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LIUHE BOXING

– 六合拳 LIUHE BOXING 萬籟聲 by Wan Laisheng [from Chapter One of Wan’s 武術滙宗 Collection of Martial Arts Traditions, published Dec, 1929] [translation by Paul Brennan, March, 2023] – 六合本門 LIUHE BOXING 余在少林為六合本門,屬韋陀門中,故本門有韋陀拳,韋陀杵之功夫;然所謂六合者,有內三合,有外三合,「精氣神」為內三合,「手眼身」為外三合,內外相合,始可練拳制敵也!是固不獨本門為然,卽任何門戶,亦莫不習此六合;故習武禦敵,需五行四梢合一處,放膽俱成功。五行卽金木水火土,應人身心肝脾肺腎;四梢者,牙為骨梢,舌為肉梢,渾身毛孔為血梢,手指足趾為筋梢也:又日:「眼與心合,心與氣合,氣與身合,身與手合,手與腳合,腳與胯合,」卽為六合!是不過六合之意義耳;顧今人稱武功家為八式者何也?蓋耳目手足,是為八式,習武功者,卽練此八式也!在拳式中之八式,分上四式與下四式,卽手上與腳下者,上四式為:「摟打騰封」;下四式為:「踢潭掃掛」!而八式之拳腳,又乃法下之八形,八形者何?卽;「貓穿狗閃,兎滾鷹翻;松子靈,細胸巧,鷂子翻身,跥子腳」也。(下四者皆鷹屬)!故文講八法,武講八式。八式已如上述,八法者,卽字上之八畫也。為:「點,橫,豎,鉤,拐,挑,撇,拉」是也。故字再寫至如何程度,亦不能出此八法。武功再練至如何境地,亦不能出此八式。是以文聖為孔夫子,武聖為岳武穆。本門六合,卽講騰閃刺扎,虛實巧打。不拘身上何部,均皆練習。本門拳腳凡二十四趟,通用者不過七八趟。而六合一趟,乃六合門之根基功夫,故詳為解述。餘者俟日後再印圖行世矣。本門動手為三尖對,卽上對鼻尖,中對手尖,下對腳尖。講「顧絆定,準穩狠」六字!「吞胸凹肚,緊𦡁抿胯」;「彼不動,己不動,彼一動,如山動」;「進打中,退打肢」;「腰是軸,手似輪」;「前輕後重,鹿楞獠行」;是皆本門之精義!本門師祖為滄州神鎗劉鏡遠先生,趙師乃其高足弟子也;故本門亦以鎗名,本編器械學中之鎗,卽本門六合楊家鎗法。本門尚有赤尻連拳,為猴拳式,所以習於應用者。兩人對打,一手分三手用法,茲攝一路於後,以為參考。蓋本門範圍最廣,是緣無論何門,如無六合,不克練習,人無六合,亦不克生存也;本門按三才,定五行,走七星,述八卦,說九宮。天有八風,地有八變,人有八式,卽四肢二目耳八方。打法凡八打,八封,八閉,八進,八退,八顧,八式,八變,八八六十四著。又有六把總拿法;此外猶有六合刀法;本門輩分,按下詩句每字為等級;劉師祖為仁字,趙師為厚字,余為尊字也。其詩曰:「仁厚尊家法,忠良報國恩,通經為世用,明道守儒真。」功成又有三愼五戒,三愼卽:「練藝要愼重,說話要愼重,比藝要愼重。」五戒為:一戒奸盜邪淫,二戒言無信實,三戒不仁不義,四戒以藝欺人,五戒藝不輕傳。」違者天誅地滅。器械猶有雙劍單鉤,為他門所未有。動手有六絕腿,卽:綑腿,轉環腿,連腿,截腿,踔腿,撩陰腿,均本門之精髓。兹將六合拳譜錄下,凡二十四手,苟能對圖摹練,當不無幾許補益也。 The type of Shaolin that I learned … Continue reading

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LIUHEBAFA DEMONSTRATED BY CHEN YIREN

– 六合八法拳學A STUDY OF LIUHEBAFA BOXING陳亦人by Chen Yiren[published in Hong Kong, Sep 1, 1969] [translation by Paul Brennan, May, 2021] – 六合八法Liuhebafa張之江書於滬濱– calligraphy made by Zhang Zhijiang in Shanghai – 六合八法拳具有力學支點醫療原理及科學內容更能彂展个體活力適合大众練習可增強人身健康Liuhebafa Boxing adheres to scientific principles, particularly of mechanics and … Continue reading

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QI JIGUANG’S CHAPTER ON ARCHERY

– 射法 ARCHERY PRINCIPLES (紀效新書卷十三) (Chapter 13 of New Book of Effective Methods) 戚繼光 by Qi Jiguang [the first half of the text actually by 俞大猶 Yu Dayou] [1560] [translation by Paul Brennan, Feb, 2021] – 一列女傳云怒氣開弓息氣放箭蓋怒氣開弓則力雄而引滿息氣放箭則心定而慮周 [1] It is … Continue reading

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WAN LAISHENG ON MEDITATION

– 靜坐 ON SILENT MEDITATION 萬籟聲 by Wan Laisheng [from Chapter Six of Wan’s 武術滙宗 Collection of Martial Arts Traditions, published Dec, 1929] [translation by Paul Brennan, Nov, 2020] – 靜坐槪論 GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO SILENT MEDITATION 余所談武功,原已結朿,今復論靜坐者,乃此道亦係內家功夫,與武功有相互關係,卻疾延年,極裨益於身體,其有衰耄不樂習武功,而研乎此道,亦可保其健康,是以略舉一二,以為諸君參考,顧所謂靜坐者,其意義為何,卽定性養神之謂也!因吾人終日勞碌,早晚能有片時靜坐,殊能恢復疲勞,如謂參禪入道,歸於正覺,則其程途,似非今人所談容易,蓋焉有修道費十數載靜坐功夫,卽得解脫之理,則天下神仙,將不充斥大千世界耶?縱有之,亦落入鬼仙中耳!至於靜坐除疾之論,此係自然之理,因能免除一切思慮,定養神氣,久之自可除疾,如謂調節正呼吸,腹中鳴響等語,鄙人亦未有此經驗,惟聞修道者,取其自然之理,不可着相,苟一握固象形,卽落崎途,不可藥救,今所談坐法,乃普通定靜片時養神之意,如欲為高深研究,請於下章道術研究中及之。 Enough discussion of … Continue reading

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A GLIMPSE OF THE EAGLE CLAW CONTINUOUS BOXING SET

– 鷹爪連拳EAGLE CLAW FIFTY-LINE CONTINUOUS BOXING [Lines 1–5]授技陳子正instructions by Chen Zizheng筆述黃維慶recorded by Huang Weiqing製圖考證 李明德 李佩弦proofread by Li Mingde & Li Peixian[published in Malaysia within 雪蘭莪精武特刊 Selangor Jingwu Magazine, issue #1, Dec 1, 1928] [translation by Paul Brennan, Oct, 2020] – 弁言PREFACE … Continue reading

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THE TANTUI MANUAL OF MA YONGSHENG

– 彈腿講義 TANTUI EXPLAINED 馬永勝 by Ma Yongsheng [published 1935] [translation by Paul Brennan, May, 2020] – 馬永勝先生編 by Ma Yongsheng: 彈腿講義 Tantui Explained 丁超五題 – calligraphy by Ding Chaowu – 著者馬永勝肖影 Portrait of the author, Ma Yongsheng – 江蘇公立工業專門國技組全體攝影 十二年五月 … Continue reading

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KUNWU SWORD NEIGONG

– 昆吾劍之內功 KUNWU SWORD NEIGONG 姜容樵 by Jiang Rongqiao [published Feb, 1930] [translation by Paul Brennan, April, 2020] – 劍學內功小言 A FEW WORDS ABOUT INTERNAL TRAINING FOR LEARNING THE SWORD ART 凡吾人所習之青萍劍。昆吾劍。謂之劍術可。謂之劍學亦可。然而皆外功也。是不可不以內功輔之。必內外兼修。而後劍學乃得以互相調劑。而益臻完美。以上二十七動作。有明亮於眼者。有開通耳竅者。有養氣助肺呼吸者。有益於五臟六腑及腦髓者。要皆內功之要旨。入學之階梯也。九式為劍學之基礎。亦即內功之進階。總之。於手足腰腿各部。有百益而無一害。學者循序以進。自有佳境。勿待編者喋喋也。 We can consider the practice of Qingping Sword … Continue reading

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THE BADUANJIN MANUAL OF JIN TISHENG

– 真本岳飛八段錦 AN AUTHENTIC DEPICTION OF YUE FEI’S BADUANJIN 金倜盦 by Jin Ti’an [Tisheng] [published Sep, 1936] [translation by Paul Brennan, March, 2020] – 強身不死之道 “Here is a method of strengthening the body to prevent death.” 岳飛 – Yue Fei … Continue reading

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THE YIJINJING MANUAL OF JIN TISHENG

– 真本達摩易筋經 AN AUTHENTIC DEPICTION OF DAMO’S YIJINJING 金倜盦 by Jin Ti’an [Tisheng] [published Sep, 1936] [translation by Paul Brennan, March, 2020] – 序 PREFACE 易筋經為少林武術祖師達摩禪所傳授。分內外二經。內經主柔。以靜坐運氣為事。非少林正宗弟子。不得其傳。且擅此者。亦不肯輕易授人。守少林戒也。後之練武者。欲自眩耀。往往皆以十二段錦之法代之。以其段數相同。法則相類也。其實十二段錦自十二段錦。易筋經自易筋經。兩經可互證而不可相混者也。至于外經。則主剛。以强筋練力為事。其法遍傳于世。惟眞本亦殊不多遘。坊間俗本。所載各段。節數雖相同。其法實大有出入。欲覓完善之本。不可得也。大抵此法盛行于北方。茲編各法。乃得之於山西藥商鄒仲達君之秘授。據云為少林山陝支流之眞傳。較尋常坊本為勝也。其法偏重于上肢。實為練力運氣。舒展筋脉之妙法。每日依法勤行四五次。百日之後。則食量增加。筋骨舒暢。百病不生。至一二年後。則非但身體强健。精神飽滿。且兩臂之力。可舉千斤。卽為平素孱弱多病。力不足以縛雛者。練習一二年。亦可以一掃其孱弱。兩臂增數百斤之力。至若年老之人。精氣已衰。勤習此法。雖不足以返老還童。亦足以延年却病。江右老人稱明志。年已八旬。精神猶如壯年。日徒步三十里不為苦。嘗為余曰。予氣體素弱。中年多病。從友人之言。勤習易筋經後。不久卽康健。四十年中。從未為病魔所擾。今猶能强健步者。謂非易筋經之功乎。觀乎老人之言。則此法之效力。可以知之矣。茲將其法繪圖列說。印行于世。以公同好。且為坊間俗本。一正其訛也。倜庵識。 The art of Yijinjing [“Sinew Changing Classic”] was passed down from the Zen master … Continue reading

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HERO BOXING

– 雄拳折法 SELECTED TECHNIQUES OF HERO BOXING 高興方 by Gao Xingfang [This little book is clearly being described in an 1829 entry in the Canton Register, and so it was obviously made no later than that. Until further information arises … Continue reading

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QI JIGUANG’S BOXING CLASSIC

– 拳經捷要 THE BOXING CLASSIC (KEYS TO NIMBLENESS) (紀效新書卷十四) (Chapter 14 of New Book of Effective Methods) 戚繼光 by Qi Jiguang [1560] [translation by Paul Brennan, Aug, 2019] – 此藝不甚預於兵能有餘力則亦武門所當習但衆之不能强者亦聽其所便耳於是以此為諸篇之末茅十四 拳法似無預於大戰之技然活動手足慣勤肢體此為初學入藝之門也故存於後以備一家學拳要身法活便手法便利脚法輕固進退得宜腿可飛騰而其妙也顛起倒挿而其猛也披劈橫拳而其快也活捉朝天而其柔也知當斜閃故擇其拳之善者三十二勢勢勢相承遇敵制勝變化無窮微妙莫測窈焉㝠焉人不得而窺者謂之神俗云拳打不知是迅雷不及掩耳所謂不招不架只是一下犯了招架就有十下博記廣學多算而勝古今拳家宋太祖有三十二勢長拳又有六步拳猴拳囮拳名勢各有所稱而實大同小異至今之温家七十二行拳三十六合鎖二十四棄探馬八閃畨十二短此亦善之善者也吕紅八下雖剛未及綿張短打山東李半天之腿鷹爪王之拿千跌張之跌張伯敬之打少林寺之棍與青田棍法相兼楊氏鎗法與巴子拳棍皆今之有名者雖各有所長各傳有上而無下有下而無上就可取勝於人此不過偏於一隅若以各家拳法兼而習之正如常山蛇陣法擊首則尾應擊尾則首應擊其身而首尾相應此謂上下周旋無有不勝大抵拳棍刀鎗𨥁鈀劔㦸弓矢鈎䥥挨牌之類莫不先由拳法活動身手其拳也為武藝之源今繪之以勢註之以訣以啟後學既得藝必試敵切不可以勝負為愧為竒當思何以勝之何以敗之勉而久試怯敵還是藝淺善戰必定藝精古云藝髙人膽大信不誣矣 余在舟山公署得参戎劉草堂打拳所謂犯了招架便是十下之謂也此最妙即棍中之連打 (These skills will not prepare you for battle, … Continue reading

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A WARTIME GONGLI MANUAL

– 工力拳 GONGLI BOXING SET 紹興縣國術館 by the Shaoxing County Martial Arts Institute [1938] [translation by Paul Brennan, May, 2019] – 工力拳 母拳 Gongli Boxing Set and its Basic Elements – 緒言 FOREWORD 處在這個人類互相殘殺的時代,生命的寄生,常在技能的不知不覺之間,人類要求生存,便須集合某一民族的心意,致力於集體的安全,所以要求大我的生存,便須自我出發,自力更生,以適應環境。 東浙具有數千年文化的歷史,文事武備的修明,早有事實的昭示,當此民族存亡生死關頭,國家有遷戌禦邊的權利,人民便應盡服役的義務,吾越自實施社會軍訓以來,大多數國民都已武裝,抱着敵愾同仇的朝氣,誓願效死疆場,執干戈以衞社稷,為民族求生存,可是返觀自從征兵以來,一般國民志願從戎而因體格的不合者甚多,致救國熱誠,有心餘力拙之歎,詎不知這種民族武力汩滅的由來,不是傳統的而是時間的問題,我們看,楚漢戰爭時的項羽,江東八千子弟兵,縱橫海內,所至無敵,充分表示浙東健兒的身手:越王勾踐含垢忍辱,十年生聚教育的結果,卒能沼強吳而霸天下,戚繼光練兵疏中,有:「寇入平原利車戰,在近邊利馬戰,在邊外利步戰,三者迭用,乃可制勝,今邊兵惟習馬耳,未嫻山戰林戰谷戰之道也,惟浙兵能之,願更予臣浙東殺手砲手各三千,再募西北壯士,足馬軍五枝,步軍十枝,專聽臣訓練。」極言浙兵的可用,其鎭守蘇州永平山海時,邊軍不知軍令,迨浙兵三千至,陳郊外,天大雨,自朝至日昃植立不動,邊軍大駭自是始知軍令,於是其兵精堅雄壯,可知東浙國民,本來有勇敢的精神,健全的身體,和紀律的服從,加以正規的訓練,遂可蕩寇滅倭,建保衞民族的功勳。現在強寇依恃着飛機大砲和坦克車,侵佔我土地,殺戳我同胞,刦掠我財產,非至中國亡滅種不止,我們為保衞國家民族而抗戰,已抱定犧牲的精神,大家起來站在最前線作抗日自衞的工作,同時深入敵人的後方,作廣泛的游擊戰,以為積極的抵抗,致敵於死命,在此場合,便須利用自我出發的技能,才能收勇敢堅強的效果,於是而古董式的國術,便為軍事輔助上的重要條件,所以我們對國術的訓練,便有如下的信條: 一、國術訓練,可以加強體力,肩負抗戰鉅任。 二、國術訓練,可以憑自我的技能,靈敏的態姿,以攻擊敵人。 三、國術訓練,可以博取最後五分鐘肉搏時的勝利。 四、國術訓練,可以在自衞的原則下,推廣至保衞國家。 五、國術訓練,可以激發國民尚武的精神,造成抗戰時堅強的壁壘。 … Continue reading

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FOUR-SECTION BOXING

– 四式拳圖解 FOUR-SECTION BOXING EXPLAINED 徐士金 by Xu Shijin [published by the 漢口市國術館 Hankou Martial Arts Institute, 1935] [translation by Paul Brennan, Dec, 2018] – 徐士金著 by Xu Shijin: 四式拳圖解 Four-Section Boxing Explained 張學良題 – calligraphy by Zhang Xueliang – … Continue reading

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NIMBLENESS BOXING (JIE QUAN)

– 捷拳圖說 A HANDBOOK FOR NIMBLENESS BOXING 傅秀山 by Fu Xiushan [1930] [translation by Paul Brennan, Oct, 2018] – 傅秀山編 by Fu Xiushan: 捷拳圖說 A Handbook for Nimbleness Boxing 馬公愚題 – calligraphy by Ma Gongyu – 國術真魂 The true soul … Continue reading

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PLUM BLOSSOM SABER (MEI HUA DAO)

– 梅花刀圖說 A HANDBOOK FOR PLUM BLOSSOM SABER 呂光華 李元智 by Lü Guanghua & Li Yuanzhi [published by 大東書局 Great East Press, Sep, 1931] [translation by Paul Brennan, Sep, 2018] – 中央國術館编 from the Central Martial Arts Institute: 梅䔢刀圖說 A Handbook … Continue reading

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WANG HUAIQI ON TWELVE POSTURE YIJINJING

– 易筋經十二勢圖說 A HANDBOOK FOR TWELVE POSTURE YIJINJING 王懷琪 by Wang Huaiqi [published by 商務印書館 Merchant Publishing House, Oct, 1917] [translation by Paul Brennan, Nov, 2017] – 編者小影 Portrait of the author – 黃維聰 Huang Weicong 施裕存 姚雲峯 Shi Yucun  Yao Yunfeng … Continue reading

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WANG HUAIQI’S TWENTY-FOUR POSTURE YIJINJING

– 易筋經廿四式圖說 A HANDBOOK FOR TWENTY-FOUR POSTURE YIJINJING 王懷琪 by Wang Huaiqi [published by 商務印書館 Merchant Publishing House, Sep, 1917] [translation by Paul Brennan, Nov, 2017] – 編者小影 Portrait of the author – 黃維聰 Huang Weicong 施裕存 姚雲峯 Shi Yucun  Yao Yunfeng … Continue reading

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THE BAGUA MANUAL OF YIN YUZHANG

– 八卦掌簡編 A CONCISE BOOK OF BAGUA PALMING 尹玉章 by Yin Yuzhang 王芹塘 edited by Wang Qintang [published Jan, 1932] [translation by Paul Brennan, April, 2017] – 靑島市國術館 from the Qingdao Martial Arts Institute: 八卦掌简编 A Concise Book of Bagua … Continue reading

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YIN YUZHANG’S SABER MANUAL

– 砍刀術練習法 PRACTICE METHODS FOR CLEAVING SABER TECHNIQUES 尹玉章 by Yin Yuzhang [published June, 1933] [translation by Paul Brennan, June, 2016] – 總理遺像 Portrait of Sun Yat-sen – 總理遺囑 SUN YAT-SEN’S WILL 余致力國民革命凡四十年其目的在求中國之自由平等積四十年之經驗深知欲達到此目的必須喚起民衆及聯合世界上以平等待我之民族共同奮鬥 現在革命尚未成功凡我同志務須依照余所著建國方略建國大綱三民主義及第一次全國代表大會宣言繼續努力以求貫澈最近主張開國民會議及廢除不平等條約尤須於最短期間促其實現是所至囑 [First part – to the nation:] … Continue reading

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JIN ENZHONG’S SABER MANUAL

– 實用大刀術 PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES FOR THE LARGE SABER 金恩忠 by Jin Enzhong [published June, 1933] [translation by Paul Brennan, June, 2016] – 著者金恩忠小影 Portrait of the author, Jin Enzhong – 實用大刀術目錄 CONTENTS 著者小影 Portrait of the author 序言 Preface 握刀式 … Continue reading

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BAJI BOXING

– 八極拳 BAJI BOXING 繆淦傑 by Miao Ganjie [published Nov, 1936] [translation by Paul Brennan, Dec, 2015] – 八極拳圖譜序 PREFACE [BY XU ZHEN] 同邑繆君淦杰。精研少林拳技十餘載。近著八極拳圖譜一編。請序于余。繆君之意。一以為八極拳動止整齊。用以敎練學校團體。尤稱宜適。一以為著圖譜。可使來者得以考見其體勢與法式。予惟八極拳與形意之連環拳雜式捶略相似。而剛猛特甚。旣簡約而易明。力量又易見加益。敎練學校團體。誠至善也。若夫拳技之流別。惟得其體勢與法式。乃可推較其同異。故圖譜行卽流別不至混淆難辨。今世言拳技師承者。大都誇誕不經。附會之談滋多。由于昔之授拳者。鮮有圖譜可考也。今太極八卦形意潭腿杳拳等皆已有書。而八極尚闕。然則繆君之為。固不容已者矣。吾聞有淸之世。南皮大馬家莊有周長春者。肥碩而短。善超躍。眈道術。當道光之末。已七十餘歲。習八極者推為得之眞傳。時人號為周大魔。言其道術之神也。今八極拳流行于山東河北。而河北尤盛。自首都設中央國術館。館中定八極為必修課。多延河北八極專家。來任敎師。故邇來江南一帶。亦頗流布焉。繆君八極之學。淵源于河北。不知其出于南皮周氏者乎。抑否乎。吾願繆君博訪而審辨之。而更有以語我也。吾常見演八極者。震步時用力太過。易于傷腦。謂宜去其震步之猛厲。繆君亦以為然。因釆此意。列于凡例。其諸變通而無弊者歟。 中華民國二十三年武進徐震哲東甫序于正德國技學社 Miao Ganjie is from my own hometown. He has studied Shaolin Boxing intensively for more … Continue reading

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ZIMEN BOXING

– 字門正宗 AUTHENTIC ZIMEN BOXING 附醫傷秘錄 including SECRET RECORDS OF INJURY MEDICINES 胡遺生 by Hu Yisheng 中央國術館審㝎 authorized by the Central Martial Arts Institute [published March, 1933] [translation by Paul Brennan, Oct, 2014] – 書將付梓吟二絕代卷頭語 This book has been sent … Continue reading

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BOXING METHODS OF THE INTERNAL SCHOOL (NEI JIA QUAN FA)

– 王征南先生傳 BIOGRAPHY OF WANG ZHENGNAN [also known in abridged form as 內家拳法 Boxing Methods of the Internal School] 黃百家 by Huang Baijia [1676] [translation by Paul Brennan, Aug, 2014] – 征南先生有絕技二曰拳曰射然穿楊貫戟善射者古多有之而惟拳則先生為最 Wang Zhengnan mastered two arts: boxing and archery. … Continue reading

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WUDANG SWORD

– 武當劍法大要 ESSENTIALS OF THE WUDANG SWORD ART 黃元秀 by Huang Yuanxiu [published by 商務印書館 The Commercial Press, LTD, Shanghai, July, 1931] [translation by Paul Brennan, June, 2014] – 練剣之要身如遊龍切忌停滯習之日久身與剣合剣與神合於無剣處處處皆剣能知此義則近道矣 右廣川李景林題 The key in sword practice is that your body … Continue reading

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THE KUNWU SWORD MANUAL OF LI LINGXIAO

– 昆吾劍譜 KUNWU SWORD MANUAL 李凌霄 by Li Lingxiao [published Feb, 1935] [translation by Paul Brennan, July, 2013] – 著者肖像 Portrait of the author – 序 PREFACE [BY YIN JINGCHUN] 余素嗜國術,每遇國術專家,輒欲與一談,藉覘其研究之造詣及專擅之特長,以探我國武術之奧秘。十餘年來,所接談者不下數十名家;參觀出場比賽之名手,不下數千百人。或以剛猛致勝,或以敏捷取巧,或鍛鍊身體之一部以享盛名,或洞貫器械之全能,而自成一派。然一藝之精,舉非窮年累歲不為功。吁!國術之淵邃,信非門外漢可得而言也。 民國十八年,余來滄中任敎職,得晤李凌霄先生。先生世居滄縣西門外,為滄中國術導師,雖武夫而循循有儒者氣。暇與暢談,始知先生擅內外功。一日,令學生試舞昆吾劍。細觀之,與姜著寫眞昆吾劍出入甚多,因與談劍。於是又知先生精通劍法焉。 間嘗披覽馬相伯及姜容樵諸先生所著各種劍法。頗喜其論證宏博,條理貫通。然語其細膩精微,則先生又有說焉。余不禁驚詫而言曰:劍術之所以為劍術,其價値在於是矣!蓋身隨劍轉,劍掩身形,發手如閃電,駐足如磐石,紆迴婉轉,忽疾忽徐;所謂如游龍,如翔鳳者,信得舞劍之姿態矣! 昔之雅士,每以琴劍自隨。今之聞人,亦往往以習劍為樂。然大多公餘少暇,殊難作深邃之鑽研。即有志追求,而眞正精專之導師,一時又難遇合。且以國術在我國原屬秘傳。粗通者不敢遽以授人,精通者又不肯輕以授人。中國國術之日就淪湮,實由於此! 今者中央及各省縣蓋均有國術館之設。但鄕野精專國技之士,豈能盡為網羅;而功力湛深之專家,又未必能文詞以傳其藝業之奧。因之提倡者僅具苦心而難收美滿之效果。先生精於術而粗通文,因慫恿以昆吾劍譜公之於世,以存劍術之眞面目而供國術界之研索焉。 噫!劍之路數夥矣。因有派別之分,遂各是其是。然差之一毫,謬以千里。學之不精,遽失本原。習國術而能觀其會通,一洗派別之見者,海內實不多覯。先生挾其術奔走南北,所遇名手難以數計,一經接觸,蓋莫不服其神化焉。昔曹仲珊見而賞之,李協和聞而愛之,張之江見而喜之,豈不以其技術之精妙哉? 李君所遇如此,竟甘回鄕授徒以自樂。是則先生之所以過人者,不僅在其技術也已。房山殷景純序。 I have always … Continue reading

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