much too often taijiquan practitioners do not exactly know what the movements mean they practice. Diving into a Chinese dictionary is not easy either. My Chinese teacher explained a lot, but language often was some sort of a barrier. Thanks to Jane Schorre's book this barrier has gone. Further the book contains beautiful calligraphy by Marget Chang in a large size. I like the structure of the book; left side calligraphy, right side explanation. This book is a must for every taijiquan practitioner no matter the style.
Increase your knowledge of taijiquan and enjoy it! February 16, 1999
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
It is not absolutely necessary to understand the origins and meanings of the movement names in taijiquan. But it sure is fun! This book scratches an itch. It informs without boring. It is added insight for the student of taijiquan, but it tickles as it goes down.
often amusing, completely fascinating, and very informative December 12, 1998
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
It's sometimes difficult to understand why certain names have been used for some movements. To explain using just plain definitions and lecture would have been just plain boring. The author's approach is instead playful and enjoyable. A book of serious information, but presented with a wonderful sense of humor and in the spirit of tai chi.
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