emphasis is placed on tournament fighting, especially kicking. Whether this
new development will prove successful is as yet unknown.
Whatever the eventual fate of taekwondo, it is likely to remain one of
the most popular martial arts. The spectacular kicks of the art are now al-
most synonymous with the term martial arts.Taekwondo, since its forma-
tion in the 1950s, has always been eager to accept new techniques, especially
kicks, that fit into the philosophy of the system. It is likely that more vari-
eties of kicks and combinations of kicks will be developed as the art con-
tinues to evolve, thus making it a martial art in constant development.
Gene P. Tausk
See alsoKorea
References
Canler, Jennifer. 1999. Secrets of Taekwondo.Chicago: Contemporary
Books,
Chung, Richard. 1976. Taekwondo: The Korean Martial Art.New York:
Harper and Row.
Little, John, and Curtis Wong, eds. 2000. The Ultimate Guide to
Taekwondo.New York: Contemporary Books.
Park, Yeon-Hee, Yean-Hwan Park, and Joe Gerrard. 1999. Taekwondo.
New York: Checkmark Books.
Tai Chi Ch’uan
See Taijiquan (Tai Chi Ch’uan)
Taijiquan (Tai Chi Ch’uan)
Taijiquanis a profound and varied Chinese martial art and health regimen
with a set of core principles, movements, and exercises. Because it has had
popularity in various parts of China for several centuries and has broad ap-
peal even today, it represents many things to many people. Taijiquan is a
health regimen based on traditional Chinese medicine. It is also considered
by many as the ultimate martial art with smooth, fluid, graceful movement
that represents Daoist (Taoist) concepts of naturalism.
A member of the neijia(internal) school of martial arts, taiji is appre-
ciated as a form of meditation and centering in motion. Some devoted prac-
titioners value taiji as a metaphor upon which to model Daoist attributes
as a base philosophy to attain control over their lives. Some seek out taiji
as a means of restoring lost health or controlling chronic illness. For many,
it is just playful recreation or a way of socializing. Finally, for others, it may
serve any combination of these functions.
Taijiquan’s origins are not easily outlined. Myth, legend, and oral tra-
dition link a body of philosophical thought going back many centuries to
a distinct set of physical movements and training practices that can be
Taijiquan (Tai Chi Ch’uan) 617