The Texts
Classical Texts of the Internal Arts
A handful of short Chinese texts define Tai Chi Chuan: the Treatise attributed to Wang Zongyue, the writings of Wu Yuxiang, and the songs and formulae passed down the Yang line. The archive records what each text is, where it came from, and how its versions differ — historical and textual work, not philosophy.
- 1
- Text Records
- 19th c.
- Core Period
- 3+
- Recensions Noted
- 2
- Translator Generations
Screen One
The Anchor Text
One text stands at the head of the tradition. Its record carries the source text, the known recensions, and the passages that every later writer quotes.
Screen Two
How the texts are treated
Text records follow one method. The base text is named, and its language is given alongside the translation. Variants between recensions are listed rather than smoothed away. Where a passage is contested, the contest is recorded. The archive's own translations name their translators and dates.
Related studies live in the theory section — the Four-Character Secret carries both a text record and a concept study. The full editorial standard is set out on the editorial method page.
Screen Three
In preparation
The text archive grows slowly on purpose. Records now in preparation:
- Wu Yuxiang’s General ConsiderationsThe 拳解 text, with base text and variants.
- The Yang Family Forty ChaptersThe Yang family’s internal manuscript tradition, in outline.
- Songs of the Eight PosturesThe formula poems with their transmission history.