by Hiroyuki Nomura:

Report of "Taijiquan Festival for Cultural Exchange between Japan and China in Hachinohe"

"Taijiquan Festival for Cultural Exchange between Japan and China" was held in Hachinohe-city of Aomori-prefecture that lay in the northeastern area of Japan on July 15, 2007.

It was because Hachinohe-city would be the site of Taijiquan division of Japan national sport and recreation festival in this autumn and more directly because our master Chen Peishan, a 20th generation representative of Chen Style Taijiquan had been living in Hachinohe since last year and endeavored to popularize Taijiquan that the festival was realized here by Hachinohe Taijiquan Promotive Committee in order to improve health by Taijiquan and exchange of martial art between Japan and China as part of the 35th anniversary events of normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China.

A total of 455 persons as group and a total of 24 as individual showed the fruits of their own everyday training of Taijiquan. A total of 14 masters (Laoshi) gave their special performances. Of Japanese martial arts, Kendo, Aikido, and Naginata experts demonstrated their wonderful performances, especially formidable power of Kendo masters facing with real swords, and cute performance by little children of Naginata held many of the audience spellbound, it was unstinting in its applause.

Of Chinese martial arts, Taijiquan, Taiji with instruments, Huajia-quan, Xiyangmei-taiji-gonfushan, and Mizong-quan masters demonstrated their gonfu. It indicates Chinese material arts have spread into Japan since normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China. Huleijia could hardly be seen in Japan, so a special performance by Liao Feng laoshi was a rare chance. The Chenshi Taijiquan dajia by Master Yasda Yousuke was marvelous performance of high second level, in which he conducted "qi" using breathing and passed movements of "Dandian" to his limbs.

Lastly Master Chen Peishan performed Chenshi Taijiquan Di Yi lu. The spirit and sharpness of his arts made a deep impression on not only Taijiquan leaners but also visitors who for the first time saw Taijiquan on that day.

In the afternoon, workshop of Sizhong Taijiquan was held under Chen Peishan laoshi's guidance. About 200 persons, including visitors on the spur of the moment, took part in it. They were taught by Chen Peishan laoshi detailed movements of Sizhong Taijiquan and basic thought of Tijiquan for one hour and a half.

80 members from Tokyo of Chen Taijiquan Society who participated in this festival enjoyed extremely flesh and delicious seafood in Hachinohe, and after the festival they could enjoy even traveling around sightseeing spots near Hachinohe such as lake Towada.

We are expecting that this festival would certainly cause Taijiquan to be popularized further into Tohoku and Hokkaido areas of Japan. To make It come true, Chen Taijiquan Society Japan and each of the persons concerned will be required to make their more strenuous efforts from now on.

The more details shall appear to the following URL.

http://www.jp-chentaiji.net/ivent/07/Hachinohe/hati01.htm