Tai Chi Chuan in the Olympics 1936

[Martin2]

Please have a look here:

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...ayphotohosting

The offical Book about the presentation of Tai Chi Chuan on the Olympics 1936 in Berlin. I would love to read it. It has 26 pages and is in German, English and French. The Tai Chi itself was shown at the 11.8.36 on the Dietrich-Eckart-Stage. Interesting that Tai Chi was present to the public in the west so early. Would love to know what say showed. Would love to know what is written the little book.

Does somebody knows more about it?

Martin2

[Martin2]

Found some info about the Author, also called Chu Man-yi:

Most authorities credit Chu Man-yi, a student of Wu Jian -quan, with inventing both the Tai Chi ruler and the Tai Chi ball shortly after the First World War. His idea was that simple turning, twisting and circling movements based on Tai Chi form and Western Gymnastics could replace the form, which he considered too complex for some students.

from here: http://www.taichichuan.co.uk/informa...tion_time.html

Martin2

[Martin2]

Hello everybody,

I got this info:
From the official reports of the games, available at http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/O...lReports/1936/

The gymnastics of the Chinese team introduced the spectators into an entirely different world.
The demonstration of “Chinese Boxing” on August 11th in the Dietrich Eckart Open-Air Theatre
showed that Chinese gymnastics arc based upon ancient Chinese conceptions of the universe. The
individual exercises have the purpose of giving the body the highest degree of suppleness and
elasticity, with self-defense in view. In the partner exercises, which must be carried out with great
speed, the Chinese displayed an insensitivity to hard and fast blows which was astonishing. The
exercises with the sword, spear and pike were noteworthy. These weapons were carried past the
body in dangerous proximity. This was nerve-racking for the spectators but it proved the courage
and daring taught by these exercises.
In conclusion it can be said that a more comprehensive review of the physical training methods
in the various countries had never been afforded, and in this respect the 23th Olympic Games
provided a mighty impulse for physical culture throughout the world.
The different methods of exercising and the conceptions of the true aim of physical education
which prevailed in the various nations awakened the interest of the spectators to an unusual
extent. The marching of the groups, mass exercises, rhythm, tempo, agility, strength and
suppleness all combined to prove in a most convincing manner the extreme value of definitely
organized physical culture. It may be truthfully asserted that the gymnastic demonstrations
supplemented the athletic competitions in an outstanding manner. For the participants themselves
the opportunity of being present at the Olympic Festival provided a rich source of new experiences
and ideas, a means of furthering a common ideal and the occasion for comparing individual
ability and methods with those of other nations. The demonstrations of the national groups
were given a prominent place in the Olympic programme and served to lend variety and novelty
to the Festival.

[Martin2]

Hello everybody,

I got a link to some more material. Sorry in spanish, but great pictures of the Chinese delegation from page 8 on:

http://www.centrosanti.com.ar/Magazine/Berlin1936.pdf

Martin2

[TaichiMantis]

Nice video of Chu Min-Yi working his ruler and ball apparatus
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=344661252404213

[GeneChing]

The 1936 Berlin Olympics were very controversial and historically significant for many reasons. China sent a Wushu Team and it is often cited as the one of the first international demonstrations of Chinese martial arts. On the team were some of the leading proponents of the day: Fu Shuyun, Jin Shisheng, Kou Yunxing, Liu Yuhua, Wen Jingming, Zhai Lianyuan, Zhang Erding, Zhang Wenguang, and Zheng Huaixian. Zhang Wenguang was a noted professor at the Beijing Physical Education University and Zheng Huaixian was President of the Chinese Wushu Association. Their names pop up prominently whenever you do research on wushu.