The long awaited translation of Grandmaster Hongs book is now available through Martial China Online or directly from the translator, Master Chen Zhonghua.

Previously only available in Chinese this book presents the opportunity to read about Chen Taijiquan from Chen Fake's longest term and possibly best student, Hong Junsheng. Grandmaster Hong studied with Chen Fake for fifteen years in Beijing before moving to Jinan. After thirteen years of further practise and research Hong returned to Beijing in 1956 and spent four months in a Beijing park going over every posture, form and application in the Chen system, with Chen Fake.

At the end of that four month period Chen Fake announced that Hongs gongfu was good and that his postures were correct. If you would like to hear the training ideas, philosophies and stories about the original, old frame, Chen taijiquan this book is the closest you will get.

The translator, Chen Zhonghua, studied with Hong in Jinan for seven years before emigrating to Canada. Even then he frequently returned to China for corrections and to further his experience of Chen style taiji with Grandmaster Hong. In 2004 Chen Zhonghua was given the status of International Standard Bearer by the Hong family and by the existing disciples of Hong. I was present at the ceremony and witnessed the Hong family and Li Enjiu, the standard bearer, all paying tribute to the skills and dedication of Chen Zhonghua.

Chen Zhonghua has studied and worked in Canada for many years as a teacher. He also worked as a professional translator in Canada and China. His abilities with the language, his knowledge of taiji and his strong relationship with Hong and his family make him the perfect choice to translate his masters book.

Book Reviews:

Daniel Mroz, PhD 
 
‘As a new student of Chen style Taijiquan with some background in the Wu style, I find this book to be both accessible and useful. Rather than distracting the novice with culturally specific metaphors and ambiguous poetic images as the Yang style Taiji Classics do, Hong Junsheng’s Practical Method of Taijiquan addresses the art of Taijiquan in a concrete, embodied and applicable manner.

That it has been translated into English by Chen Zhonghua, Hong Junsheng’s disciple and standard bearer only inspires confidence. Chen’s intimacy with the material and practical mastery of it, together with his extensive experience teaching Taijiquan in both China and North America, make him Hong’s ablest English interpreter and spokesperson. I believe that Taijiquan students everywhere have much to gain from Hong’s insights and instructions.

 
Professor He Shugan, Heze Teacher's University 
 
Hong Junsheng's Taijiquan style is soft and circular but powerful, and is a true copy of that of grandmaster Chen Fake.
 

James Tam, PhD, Ottawa, Canada

"This book is an exquisite exposition of principles of Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) by the late and legendary master Hong Junsheng. 

Practical and concrete, the principles expounded by the learned master are centered on a foundation based on precise orbital and axial rotations of the trunk and limbs.   The theoretical framework is elegant and refined, encompassing the positive and negative circles that are reflected in the long-familiar yin-yang symbol.  This is a culmination of more than 30 years of diligent study, half of which was with the man who made Chen-style taijiquan famous when he revealed and taught it to the general public in Beijing, China in 1928—the brick-stomping and fabled Chen Fake. 

The book in the English language is an official translation by one of the youngest disciple of Hong Junsheng.  Recognized as a master in his own right, Chen Zhonghua is the International Standard Bearer of the Hong system of taijiquan.  His superb skills and elucidation of the Hong system as demonstrated at numerous taijiquan workshops in North America and in China have impressed many people, leading others to refer to him as an “uncommon talent” (guaicai). 

Chen Zhonghua’s knowledge of the system and closeness to the master, together with his mastery of both the Chinese and the English language, have empowered him to produce an outstanding English translation of Hong Junsheng’s book that was originally written in Chinese. Importantly, this unique and substantial book has been written to be of practical benefit to practitioners of all styles of taijiquan. "