Photos of Professor Cheng Man-jing
Cira 1930's or possibly 1940's
I initially found out about Tai Chi through Robert Smith's book
"Tai Chi For Health And Self Defence"
at the Army Post Exchange in Camp Humphreys Korea.
While it's small black and white photographs weren't particularly special the small man in the long robe in thosephotos undeniably was! Everything I later came to know about tai chi was there in those photographs.
This gentlman wordlessly communicated the essence of the art, it's softness, root, composure, shape and balance all done effortlessly. I could feel his energy, energy the book called "chi" radiating from him on every page!
This Chinese gentleman, whom I'd yet to meet" held my fascination. I was hooked. I decided I'd extend my tour of military duty another year and let the Army transfer me to Taiwan where he lived and where Mr. Smith learned the art. But due to a series of snafus I never went. Just as well, as that turned out to be a good thing.
In 1967 I left the army and joined my hometown police department in New Jersey, near to Manhattan, the Great City, and Chinatown.
In those days Tai Chi was little known and rarely taught to non-Chinese. It took some time roaming the streets of Chinatown, grabbing residents and shouting "Tai Chi, Tai Chi" at them before I got my chance.
Knowing the Chinese Characters for the word Tai Chi I visited bookstores, preusing the stacks, pretending to read and engaging customers and clerks in conversation, hoping to find my holy grail.
I hit pay dirt when a merchant, like an Indian scout, pointed silently to a beckoning building over yonder. I found myself crossing Canal Street and trudging up the steps of 211 where I met an American fellow on the stairwell.
On the landing was a photograph of the master himself, the man I hoped to meet,
Cheng Man-ching. What followed was a comic exchange worthy of Abott and Costello's "whose on first" routine,
I said I know that man (in the picture) he lives in Taiwan, this other guy said "no, he's here." Being naturally thickheaded and not knowing when to shut up I argued that the book said he lived in Taiwan. "then the book is wrong" he replied. After all my previous deadends I felt frustrated, and when I asked to meet him my new friend said "you can't, he's not here, he's in Taiwan."
The full story was Professor shared his time between Taipei and New York, at that moment he was abroad. When he came back I was able to take classes beginning that October.
I finally got my chance to meet and study the form, sword and pushing hands with
"The Professor."
But it sure wasn't easy getting started.
Today all a person needs to do is come to Trinity Church in Gateway, and sign on.