Wang Zongyue's Taijiquan Discourse: the Biomechanics of Dongjin

Abstract

We present in this following paper a verse-by-verse translation of the Taijiquan Discourse, with annotations in the framework of biomechanics. In the text, dongjin 懂劲 the “comprehension of jin” crystallizes as a central concept. Dongjin can be viewed as how the body comprehends, and interacts functionally with force. While the body relates to force by its strength and functionality, the Taiji body, is considered to be instilled with dongjin, and perceives the force associated with jin (劲) as “soft” (rou) and “hard” (gang), which correspond to the vector quantities of the force, namely, direction and magnitude. In most cases the common response to an attacking force is to fight back, in a direct force- against-force interaction, which creates a “double- weighted” conditions (shuangzhong 双重) that tenses up, and traps the body from being able to maneuver. This renders the body vulnerable. Dongjin enables the body to respond to the incoming force by making postural adjustments to receive force at an angle, at the moment of impact, thus deflecting and mitigating it. In other words, the body uses the rou component (softness) to absorb and neutralize the incoming force. Also, dongjin accords liveliness and spontaneity in the response of rou and gang, which is a fundamental feature of martial skills. Dongjin is more comprehensive than perceiving force as a vector; it enables the body to use the dynamics of rou and gang functionally in its application, with great efficacy. Dongjin forms the biomechanical basis for Taijiquan's key strategy of responding with rou-softness in martial interactions (yi rou wei zhu 以柔为主).