挑/Tiao – Raise, 托/Tuo – Support, 抹/Mo – Wipe, 掛/Gua – Hang, 㓲/Pian – Pare, 搜/Sou – Search, 閉/Bi – Close, 掃/Sao – Sweep, 順/Shun – Follow, 截/Jie – Intercept.
挑者手老陰着如靑龍返首式往前去挑住敵人之手腕或胳膊皆可謂之挑
Raising is the hand is in Old Yin move, like in Green Dragon Returns Head Pattern, rising toward the enemy’s wrist, or perhaps arm. Both are acceptable to call Raising.
托者手老陽着如白猿托桃式往前去托住敵人之手腕或胳膊俱是謂之托挑時多在敵人劍裡托時多在敵人劍外
Supporting is the hand is in Old Yang move, like in White Ape Holds a Peach Pattern, propping forward toward the enemy’s wrist or perhaps arm are both called Supporting. Raising is often used when inside the enemy’s sword, Supporting is often used when outside the enemy’s sword.
抹者將敵人之手腕或胳膊用劍挑住或托住後身形與劍或左或右走去是謂之抹
Smearing is in order to invite the enemy’s wrist or perhaps arm, use the sword to Raise or perhaps Support, then the body & sword move, perhaps to the left, perhaps to the right. This is called Smearing.
掛者敵人之劍已及己腕或斫己身右邊時用劍迎在敵劍上邊曲回胳膊縮回身體與劍一氣往回帶敵之劍隨帶隨出看勢擊敵是之謂掛
Hanging is when the enemy’s sword has already reached my wrist, or perhaps hacks at the right side of my body, I use my sword to meet the upper third of the enemy’s sword. Bending my arm, drawing back my body & sword in one go, while going in a circle & carrying the enemy’s sword. Carry & Follow according to the situation, then Strike the enemy. This is called Hanging.
㓲者敵人用手托住左臂或劍將及左臂時即將左胳膊往右胳膊下邊伸去用劍往左肩前邊斫去是謂之㓲
Pareing is when the enemy uses Hand Supporting toward my left arm or his sword desires to reach my left arm. Just as he arrives, my left arm extends under my right arm, I use my sword to go chop the front of his left shoulder. This is called Pareing.
搜者敵人之劍或斫我上或斫我下我之劍意在敵先望敵手腕或左或右似削物然速去速回倐忽若電是之謂搜
Searching is when the enemy’s sword possibly chops at me above or chops at me below, my sword anticipates the enemy first. It goes toward the enemy’s wrist, either to the left or to the right, as if peeling something. It is so fast, going quickly & returning suddenly, as abrupt as lightning. This is called Searching.
閉者敵人之劍將出而未出之時即速用劍堵住敵手不令出劍此之謂閉
Closing is when the enemy’s sword desires to go out but he has not yet extended it, I suddenly use my sword to block up the enemy, so his hand is unable to extend his sword. This is called Closing.
掃者上下掃也敵腕被我用劍挑住彼欲變法我速用劍纒繞彼腕令彼欲變不得是謂上掃敵劍斫我裡腕或外腕時即速縮身下式或左或右用劍望着敵人之腿如掃地一般斫去謂之下掃
Sweeping is Upper & Lower Sweeping. Having met the enemy’s wrist, I use my sword to Raise. If he wishes to change methods, I quickly use my sword to coil & wind his wrist, in order that his desire to change not be allowed. This is called Upper Sweeping. When the enemy’s sword hacks at my inner wrist or outer wrist, I quickly withdraw & lower my body, & use the sword to visit the enemy’s leg, as if sweeping the floor, generally Hacking. This is called Lower Sweeping.
順者敵劍望我擊來我順彼勢隨之引出或敵劍將要抽回我順彼勢隨之送入皆謂之順用此字時不可强硬進退均以意為之
Following is when the enemy’s sword strike comes at me, I go along with his momentum to subsequently draw him out, or perhaps the enemy’s sword is going to draw back, I go along with his momentum to subsequently carry & enter. Both cases are called Following. When using this character, you cannot be stubborn, it is Advancing or Retreating by means of Intent.
截者敵劍擊來我速用劍攩住敵腕或劍令彼不能得勢無分上中下三路均謂之截
Intercepting is when the enemy’s sword strike comes at me, I quickly use my sword to block the enemy’s wrist or sword, so that he cannot become dominant. It divides into Upper, Middle, & Lower; all Three Roads are called Intercepting.
上十字者即此劍應用之要法也雖云要法然用時亦必內而神意外而手足與劍合為一體方可應用咸宜變化無窮
The above Ten Characters are this sword’s Essential Methods of Usage. Although they are called Essential Methods, when applied correctly they must have the Inner Shen & Yi, & Outer Hands & Feet, combined as one integrated body with the sword. Only when you are able to use all of them when suitable can the variations be endless.
Lessons Learned in the World of Martial Arts 