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十字戰
CROSS-SHAPED FIGHT
陳鐵生 趙連和
by Chen Tiesheng & Zhao Lianhe
[published within Part Three of 精武本紀 The Annals Of Jingwu, Dec, 1919]
[translation by Paul Brennan, Dec, 2019]
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☉武術
AN EXAMPLE OF OUR MARTIAL ARTS:
▲十字戰 陳鐵生 演武者趙連和
Cross-Shaped Fight (by Chen Tiesheng, performed by Zhao Lianhe)
黃河流域派。有五戰拳。（合戰、大戰、短戰、脫戰、十字戰、）（合戰為對手拳、余已撰述成書、分載學生雜誌中、）個中之精華也、諺云、學會十字戰。天下英雄打一半。此言未免自喜。然亦足見其傾倒一時矣。廣東新會陳鐵生卓枚識。
Among the styles of the Yellow River Basin [i.e. “northern” styles], there are the five “Fight” sets: Cooperative Fight (a two-person set, which we have already published a treatment of in serialized form in The Students’ Magazine), Large-Scale Fight, Low-Posture Fight, Escaping-Techniques Fight, and Cross-Shaped Fight, these five being the best among the sets of the northern styles. There is a saying: “If you learn Cross-Shaped Fight, you will be able to defeat half the heroes in the world.” This sounds a little like arrogance, but only shows my admiration for this set.
- written by Chen Tiesheng, called Chen Zhuomei, of Xinhui District, Guangdong
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〇渾元手
[1] BEGINNING MOVEMENT
面南直立。兩足靠攏。兩拳切脇部。兩掌心朝天。（如第一圖）
Stand straight, facing south, feet together, fists pulled back against your ribs, the centers of the fists facing upward. See photo 1:
左足先向前進一步。右足亦向前進一步。再舉左足更向前一步。斯時兩足復靠攏而直立。當舉步時。將兩拳各向兩旁外方起高復落下。各向外側平畫一圜。然後垂直於腿前。（如第二圖）
First your left foot steps forward, then your right foot, then your left foot again so that your feet are again next to each other, and you are still in the position of standing straight. While you are stepping, your fists go outward toward the sides, rise up, and then drop down, each fist going outward to its respective side and drawing a circle that then drops it down in front of its respective thigh. See photo 2:
註
Notes:
圖之正面為南。背面為北。左為東。右為西。
You are facing toward the south, your back toward the north, the east to your left, the west to your right.
此兩圖是開門式。惟須手足協同動作。隨舉步隨用手向兩旁畫圈。足步已停。而手亦到定點方合。
These two photos depict the opening posture. Your hands and feet have to move in coordination, your feet stepping and hands making circles on the sides in such a way that once your feet have finished, your hands have also reached their final position. [This is a simple three-part coordination: left step as your hands go out to the sides, right step as your hands rise, left step as your hands drop.]
兩手起動時、先須略向兩旁伸張。然後起高、方能畫成功一個圓圈、
The movement of your hands has to first involve an expansion to the sides, then rising high, and in this way they will be able to draw complete circles.
第一圖兩拳靠腰、本是掌心向天、及至畫了一圜之後、其兩拳則掌心內向矣、蓋順肢體自然之勢也、
In the first photo, the fists are at the waist with the centers of the fists facing upward. After drawing their circles, the centers of the fists are facing inward, thereby placed in a natural position in line with your body.
〇怒猊抉石
[2] ANGRY BEAST PICKS UP A BOULDER
在原地。將左手。由前方高舉。（掌心向南、虎口向西、）
Standing where you are, your left hand passes in front of you, rising high (the center of the hand facing toward the south, the tiger’s mouth facing toward the west) [your right fist also moving over to your right side according to the photo]. See photo 3:
註
Notes:
此用掀高之力。恍如將重物當前掀翻之。由高處拋之往後之意。
This action uses the strength of lifting high and has an intention similar to lifting a heavy weight to toss it away behind you.
用掀揭力。其肱與臂。須作一直線。勿曲肘。且須用肩膊發力。（膊為發力之總機關）此式雖不曲膝、不彎腰、而仍是用全體之力催助左手、
Use a lifting strength that involves the arm being straight rather than bending at the elbow, and the strength has to come from the shoulder (it being the engine of expressing power in this movement). Although in this posture you bend neither your knees nor your waist, you nevertheless rouse the power of your whole body to assist your left hand.
上式本是掌背向前、茲式起手時、仍是掌背向前、曁將手當面舉高、卽變為掌心向前、
In the previous posture, the back of the fist was facing forward, but now by the time the hand has lifted high, it is instead the center of the hand that is facing forward.
凡握拳之時、其大指與第二指之間、必成一圜、此稱虎口、或曰眼兒或曰拳眼、
Whenever you make a fist, the thumb and forefinger will form a circle that is referred to as the “tiger’s mouth”, the “eye socket”, or the “fist eye”.
〇刮衝捶
[3] SCRAPE & THRUST PUNCH
右足橫向西方開一步。成面向西方之右前弓式。左拳先由面前探往右方沈下。從腹部斜橫過。反肘垂於右外方。當左拳初起時。卽將右拳先轉掌心向上蓄勢以俟。曁左拳沈下橫過腹部時。卽用右拳。旋轉衝向西方。（至定點時掌心向南、虎口在上、）
Your right foot steps out toward the west to make a west-facing right bow stance as your left fist first reaches out in front of you to the right and sinks down, then goes diagonally across past your belly, the forearm turned outward, and hangs down behind you to the right [left]. While your left fist starts to move, your right fist first turns over so the center of the hand is facing upward, storing power in readiness. Then as your left fist sinks down and goes across past your belly, your right fist does a spiraling thrust toward the west ([the fist rotating counterclockwise ninety degrees as it thrusts out so that it] finishes with the center of the hand now facing toward the south, the tiger’s mouth facing upward). See photo 4:
註
Notes:
左拳用刮法。而右拳用衝捶。故曰刮衝捶。
Your left fist does a scraping action as your right fist does a thrust punch, hence the technique is called a “scrape & thrust” punch.
敵人以拳自右方擊我。故我以左拳刮而去之。卽以右拳同時反攻敵人。
An opponent uses his fist to punch at you from your right. Therefore use your left fist to scrape it away while at the same time using your right fist to counterattack.
我之左拳、當探過右方沈下時、卽已轉為掌心向下、故至右外方時、是反肘斜垂、
As your left fist reaches to the left and sinks down, the fist rotates so the center of the hand is facing downward, and then as it goes behind you to your right [left], the arm turns over the rest of the way [so the center of the hand is facing toward the north] and is hanging diagonally.
左拳才刮去敵拳、同時卽以右拳反攻、一瞬間而攻守同施、術語所謂連消帶打也、
At the same time that your left fist scrapes away the opponent’s fist, your right fist should be counterattacking, leaving barely an instant between defending and attacking, what is described in the art as “continuing from dispelling an attack right into delivering an attack”.
此係單練之拳、故依式講演、若語實用、則我可以左手執住敵拳。而以右拳捶敵胸。善學猶貴善悟。
This exercise is a solo practice, and so it has been discussed mostly in terms of the posture, but to delve further into its application, you can also use your left hand to grab the opponent’s fist and use your right fist to punch to his chest. Being a good student means being good at learning a thing and then building upon it to realize many things.
一足曲膝如弓形、一足斜直如箭形、此等步法名曰弓箭步、簡稱曰弓式、弓箭步、以弓形之足在先頭、故有左前弓式、右前弓式之稱謂、
One leg is bent like a bow, the other leg straight like an arrow. This kind of stance is thus called a “bow & arrow stance”, abbreviated to “bow stance”. The bow leg is the forward leg, thus a “left bow stance” has the left leg forward and a “right bow stance” has the right leg forward.
弓足曲度勿太低、宜挺腰以眼垂顧、能見鞋頭為度、
The bow leg must not bend too deeply. If you look down with your waist upright, you should be able to see the tip of your shoe [whereas if the leg bends too much, the knee would be obscuring the foot altogether].
箭足之足尖、須向弓足、而作左右向、勿橫置、且箭足踵與蹠之外沿、尤勿使離地、
The toes of the arrow leg should be turned in toward the bow leg in order to make you more stable toward the sides, and the heel and outer edge of the foot should not be coming away from the ground.
〇偸步
[4] STEALTH STEP
右足勿動。左足在右足之後。向西偸進一步。成交叉脮形。左拳沈下。轉掌心向天。用力彎迴襠前。右拳舉置當頭。掌心仍向南。而虎口在下。
Your right foot stays where it is and your left foot goes behind your right foot to make a stealth step toward the west, thereby making your legs crossed, as your left fist sinks down, rotating so that the center of the hand is facing upward, and forcefully draws back to be in front of your belly, your right fist rising over your head, the center of the hand still facing toward the south, the tiger’s mouth facing downward. See photo 5:
註
Notes:
此全是守法、其左足之偸步、是因敵人取吾下部、故縮一步以避之、其左拳之彎迴襠前、是因敵人取吾中下部、故以左肱沈下抵抗而格去之、其轉掌心而彎迴之法、是用旋轉力以抗敵人也、且用肱抗人、宜用肱之近小指一邊、
This technique is entirely defensive. You do a left stealth step because an opponent is attacking to your lower area, and therefore you withdraw a step to evade it. You draw back your left fist in front of your belly to deal with an attack to your middle area or lower area, and therefore your left forearm is sinking down to resist against the attack or block it away. Rotate your fist to add twisting power to better resist the opponent, cutting in with the little-finger side of your forearm.
偸步之用途最多、不特可避敵。且便於轉身取敵。
The stealth step is used most often to evade an opponent, but it is also a useful means of turning around in order to then attack [as is the case here].
右拳之置當頭、是為下式計、然此等處、謂之為用以挑托敵人之上擊、亦無不可。
Your right fist is placed over your head in preparation for the following posture, although such a position can also be used for propping away a strike from above.
〇刮衝捶
[5] SCRAPE & THRUST PUNCH
右足在原處一跥地。左足向東橫開一步。先作騎馬式。（如第六圖）
Your right foot does a stomp where it is and your left foot steps out toward the east to first make a horse-riding stance. See photo 6:
右拳探過左肩外。沈下。從腹部斜橫過。反肘垂於右外方。當右拳探左而沈下時。卽將左拳旋轉衝出向東方。（至定點時、掌心向南、虎口在上、）同時。在原地轉為左前弓式。催助左拳之勢。
Your right fist reaches out past your left shoulder and sinks down, then goes diagonally across past your belly, the forearm turned outward, and hangs down behind you to the right. While your right fist reaches out to the left and sinks down, your left fist does a spiraling thrust toward the east ([the fist rotating clockwise ninety degrees as it thrusts out so that it] finishes with the center of the hand now facing toward the south, the tiger’s mouth facing upward). At the same time, your stance pivots to become a left bow stance to aid the power of your left fist. See photo 7:
註
Notes:
此用意與上文之刮衝捶同、惟來源之上式有異、故動作亦不同耳、
The intention is the same as in the previous SCRAPE & THRUST PUNCH [Posture 3], but this time the posture that precedes it is different, and therefore the movement is not quite the same.
跥足是藉一震之聲勢、且能增長足蹠之踏力、
The stomping of the foot makes a startling noise, and can also strengthen the foot.
騎馬式是兩足皆曲膝而立、如騎馬然、故稱騎馬式、惟曲度不可過低、低則無力、
A “horse-riding stance” means that you are standing with both knees bent. It looks like riding a horse, hence “horse-riding stance”. But you must not bent your legs too deeply, for then the stance would be without strength.
當左拳衝出時、由騎馬式而變為左弓式、是手足協同動作、其力自厚、
As your left fist thrusts out, you switch from a horse-riding stance to a left bow stance. With your hands and feet acting in unison, your power will automatically be increased.
〇劈捶
[6] CHOPPING PUNCH
不動步。將左拳往上方一挑。卽乘勢由左外方往後而反肘斜垂於後。同時。將右拳由原位起高。自上方往前劈下。捶擊敵顱。（至定點時、虎口在上、掌心向北、）
Without changing your stance, your left fist goes upward with a carrying action and then continues to the left rear, the forearm turned outward, until it is hanging diagonally behind you as your right fist rises high and then chops down forward from above to strike [as a hammer fist] to the opponent’s skull (finishing with the tiger’s mouth facing upward, the center of the hand facing toward the north). See photo 8:
註
Notes:
左拳往上一挑、是將敵人上擊之拳挑去、旣挑去、卽將左拳迴後、同時卽以右拳自後而前、由上擊下、蓋凡兩手協同動作、其勢自厚、且兩手同動作、一迴後、一向前、則身體自抝動而發力、其勢更厚、惟劈下之右拳。須以肩膊發力。肱臂皆直。切勿曲肘。
Your left fist carries upward to prop away an opponent’s fist striking from above, then withdraws behind you as your right fist comes forward from behind to strike downward from above. Because your hands are moving in unison, this automatically increases your power. While your hands move together, one withdrawing behind as the other goes forward, your torso naturally twists, further increasing the power, but the downward chop of your right fist has to be driven from your shoulder. The arm should straighten and not be bent.
〇擂拳
[7] DRUMMING PUNCH
右手曲肘沈下。（右臂離脇約寸許、）將右拳作一小圜。全肱下壓。
Your right elbow bends and sinks down (so that your right arm is about an inch away from your ribs) as your right fist makes a small circle. See photo 9:
註
Notes:
意謂敵人以拳擊我、所以我將右拳從敵手之下、圈繞入其肱而壓擊之也、
The opponent sends a fist to punch you, so you send your right fist circling from under his hand to connect to his forearm, then press down.
作小圜之右拳、起於此點、宜止於此點、勿使其肘後出、
While your right fist makes a small circle to finish in the same spot it started, do not let your elbow stick out.
右拳沈下之時、掌心向上、虎口向南、
Once your right fist sinks down, the center of the hand is facing upward, the tiger’s mouth facing toward the south.
〇寸腿
[8] INCH KICK
將在後之右足。向前踢出。
Your right foot kicks out forward. See photo 10:
註
Notes:
用腿之法、最多、若撩陰腿、旋風腿、兜頷腿、摘鈴腿、連環腿、撞腿、撥臉腿、穿心腿、尅氣腿、掃膛腿等、然以實力言、凡用腿高逾前陰。卽難收效。故撩陰與寸腿為最適用。寸腿之稱、以其高不逾尺也、惟用腿之法、須以大腿發力、且直踢之腿、吾足趾必緊斂向下、
There are a great many kinds of kicking techniques, such as kick to the groin, whirlwind kick, kick to the chin, bell-snatching kick, continuous kick, rushing kick, face-slapping kick, heart-piercing kick, breath-robbing kick, hall-sweeping kick, and so on. Kicks that are higher than the groin are usually less effective, and therefore groin kicks and inch kicks are the most suitable. An “inch kick” is so called because it seems to go hardly any higher than about an inch away from the ground. To execute this kick, you have to express power from the thigh. It is a straight-leg kick with the toes pointed downward.
大槪空手入白刃法、多用高腿以踢去敵人武器、高腿及旋風腿、最能長氣、吾國武術之冠絕世界者、因能使血氣力量同時繼長增高也、
In situations of fighting empty-handed against bladed weapons, higher kicks are usually employed to kick the opponent’s weapon out of his hand. High kicks and whirlwind kicks are the best for boosting one’s energy. Our nation’s martial arts are unparalleled in the world, and this is because practitioners are able to develop greater vigor and power while at the same time constantly increasing the height of their kicks [whereas in other martial arts one often chooses between emphasizing power or flexibility instead of achieving both].
〇衝捶
[9] THRUST PUNCH
右足着地。作面對東北之右前弓式。伸右拳擊正東。
Your right foot comes down to make a right bow stance with your torso facing toward the northeast as your right fist strikes toward the east. See photo 11:
註
Notes:
此所謂因利乘便也、上式起脚踢人、則彼必退避、我卽趁勢上前、用右拳擊之、
This is called “seizing opportunity when it presents itself”. In the previous posture, you lifted your foot to kick to the opponent, but he retreats to avoid it, and therefore make use of the momentum by stepping forward and punching him with your right fist.
衝捶之法、必是虎口在上方、
Being a thrust punch, the tiger’s mouth is facing upward.
〇虛式通天礮
[10] EMPTY STANCE, CANNON TO THE SKY
左足先向東上一步。曲膝站立。右足再上一步。斜挺在前頭。成右虛式。同時。將右拳收回。曲肘切右脅。（虎口向北、掌心朝天、）將左拳用通天礮勢。向前打出。
First your left foot steps forward toward the east, the knee bends, and you stand on that leg, then your right foot steps forward with the leg slanted in front of you to make a right empty stance. At the same time, your right fist withdraws along your right ribs, the elbow bending (the tiger’s mouth facing toward the north, the center of the hand facing upward), as your left fist strikes out forward with a “cannon to the sky” technique. See photo 12:
註
Notes:
此式兩手足須協同動作、手到脚到、方合、
In this posture, your hands and feet have to move in unison, your hands finishing as your feet are finishing, in order for it to be correct.
凡虛式、其在前之足、大小腿同作一直線而斜挺立、此足不可牢踏、而輕置於地、故曰虛式、其在後之足、則曲膝站立也、右足在前頭、則稱右虛式、左足在前頭、則稱左虛式、
An empty stance involves the front leg making a straight line that points diagonally forward and downward. The foot does not fully press onto the ground, but is only lightly touching, and this is what makes it an “empty” stance. The rear leg stands with the knee bent. The right foot in front makes it a “right empty stance”. The left foot in front makes it a “left empty stance”.
通天礮自下而上、多用以擊人下頷、有時亦可上擊至面部、其法須以掌心向上而朝裏、今此式用左手通天礮、是掌心向上、而虎口向北外方、
The technique of a “cannon to the sky” goes upward from below and is mainly used to strike to an opponent’s chin, but it can also be used to strike upward to his face. The technique requires that the center of the hand is facing upward and inward. The version in this posture uses the left hand, and so with the center of the hand facing upward, the tiger’s mouth is facing outward toward the north.
通天礮之手、其勢彎形而向上、然彎形頗小、且不許曲肘、
When performing this technique, the arm is bent as it goes upward, but the bend is very small, and so you should keep your elbow from bending too much.
此式兩手皆須用力、不特通天礮之手須用勁、卽收回切脅之右手、亦須用勁拉回、凡用拳必兩手協力、其勢始猛、
In this technique, both hands have to express power. It is not only the punching hand that has to have power, your right hand withdrawing along your ribs also has to be pulling back powerfully. With both hands combining their efforts, the posture will then be fierce.
虛式容易進步、此用虛式、為下文計、
An empty stance is easy to advance from. This empty stance is performed with the next movement in mind, already planning to advance.
〇拖步衝捶
[11] DRAGGING STEP, THRUST PUNCH
先舉右足向東前方上一大步。將右拳向前打一衝捶。左拳向下。反肘斜拋往後方。同時。並將左足拖進半步。
First your right foot takes a large step forward toward the east, then your right fist goes forward with a thrust punch as your left fist swings downward to hang diagonally behind you, the forearm turned outward, your left foot at the same time dragging forward a half step. See photo 13:
註
Notes:
此式之兩拳、與上式衝搥同、惟須注意於兩足、先將右足向前一大步、然後將左足拖進半步、試觀圖中之步、距離最小、卽拖步之故也、拖步云者、將此足不提離地面、而拖擦向前也、蓋用拳宜手足同動、其勢始張、且此式拖前半步。卽深入敵境一尺、全身衝前。銳不可當。
The fists in this technique behave the same way as in the previous thrust punch [Posture 9], but attention has to be given to the feet. First your right foot takes a large step forward, then your left foot drags forward a half step, as can be seen in the small distance between the feet in the photo. What makes it a “dragging” step is that the foot does not come away from the ground, instead sliding its way forward. Your hands and feet should be working in unison, and then greater power will develop. By dragging forward a half step, you pierce deeper into the opponent’s position by the distance of a full foot. With your whole body thereby thrusting forward, nothing will be able to stand against you.
左手之拋往後方、亦有用意、蓋上式通天礮、吾左手在上方、則下部空虛、敵當由此乘虛而入、吾卽沈下左手、拋往後方、以格去之、
The left hand swinging to the rear should still have intention in it. In the previous posture, your left hand goes upward, and so your lower area is now open. The opponent will surely take advantage of this and attack, and so your left hand sinks down and swings to the rear in order to block it away.
此式兩手一前一後、頗似剪形、而左右擺動、故得勁也、
In this posture, as one hand moves forward and the other moves back, the movement will resemble a scissors. With a swinging motion on each side, there will be greater power.
〇貫耳
[12] FILL THE EAR
先舉右足。向東前方上一大步。將右拳沈下。反肘拋往後方。伸左拳斜上。以拳背擊敵人右耳部。同時並將左足拖進半步。
First your right foot lifts and takes a large step forward toward the east, then your right fist sinks down and swings to the rear, the forearm turned outward, as your left fist reaches out diagonally upward, using the back of the fist to strike to the opponent’s right ear, your left foot at the same time dragging forward a half step. See photo 14:
註
Notes:
貫耳者、以拳背撞擊敵人之耳也、
To “fill the ear” is a technique using the back of the fist to strike to an opponent’s ear.
貫耳之左拳、虎口向下、反肘而掌心向左外方、
When filling the ear with the left fist, the tiger’s mouth is facing downward, the arm turned over, and the center of the hand is facing outward to the left.
拖步之法如前式、
The dragging step is the same as in the previous posture.
右拳之往後方、意亦如上式之左拳、用以格敵、
Your right fist goes to the rear with the same intention as your left fist in the previous posture, being used to block the opponent’s attack.
〇拖步通天礮
[13] DRAGGING STEP, CANNON TO THE SKY
先舉右足。向東前方上一大步。將左拳沈下。反肘拋往後方。右拳用通天礮勢擊上。同時。並將左足拖前半步。
First your right foot lifts and takes a large step forward toward the east, then your left fist sinks down and swings to the rear, the forearm turned outward, as your right fist performs a “cannon to the sky” technique to strike upward, your left foot at the same time dragging forward a half step. See photo 15:
註
Note:
此用右手通天礮、其虎口向右外方、掌心朝上而向內、
This posture uses the right hand to perform the “cannon to the sky” technique, its tiger’s mouth facing outward to the right, the center of the hand facing upward and inward.
〇護襠拳
[14] CROTCH-PROTECTING FIST
先舉右足。向東前方上一大步。將右拳沈下。彎向襠前而直垂。（虎口在上、掌心向內、）伸左拳斜上。用拳背撞敵右耳。同時。並將左足拖前半步。
First your right foot lifts and takes a large step forward toward the east, then your right fist sinks down in front of your crotch, the arm hanging straight (with the tiger’s mouth facing upward, the center of the hand facing inward), as your left fist reaches out diagonally upward, using the back of the fist to strike to the opponent’s right ear, your left foot at the same time dragging forward a half step. See photo 16:
註
Notes:
右拳沈下、彎向襠前、此稱護襠、因吾舉步向前之時、敵人取吾前陰、故以右拳格之也、
The action of your right fist sinking down in front of your crotch is called “protecting the crotch”. When your right foot raises to step forward, the opponent tries to attack your groin, and so you use your right fist to block his attack.
左拳是貫耳法、
Your left fist performs a “fill the ear” technique.
〇蝎子肚
[15] SCORPION’S STINGER
先舉右足。向東前方上一大步。將左拳沈下。反肢拋往後方。左拳用蝎子肚勢。曲肘彎向上擊。同時並將左足拖前半步。
First your right foot lifts and takes a large step forward toward the east, then your left fist sinks down and swings to the rear, the forearm turned outward, as your left fist strikes upward with the elbow bent, performing a “scorpion’s stinger” technique, your left foot at the same time dragging forward a half step. See photo 17:
註
Notes:
蝎子肚與通天礮之分別者、只曲肘與不曲肘耳、
The only distinction between this technique and the “cannon to the sky” is that this one has the elbow bent, whereas the other has the elbow mostly straight.
通天礮可以打到面部、蝎子肚則曲肘、故止能打至下頷、
Also, the cannon to the sky can be used to strike to the face, but due to how much the elbow is bent, this technique is only for striking to the chin.
右拳虎口向右外方、掌心向內而曲肘、
The tiger’s mouth of your right fist is facing outward to the right, the center of the hand facing inward, the elbow bent.
〇大勾手腰步搥
[16] SWINGING HOOK ARMS, WAIST-DRIVEN PUNCH
不動步。先將右拳沈下。轉掌心向地。虎口暫朝左。（斯時在後方之左拳、亦須先轉掌心向下、而暫使虎口朝左、）兩拳皆彎垂。兩手皆作弓形。用勁。將腰抝轉。而身向南。平車轉兩手。使左拳往東前方。而右拳往西後方。（斯時兩手仍如弓形下垂、兩掌心遙相對、兩虎口皆向南方、）（如十八圖）
Without changing your stance, first your right fist sinks down, turning over so the center of the hand is facing downward, the tiger’s mouth temporarily facing to the left (your left fist at the same time also turning over so the center of the hand is facing downward, temporarily causing its tiger’s mouth to be facing to the left as well). Then with both arms hanging bent to make curved shapes, forcefully twist your waist [rightward] to turn your torso toward the south, swinging your arms across so that your left fist goes toward the east in front of you and your right fist goes toward the west behind you (your arms still hanging down curved, the centers of the hands facing toward each other, both tiger’s mouths now facing toward the south). See photo 18:
復在原地。用勁將腰抝轉。而身向北。平車轉兩手。使左拳往西後方。右拳回東前方。兩足成向北方之騎馬式。兩虎口皆對北。兩掌心遙相對。（如十九圖）
Then staying where you are, forcefully twist your waist to turn your body toward the north, swinging your arms across so that your left fist goes toward the west behind you and your right fist goes toward the east in front of you. Your legs are making a north-facing horse-riding stance. Both tiger’s mouths are now facing toward the north, the centers of the hands facing toward each other. See photo 19:
乘勢在原地轉回右前弓式。將右拳當面挑高。畫一圜。引回右脅。用左拳平捶。向正東打出。（如二十圖）
Continue the movement standing where you are by twisting again into a right bow stance as your right fist carries high, draws a circle, and pulls back to your right ribs, and your left fist strikes out with a level punch toward the east. See photo 20:
註
Notes:
起手之兩式、用兩手作垂弓形、左右平擺動者、是左右抵抗敵人之由中部擊來也。末式是腰步搥法、（腰步捶詳言於潭腿一書、）其左手之當面高挑、是格去從上方而來之敵手、
In the first two movements of this technique, your arms hang down curved. Swinging across to each side is for blocking the opponent’s attacks to your middle area, after which you do a waist-driven punch (as explained in our Tantui manual*). The action of the left [right] hand carrying high is for blocking away an incoming hand attacking to your upper area.
腰步捶用平拳而打出之法、須旋轉而出。如以螺旋釘入木然。
As the waist-driven punch strikes out with a level punch, it has to rotate as it goes out, like spiraling a screw into wood.
由騎馬式復回右前弓式是以步法助手法、
From a horse-riding stance, return to a right bow stance, the stancework in this way aiding the hand technique.
左右抵抗、一得勢便回敬一捶、
The left and right blocks get you into a good position to counterattack with a punch.
*[The waist-driven punch in the Tantui instructions (Movement 2 of Line 2) is explained in this way (although performed on the opposite side and in the opposite direction to photo 20 above):
左拳：轉拳。使掌心朝天。沈肘用力引回。置左脅。
Your left fist [which was extended in a punch in the previous movement] turns over so that the center of the hand is facing upward as the elbow sinks and forcefully withdraws, placing the fist at your left ribs.
右拳：旋拳。隨身步之拗動勢。平膀直擊正西。（此旋拳直擊法。略如以螺旋釘入木。須乘旋轉之勢擊出。方得勁。）擊至定點。掌心向地。虎口向南。
Your right fist [having been placed at your right ribs] also turns over, going along with the twisting of your torso and stance by striking out toward the west with the forearm horizontal. (The rotation of the fist is like spiraling a screw into wood. It is necessary to strike with this spiraling action in order to generate greater power.) Upon reaching its final position, the center of the hand is facing downward, the tiger’s mouth facing toward the south.
兩足：在原地。轉勢作左前弓式。
Your feet stay where are and pivot [from a horse-riding stance] into a left bow stance.
身首：轉向正西。
Your head is facing toward the west.]
〇寸腿
[17] INCH KICK
乘勢用左足。向東踢寸腿。
Continuing your momentum, send out your left foot with an inch kick toward the east. See photo 21:
註
Notes:
乘上式之勢、同時踢一脚、
Continue the momentum from the previous posture by doing a kick.
此式之後、其左脚未點地、勿忘記、
At the finish of the posture, your left foot should not yet come down. Do not forget this point.
〇磨盤肘窩肚拳
[18] MILLSTONE ELBOW, PUNCH TO THE SOLAR PLEXUS
（注意）此磨盤肘無圖、此圖係磨盤肘之後一窩肚拳耳、
(Note: There is no image for the millstone elbow, the photo showing only the punch to the solar plexus.)
乘左足未點地時。將左足懸空。由左外方旋轉至西暫點地。（此時面暫向西、左趾亦暫向西、）（磨盤肘、卽在此時、註中詳解、）乘勢。再舉右足。由左方轉至正南。（此時左趾當同旋轉、）成兩趾對東。而面對南方之騎馬式。同時。左拳。當面挑高畫一圜。引置左脅。右手打窩肚拳向南。
Before your left foot comes down, it arcs to the left behind you to temporarily touch down toward the west. (At this moment, you are temporarily facing toward the west, your left toes also temporarily pointing toward the west.) (The millstone elbow occurs at this moment and is explained in the notes further below.) Continuing the momentum, your right foot rises and arcs around your left foot to step toward the south (your left foot at this moment pivoting on its toes) to make a south-facing horse-riding stance, the toes of both feet pointing toward the east. At the same time, your left fist carries high in front of you, drawing a circle, and withdraws to your left ribs as your right hand goes toward the south with a punch to the solar plexus. See photo 22:
註
Notes:
此磨盤肘、在旋轉之中、故不能攝影然此式之精華則在是、
The “millstone elbow” occurs while turning around, therefore it cannot be shown well in a photograph. [This explanation does not seem entirely justified. Surely a photo for this transitional movement could have been supplied, with the qualifier that there should be no pause in that position. The closest approximation seems to be photo 27. All that would be needed is for the left arm in the photo to be more bent and the elbow lowered to about chest level.]
當左足懸空。向左外方旋轉時。苟遇敵在此處。卽以左肘撞之。故曰磨盤肘。其意蓋謂。吾左足之旋轉。無一定之止步處。但旋至某處。遇敵。吾卽止步而以肘撞之也。然單練之拳。以意為之。故當有悟性。
If you encounter an opponent as your left foot arcs behind you to the left, use your left elbow to crash against him. The movement is like the turning of a millstone. As your left foot arcs behind you, it is not certain where it will come down, but once it does, deal with the opponent there by using your elbow. If you keep this scenario in mind during your solo practice, you will indeed gain an understanding of the technique.
其窩肚拳另一問題、蓋用了磨盤肘後之另外一式也、其左足至西點地、是用磨盤肘、過此卽算磨盤肘用完了、再舉右足向南之左拳向上高挑、是格去敵手也、
窩肚拳用平捶、掌心向下、惟打出之時。須旋轉而出。方得勁。且兩手如張弓然。須同用勁也。
What then is the “punch to the solar plexus”? It is an additional posture following the millstone elbow. Once your left foot has come down toward the west and you have performed the elbow technique, your left fist carrying high as your right foot steps toward the south is for blocking away the opponent’s hand. The punch to the solar plexus that follows this block is a level punch with the center of the hand facing downward. As it strikes out, it has to corkscrew in order to have power. Also, the action of both hands together is like pulling a bow, and so they have to express power at the same time.
拳取敵腹、故曰窩肚、
Because the fist attacks the opponent’s belly, it is a punch to the pit of the stomach [i.e. to the solar plexus].
〇腰步捶
[19] WAIST-DRIVEN PUNCH
將右拳。當面挑高。畫一圜。引回置右脅。用左拳。平捶向西南打出。同時轉為對西南之右前弓式。
Your right fist carries high in front of you, drawing a circle that brings it back to your right ribs, as your left fist does a level thrust punch toward the southwest, your feet at the same time pivoting to make a southwest-facing right bow stance. See photo 23:
註
Note:
此拳正如二十圖、惟方向不同耳、
This technique is just like in photo 20, but performed in a different direction.
〇寸腿
[20] INCH KICK
用左足。向西南。踢寸腿。
Your left foot does an inch kick toward the southwest. See photo 24 [which shows the posture from a slightly different angle]:
註
Note:
意如二十一圖、此圖之末、左足未點地、
This technique is the same as in photo 21. At the finish of the posture, your left foot does not yet come down.
〇磨盤肘窩肚拳
[21] MILLSTONE ELBOW, PUNCH TO THE SOLAR PLEXUS
乘左足未點地時。將左足懸空由左外方旋轉。至東暫點地。（此時面暫向東、左趾亦暫向東、）
乘勢。再舉右足。由左方轉至正北。（此時左趾當同旋轉、）成兩趾對西而面向北方之騎馬式。同時。左拳當面挑高。畫一圜。引置左脅。右手打窩肚拳向北。
Before your left foot comes down, it arcs to the left behind you to temporarily touch down toward the east. (At this moment, you are temporarily facing toward the east, your left toes also temporarily pointing toward the east.) [The millstone elbow occurs at this moment.] Continuing the momentum, your right foot rises and arcs around your left foot to step toward the north (your left foot at this moment pivoting on its toes) to make a north-facing horse-riding stance, the toes of both feet pointing toward the west. At the same time, your left fist carries high in front of you, drawing a circle, and withdraws to your left ribs as your right hand goes toward the north with a punch to the solar plexus. See photo 25:
註
Note:
此用意正同二十二圖、
This technique is the same as in photo 22.
〇腰步捶
[22] WAIST-DRIVEN PUNCH
將右拳當面挑高。畫一圜。引回置右脅。用左拳平捶向北方打出。同時。兩足轉為對北方之右前弓式。
Your right fist carries high in front of you, drawing a circle that brings it back to your right ribs, as your left fist does a level thrust punch toward the north, your feet at the same time pivoting to make a north-facing right bow stance. See photo 26:
註
Note:
意與二十三圖同、惟方向有異、
This technique is just like in photo 23, but performed in a different direction.
〇聲東擊西
[23] THREATEN TO THE EAST, ATTACK TO THE WEST
在原地轉身向西方。先變為左前弓式。將左拳隨身斜轉。高舉當頭。（反肘掌心向前、虎口在下、（如二十七圖）
Staying where you are, first turn your body to be facing toward the west, switching to a left bow stance, as your left fist goes along with the turning of your body by moving in a diagonal arc to rise up over your head (with the forearm turned outward, the center of the hand facing forward, the tiger’s mouth facing downward). See photo 27:
隨舉右足。向正西上一步。成面西之右前弓式。左拳斜下。反肘置後方。用右拳向西打一捶。
Then your right foot lifts and steps forward toward the west to make a west-facing right bow stance as your left fist lowers diagonally behind you, the forearm turned outward, and your right fist does a punch toward the west. See photo 28:
註
Note:
二十七圖、是過門、其左拳之轉向西而高舉、是抵當高來之敵手、隨如二十八圖上步、打一捶、
Photo 27 shows the transitional movement of your left fist rising high in an arc to block the opponent’s incoming hand, and then photo 28 shows the movement of stepping forward and punching.
〇獅子大張口
[24] LION OPENS ITS MOUTH WIDE
用右拳向下。垂直置襠前。掌心向左。虎口向前。（如二十九圖）
Your right fist lowers to hang down in front of your crotch, the arm straight, the center of the hand facing to the left, the tiger’s mouth facing forward. See photo 29:
左足上半步。舉右踵離地。以右趾支立。成右蹬式。高舉右手。直置當顱。而右拳略彎垂。虎口向南。掌心向下。將左手同時。由後往前下方。置腹前。左拳之掌心向上。虎口向南。斯時。兩拳上下相對。（如三十圖）
Your left foot goes forward a half step and your right heel raises off the ground so that only the toes are touching down, making a right pointer stance, as your right hand rises high to be placed over your head with the fist slightly bending downward, the tiger’s mouth facing toward the south, the center of the hand facing downward. At the same time, your left fist goes forward from behind to be placed in front of your belly, the center of the hand facing upward, the tiger’s mouth facing toward the south, your fists now facing each other above and below. See photo 30:
註
Notes:
二十九圖是過門、其右拳向下而直垂於襠前、因敵人取吾前陰、故以右肱抵去之也、
Photo 29 shows the transitional movement of your right fist going downward in front of your crotch with the arm hanging straight. The opponent is making an attack to your groin, and so you use your right forearm to block it away.
三十圖之右拳高舉、是挑托敵手、左拳之往前而略作仰形、可云取敵前陰、左足上半步成蹬式、是因當時右拳已托住敵手、上半步、卽已逼近敵身也、吾左拳意取敵前陰、故用蹬式之矮步、較為得勢、
Photo 30 then shows the movement of your right hand rising high to prop away the opponent’s hand as your left fist goes forward angled slightly upward, which can be used to attack the opponent’s groin, and your left foot goes forward a half step to make a pointer stance. While your right fist props away the opponent’s hand [from attacking above], you go forward a half step to crowd his body and use your left fist to attack his groin, and therefore you use the low posture of a pointer stance to get into a better position for this.
蹬式云者以在前之足得名此式右足在前、稱右蹬式、
A “pointer stance” has to do with the front foot. In this posture, the right foot is forward and thus it is a “right pointer stance”.
蹬式之前足、以趾支於地上、鞋底直垂、而踵向天、兩足之前後距離、只數寸、
The front foot in this stance uses the toes to brace against the ground and the sole of the foot stands upright, the heel raised. The distance between the feet is just a few inches.
此式左足一上步、右踵卽須同時離地、成蹬式、且手到足到、不容先後、
When your left foot comes forward, your right heel has to be rising off the ground to make the pointer stance. Your hands and feet should finish together, neither before nor after one another.
〇衝捶
[25] THRUST PUNCH
先將左拳反肘舉置當頭。（掌心向前、虎口在下、）收回右拳切右脅。（掌心向上、虎口向右外、（如三十一圖）
First your left fist rises to be placed over your head with the forearm turned outward (the center of the hand facing forward, the tiger’s mouth facing downward), as your right fist withdraws along your right ribs (the center of the hand facing upward, the tiger’s mouth facing outward to the right). See photo 31:
隨舉右足。向西上一步。成右前弓式。將左拳斜下。反肘置後方。用右拳向西打衝捶。（如三十二圖）
Then your right foot rises and steps forward toward the west to make a right bow stance as your left fist lowers diagonally behind you, the forearm turned outward, and your right fist does a thrust punch toward the west. See photo 32:
註
Note:
左拳是挑托、
Your left fist [in the first movement] is being used to prop away.
〇貫耳
[26] FILL THE EAR
先舉右足。向西前方上一大步。將右拳沈下。反肘拋往後方。伸左拳。以拳背擊敵右耳。同時。並將左足拖進半步。
First your right foot lifts and takes a large step forward toward the west, then your right fist sinks down and swings to the rear, the forearm turned outward, as your left fist reaches out [diagonally upward], using the back of the fist to strike to the opponent’s right ear, your left foot at the same time dragging forward a half step. See photo 33:
註
Notes:
意與十四圖同、惟易向、
This is the same technique as in photo 14, except performed in the opposite direction.
拖步之法、已詳於上、
The dragging step has already been explained above [in the notes to Posture 11].
〇拖步通天礮
[27] DRAGGING STEP, CANNON TO THE SKY
先舉右足。向西前方上一大步。將左拳沈下。反肘拋往後方。右拳用通天礮勢擊上。同時。將左足拖前半步。
First your right foot lifts and takes a large step forward toward the west, then your left fist sinks down and swings to the rear, the forearm turned outward, as your right fist performs a “cannon to the sky” technique to strike upward, your left foot at the same time dragging forward a half step. See photo 34:
註
Note:
此與十五圖意同、
This is the same technique as in photo 15 [except performed in the opposite direction].
〇護襠拳
[28] CROTCH-PROTECTING FIST
先舉右足。向西前方上一大步。將右拳沈下。彎向襠前而直垂。（虎口在上、掌心內向、）伸左拳斜上。用拳背撞敵右耳。同時。將左足拖前半步。
First your right foot lifts and takes a large step forward toward the west, then your right fist sinks down in front of your crotch, the arm hanging straight (with the tiger’s mouth facing upward, the center of the hand facing inward), as your left fist reaches out diagonally upward, using the back of the fist to strike to the opponent’s right ear, your left foot at the same time dragging forward a half step. See photo 35:
註
Note:
與十六圖同意、左拳是貫耳法、
This is the same technique as in photo 16 [except performed in the opposite direction], with your left fist performing “fill the ear”.
〇蝎子肚
[29] SCORPION’S STINGER
先舉右足。向西前方上一大步。將左拳沈下。反肘拋往後方。用蝎子肚勢。彎向上擊。同時。將左足拖前半步。
First your right foot lifts and takes a large step forward toward the west, then your left fist sinks down and swings to the rear, the forearm turned outward, as your left fist strikes upward with the elbow bent, performing a “scorpion’s stinger” technique, your left foot at the same time dragging forward a half step. See photo 36:
註
Note:
與十七圖意同、
This is the same technique as in photo 17.
〇大勾手腰步捶
[30] SWINGING HOOK ARMS, WAIST-DRIVEN PUNCH
不動步。先將右拳沈下。轉掌心向地。虎口暫朝左。（斯時在後方之左拳、亦須先轉掌心向下、而暫使虎口朝左、）兩拳皆彎垂。兩手皆作弓形。用勁。將腰抝轉。使身向北方。平車轉兩手。使左拳往西前方。而右拳往東後方。（斯時兩手仍如弓形下垂、兩掌心遙對、兩虎口皆向右、）（如三十七圖、）
Without changing your stance, first your right fist sinks down, turning over so the center of the hand is facing downward, the tiger’s mouth temporarily facing to the left (your left fist at the same time also turning over so the center of the hand is facing downward, temporarily causing its tiger’s mouth to be facing to the left as well). Then with both arms hanging bent to make curved shapes, forcefully twist your waist [rightward] to turn your torso toward the north, swinging your arms across so that your left fist goes toward the west in front of you and your right fist goes toward the east behind you (your arms still hanging down curved, the centers of the hands facing toward each other, both tiger’s mouths now facing to the right [i.e. toward the north]). See photo 37:
復在原地用勁。將腰抝轉。而身向南。平車轉兩手。使左拳往東後方。右拳回西前方。兩足成向南方之騎馬式。兩虎口對南。兩掌心遙相對。（如三十八圖）
Then staying where you are, forcefully twist your waist to turn your body toward the south, swinging your arms across so that your left fist goes toward the east behind you and your right fist goes toward the west in front of you. Your legs are making a south-facing horse-riding stance. Both tiger’s mouths are now facing toward the south, the centers of the hands facing toward each other. See photo 38:
乘勢在原地。轉回右前弓式。將右拳當面挑高畫一圜。引回右脅。用左拳平捶。向西打出。（如三十九圖）
Continue the movement standing where you are by twisting again into a right bow stance as your right fist carries high, draws a circle, and pulls back to your right ribs, and your left fist strikes out with a level punch toward the west. See photo 39:
註
Note:
此與十八、十九、二十圖、意同、
This technique is the same as in photos 18–20.
〇旋乾轉坤
[31] REVERSING SKY & GROUND
不動步。將腰抝轉。使身向北方。左拳先向高一挑托。然後隨腰身之抝勢。下落。而向左外方。旋轉往西。右拳則同時。先起高。復隨腰身之抝動勢。旋轉捶下往東。兩拳遙相對。兩手成下垂之弓形。
With your feet not leaving their location, twist your waist [leftward] to turn your torso toward the north as your left fist first props up high and then goes along with the turning of your waist by sinking down behind you to the left, arcing around toward the west, your right fist at the same time first rising high and then going along with the turning of your waist by arcing into a downward punch toward the east. The centers of your fists are facing each other, your arms hanging down in curved shapes. See photo 40:
註
Notes:
左拳先一高挑托之時、是暫用反肘、而以近小指之一方面在先頭、惟旋轉至西、則已變為順肘矣、其勢使然也、
As your left fist first props up high, the forearm is temporarily turned outward, the heel of the fist leading the way, but once it has arced toward the west, the forearm has turned inward as a natural result of the movement.
右拳先起高、約似劈捶方法、用順肘、而以拳之平面在先頭。惟劈捶之下落時、用近小指沿之一方面先下而擊人、此則用拳之平面（卽手指之第二節也、）蓋下耳、
Your right fist first rises high, as if to do a chopping punch, with the forearm turned inward and the knuckles leading the way. But a chopping punch comes down using the heel of the fist, whereas this punch comes down with the flat area of the fist (i.e. from the knuckles to the mid-knuckles).
兩虎口皆向北、而兩掌心向內遙對、
Both tiger’s mouths are facing toward the north, the centers of the hands facing inward toward each other.
（完）
(This concludes the set.)
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十字戰之拳譜
Map for Cross-Shaped Fight:
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Brennan Translation 