Page 3 - Robert W. Smith - Pa kua_ Chinese boxing for fitness & self-defense-North Atlantic Books (2003)

Preface to the New Edition Acknowledgments

THE AUTHOR thanks the following persons for their assistance in
No ONE, least of all the author, would have thought that a book
the preparation of this work:
written and first issued thirty years ago would be republished in a
Editorial review: E. Gunberg and T. Stanhope
new century. Pa-Kua: Chinese Boxing for Fitness and Self-Defense
Functional review: B. Fusaro and D. Slater
was the first book on "palm boxing" to be released in English.
Graphics: R. Mischke, W. Neisler, and R. Denny
Over the years it gained many readers and helped to introduce
Typewriting: S. Jackson
this art to the western world. For many, it would be their first notion
Others helped. The Davis Library in Bethesda, Md. provided
of Chinese internal boxing (nei-chia). Taiji and Hsing-i combine
serene surroundings and librarians whose eyes diplomatically
with Pa-Kua to make up the internal or soft boxing system as dis-
dodged each time the author bounded from his chair to "walk
tinguished from the hard boxing usually subsumed under the name
through" a tactic. The author's wife proxied for him in building
Shaolin.
the patio and painting the house, further diminishing his prestige
I had studied all three under top-drawer teachers in Taiwan
with his neighbors, but giving him time to write. The greatest debt,
(including Paul Kuo, Wang Shu-chin, and Hung I-hsiang). What-
however, is owed Kuo Feng-ch'ih, his Pa-kua teacher in Taiwan.
ever proficiency I gained was because of their skill. I was very lucky.
Paul (to use his Christian name) Kuo not only taught me the rudi-
Now so many years later, I'm pleased to see Pa-Kua emerge
ments of the art but also posed for many of the photographs and
again. I hope it helps a new generation to find joy in this old but
reviewed the manuscript. To all who helped, the author says with
evergreen art.
H. Belloc:
—Robert W. Smith
For no one, in our long decline,
Hendersonville, N.C.
So dusty, spiteful and divided,
2003
Had quite such pleasant friends as mine,
Or loved them half as much as I did.