by R. V. Watson
Chairman Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain
Chapter Two
The second half of the 20th Century
Taijiquan is a major division of the traditional Chinese
Wushu and has a recorded history of some three hundred years. During the
early 1950's the State Commission for Physical Culture and Sports of China
published the simplified set of Taiji Boxing consisting of 24 Forms.
This simplified form has gained widespread popularity
both in China and abroad. The first English publication appeared in 1980.
The 24 Step was devised as an introduction to the art and can be seen as a
stepping stone for those wishing to pursue more difficult and strenuous
routines. After the simplified 24 Steps the 32 Sword Form was choreographed.
Both routines were taken from the Yang Style Taijiquan. Later the complete
Yang Form was presented as the 88 Forms Taijiquan. Again based on Yang
Style, it preserves the order of the traditional Taijiquan movements, while
expressing the character of the Yang Style. Special attention was paid to
collecting and assessing these materials which were to be evaluated and
verified by a committee of Taijiquan masters and coaches with Li Tian-Ji as
their chairman. Because of the ancient tradition of handing down martial
arts from master to pupil in the manner of word of mouth and personal
presentation, literary sources and teaching materials are scarce. Much of
this information is scattered widespread throughout China. The famous
masters of the early 20th century have passed away, leaving a legacy of
unrecorded history and facts.
The development in the second half of this century give
practitioners a wide choice of traditional forms and more recently recorded,
innovative sets to choose from. Moreover the new materials are aptly
supported by video technology, photographic and written records to promote
and sustain interest. There is no doubt that this progressive movement has
fuelled the continuing worldwide interest in the arts of Chinese Wushu.
During the 1980's the 42 International Combined
Competition Routine appeared. Embracing elements of four major styles - i.e.
Cheng, Yang, Wu and Sun. Mainly based in the Yang Style and exhibiting a
veneer of the Chen, Wu and Sun Style. This innovation took place alongside
six other Wushu routines, namely, Nanquan, Changchuan, Jian, Dao, Gun, Qiang
(Shortfist, Longfist, Double Edge Sword, Broad Sword, Cudgel and Spear).
China was granted host country to the Eleventh Asian
Games and for the first time the National Sport of Wushu was to be included.
This major sports event took place in 1990 in Beijing, with many hundreds of
martial systems existing in China. To present a national competition the
previously mentioned Seven Routines were prepared. The Asian Games attracted
forty seven countries and is the biggest international competition in th
sports calendar, second only to the Olympics.
The first World Wushu Championships took place in Beijing
in 1991. Both of these events featured the New Routines. At the Third World
Wushu Championships 53 countries attended the venue in Baltimore, USA, 1995.
By this time the 42 Combined Taijiquan was established as the International
Compulsory Routine.
In addition to the 42 Routine there is the 48 Combined
Form. This was the first set to depart from the formula of the traditional
routines, again based on the Yang Style but incorporating features from some
other styles. It also includes Yun Shou (Cloud Hands) moving both to the
left and right.
During the 1980's, competition forms were prepared for
the four major styles. These standardised forms are designed for a duration
of six minutes. Traditional forms can last as long and longer than 20
minutes and the time factors made them unsuitable. The interest and
participation in competitions has a growth worldwide both in audience and
competitors.
At the start of the Year 2000, Wushu, including Taijiquan,
was recognised by the International
Olympic Committee.
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