Study notes of Wing Chun Quan history and terminology for a Wushu contextualization

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Study notes of Wing Chun Quan history and terminology for a Wushu contextualization ​​ ​​https://academia.edu/resource/work/97856131 This is a part of my study draftnotes, less or more ordered, about history and nomenclature of Wushu generally, more in particular focused about orthodox … Continua a leggere

STAFF VERSUS SPEAR

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棍進槍
STAFF VERSUS SPEAR
蘭晉如
by Lan Jinru
[Chapters 7–10 of An Authentic Description of Shaolin Staff Methods, published Jan, 1930]

[translation by Paul Brennan, Nov, 2018]

第七章 棍進槍
CHAPTER SEVEN [CHAPTERS 7–10]: STAFF VERSUS SPEAR

開門式 第一動作
OPENING POSTURE / MOVEMENT 1

甲方。(卽持棍人)雙手持棍。右手持棍尾在胸前。手心向下。左手抓棍身。在身後。手心向裏。使棍斜伏於左脇。站於練習場一端起點之左方。(指甲方所在任何一端正中為起點乙方亦然)左足在前。兩足距離約一尺餘。兩膝蓋微曲。左足踵提起。足尖觸地。全體重點。移於右腿。胸向右方。(起點右面)兩目注視乙方。(卽持槍人)微停。右足向前開一步。左足向前開一步。仍是足尖觸地。足踵提起。同時右手棍尾。左手棍頭。初在右足開步之際。各貼身傍畫一大圓圈。(棍尾經後向下旋轉棍頭經前向上旋轉)復於原處。其姿式與前同從略。同時乙方。(卽持槍人)雙手持槍。右手抓槍樽。曲肘。使槍樽緊貼右脇後方。手心向裏。左手抓槍身下端。胳膊向前伸直。手心向上。兩手距離約二尺餘。使槍尖橫向甲方。站於練習場另端之右前方。(起點右前面)右腿站直。左足在前。足踵提起。足尖觸地。兩足距離約一尺四五寸。胸向起點左方。兩目注視甲方。微停。雙手將槍舉起過頂。左手鬆開。沈下。同時右足向左前方。(起點左前面)橫開一步。(觸地後足尖向起點左前方)左足再向起點右前方開一步。原地再向右轉。使全體由右方轉一小圈。前胸仍向原方。(唯此時右足已在前方)右膝弓曲。左腿在後伸直。成前弓後箭步。同時右手及槍。落於胸前曲肘。使槍樽伏於右脇後方。手心向裏。同時左手在胸前接槍。手心向上。朝裏擰勁。擰至手心向下。同槍尖向外一叩。兩手距離約二尺餘。槍頭仍向甲方。其式如第一圖。
Person A (holding the staff), hold your staff with both hands, your right hand holding the tail of your staff in front of your chest, the center of the hand facing downward, your left hand grasping the body of your staff behind you, the center of the hand facing inward, causing your staff to be making a diagonal line against your left ribs. [Presumably due to the different authorship of this section, the “head” and “tail” of the staff are reversed to the tail being the thicker end and the head being the thinner end, something to keep in mind while studying these movement descriptions.] Your position in the practice space is in the southeast. (The orientations in these descriptions are assigned according to A’s perspective [in his initial position], even those for B.) [Being a clumsy way to establish orientations for a set in which two people switch places, I have replaced them with simple compass directions, same as for the Staff Versus Staff set (Chapters 2–6). However, in this section Person A instead begins on the left side of photo 1, causing the compass for the photos to be reversed. Also, the photos the Staff Versus Staff section maintain their orientations, whereas in this section there are several reverse views, causing the compass to flip again. Therefore for most of the photos, there is this compass:

S
E    –↑–   W
N

South is the back of the photo, north being the photographer, west on the right side, east on the left side. But for photos 15, 17, 25, 30, 38, 46, 47, and 49, there is the same compass as for all of the Staff Versus Staff photos:

N
W   –↑–    E
S

North in these cases is the back of the photo, south being the photographer, east on the right side, west on the left side.] Your left foot is forward, your feet just over a foot apart, both knees slightly bent, your left heel lifted, toes touching down, the weight on your right leg. Your chest is facing toward the north, your gaze toward B, and you slightly pause in this position.
  Your right foot takes a step forward, then your left foot takes a step forward, toes again touching down, heel lifted. At the same time, your hands draw a large circle with your staff (your right hand holding the tail of your staff, your left hand holding the head of your staff), keeping it close to each side of your body, the tail of your staff arcing downward to the rear [on your right side] as the head of your staff arcs forward and upward [on your left side], then returning to the same position as before.
  Person B (holding the spear), at the same time as A’s movement, you are holding your spear with both hands, your right hand grasping the end of your spear, the elbow bent, putting the end of your spear close behind your right ribs, the center of the hand facing inward, your left hand grasping the body of your spear toward the forward section, the arm straightened forward, the center of the hand facing upward, your hands just over two feet apart, the tip of your spear pointing toward A with the blade horizontal. Your position in the practice space is in the northwest, your right leg standing straight, your left foot forward, heel lifted, toes touching down, your feet about a foot and a half apart. Your chest is facing toward the south, your gaze toward A, and you likewise slightly pause in your position.
  Your hands lift your spear above your head, your left hand letting go and sinking down, while your right foot takes a step sideways toward the southwest (coming down with the toes pointing toward the southwest) and then your left foot takes a step toward the northwest [thereby moving you farther away from A], turning you to your right from your original position with a small turn of your body toward the south, your chest still facing the same direction as before (except that now your right foot is forward), your right knee bending, left leg straightening behind, making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. At the same time, your right hand lowers in front of your chest, the elbow bending, bringing the end of your spear close behind your right ribs, the center of the hand facing inward, as your left hand grabs your spear in front, the center of the hand facing upward, and twists inward until the center of the hand is facing downward, sending the tip of your spear outward with a snap, your hands just over two feet apart, the tip of your spear again pointing toward A. See photo 1 [each of these photos indicating 甲者 Person A (Chen Fengqi, who was also Person A in the Staff Versus Staff section) and 乙者 Person B (Liu Junling)]:

第二動作
MOVEMENT 2:

乙方承式向前進步。挺槍照甲方頭額直刺。(進步多寡以場之大小而定)同時甲方。亦向前進步。(兩方集於場之中間)待乙槍刺來。兩手托棍。向頭上猛架乙槍。左足在前。膝蓋伸直。右腿微曲。兩足距離約一尺五六寸。腰部微向後縮。左手朝上。伸直。微向前方。手心向起點右前方。五指伸開。伏於棍之兩旁。右手向上伸。肘微曲。使棍頭向身左前下方。胸向起點右前方。兩目注視乙方。乙方刺槍時。右手用力猛砍左手。在胸前扶之。右手砍至離左手約四五寸為止。左足在前。膝蓋弓曲。右腿伸直。成小前弓後箭步。兩足距離約一尺七八寸。上身微向前探。兩目注視甲方。其式如第二圖。
B, continuing from the previous posture, advance, (the number of steps you advance depending on the size of the practice space) and extend your spear with a stab toward A’s forehead.
  A, you are also advancing (so that the two of you are now more toward the middle of the practice space). When you see the stab coming, your hands prop up over your head, fiercely bracing away B’s spear, your left foot forward, the knee straightening, your right leg slightly bending, your feet about a foot and a half apart, your waist slightly shrinking back. Your left arm is straightening upward and slightly forward, the center of the hand facing toward the northwest, fingers extended and supporting on the side of your staff, your right arm extended upward, the elbow slightly bent, the head of your staff pointing downward toward the southwest. Your chest is facing toward the northwest, your gaze toward B.
  B, when stabbing, your right hand forcefully shoots out, your left hand supporting in front of your chest, your right hand finishing about half a foot away from your left hand. Your left foot is forward, the knee bending, your right leg straightening, making a small bow & arrow stance, your feet about a foot and three quarters apart. Your upper body is slightly reaching forward, your gaze toward A. See photo 2:

第三動作
MOVEMENT 3:

甲方將乙槍架出。承乙方下部空虛。甲方雙手持棍。左手仍在前由左向右。照乙方足部猛踏。同時乙方見棍踏來。兩足急向後跳一大步。該時右手槍樽。亦隨向後縮。至右脇。左手仍在胸前。手心向上。與前姿式不變。此時乙方。復進步挺槍。照甲方頭額直刺。左手不變。右手仍向前直砍。至離左手約四五寸為止。左足在前。仍成前弓後箭步。胸向起點左後方。兩目注視甲方。同時甲方。見槍刺來。乃由身之右方。使棍頭向左猛掛。右膝微曲。左足在前。足尖觸地。足踵提起。兩足距離約一尺餘。全身重點。移於右腿。棍頭向上。左肘彎曲。右手沈下。左手心向前。胸向起點。前方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第三圖。
A, after bracing away B’s spear, take advantage of the gap at B’s lower body by using both hands to send your staff from left to right, your left hand staying forward, with a fierce smashing action toward B’s [front] foot [as your shift your weight forward onto your own front foot].
  B, when you see A’s staff smashing toward you, suddenly jump back a large step with both feet as your right hand draws back the end of your spear to your right ribs, your left hand still in front of your chest, the center of the hand facing upward. Then finish in the same posture as in the previous movement, advancing and stabbing toward A’s forehead, the position of your left hand not changing as your right hand again shoots forward, finishing about half a foot away from your left hand, your left foot forward, again making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. Your chest is facing toward the southeast, your gaze toward A.
  A, when you see the stab coming, send the head of your staff from right to left with a fierce hanging action, your right knee slightly bending, your left foot in front with its toes touching down, heel lifted, your feet just over a foot apart, the weight shifting onto your right leg. The head of your staff is pointing upward, your left elbow bending, your right hand sinking down, the center of your left hand facing forward. Your chest is facing toward the west, your gaze toward B. See photo 3:

第四動作
MOVEMENT 4:

甲方將槍掛出。遂卽雙手舉棍。由頭上至腦後。(此時左手鬆開下降右手單手持棍)右足向前開一步。同時右棍在腦後經身之右方。猛向乙方足部打一掃蹚。該時兩足距離約二尺。兩膝弓曲。成騎馬式。然腰部亦向前弓曲。胸向起點左方。兩目注視乙方。同時乙方見棍掃來。兩足猛向高跳。右手槍樽速縮至右脇後方。左手仍在前。手心向上。槍尖直向甲方。右膝彎曲。左足在前。膝亦微曲。足尖觸地。足踵提起。兩足距離約一尺餘。全身重點移於右腿。胸向左方。(起點左面)面向起點後方。兩目注視甲方。其式如第四圖。
A, after sending away B’s spear with a hanging action, raise your staff over your head with both hands and bring it behind your head (your left hand in this moment letting go and lowering, your right hand alone holding your staff). Then as your right foot takes a step toward the west, your right hand sends your staff from behind your head, passing the right side of your body, and suddenly attacking B’s foot with a “sweeping the hall” action, [your left hand correspondingly rising up,] your feet about two feet apart, both legs bending, making a horse-riding stance, but with your waist bending forward. Your chest is facing toward the south, your gaze toward B.
  B, when you see A’s staff sweeping toward you, your feet suddenly jump up high and your right hand quickly withdraws the end of your spear behind your right ribs, your left hand still forward, the center of the hand facing upward, the tip of your spear pointing toward A. [When you land,] your right knee bends, your left foot forward, the knee also slightly bent, toes touching down, heel lifted, your feet just over a foot apart, the weight shifted onto your right leg. Your chest is facing toward the south, your face toward the east, your gaze toward A. See photo 4:

第五動作
MOVEMENT 5:

乙方復跟步進前。(跟步云者卽左足向前開一步右足緊隨左足之後跟步也)照甲方右肩直刺。右手仍止於左手之後。約四五寸。其姿式。與前刺甲方之動作相同。該時甲方見槍刺來。遂用雙手持棍。左手在前。手心向外。反把將棍扣住。右手及棍尾緊伏於左脇之下。左手用力向身之右後方猛搜。槍尖全身微向右轉。同時右足向後縮半步。使胸向後方。(起點後面)左膝弓曲。右足在前。足踵提起。足尖觸地。兩足距離約一尺餘。身之重點。移於左腿。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第五圖。
B, advance with a follow step (meaning that your left foot steps out and your right foot closely follows behind it), stabbing straight toward A’s right shoulder, your right hand stopping about half a foot behind your left hand. This action of stabbing toward A is the same as in the previous posture.
  A, when you see the stab coming, hold your staff with both hands, your left hand going forward, the center of the hand facing outward, grabbing your staff with a covering grip, your right hand and the tail of your staff hiding below your left ribs, and your left hand forcefully goes toward your body’s right rear, fiercely seeking the tip of B’s spear, your body slightly turning to the right. At the same time, your right foot withdraws a half step, your chest facing toward the west, your left knee bending, your right foot in front, heel lifted, toes touching down, your feet just over a foot apart, the weight on your left leg. You are facing toward the west, your gaze toward B. See photo 5:

第六動作
MOVEMENT 6:

乙方。將槍仍縮回。兩足不動。復挺槍。照甲方右膝下部直刺。同時甲方見槍刺來。右足向身後猛撤一步。同時右手棍尾。急轉至右脇。使棍頭橫斜。朝下猛捕。使棍頭觸地。向左前方。(起點左前面)右膝曲。左腿伸直。兩足距離約二尺。兩足尖均向起點左方。前胸亦向起點左方。腰部微向前曲。兩目注視乙方。其式如第六圖。
B, again withdraw your spear, your feet staying where they are, then extend your spear, stabbing toward A’s right shin.
  A, when you see the stab coming, your right foot quickly withdraws a step behind you as your right hand draws an arc with the tail of your staff until it is at your right ribs, causing the head of your staff to go across diagonally, and fiercely seize downward, sending the head of your staff to touch the ground toward the southwest [northwest], your right knee bending, left leg straightening, your feet about two feet apart, the toes of both feet pointing toward the south [north]. Your chest is also facing toward the south [north], your torso slightly bending forward, your gaze toward B. See photo 6:

第七動作
MOVEMENT 7:

乙方左手前移。手心向上。右手縮回脇部後方。兩足不動。復照甲方頭額直刺。此時左手後移。右手向前直砍。止於左手後方約四五寸。同時甲方。見槍刺來。雙手執棍。猛向上托乙方之槍。左手朝上伸直。微向前。低於右手約五六寸。手心向右。(起點右面)五指伸開。伏於棍之旁。右手朝上。肘微曲。兩腿與前姿式不變。唯腰部抬起垂直。兩目注視乙方。其式如第七圖。
B, your left hand is shifted forward, the center of the hand facing upward, as your right hand withdraws behind your ribs, your feet staying where they are. Then stab toward A’s head, your left hand being shifted to the rear as your right hand shoots forward, stopping about half a foot behind your left hand.
  A, when you see the stab coming, your hands fiercely prop up B’s spear, your left hand going upward and slightly forward, the arm straightening, the hand about half a foot lower than your right hand, the center of the hand facing toward the north, fingers opened, supporting the side of your staff, your right hand going upward, the elbow slightly bent. Your legs do not change their position from the previous posture, but your torso lifts to become upright. Your gaze is toward B. See photo 7:

第八動作
MOVEMENT 8:

甲方將乙槍架出。同時左足尖朝外撇。使向起點左方。右足向前橫開一步。觸地。後足尖向起點左方。膝蓋伸直。右膝曲。兩足距離約二尺餘。全身重點。移於左腿。在右足開步之際。左手沈下。右手執棍。在腦後。使棍由身後經右方。猛向乙方左足部打一掃蹚。同時乙方。左手微鬆。姿式與前不變。右手急仍縮囘右脇後方。同時見甲方照足部掃來。兩足猛向高跳。落地後。左足仍在前。兩足距離約一尺餘。兩膝微曲。胸向起點右前方。槍尖橫向甲方。兩目注視甲方。同時甲方承打掃蹚之際。原地向左轉。使胸向起點後方。卽時右足在左足後方。向前開一步。左足再由右足後方。又向前開一步。膝蓋弓曲。右腿在後伸直。成小前弓後箭步。兩足距離一尺餘。在右足開步之際。右手棍。由右方。經前方。畫一大圓圈。折回。斜伏於左脇下部。棍頭向起點。前下方。離地約四五寸。棍尾與眼眉相平。左手在後伸直。手心向裏。右肘橫曲。手心向下。面目由左方。隨棍頭同時轉向起點前方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第八圖。
A, after propping away B’s spear, your left toes swing outward toward the south, then your right foot steps forward, the foot coming down sideways, the toes pointing toward the south, the knee straightening, your right [left] knee bending, your feet just over two feet apart, the weight shifted onto your left leg. As your right foot steps out, your left hand sinks down and your right hand sends your staff past your head, behind your body, through the area to your right, and fiercely sweeping toward B’s left foot.
  B, your left hand slightly loosens, but your posture remains the same as your right hand withdraws behind your right ribs. When you see A’s staff sweeping toward your foot, your feet suddenly jump up high and come down to the rear, your left foot still forward, your feet just over a foot apart, both knees slightly bent. Your chest is facing toward the northwest, the tip of your spear pointing toward A, your gaze toward A.
  A, continuing from the sweep, turn around leftward so that your chest is facing toward the east, your right foot at the same time stepping forward from behind your left foot, your left foot then stepping forward from behind your right foot, the knee bending, your right leg straightening behind, making a small stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow, your feet just over a foot apart. As your right foot steps out, your right hand sends your staff from your right side and across in front of you, thereby completing a full circle, and bending in to point your staff diagonally downward below your left ribs. The head of your staff is pointing downward, about half a foot away from the ground, the tail of your staff at eyebrow level, your left arm straightening behind, the center of the hand facing inward, your right arm bending across, the center of the hand facing downward. Your face turns to the left as the head of your staff arcs toward the west, your gaze toward B. See photo 8:

第九動作
MOVEMENT 9:

乙方趁勢進步。追擊甲方。同時甲方。見乙方追來。以原式向起點後方退走。(開步之多寡以場之大小而定)乙方追至場之一端。挺槍直刺甲方頭部後腦。甲方見槍刺來。乃由右方。向後轉身。用棍經上方。掄起。照乙方頭部連封帶劈。同時左腿站直。足尖向起點右方。右足提起足尖下垂。伏於左膝裏外端。使右腿成三角形。胸向右方。(起點右面)同時隨右棍停於頭部上方。五指伸直。並攏。手心向上。面向起點前方。兩目注視乙方。該時乙方用槍直刺甲方。忽見甲方用棍劈來。乙方右足向後急退一小步。膝蓋曲。左足緊隨。兩足距離約七八寸。左足在前。足踵提起。足尖觸地。同時兩手緊抓槍樽。猛向上騰過頂。胳膊微曲。槍尖微低。向起點右後方。胸向起點左後方。兩目注視甲方。其式如第九圖。
B, take advantage of the opportunity by advancing, chasing to attack A. A, when you see B chasing, continue stepping toward the east to retreat away from him (the number of steps depending on the size of the practice space). B, once you have chased A all the way across the practice space [both of you finishing with your left foot forward], send your spear stabbing straight to the back of his head.
  A, when you see the stab coming, turn around rightward and roll your staff over, passing above you and continuing into a sealing chop toward B’s head. At the same time, your left leg straightens, the toes pointing toward the north, and your right foot lifts, the toes hanging down close to the inner side of your left knee, causing your right leg to form a triangle shape. Your chest is facing toward the north [south]. By the time your staff is over B’s head, [your left hand has raised,] the fingers straight and together, the center of the hand facing upward. You are facing toward the west, your gaze toward B.
  B, when you see A’s staff suddenly chopping toward you, your right foot quickly retreats a small step, the knee bends, and your left foot closely follows until your feet are about three quarters of a foot apart, your left foot in front, the heel lifted, toes touching down. At the same time, fiercely send the end of your spear upward over your head, your arms slightly bent, the tip of your spear slightly lower than the end and pointing toward the northeast. Your chest is facing toward the southeast, your gaze toward A. See photo 9:

第十動作
MOVEMENT 10:

乙方。雙手沈下。同時將槍向下一扣。左手順槍桿。向前移。手心向上。右手貼於右脇後方。手心向裏。兩手距離約二尺餘。該時左足抬起。向前開一大步。右足緊隨半步。左膝曲。右腿伸直。成小前弓後箭步。同時右手猛向前伸。使槍尖照甲方直刺。右手仍停於左手後方。胸向起點後方。兩目注視甲方。同時甲方。見槍刺來。右足向前開一步。足尖朝外撇。右手棍由裏向上一裹。左足再向前開一步。成騎馬式。同時右手下沉。伏於右脇下方。手心向裏。使棍斜貼胸部。棍頭斜向上方。棍頭高於頭頂約一尺弱。在右棍向裏裹時。左手接棍中段向外猛科。手心向起點右方。胸亦向起點右方。面向起點前方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第十圖。
B, your hands sink down, sending your spear covering downward, your left hand shifting forward along the shaft of your spear, the center of the hand facing upward, your right hand close behind your right ribs, the center of the hand facing inward, your hands just over two feet apart. Your left foot now lifts and takes a large step forward, then your right foot follows with a half step, your left knee bending, right leg straightening, making a small stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow, as your right hand suddenly extends forward, sending the tip of your spear stabbing toward A, your right hand again finishing just behind your left hand. Your chest is facing toward the east, your gaze toward A.
  A, when you see the stab coming, your right foot takes a step toward the east, the toes swinging outward, as your right hand wraps the inward and upward. Then your left foot takes a step toward the east, making a horse-riding stance, as your right hand sinks down to be close below your right ribs, the center of the hand facing inward, making your staff diagonal near your chest, the head of your staff pointing diagonally upward just under a foot higher than your headtop. While your right hand wraps your staff inward, your left hand grabs the middle section and sends your staff knocking outward, the center of the hand facing toward the north. Your chest is also facing toward the north, your face toward the west, your gaze toward B. See photo 10:

第十一動作
MOVEMENT 11:

乙方之槍。被棍科出。同時將槍縮回。兩足不動。右膝微曲。全身亦隨微向後縮。左手姿式不變。唯稍向前移。右手仍伏於右脇後方。同時右足猛登。膝蓋伸直。右手又猛向前伸。照甲方頭額直刺。其姿式與第十圖相同。詳見前。同時甲方見槍刺來。猛向左轉。使胸向正前方。(起點正前面)右足在原地轉。膝蓋微曲。左足向後收回一小步。膝蓋亦曲。足踵提起。足尖觸地。兩足距離約一尺餘。全身重點。移於右腿。在原地向左轉時。右手姿式不動。左手持棍。猛向左帶。面向起點前方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第十一圖。
B, once your spear has been knocked aside, withdraw it, your feet staying where they are, your right knee slightly bending, your body slightly shrinking back, your left hand maintaining its position but slightly shifting forward, your right hand again hidden behind your right ribs. Then your right foot suddenly presses, the knee straightening, and your right hand suddenly shoots forward, stabbing toward A’s forehead, your posture the same as in photo 10.
  A, when you see the stab coming, suddenly turn to the left, causing your chest to be facing toward the east, your right foot staying where it is and pivoting, the knee slightly bending, your left foot withdrawing a small step, the knee also bent, the heel lifted, toes touching down, your feet just over a foot apart, the weight shifting onto your right leg. As you turn to the left, mostly staying where you are, your right hand maintains its position and your left hand suddenly sends your staff to the left with a dragging action. You are facing toward the west, your gaze toward B. See photo 11:

第十二動作
MOVEMENT 12:

承上式不停。甲方左足急向前開一小步。同時右足在左足後方。再向前開一步。兩膝均曲。成騎馬式。在右足開步之際。右肘提起。彎曲在胸前。使棍尾直向乙方之左腿之部猛戳。左手姿式不變。唯用力向下垂。兩手心均向下。胸向起點左方。兩目注視乙方腿部。同時乙方。見棍尾照腿部戳來。在足急退一小步。右足再向前開一步。同時左手移抓槍之中段。使槍尖向上。右手亦微向上移。使槍樽猛抵甲方棍尾。兩膝蓋曲。成騎馬式。右手心向下。左手心向上。胸向起點右方。兩目注視甲方棍尾。其式如第十二圖。
A, continuing from the previous posture from pausing, your left foot quickly takes a small step forward, then your right foot takes a step forward from behind your left foot, both knees bending, making a horse-riding stance. As your right foot steps out, your right elbow lifts and bends in front of your chest, and you send the tail of your staff poking toward B’s left leg, your left hand maintaining its position but forcefully dropping, the centers of both hands facing downward. Your chest is facing toward the south, your gaze toward B’s leg.
  B, when you see the tail of A’s staff poking toward your leg, your [left] foot quickly retreats a small step and your right foot then takes a step forward. At the same time, your left hand shifts its grip to the middle [forward] section of your spear, sending the tip of your spear upward, your right hand also slightly shifting upward, and you send the end of your spear to brace away the tail of A’s staff, both knees bending, making a horse-riding stance, the center of your right hand facing downward, the center of your left hand facing upward. Your chest is facing toward the north, your gaze toward the tail of A’s staff. See photo 12:

第八章
(CHAPTER EIGHT)

第十三動作
MOVEMENT 13 [switching places]:

甲方棍尾。托乙方槍樽向上絞。同時右足向起點左方。橫移一小步。足尖向外撇。左足向起點前方。開一步此時乙方。與甲方動作相同。該時右足亦橫移一小步。(向起點右放)足尖亦向外撇。左足亦開一步。(向起點後方與甲方相背)此時甲方已轉至乙方所站之地點。胸向起點。右方。而乙方則轉至甲方所站之地點。胸向起點左方。此時乙方將槍樽縮回。提高。右足向後撤一步。使槍尖朝下。向前照甲方右腿下部直刺。兩手用力下垂。左肘伸直。手心向上。右肘微曲。手心向下。胸向起點前方。兩目注視甲方腿部。甲方照腿刺來。右足猛向後撤一步。左手用力向右前方(身之右前方)猛推。使棍頭上方。急抵乙方之槍尖上端。胸向起點左後方。兩手心均向下。左肘伸直。右肘曲。使棍斜伏於腹部右方。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。棍尖。其式如第十三圖。
A, use the tail of your staff to prop up the end of A’s spear in an arc [going clockwise] as your right foot shifts a small step across toward the south, the toes swinging outward, and your left foot steps out toward the west.
  B, as A moves, your right foot also shifts a small step across (toward the north), the toes also swinging outward, and your left foot steps out (toward the east, going around A [as he is going around you]). You have both now switched places. A, your chest is facing toward the north. B, your chest is facing toward the south. B, withdraw the end of your spear raised high as your right foot withdraws a step and then send the tip of your spear stabbing forward and downward toward B’s lower body, your hands forcefully dropping into place, your left elbow straightening, the center of the hand facing upward, your right elbow slightly bending, the center of the hand facing downward. Your chest is facing toward the west, your gaze toward A’s leg.
  A, when you see the stab coming, your right foot withdraws a step as your left hand forcefully pushes to your forward right, sending the head of your staff to quickly brace away the tip of B’s spear. Your chest is facing toward the southeast, the centers of both hands facing downward, your left elbow straightening, your right elbow bending, causing your staff to be positioned diagonally, close to the right side of your belly. You are facing toward the east, your gaze toward the tip of B’s staff [spear]. See photo 13:

第十四動作
MOVEMENT 14:

乙方原姿式不動。將槍縮回。復照甲方左膝下部猛刺。甲方見槍刺來。左足向裏橫移一小步。足尖向外撇。同時右足再向前開一步。左手用力一帶。使棍頭將槍尖向外撥出。左肘曲。使棍頭向後上方。右肘向下。伸直。使棍尾向前下方。在右足進步之時。右手用力。使棍尾順槍桿直向上磕乙方左手。此時兩足尖均向起點左方。胸亦向起點左方。兩膝曲。成騎馬式。唯上身微向起點後方探。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。同時乙方。見棍尾照左手磕來。左手猛向後。移至右手所在之處。同時右足不動。左足猛向後撤半步。足尖觸地。足踵提起。槍尖亦在前觸地。兩肘彎曲。使兩手縮於胸部下方。兩手心均向上。胸向起點前方。兩目注視棍尾。其式如第十四圖。
B, without changing your posture, withdraw your spear, then fiercely stab toward A’s lower left leg.
  A, when you see the stab coming, your left foot shifts a small step across inward, toes swinging outward, and your right foot then takes a step forward. Your left hand is forcefully dragging, sending the head of your staff to deflect the tip of B’s spear outward, and your left elbow bends, sending the head of your staff upward behind you, your right elbow straightening downward, sending the tail of your staff forward and downward. As your right foot advances, your right hand forcefully sends the tail of your staff upward to be parallel with the shaft of B’s spear and knock against his left hand, the toes of your feet now pointing toward the south. Your chest is also facing toward the south, both knees bending, making a horse-riding stance, your upper body slightly reaching toward the east, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B.
  B, when you see the tail of A’s staff coming to knock your left hand, your left hand suddenly shifts to the rear to be next to your right hand. At the same time, your right foot stays where it is, but your left foot suddenly withdraws a half step, toes touching down, heel lifted, the tip of your spear touching the ground in front, both elbows bending, causing your hands to withdraw below your chest, the centers of both hands facing upward. Your chest is facing toward the west, your gaze toward the tail of A’s staff. See photo 14:

第十五動作
MOVEMENT 15:

乙方右足。同時向後撤一大步。左足亦隨右足撤半步。膝蓋微曲。右膝伸直。上身前探。成小前弓後箭步。同時左手向前移。伸直。右手握槍樽。縮回右脇之後方。復猛向前砍。照甲方頭部猛刺。同時甲方見槍刺來。左足不動。膝蓋彎曲。右足猛向後退半步。膝蓋微曲。足踵提起。足尖觸地。兩足距離約一尺餘。全身重點移於右腿。同時右足原地向右轉。右手棍尾向下沉。左手棍頭向上。左手用力。經胸前向身之右方推磕乙方之槍尖。此時右手伏於腹部左端。手心向裏。左手伏於膀肩旁。手心向前。胸向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第十五圖。
B, your right foot withdraws a large step, and your left foot follows, withdrawing a half step, the knee slightly bending, your right knee straightening, your upper body reaching forward as you make a small stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. At the same time, your left arm shifts forward, the arm straightening, and your right hand withdraws the end of your spear behind your right ribs, then shoots forward, suddenly stabbing toward A’s head.
  A, when you see the stab coming, your left foot stays where it is, the knee bending, and your right foot suddenly retreats a half step, the knee slightly bending, heel lifted, toes touching down, your feet just over a foot apart, the weight shifting onto your right [left] leg, your right [left] foot pivoting rightward. At the same time, your right hand sinks down the tail of your staff, your left hand sending the head of your staff upward, and your left hand forcefully pushes out to your right, knocking away the tip of B’s spear. Your right hand is now close to the left side of your abdomen, the center of the hand facing inward, your left hand close beside your [right] shoulder, the center of the hand facing forward. Your chest is facing toward the east, your gaze toward B. See photo 15 [reverse view]:

第十六動作
MOVEMENT 16:

同時乙方。右手復縮囘脇部後方。左手姿式不變。右手復向前猛砍。轉向甲方右膝下部直刺。甲方右足猛向左足後方撤一大步。膝蓋弓曲。左足亦隨撤半步。左膝伸直。足尖橫向起點左方。同時右手復於右脇後方。左手向下按。使棍頭由前直下。捺乙方槍尖。左手。左手伸直。手心向下。右肘微曲。手心向裏。上身向起點左方。微曲。胸向起點左方。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第十六圖。
B, your right hand withdraws behind your ribs, the position of your left hand not changing, then your right hand fiercely shoots forward with a stab toward A’s right knee.
  A, your right foot suddenly withdraws a large step behind your left foot, the knee bending, and your left foot also withdraws a half step, the knee straightening, the toes pointing across toward the south. At the same time, your right hand goes behind your right ribs and your left hand pushes downward, sending the head of your staff downward from in front of you, pressing down the tip of B’s spear, your left arm straightening, the center of the hand facing downward, your right elbow slightly bending, the center of the hand facing inward, your upper body slightly bending toward the south. Your chest is facing toward the south, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B. See photo 16:

第十七動作
MOVEMENT 17:

乙方復將槍縮回。照甲方頭部直刺。其姿式與前式相同。詳見前。故從畧。同時甲方雙手握棍。橫向上架乙方槍尖。同時將槍架出。使棍經腦後。(此時右手沈下)右手單手抓住棍尾。由身右方。橫向乙方腿部打一掃蹚。同時左足向右足後方猛撤一步。原地由左方向後轉。右足復向起點前方開一步。(此時胸已向起點前方)在右足開步之際。右手持棍橫掄。經右方。由前方斜伏於左脇之下。(在棍掄至面前時左手已接棍抓住)棍頭向起點。後下方。離地約五六寸。左肘向下斜方伸直。手心向裏。右肘橫曲。手心向下。右膝弓曲。左腿伸直。成前弓後箭步。唯此時胸向起點左方。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。當甲方打掃蹚時。同時乙方。將槍縮回。兩足高跳。落地後。其姿式與前不變。詳見上。胸向起點前方。兩目注視甲方。其式如第十七圖。
B, withdraw your spear, then stab toward A’s head, your posture still the same as in the previous movement.
  A, with both hands holding your staff horizontally, prop up the tip of B’s spear, and once the spear has been propped away, your staff passes behind your head (your right hand sinking down), your right hand now grasping your staff on its own, holding the tail of your staff, bringing it across from your right to attack B’s leg with a “sweeping the hall” action. At the same time, your left foot suddenly withdraws a step behind your right foot, arcing behind you from your left, then your right foot takes a step toward the west (your chest now facing toward the west). As your right foot steps out, your right hand has swung your staff across from the right and brings it in front of you to be a diagonal line close below your left ribs (your left hand now grabbing your staff), the head of your staff pointing downward toward the east, about half a foot away from the ground. Your left arm is straightened diagonally downward, the center of the hand facing inward, your right elbow bent across, the center of the hand facing downward, your right knee bending, left leg straightening, making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. Your chest is now facing toward the south, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B.
  B, when A attacks with “sweeping the hall”, withdraw your spear, jumping high with both feet, and then after you land, your posture is again the same as before. Your chest is facing toward the west, your gaze toward A. See photo 17 [reverse view]:

第十八動作
MOVEMENT 18:

甲方姿式不變。直向起點前方走。兩目仍回視乙方。同時乙方亦挺槍開步。直追甲方。(甲方開步之多寡視練習場之大小而定)甲方走至練習場之另一。端乙。方照甲方腿部後方直刺。同時甲方見槍刺來。右手不動。左手曲肘。將棍向後提起。再向前猛搏槍尖。同時左足在後。橫向右方。(起點右面)移半步。膝蓋伸直。右膝弓曲。兩足距離約二尺弱。成前弓後箭步。胸向起點左方。兩足尖均向起點左方。面向起點後方。兩目注視槍。同時乙方左足在前。膝蓋微曲。右足在後。伸直。成小前弓後箭步左。手仍向前伸直右。手槍樽。仍停於左手裏面。胸向起點前方。兩目注視甲方腿部。其式如第十八圖。
A, without changing your posture, walk toward the west with your gaze turned to look toward B. B, step out to pursue A. A, with the number and size of your steps depending on the practice space, walk to one end of the space. B, stab to the back of A’s [left] leg.
  A, when you see the stab coming, your right hand stays where it is as your left elbow bends, lifting your staff behind you and then suddenly sending it forward to smack away the tip of B’s spear. At the same time, your left foot shifts a half step across toward the north, the knee straightening, your right knee bending, your feet just under two feet apart, making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. Your chest is facing toward the south, the toes of both feet pointing toward the south. You are facing toward the east, your gaze toward B’s spear.
  B, your left foot is forward, the knee slightly bent, right foot behind, the leg straightening, making a small stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. Your left hand is again extended forward, your right hand again finishing with the end of your spear near the inside of your left hand. Your chest is facing toward the west, your gaze toward A’s leg. See photo 18:

第十九動作
MOVEMENT 19:

乙方復將槍縮回。兩足不動。唯身亦向後縮。又照甲方頭部直刺。同時甲方。右手棍尾沈下。左手將棍頭抬起。向上用力。向左猛扣乙槍。此時右足不動。半面向左轉。同時左足縮回一小步。足踵提起。足尖觸地。全身重點。移於右腿。胸向起點後方。左肘橫曲。手心向起點右方。右手心向起點右方。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第十九圖。
B, withdraw your spear, your feet staying where they are, your body also shrinking back, then stab toward A’s head.
  A, your right hand sinks down the tail of your staff as your left hand forcefully lifts up the head of your staff and then goes to the left, fiercely covering B’s spear. At the same time, your right foot stays where it is but does a half pivot to the left, and your left foot withdraws a small step, heel lifted, toes touching down, the weight shifting onto your right leg. Your chest is facing toward the east, your left elbow bending across, the center of the hand facing toward the north [south], the center of your right hand also facing toward the north [south]. You are facing toward the east, your gaze toward B. See photo 19:

第二十動作
MOVEMENT 20:

同時甲方。將乙槍扣住。右足向起點後方開一步。棍尾由身後。經頭上向乙方直劈。同時右手順棍下沈。距離左手約七八寸。手心向下。同時左肘曲。成三角形。上段緊伏左脇下段。成水平線。手心向下。使棍頭緊伏下段底面。棍頭與肘尖相齊。棍頭與棍尾成水平。上身微向前探。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。同時乙方。見棍尾劈來。將槍縮回。右足向後撤一步。左足亦隨右足向後撤一步。方向仍不變。同時右手槍樽提起。左手向前微推。架住棍尾。左手朝裏裹勁。使槍桿上端。裹至棍尾在下。槍桿在上。胸向起點右方。兩目注視棍尾。其式如第二十圖。
A, after covering B’s spear, your right foot steps out toward the east as you send the tail of your staff from behind you, over your head, and chopping toward B, your right hand sinking down [i.e. sliding inward along your staff] to be about three quarters of a foot away from your left hand, the center of the hand facing downward. Your left elbow is bent, making a triangle shape, the upper arm near your left ribs, the forearm making a horizontal line, the center of the hand facing downward, the head of your staff lowered to be level with the elbow, the head and tail of your staff making a horizontal line [diagonal according to the photo]. Your upper body is slightly reaching forward. You are facing toward the east, your gaze toward B.
  B, when you see the tail of A’s staff chopping toward you, pull back your spear as your right foot withdraws a step, your left foot following by also withdrawing a step, your orientation remaining the same. Then your right hand lifts the end of your spear and your left hand slightly pushes forward to brace away the tail of A’s staff, your left [right] hand also wrapping inward, causing the shaft of your spear to be angled upward, resulting in the staff being underneath and the spear being on top. Your chest is facing toward the north, your gaze toward the tail of A’s staff. See photo 20:

第二十一動作
MOVEMENT 21:

甲方兩足不動。右手向棍尾處移。抓住棍尾端。(此時左手鬆開)使棍頭經上方。直向乙方猛劈。上身向前探。左手隨棍停於頭部上方。五指伸開並攏。手心向上。右胳膊伸直。棍頭與棍尾相平。胸向起點右方。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。同時乙方。右足微向起點右後方撤一小步。左足亦隨撤一小步。足踵微提起。足尖觸地。兩膝伸直。同時右手槍樽。微隨左手。左手抬高。使槍尖向身右前上方。左手用力向外擰勁。使槍尖猛扣甲棍。手心向左方。(起點左面)右手心向下。其式如第二十一圖。
A, with your feet staying where they are, your right hand shifts to the tail of your staff (your left hand letting go), sending the head of your staff over you and chopping toward B, your upper body reaching forward, your left hand following your staff to finish above your head, the fingers extended but together, the center of the hand facing upward, your right arm straightening, the head and tail of your staff level with each other. Your chest is facing toward the north, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B.
  B, your right foot withdraws a small step slightly toward the northeast and your left foot also withdraws a step, the heel slightly lifted, toes touching down, both knees straightening. At the same time, your right hand at the end of your spear slightly follows your left hand as your left hand lifts, sending the tip of your spear upward to the forward right of your body, your left hand forcefully twisting outward, causing the tip of your spear to suddenly cover A’s staff, the center of the hand facing toward the south, the center of your right hand facing downward. See photo 21:

第二十二動作
MOVEMENT 22:

甲方不停。卽向起點前方開步進行。左手仍在頭部上方。胸向起點右前方。面由右方。轉向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。同時右手及棍。在身後隨胳膊伸直。棍頭觸地。向起點正後方。胳膊與棍成直線。同時乙方姿式不變。向前開步。(甲乙兩方開步多寡視場之大小而定)甲方走至場之另一端。乙方用力照甲方頭部直刺。乙方左足在前。甲方見槍刺來止步。左足在前。右手用力使棍之中段向上猛托。右手朝上伸直。微向起點後方。手心向上。棍頭向起點左後下方。同時右足向後退回一小步。足踵微提起。足尖觸地。胸向起點右後方。左手仍在頭上不變。兩目注視乙槍。其式如第二十二圖。
A, without pausing, advance [retreat] toward the west, your left hand still above your head. Your chest is facing toward the northwest, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B. At the same time, your right hand and your staff follow your body back, the arm straightening, the head of your staff touching the ground toward the east, the arm and staff together making a straight line.
  B, maintaining your posture, chase toward the west as A walks to that end of the practice space (the amount of steps for both of you depending on the size of the practice space), and forcefully stab toward his head, your left foot again going forward.
  A, when you see the stab coming, bring your feet to a halt with your left [right] foot forward, [left foot behind], as your right hand forcefully sends the middle section of your staff propping upward, the arm extending upward and slightly toward the east, the center of the hand facing upward, the head of your staff pointing downward toward the southeast. At the same time, your right foot retreats a small step, the heel slightly lifted, toes touching down. Your chest is facing toward the northeast, your left hand still positioned above your head, your gaze toward B’s spear. See photo 22:

第二十三動作
MOVEMENT 23:

乙方將槍縮回。兩足不動。復照甲方右腿下部猛刺。同時甲方。右足向起點前方猛撤一步。膝蓋弓曲。左足不動。原地向右擰。使足尖向起點左方。膝蓋伸直。兩足距離約三尺。(然隨身之高矮而定)使全身重點。移於右腿。同時右手用力擰。使棍頭向後旋轉。經頭上朝下猛捕。左手亦抓棍之中段。用力向下按。胳膊伸直。手心向下。右手心向裏。肘微曲。腰部微向前曲。胸向起點左方。兩目注視乙方。此時乙方姿式。左足在前。膝蓋微曲。右腿在後。伸直。上身微向前探。左手在前伸直。手心向上。右手持槍樽。在左手之後。距離左手約五六寸。胸向起點前方。兩目注視甲方。其式如第二十三圖。
B, withdraw your spear, your feet staying where they are, then fiercely stab downward toward A’s right leg.
  A, your right foot suddenly withdraws a step toward the west, the knee bending, your left foot staying where it is and pivoting to the right so the toes are pointing toward the south, the knee straightening, your feet about three feet apart (depending on your own height), the weight shifting to your right leg. At the same time, your right hand forcefully twists, sending the head of your staff arcing behind you, passing over your head, and fiercely seizing downward, your left hand also grasping the middle section of your staff and forcefully pushing it down, the arm straightening, the center of the hand facing downward, the center of your right hand facing inward, the elbow slightly bent, your torso slightly bending forward. Your chest is facing toward the south, your gaze toward B.
  At this time, B’s posture is thus: your left foot is forward, the knee slightly bent, your right leg straightened behind, your upper body slightly reaching forward, your left hand forward, the arm straight, the center of the hand facing upward, your right hand holding the end of your spear about half a foot behind your left hand. Your chest is facing toward the west, your gaze toward A. See photo 23:

第二十四動作
MOVEMENT 24:

乙方不動。將槍縮回。復照甲方頭部直刺。甲方見槍刺來。右足不動。原地向左轉。使足尖向起點後方。左足縮回半步。足踵提起。足尖觸地。膝微曲。兩足距離一尺餘。同時左手持棍抬起。使棍向身之左方猛帶。手心向起點後方。胸亦向起點後方。右手棍尾伏於右脇下部。面向起點後方。同時乙方。復將槍縮回。兩足不動。又照甲方左腿下部猛刺。同時甲方。左足向起點左方橫移一小步。足尖向外撇。右足在左足後方。向起點後方開一步。兩膝均曲。成騎馬式。右手棍尾在右足開步之際。使棍尾向前猛抵乙槍。兩足尖均向起點右方。胸向起點右方。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙槍。其式如第二十四圖。
B, staying where you are, withdraw your spear, then stab straight toward A’s head.
  A, when you see the stab coming, your right foot stays where it is and pivots to the left so the toes are pointing toward the east, your left foot withdrawing a half step, heel lifted, toes touching down, the knee slightly bent, your feet just over a foot apart. At the same time, your left hand lifts the [head] of your staff, fiercely dragging to your left, the center of the hand facing toward the east, as is your chest, your right hand holding the tail of your staff hidden below your right ribs. You are facing toward the east.
  B, again withdraw your spear, your feet staying where they are, and then fiercely stab downward toward A’s left leg.
  A, your left foot shifts a small step across toward the south, toes swinging outward, and your right foot takes a step toward the east from behind your left foot, both knees bending, making a horse-riding stance. As your right foot steps out, your right hand sends the tail of your staff forward, fiercely bracing away B’s spear, your feet pointing toward the north. Your chest is also facing toward the north, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B’s spear. See photo 24:

第二十五動作
MOVEMENT 25:

乙方左足。在右足前。向起點後方撤一步。同時左手抬起。使槍尖向上。左手移抓槍之上段。右手亦向上移。隨向前推。使槍樽直搗甲方右腿下部。右肘伸直。手心向下。左肘曲。手心向上。右膝曲。左腿伸直。成前弓後箭步。胸向起點左方。面向起點前方。兩目注視甲方。同時甲方見槍樽搗來。左足向起點後方開一步。右手抬起。曲肘。使棍尾向上。左手沈下。肘伸直。使棍頭向下。左手向前速推。使棍頭猛抵乙方槍樽。兩膝均曲。兩足尖均向起點左方。成騎馬式。胸向起點左方。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙槍。其式如第二十五圖。
B, your left foot withdraws a step toward the east from in front of your right foot, your left hand lifting, sending the tip of your spear upward and shifting its grip to the forward section of your spear. Your right hand also shifts upward, then pushes forward, sending the end of your spear pounding toward A’s lower right leg, your right elbow straightening, the center of the hand facing downward, your left elbow bending, the center of the hand facing upward, your right knee bending, your left leg straightening, making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. Your chest is facing toward the south, your face toward the west, your gaze toward A.
  A, when you see the end of B’s spear pounding toward your leg, your left foot takes a step toward the east and your right hand lifts, the elbow bending, sending the tail of your staff upward, your left hand sinking down, the elbow straightening, sending the head of your staff downward, and your left hand quickly pushes forward, sending the head of your staff to be bracing away the end of B’s spear, both knees bending, the toes of both feet pointing toward the south, making a horse-riding stance. Your chest is facing toward the south, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B’s spear. See photo 25 [reverse view]:

第九章
(CHAPTER NINE)

第二十六動作
MOVEMENT 26:

同時乙方槍樽。同甲方棍頭向上絞。(槍樽在上棍頭在下)絞至與頭平。乙方槍樽向回提高。同時右足向後撤一步。左手沈下伸直。使槍尖朝下。在身之左方。左手猛向前推。右手用力下垂。使槍尖直刺甲方左腿下部。其姿式與上式不變。唯此時右足在後。而胸已轉向起點右方。同時甲方。左手棍頭。與槍樽相絞。見槍照腿部刺來。右足猛向前開一步。左肘曲。棍頭向上。右手下沈。使棍尾向下。右手向前一推。使棍尾猛抵乙槍。兩膝均曲。仍成騎馬式。其姿式與前相同。唯此時右足在前。胸已轉向起點右方。其式如第二十六圖。
The end of B’s spear and the head of A’s staff are coiling upward (spear on top, staff underneath).
  B, once they are at head level, withdraw the end of your spear by lifting it high, your right foot withdrawing a step behind you, your left hand sinking down, the arm straightening, pointing the tip of your spear downward to your left, and then your left hand fiercely pushes forward, your right hand forcefully dropping downward, sending the tip of your spear stabbing toward A’s left lower leg. The posture is the same as before [Movement 24], your right foot behind, your chest turned to be facing toward the north.
  A, your left hand is holding the head of your staff as it coils with the end of B’s spear, and then when you see the stab coming toward your leg, your right foot suddenly takes a step forward, your left elbow bending, sending the head of your staff upward, your right hand sinking down, sending the tail of your staff downward, and your right hand pushes the tail forward, fiercely bracing away B’s spear. Both knees are bending, again making a horse-riding stance, the posture the same as before [Movement 24], your right foot forward, your chest turned to be facing toward the north. See photo 26:

第二十七動作
MOVEMENT 27:

甲方不停。同時將槍抵出。左手鬆開。右手抵住。用力使棍頭經上方向前直劈。上身亦向前探。左手隨棍停於頭部上方。五指伸開並攏。手心向上。兩足不動。及一切姿式與前不變。同時乙方見棍照頭部劈來。右足向起點右後方猛撤一小步。左足亦隨撤一小步。足踵微提起。足尖觸地。兩膝伸直。上身向右方微斜。同時將槍縮回。右手在右脇後下方。微隨左手。左手向外擰勁。使槍尖向外猛扣甲棍。左手心向起點左方。胸向起點左前方。面向起點前方。兩目注視甲其。方式如第二十七圖。
A, without pausing after bracing away B’s spear, your left hand lets go and your right hand forcefully sends the head of your staff upward and chopping forward, your upper body also leaning forward, your left hand following your staff to stop above your head, fingers extended but still together, the center of the hand facing upward, your feet staying where they are, your stance not changing from the previous posture.
  B, when you see A’s staff chopping toward your head, your right foot suddenly withdraws a small step toward the northeast, then your left foot also withdraws a small step, the heel slightly lifted, toes touching down, both knees straightening, your upper body slightly leaning toward the south. At the same time, your spear withdraws, your right hand going behind and below your right ribs, and your left hand slightly twists outward, sending the tip of your spear outward to suddenly cover A’s staff, the center of your left hand facing toward the south. Your chest is facing toward the southwest, your face toward the west, your gaze toward A. See photo 27:

第二十八動作
MOVEMENT 28:

甲方不停。卽向起點前方開步進行。姿式左手仍在頭部上方。胸向起點右前方。面由右方轉向後。兩目注視乙方。同時右手及棍。在身後。胳膊伸直。棍頭觸地。向起點正後方。胳膊與棍成直線。同時乙方姿式不變。向前開步。(起點前面)直追(甲乙兩方、開步多寡、視場之大小而定)甲方走至場之另一端。乙方用力照甲方頭部直刺。乙方左足在前。甲方見槍刺來。止步。右足在前。左足在後。右手用力使棍之中段。向上猛托。右手朝上伸直。微向起點後方。手心向上。棍頭向起點左後下方。同時右足向後退回一小步。足踵微提起。足尖觸地。胸向起點右後方。左手仍在頭上不變。兩目注視乙槍。其式如第二十八圖。
A, without pausing, advance [retreat] toward the west, your left hand still above your head. Your chest is facing toward the northwest, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B. At the same time, your right hand and your staff follow your body back, the arm straightening, the head of your staff touching the ground toward the east, the arm and staff together making a straight line.
  B, maintaining your posture, chase toward the west as A walks to that end of the practice space (the amount of steps for both of you depending on the size of the practice space), and forcefully stab toward his head, your left foot again going forward.
  A, when you see the stab coming, bring your feet to a halt with your right foot forward, left foot behind, as your right hand forcefully sends the middle section of your staff propping upward, the arm extending upward and slightly toward the east, the center of the hand facing upward, the head of your staff pointing downward toward the southeast. At the same time, your right foot retreats a small step, the heel slightly lifted, toes touching down. Your chest is facing toward the northeast, your left hand still positioned above your head, your gaze toward B’s spear. See photo 28:

第二十九動作
MOVEMENT 29:

乙方將槍縮回。兩足不動。復照甲方右腿下部猛刺。同時甲方。右足向起點前方猛撤一步。膝蓋弓曲。左足不動。原地向右擰勁。使足尖向起點左方。膝蓋伸直。兩足距離約三尺。(隨身之高矮而定)使全身重點。移於右腿。右手用力擰。使棍頭向後旋轉。經頭上。至面前朝下猛捕。同時右手亦抓棍之中段。用力向下按。胳膊伸直。手心向下。右手心向裏。肘微曲。腰部微向前曲。胸向起點左方。兩目注視乙方。此時乙方姿式。左足在前。膝蓋微曲。右腿在後伸直。手心向上。右手持槍樽。在左手之後。距離左手約五六寸。胸向起點前方。兩目注視甲方。以上姿式。與第二十三圖動作相同。其式如第二十九圖。
B, withdraw your spear, your feet staying where they are, then fiercely stab downward toward A’s right leg.
  A, your right foot suddenly withdraws a step toward the west, the knee bending, your left foot staying where it is and pivoting to the right so the toes are pointing toward the south, the knee straightening, your feet about three feet apart (depending on your own height), the weight shifting to your right leg. At the same time, your right hand forcefully twists, sending the head of your staff arcing behind you, passing over your head, and fiercely seizing downward once in front of your face, your right [left] hand also grasping the middle section of your staff and forcefully pushing it down, the arm straightening, the center of the hand facing downward, the center of your right hand facing inward, the elbow slightly bent, your torso slightly bending forward. Your chest is facing toward the south, your gaze toward B.
  At this time, B’s posture is thus: your left foot is forward, the knee slightly bent, your right leg straightened behind, [your left hand forward,] the center of the hand facing upward, your right hand holding the end of your spear about half a foot behind your left hand. Your chest is facing toward the west, your gaze toward A. This posture is the same as in photo 23. See photo 29:

第三十動作
MOVEMENT 30:

乙方將槍縮回。使右手向後伸直。左手移抓槍之上段。同時左足尖向外撇。右足在左足後方。向起點前方開一步。此時胸已向起點左方。左手沈下。右手由後向前。(此時右手移抓槍之中段)使槍樽照甲方頭部猛劈。左手曲肘。手心向上。右手在前。肘微曲。手心向下。胸向起點左方。面向起點前方。兩目注視甲方。同時甲方見槍樽劈來。兩足向前猛進一小步。雙手持棍。猛向上架。右手向上伸直。左肘微曲。向前上方伸。兩手心均向起點左後方。使棍尾高於棍頭約一尺五六寸。棍頭向起點右後下方。胸向起點左後方。右膝彎曲。足尖向起點左方。左膝在前。伸直。足尖向起點左後方。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙方其式如第三十圖。
B, withdraw your spear, your right arm straightening behind, your left hand shifting its grip to the forward section of your spear. At the same, your left toes swing outward and your right foot takes a step toward the west from behind your left foot. With your chest now facing toward the south, your left hand is sinking down and your right hand comes forward from behind (shifting its grip to the middle section), sending the end of your spear fiercely chopping toward A’s head. Your left elbow is bent, the center of the hand facing upward, and your right hand is forward, the elbow slightly bent, the center of the hand facing downward. Your chest is facing toward the south, your face toward the west, your gaze toward A.
  A, when you see the end of B’s spear chopping toward you, your feet both advance a small step forward as you fiercely prop up your staff with both hands, your right arm straightening upward, your left elbow slightly bent as it extends forward and upward, the centers of both hands facing toward the southeast as you put the tail of your staff about a foot and a half higher than the head of your staff, the head of your staff pointing downward toward the northeast. Your chest is facing toward the southeast, your right knee bending, the toes pointing toward the south, your left knee straightened in front, the toes pointing toward the southeast. You are facing toward the east, your gaze toward B. See photo 30 [reverse view]:

第三十一動作
MOVEMENT 31:

甲方左手沈下。右足在左足後面。向起點後方開一步。右手向前按。使棍尾照乙方頭部直劈。左肘彎曲。手心向下。使左肘緊挾棍頭。於左脇上端。右手在前。肘微曲。手心向下。斯時右膝在前彎曲。左腿伸直。成前弓後箭步。胸向起點右後方。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。同時乙方右足猛撤一步。右手抬起。復移抓槍樽。使槍樽向上。同時左手伸直。向上托。使槍中段。猛架甲棍。此時右手向上。手心朝起點右前方。左手在前伸直。向起點左前上方。手心向上。槍樽高於槍尖約一尺七八寸。槍尖向起點左前下方。右腿在後伸直。左腿亦伸直。唯足踵微提起。足尖觸地。上身向後微閃。胸向起點右前方。面向起點前方。兩目注視甲方。其式如第三十一圖。
A, your left hand sinks down as your right foot takes a step toward the east from behind your left foot, your right hand pushing forward, sending the tail of your staff chopping toward B’s head. Your left elbow is bent, the center of the hand facing downward, the elbow wrapping the head of your staff to your left ribs. Your right hand is forward, the elbow slightly bent, the center of the hand facing downward. Your right knee in front is bent, left leg straight, making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. Your chest is facing toward the northeast, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B.
  B, your right foot suddenly withdraws a step, your right hand lifting, shifting its grip to the end of your spear, and sending it upward, your left hand at the same time extending and propping up, sending the middle section of your spear to fiercely prop away A’s staff. Your right hand is now above, the center of the hand facing toward the northwest, your left hand forward, the arm straight, pointing toward the southwest, the center of the hand facing upward, the end of your spear about a foot and three quarters higher than the tip, the tip pointing downward toward the southwest. Your right leg is straightening behind, your left leg also straightening, the heel slightly lifted, toes touching down, your upper body slightly dodging back. Your chest is facing toward the northwest, your face toward the west, your gaze toward A. See photo 31:

第三十二動作
MOVEMENT 32:

同時乙方。左手向裏擰。使槍尖向裏裹。棍尾裹至乙槍在上。棍尾在下。甲方兩足不動。左手鬆開沈下。復伸至頭部上方。五指伸直並攏。手心向上。右手用力。使棍頭由後經上方。照乙頭部直劈。上身微向前探。同時乙方。左手向左用力。使槍向左猛掛。右手槍樽在後。微隨。使槍尖向上。兩方其餘姿式。與前不變。其式如第三十二圖。
B, your left hand twists inward, causing the tip of your spear to wrap inward, wrapping around the tail of A’s staff until the spear is on top and the staff is underneath.
  A, with your feet staying where they are, your left hand lets go and sinks down, then extends until above your head, the fingers extended but together, the center of the hand facing upward, as your right hand forcefully sends the head of your staff behind you, passing over you, and chopping toward B’s head, your upper body slightly reaching forward.
  B, your left hand forcefully goes to the left, sending your spear across with a sudden hanging action, your right hand at the end of your spear slightly following, causing the tip of your spear to go upward. The rest of the posture is the same as before [Movement 21]. See photo 32:

第三十三動作
MOVEMENT 33:

甲方。右手持棍。在前。左手抓棍尾。用力向乙方左腿下部打一掃蹚。同時乙方高跳。右足先觸地。由左方旋轉一圈。使胸復向起點前方。左足再向前觸地。此時雙手挺槍。復照甲方腿部猛刺。右腿在後伸直。左膝彎曲。成小前弓後箭步。左手在前。手心向上。右手在後。距離左手約五六寸。胸向起點前方。兩目注視甲方。同時甲方。左足不動。右足微向起點左方。橫移一小步。膝蓋伸直。左膝微曲。左手鬆開。置於頭部上方。五指伸開並攏。右手持棍。使棍頭在前觸地。不動。胳膊伸直。向起點右方猛撥。右手反背。使手心向起點左方。胸向起點右方。棍尾直向上。胳膊橫平。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第三十三圖。
A, with your right hand still holding your staff, your left hand comes forward to also take hold of the tail section and you forcefully do a “sweeping the hall” attack toward B’s lower left leg.
  B, jump high, your right foot coming down first, [your torso] turning from the left so that your chest is facing toward the west as your left foot comes down forward and you extend your spear with both hands, fiercely stabbing toward A’s [right] leg, your right leg straightening behind, left knee bending, making a small stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. Your left hand is forward, the center of the hand facing upward, right hand behind, about half a foot away from your left hand. Your chest is facing toward the west, your gaze toward A.
  A, your left foot stays where it is as your right foot slightly shifts across a small step toward the south, the knee straightening, your left knee slightly bending. Your left hand lets go and is placed above your head, the fingers extended but together, as your right hand puts the head of your staff firmly onto the ground and the arm straightens, suddenly deflecting toward the north, the hand turned over so the center of the hand is facing toward the south. Your chest is facing toward the north, the tail of your staff pointing upward, your [right] arm horizontal. You are facing toward the east, your gaze toward B. See photo 33:

第三十四動作
MOVEMENT 34:

甲方將槍撥出。右手用力。使棍頭由身後。經頭上向乙方頭部直劈。其餘姿式。與前不變。唯該時上身向前探。右膝彎曲。左腿伸直。成前弓後箭步。同時乙方復將槍縮回。全體隨向後縮。左手將槍抬起。朝上猛向左帶。其姿式與前第二十一圖相同。其式如第三十四圖。
A, after deflecting B’s spear away, your right hand forcefully sends the head of your staff from behind your body, over your head, and chopping straight toward B’s head. The rest of the posture is the same as before [Movement 21], except that this time your upper body is reaching forward. Your right knee is bent, left leg straight, making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow.
  B, withdraw your spear, your body also withdrawing, your left hand lifting your spear, the hand facing upward, and fiercely drag to the left. This posture is the same as in photo 21. See photo 34:

第三十五動作
MOVEMENT 35:

甲方不停。卽向起點前方開步。進行姿式。左手仍在頭部上方。胸向起點右前方。面由右方轉向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。同時右手及棍。在身後。隨胳膊伸直。棍頭觸地。向起點正後方。胳膊與棍成直線。同時乙方姿式不變。向前開步。(起點前面)直追(甲乙兩方、開步多寡、視練習場之大小而定)甲方。走至練習場之另一端。乙方用力照甲方頭部直刺。乙方左足在前。甲方見槍刺來。止步。右足在前。左足在後。右手用力使棍之中段。向上猛托。右手朝上伸直。微向起點後方。手心向上。棍頭向起點左後下方。右足向後退回一小步。足踵微提起。足尖觸地。胸向起點右後方。左手仍在頭上不變。兩目注視乙槍。以上姿式及動作。與前第二十二圖相同。其式如第三十五圖。
A, without pausing, advance [retreat] toward the west, your left hand still above your head. Your chest is facing toward the northwest, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B. At the same time, your right hand and your staff follow your body back, the arm straightening, the head of your staff touching the ground toward the east, the arm and staff together making a straight line.
  B, maintaining your posture, chase toward the west as A walks to that end of the practice space (the amount of steps for both of you depending on the size of the practice space), and forcefully stab toward his head, your left foot again going forward.
  A, when you see the stab coming, bring your feet to a halt with your right foot forward, left foot behind, as your right hand forcefully sends the middle section of your staff propping upward, the arm extending upward and slightly toward the east, the center of the hand facing upward, the head of your staff pointing downward toward the southeast. At the same time, your right foot retreats a small step, the heel slightly lifted, toes touching down. Your chest is facing toward the northeast, your left hand still positioned above your head, your gaze toward B’s spear. The posture and movement is the same as for photo 22. See photo 35:

第三十六動作
MOVEMENT 36:

乙方將槍縮回。兩足不動。復照甲方右腿下部猛刺。同時甲方。右足向起點前方猛撤一步。膝蓋弓曲。左足不動。原地向右擰勁。使足尖向起點左方。膝蓋伸直。兩足距離約三尺。(然亦隨身體高矮而定)使全身重點。移於右腿。右手用力擰。使棍頭向後旋轉。經頭上朝下猛捕。同時左手亦抓棍之中段。用力向下按。胳膊伸直。手心向下。右手心向裏。肘微曲。腰部微向前曲。胸向起點左方。兩目注視乙方。此時乙方姿式。左足在前。膝蓋微曲。右腿在後伸直。上身微向前探。左手在前伸直。手心向上。右手持槍樽。在左手之後。距離左手約五六寸。胸向起點前方。兩目注視甲方。其姿式動作。與前第二十三圖相同。其式如第三十六圖。
B, withdraw your spear, your feet staying where they are, then fiercely stab downward toward A’s right leg.
  A, your right foot suddenly withdraws a step toward the west, the knee bending, your left foot staying where it is and pivoting to the right so the toes are pointing toward the south, the knee straightening, your feet about three feet apart (depending on your own height), the weight shifting to your right leg. At the same time, your right hand forcefully twists, sending the head of your staff arcing behind you, passing over your head, and fiercely seizing downward, your left hand also grasping the middle section of your staff and forcefully pushing it down, the arm straightening, the center of the hand facing downward, the center of your right hand facing inward, the elbow slightly bent, your torso slightly bending forward. Your chest is facing toward the south, your gaze toward B.
  At this time, B’s posture is thus: your left foot is forward, the knee slightly bent, your right leg straightened behind, your upper body slightly reaching forward, your left hand forward, the arm straight, the center of the hand facing upward, your right hand holding the end of your spear about half a foot behind your left hand. Your chest is facing toward the west, your gaze toward A. This posture is the same as in photo 23. See photo 36:

第三十七動作
MOVEMENT 37:

乙方不動。將槍縮回。復照甲方頭部直刺。甲方見槍刺來。右足不動。原地向左轉。使足尖向起點後方。左足縮回半步。足踵提起。足尖觸地。膝蓋微曲。兩足距離約一尺餘。同時左手持棍抬起。使棍向身之左方猛帶。手心向起點後方。胸亦向起點後方。右手棍尾。伏於右脅下部。面向起點後方。同時乙方。復將槍縮回。兩足不動。又照甲方左腿下部猛刺。同時甲方。左足向起點左方橫移一小步。足尖向外撇。右足在左足後方。向起點後方開一步。兩膝蓋彎曲。成騎馬式。右手棍尾。在右足開步之際。使棍尾向前猛抵乙槍。兩足均向起點右方。胸亦向起點右方。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙槍。其姿式與前第二十四圖相同。其式如第三十七圖。
B, staying where you are, withdraw your spear, then stab straight toward A’s head.
  A, when you see the stab coming, your right foot stays where it is and pivots to the left so the toes are pointing toward the east, your left foot withdrawing a half step, heel lifted, toes touching down, the knee slightly bent, your feet just over a foot apart. At the same time, your left hand lifts the [head] of your staff, fiercely dragging to your left, the center of the hand facing toward the east, as is your chest, your right hand holding the tail of your staff hidden below your right ribs. You are facing toward the east.
  B, again withdraw your spear, your feet staying where they are, and then fiercely stab downward toward A’s left leg.
  A, your left foot shifts a small step across toward the south, the toes swinging outward, and your right foot takes a step toward the east from behind your left foot, both knees bending, making a horse-riding stance. As your right foot steps out, your right hand sends the tail of your staff forward, fiercely bracing away B’s spear, your feet pointing toward the north. Your chest is also facing toward the north, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B’s spear. The posture is the same as in photo 24. See photo 37:

第十章
(CHAPTER TEN)

第三十八動作
MOVEMENT 38:

同時乙方槍樽。與甲方棍頭向上絞。槍樽在上。棍頭在下。絞至與頭平。乙方槍樽縮回。提高。同時右足向後再撤一步。左手沈下伸直。使槍尖朝下。在身之左手。猛向前推。右手用力下捶。使槍尖直刺甲方左腿下部。其姿式與前不變。唯此時右足在後。而胸已轉向起點右方。同時甲方。左手棍頭與槍樽相絞。見槍刺來。右足猛向前開一步。同時左肘曲。棍頭抬起。向上。右手下沈。使棍尾向下。右手向前一推。使棍尾猛抵乙槍。兩膝彎曲。仍成騎馬式。唯此時。右足在前。胸已向起點右方。以上姿式。與前第二十六圖相同。其式如第三十八圖。
The end of B’s spear and the head of A’s staff are coiling upward, spear on top, staff underneath. B, once they are at head level, withdraw the end of your spear by lifting it high, your right foot withdrawing a step behind you [your left foot following], your left hand sinking down, the arm straightening, pointing the tip of your spear downward to your left, and then your left hand fiercely pushes forward, your right hand forcefully dropping downward, sending the tip of your spear stabbing toward A’s left lower leg. The posture is the same as in the previous movement, your right foot behind, your chest facing toward the north.
  A, your left hand is holding the head of your staff as it coils with the end of B’s spear, and then when you see the stab coming, your right foot suddenly shifts a step forward [your left foot following], your left elbow bending, sending the head of your staff upward, your right hand sinking down, sending the tail of your staff downward, and your right hand pushes the tail forward, fiercely bracing away B’s spear. Both knees are bending, again making a horse-riding stance, your right foot forward, your chest facing toward the north. The posture is the same as in photo 26 [which is itself a repeat of photo 24 and was just reused for Movement 37]. See photo 38 [in this case a reverse view]:

第三十九動作
MOVEMENT 39:

甲方不停。左手鬆開。移抓右手後方棍尾。右手在前。兩手用力。使棍頭經上方向前。照乙方左肩斜劈。同時上身亦向前探。兩足不動。其餘姿式與前不變。乙方右手槍樽。縮回右脅後下方。左手用力。將槍抬起。向身之左方猛帶。左肘曲。手心向起點後方。右手沈。同時右足不動。膝蓋彎曲。左足向後退回半步。足踵微提起。足尖觸地。胸向起點正前方。兩目注視甲方。其式如第三十九圖。
A, without pausing, your left hand lets go and shifts its grip to the tail of your staff behind your right hand, your right hand now forward, and both hands forcefully send the head of your staff forward from above, chopping diagonally toward B’s left shoulder, your upper body reaching forward, your feet staying where they are. The rest of the posture remains the same as in the previous movement.
  B, your right hand withdraws the end of your spear below and behind your right ribs as your left hand forcefully lifts your spear into a sudden dragging action to your left, the elbow bending, the center of the hand facing toward the east, your right hand sinking. At the same time, your right foot stays where it is, the knee bending, your left foot withdrawing a half step, heel slightly lifted, toes touching down. Your chest is facing toward the west, your gaze toward A. See photo 39:

第四十動作
MOVEMENT 40:

甲方仍雙手持棍。右手在前。將棍抬起。復照乙方左腿下方打一掃蹚。同時乙方。雙腿高跳。此時棍已轉甲之左方。甲方兩足不動。復將棍抬起。又照乙方頭部直劈。右膝在前彎曲。左腿伸直。成前弓後箭步。胸向起點後方。面亦向後方。兩目注視乙方。同時乙方雙手持槍。向上猛托。兩手朝上伸直。右足在前。膝蓋彎曲。左足在後伸直。成前弓後箭步。胸向起點右前方。面向起點前方。兩目注視甲方。其式如第四十圖。
A, still with both hands holding your staff, your right hand forward, lift your staff, then attack B’s lower left leg with a “sweeping the hall” action.
  B, jump high with both legs, letting A’s staff arc through toward the north.
  A, with your feet staying where they are, lift your staff and then chop toward B’s head, your right knee bending forward, left leg straightening, making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. Your chest is facing toward the east, your face also toward the east, your gaze toward B.
  B, your hands send your spear fiercely propping up, your arms straightening upward, your right knee bending forward, your left leg straightening behind, making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. Your chest is facing toward the northwest, your face toward the west, your gaze toward A. See photo 40:

第四十一動作
MOVEMENT 41:

乙方雙手沈下。挺槍照甲方頭額直刺。其姿式與前不變。同時甲方見槍刺來。右足向左足後方。猛撤一步。同時雙手縮回。使棍頭朝上。猛向右帶。此時左膝微曲。右足在前伸直。足踵微提起。足尖觸地。胸向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第四十一圖。
B, your hands sink down and you extend your spear with a stab toward A’s forehead, the [rest of] your posture remaining the same as in the previous movement.
  A, when you see the stab coming, your right foot suddenly withdraws a step behind your left foot [withdraws a half step in front of your left foot] as your hands also withdraw, sending the head of your staff upward and fiercely dragging to the right, your left knee slightly bending, your right leg straightening in front, the heel slightly lifting, toes touching down. Your chest is facing toward the east, your gaze toward B. See photo 41:

第四十二動作
MOVEMENT 42:

乙方復將槍縮回。姿式不變。又照甲方左腿下部直刺。同時甲方。左足向起點右方橫移一小步。兩手擰勁。使棍頭在上。朝下猛捕。右足不動。膝蓋向下曲。左足向起點右後方伸直。足尖向起點左後方。腰部向前曲。此時右手在前。手心向下。左手在後。手心向上。兩胳膊成斜十字架。右手在上。左手在下。兩手距離約五六寸。棍頭向右後方。觸地。胸向起點左後方。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第四十二圖。
B, withdraw your spear, your posture not changing, and then stab downward toward A’s left [right] leg.
  A, your left [right] foot shifts a small step across toward the north as your hands twist, sending the head of your staff from above to fiercely seize downward, your right foot now staying where it is, the knee bending downward, as your left leg straightens toward the northeast, the toes pointing toward the southeast, your upper body slightly leaning forward. Your right hand is now in front, the center of the hand facing downward, your left hand behind, the center of the hand facing upward, your forearms making an X shape, right arm above, left arm below, your hands about half a foot apart. The head of your staff is touching the ground toward the southwest [northeast]. Your chest is facing toward the southeast, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B. See photo 42:

第四十三動作
MOVEMENT 43:

乙方姿式不變。將槍縮回。復照甲方頭額左端直刺。同時甲方站起。雙手持棍。與前不變。向上猛托。兩胳膊均向上伸直。棍頭向起點右後下方。胸向起點左後方。面向起點後方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第四十三圖。
B, without changing your posture, withdraw your spear, then stab toward the left side of A’s forehead.
  A, rise up with both hands holding your staff, their position not changing, and fiercely prop up B’s spear, your arms straightening upward, the head of your staff pointing downward [upward] toward the northeast. Your chest is facing toward the southeast, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B. See photo 43:

第四十四動作
MOVEMENT 44 [switching places]:

承上式。甲方將槍托出。左足向起點左方橫移一小步。足尖向外撇。右足在左足後方。向前開一步。雙手持棍。與前不變。用力使棍頭。經後旋轉。由右方橫向乙方腰部。攔腰一棍。(此時胸已由左轉、向起點右方、左足轉向前右足在後)在攔腰之際。同時左足。再由右足前方。向後撤一步。右膝在前彎曲。左腿伸直。成前弓後箭步。胸向起點正前方。雙手在前抓棍伸直。右手心向上。左手在後向下。面向起點前方。兩目注視乙方。同時乙方見棍照攔腰打來。左手抬起。使槍尖向上。右手下沈。左足向起點右方橫移一小步。足尖向外撇。右足在左足後面。向前開一步。及時原地向左轉。使胸向起點後方。(此時左足轉向前、右足在後)同時左足在前。向右足後方撤一步。右膝在前彎曲。左腿伸直。成前弓後箭步。胸向起點右方。在右足向前開步之際。兩手用力。使槍中段。猛抵甲棍。面向起點後方。兩目注視甲方。其式如第四十四圖。
A, continuing from the previous posture, having propped away A’s spear, your left foot shifts a small step across toward the south, toes swinging outward, and your right foot takes a step forward from behind your left foot, your hands not changing their position on your staff as they forcefully send the head of your staff arcing behind you and then swinging across toward B’s waist from your right. (In this instant, your chest is turning leftward to be facing toward the north so that as your left foot is turning in front of you, your right foot is momentarily becoming the rear foot.) Then as you swing across to his waist, your left foot withdraws behind your right foot [causing you to fully switch places with B], your right knee bending in front, your left leg straightening, making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. Your chest is facing toward the east, your hands extending your staff forward with the center of your right hand facing upward, your left hand behind, the center of the hand facing downward. You are facing toward the west, your gaze toward B.
  B, when you see A’s staff swinging toward your waist, your left hand lifts, sending the tip of your spear upward, your right hand sinking down, as your left foot shifts a small step across toward the north, toes swinging outward, and your right foot takes a step forward from behind your left foot. (In this instant, your chest is turning leftward to be facing toward the east so that as your left foot is turning in front of you, your right foot is momentarily becoming the rear foot.) Then your left foot withdraws to be behind your right foot [causing you to fully switch places with A], your right knee bending in front, your left leg straightening, making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. Your chest is facing toward the north. As your right foot steps forward, your hands forcefully send the middle section of your spear to suddenly brace away A’s staff. You are facing toward the east, your gaze toward A. See photo 44:

第四十五動作
MOVEMENT 45:

乙方右足向後撤一步。同時右手槍樽。後縮。左手沈下。挺槍照甲方頭額右端直刺。同時甲方。仍雙手持棍。向上猛托。兩手朝上過頂。使棍頭向起點右前下方。右足退回半步。足踵提起。足尖觸地。上身微向後縮。胸仍向起點前方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第四十五圖。
B, your right foot withdraws a step as your right hand withdraws the end of your spear, your left hand sinking down, then extend your spear, stabbing toward the right side of A’s forehead.
  A, still holding your staff with both hands, fiercely prop up, your hands going higher than your headtop, the head of your staff pointing downward toward the northwest, your right foot withdrawing a half step, heel lifted, toes touching down, your upper body slightly withdrawing. Your chest is again facing toward the west, your gaze toward B. See photo 45:

第四十六動作
MOVEMENT 46:

乙方將槍縮回。復照甲方腿部下方直刺。其姿式與前不變。甲方見槍刺來。同時右足。向起點左方橫移一小步。足尖向外撇。左足由右足後方。向前開一步。雙手持棍。用力使棍頭。由後經上方。向前猛捕。棍頭在前觸地。右手在前。手心向下。左手在後。手心向上。兩手成斜十字。右手在上。左手在下。兩手距離約五六寸。左腿在前伸直。右足曲膝。上身向前撲。使全身重點。移於右腿。胸向起點右前方。面向起點正前方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第四十六圖。
B, withdraw your spear and then stab downward toward A’s [right] leg, the rest of your posture remaining the same as in the previous movement.
  A, when you see the stab coming, your right foot shifts a small step across toward the south, toes swinging outward, and your left foot takes a step forward from behind your right foot, as your hands forcefully send the head of your staff to the rear, continuing over you, and then fiercely seizing forward, the head of your staff touching the ground. Your right hand is in front, the center of the hand facing downward, your left hand behind, the center of the hand facing upward, your forearms making an X shape, right arm above, left hand below, your hands about half a foot apart. Your left leg is forward and straightened, your right knee bending, and your upper body is leaning forward, the weight on your right leg. Your chest is facing toward the northwest, your face toward the west, your gaze toward B. See photo 46 [reverse view]:

第四十七動作
MOVEMENT 47:

同時乙方。復將槍縮回。又照甲方頭額直刺。姿式與前相同。此時甲方全身提起。左足退回一小步。足踵提起。足尖觸地。雙手原處不動。抬起。向上使棍中段。猛抵乙槍。棍頭向起點左前下方。胸向起點前方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第四十七圖。
B, withdraw your spear and then stab toward A’s forehead, the rest of your posture remaining the same as in the previous movement.
  A, your body rises and your left foot retreats a small step, heel lifted, toes touching down, as your hands lift, not changing their position, sending the middle of your staff upward, fiercely bracing away B’s spear, the head of your staff pointing downward [upward] toward the southwest. Your chest is facing toward the west [northwest]. Your gaze is toward B. See photo 47 [reverse view]:

第四十八動作
MOVEMENT 48:

甲方左足向起點右方橫一小步。足尖向外撇。右足由左足後方。向前開一步。同時雙手持棍。經右方。照乙方左腿下部猛掃。兩手在前伸直。右足在前。膝蓋彎曲。左腿伸直。成前弓後箭步。胸向起點左前方。面向起點正前方。兩目注視乙腿。同時乙方。左足向起點左方橫移一小步。足尖向外撇。右足在左足後方。向前開一步。同時右手沈下。左手抬起。使槍尖向上。右手上移向前推。猛抵甲棍。右足在前曲膝。左腿伸直。成前弓後箭步。胸向起點右後方。兩目注視甲棍。其式如第四十八圖。
A, your left foot shifts a small step across toward the north, toes swinging outward, and your right foot takes a step forward from behind your left foot as your hands send your staff swinging through on your right side and fiercely sweeping toward B’s left leg, both hands going forward, your arms straightening. Your right foot is forward, the knee bending, your left leg straightening, making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow [although the photo shows A in a horse-riding stance]. Your chest is facing toward the southwest, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B’s leg.
  B, your left foot shifts a small step across toward the south [steps back toward the east], toes swinging outward, and your right foot takes a step forward from behind your left foot [shifts forward, toes swinging inward]. At the same time, your right hand sinks down and your left hand lifts, sending the tip of your spear upward, your right hand then shifting upward, and you push forward, fiercely bracing away A’s staff. Your right foot is forward, the knee bending, your left leg straightening, making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow [although the photo shows B in a horse-riding stance]. Your chest is facing toward the northeast, your gaze toward A’s staff. See photo 48:

第四十九動作
MOVEMENT 49:

乙方右手槍提起。縮回右脅後方。同時右足向後撤一步。左手下沈。挺直照甲方頭額直刺。左腿在前曲膝。右腿在後伸直。成小前弓後箭步。胸向起點後方。兩目注視甲方。同時甲方。見槍照頭部刺來。兩足不動。上身向後縮。使右腿伸直。左腿弓曲。成左弓右箭步。同時雙手持棍。向上猛托乙槍。胸向起點左前方。面向起點前方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第四十九圖。
B, your right hand lifts your spear, withdrawing it behind your right ribs, your right foot withdrawing a step behind you, your left hand sinking down. Then extend, stabbing toward A’s forehead, your left leg bending in front, right leg straightening behind, making a small stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. Your chest is facing toward the east, your gaze toward A.
  A, when you see the stab coming, your feet stay where they are, your upper body withdrawing, your right leg straightening, left leg bending, making a stance of left leg a bow, right leg an arrow. At the same time, your hands send your staff upward, fiercely propping away B’s spear. Your chest is facing toward the southwest, your face toward the west, your gaze toward B. See photo 49 [reverse view]:

第五十動作
MOVEMENT 50:

同時乙方。見槍托出不停。復將槍縮回。又照甲方腿部直刺。(此時右手單手直砍、左手鬆開、停於頭部上方、五指伸開並攏、手心向上)右手挺槍之際。左足向後撤一步。膝蓋彎曲。右腿伸直。成前弓後箭步。胸向起點右後方。面向起點正後方。兩目注視甲方。同時甲方不停。右足經左足前面。向起點後方橫開一步。左足亦向起點後方橫開一步。同時右手持棍。向裏擰勁。(左手鬆開)使棍頭朝裏向外猛掛。左手停於頭部上方。五指伸開並攏。手心向上。此時左足曲膝。右腿伸直。成前弓後箭步。胸向起點左前方。面向起點正前方。兩目注視乙方。其式如第五十圖。
B, when you see A’s staff propping up, do not pause, instead withdraw your spear and then stab toward A’s [right] leg. (This time, your right hand works alone, your left hand coming away and finishing above your head, fingers extended but together, the center of the hand facing upward.) As your right hand extends your spear, your left foot withdraws a step and the knee bends, your right leg straightening, making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. Your chest is facing toward the northeast, your face toward the east, your gaze toward A.
  A, also without pausing, your right foot takes a step toward the east, passing in front of your left foot, then your left foot also takes a step toward the east. At the same time, your right hand holds your staff (your left hand letting go), twisting inward so that the head of your staff goes inward, then it fiercely goes outward with a hanging action, your left hand finishing above your head, fingers extended but together, the center of the hand facing upward. Your left knee is bent, your right leg straightened, making a stance of front leg a bow, rear leg an arrow. Your chest is facing toward the southwest, your face toward the east, your gaze toward B. See photo 50:

Chinese Martial Arts in the News: September 24th, 2018: Shaolin, Bull Fights, and So Many New Books….

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Introduction

Welcome to “Chinese Martial Arts in the News.”  I recently finished the heavy lifting on my draft chapter, so I am now returning to a normal posting schedule. Thanks for your collective patience! A (long overdue) news update seems like the perfect way to ease back into things.

For new readers, this is a semi-regular feature here at Kung Fu Tea in which we review media stories that mention or affect the traditional fighting arts.  In addition to discussing important events, this column also considers how the Asian hand combat systems are portrayed in the mainstream media.

While we try to summarize the major stories over the last month, there is always a chance that we may have missed something.  If you are aware of an important news event relating to the TCMA, drop a link in the comments section below.  If you know of a developing story that should be covered in the future feel free to send me an email.

Its been way too long since our last update so let’s get to the news!

 

 

 

News from all Over

A number of this month’s news items highlight the varied intersections between the martial arts and politics.  As such, it seems appropriate to lead off with recent developments at the Shaolin temple.  The venerable Buddhist monastery (and spiritual home of the Chinese martial arts) has once again found itself at the center of controversy. Seeking to get ahead of new government policy directives designed to limit the independence of Chinese religious movements from the state and Communist Party, the temple’s leadership have decided to take a much more visible and proactive role in promoting “patriotism” (rather than simply Buddhism) in the monks’ public performance.  This is actually a somewhat nuanced topic as Chinese Buddhist monasteries have never been truly independent of the state and Shaolin, in particular, already carries a patriotic reputation.  Still, the move has inspired some controversy and much discussion.  A good overview of all this can be found in the South China Morning Post article titled: “Red flag for Buddhists? Shaolin Temple ‘takes the lead’ in Chinese patriotism push.

Here is a sample of the sort of pushback that has been encountered:

Tsui Chung-hui, of the University of Hong Kong’s Centre of Buddhist Studies, said Buddhist scripture already required its followers to respect the state.

“The government does not need to take pains to promote [this] and monasteries also do not need to pander to politics,” Tsui said on Tuesday. “They should let monks dedicate themselves to Buddhism and not waste their time performing various political propaganda activities.”

China has recently come under the spotlight for its efforts to clamp down on minority religions including Islam and Christianity, which it associates with foreign influence or ethnic separatism. Mosques and churches flying the national flag have become an increasingly common sight in China amid the crackdown.

Interested readers may also want to check out this follow-up article critically examining the state of Buddhism in China, including multiple discussions of the compromised situation of the Shaolin Temple.

 

 

From questions of patriotism and political interference, we now turn to controversies over animal welfare.  Certain martial artists in Jiaxing, in the eastern province of Zhejiang, have recently been making waves with their own brand of “bull fighting.” While various types of bull sacrifices and worship can be found across the ancient world, this particular practice seems to be a mix of the old and new.  Discursively attributed to the Hui Muslim minority, the practice (which actually resembles steer wrestling minus the horses) was first demonstrated nationally in the 1984 Ethnic Minority Games, and was recognized as a martial art only in 2008. As with so many other “rediscovered” martial arts, the hope seems to be that the practice will increase tourism in the region.

While a seemingly odd story, the more I think about this one the more important it becomes. On a purely theoretical level, it raises questions about the boundaries of what we might consider the “martial arts,” and how they are constructed and negotiated. I suspect that in the West common sense would dictate that the martial arts are a social activity between humans, rather than humans and animals.  And yet this story also reminds me that countless Chinese language books and articles on the martial arts (even scholarly one’s) start off with a straight faced assertion that the Chinese martial arts were created in the distant past so that people could defend themselves from wild animals. I always dismissed these lines as boilerplate, but now I am starting to wonder what their relationship to the Chinese cultural vision of the martial arts actually is.

Of course, no one is actually being called upon to defend themselves from these bulls.  The animals seem to be very tame and have been trained to tolerate humans throwing them to the ground without putting up much of a fight.  While no bulls are killed in the practice of this “martial art,” it would seem to be open to all of the same ethical questions as North American rodeos.  And yet Western readers are assured that any appearance of cruelty is simply a result of their inability to grasp the “deep cultural significance” of the activity.

If you are wondering what all of this looks like in practice, check out this video.

 

 

 

Our next article, from the English language version of a Chinese tabloid, is more mainstream.  It provides an account of all the ways that a Wushu performance has managed to “Wow US Audiences.” Being a press release by a provincial government’s information office, the most interesting aspect of this article is its total transparency about the organization and purpose of shows like this.

“We hope that our show will serve as a bridge for martial arts lovers overseas to learn more about Chinese culture and appreciate the beauty of China,” said Huang Jing, director of the international communication department of China Intercontinental Communication Center.

The center presented the event, together with the Chinese Wushu Association and the Information Office of Henan Provincial People’s Government.

Over 400 people including representatives of members and students from Chin Woo athletic federation branches at home and abroad as well as members of other martial arts groups participated in the worship ceremony. (PRNewsfoto/Publicity Department of Xiqing)

 

From Virginia we jump back across the Pacific to Tianjin.  While Huo Yuanjia (the titular founder of the Jingwu Association) is often remembered for the phase of his career that occurred in Shanghai, his hometown roots have also made him a popular figure in Tianjin.  The city just marked his 150th birthday with a major event.

Established on June 30, 1990, the Tianjin Chin Woo Athletic Federation has over 70 branches worldwide. The event aims to leverage the global influence of Huo Yuanjia and the club to strengthen local town’s leading role as the birthplace of the Chin Woo culture. It will help display the city’s profound history and culture as well as carrying forward the Chin Woo spirit to promote solidarity.

 

 

Kung fu helps build road to success, strength.” So claims an article in the English language edition of the China Daily. The story provides an overview of a network of Shaolin associated schools in the United States.  It tends to focus on adolescent students and the benefits that they derive from dedicated martial arts training. As always, its all about the discipline.

 

 

What happens when Brazilian capoeira meets Chinese Kung Fu? This is the fascinating premise behind a new documentary which I need to locate a copy of.

What would happen when Chinese kung fu meets Brazilian martial art capoeira?

As a part of the Open Digital Library on Traditional Games, the documentary Capoeira meets Chinese Martial Arts was screened on Monday in Beijing and showed the sparks between the two traditional cultures.

The 10-minute film, co-produced by the embassy of Brazil and Flow Creative Content, in partnership with UNESCO and Tencent, presents the meeting of Brazilian capoeira masters with Chinese martial arts masters in Beijing and Hangzhou.

 

One part “interesting,” one part “cringeworthy,” all heuristically useful. Vice magazine decided to let its readers ask a Kung Fu master ten questions. Find out what they came up with here.

 

 

Are you looking for your next Bruce Lee fix?  If so, check out this interview with on Radio West.

Through his legendary films, Bruce Lee bridged cultural barriers, upended stereotypes and made martial arts a global phenomenon. Biographer Matthew Polly joins us to explore the life of this ambitious actor who grew obsessed with martial arts.

 

Its been a while since we discussed a martial arts film, but there is a new project on the horizon that looks interesting.  I like Ip Man films, and I like Michelle Yeah, so its good to hear that she is going to star in an Ip Man spinoff.  In addition to the typical movie Wing Chun, this also looks like its going to be a sword/gun-fu movie.  I don’t see any butterfly swords in the trailer, but I think I spotted a couple of kukri.  I have no idea how those knives show up in the storyline, but as a long time kukri collector, I approve.

 

 

Finally, an update from the lightsaber combat community.  Ludosport (originally an Italian group which has since expanded globally) recently held their first US National Championship in Elmira NY, not far from Cornell. They were kind enough to let me hang out and do some fieldwork with them for couple days.  And there was even some nice press coverage of the event by the local news.  Check it out. Hopefully I will be blogging about this event in the near future.

 

 

 

 

Martial Arts Studies

Summer is typically a slow time for academic news, but a lot has been happening in the Martial Arts Studies community.  We have conferences, journals and even facebook discussions to talk about.  But I am afraid that we aren’t going to get to any of that in this update as we have to deal with a deluge of new books.

The first item of business is Prof. Janet O’Shea’s new publication Risk, Failure, Play: What Dance Reveals about Martial Arts Training (Oxford UP, 2018).  Wondering what it is all about?  Check out this interview in which she discusses her latest project.

Or, if you have decided to order a copy, you can do so here.

 

 

Janet O’Shea. 2018. Risk, Failure, Play: What Dance Reveals about Martial Arts Training. Oxford UP. 284 pages. $35 USD. Release Date: Nov. 1

Risk, Failure, Play illuminates the many ways in which competitive martial arts differentiate themselves from violence. Presented from the perspective of a dancer and writer, this book takes readers through the politics of everyday life as experienced through training in a range of martial arts practices such as jeet kune do, Brazilian jiu jitsu, kickboxing, Filipino martial arts, and empowerment self-defense. Author Janet OâShea shows how play gives us the ability to manage difficult realities with intelligence and demonstrates that physical play, with its immediacy and heightened risk, is particularly effective at accomplishing this task. Risk, Failure, Play also demonstrates the many ways in which physical recreation allows us to manage the complexities of our current social reality. Risk, Failure, Playintertwines personal experience with phenomenology, social psychology, dance studies, performance studies, as well as theories of play and competition in order to produce insights on pleasure, mastery, vulnerability, pain, agency, individual identity, and society. Ultimately, this book suggests that play allows us to rehearse other ways to live than the ones we see before us and challenges us to reimagine our social reality.

 

Fuhua Huang and Fan Hong (Eds). 2018. A History of Chinese Martial Arts. Routledge. 256 pages. $133 HC. Release Date: October 3.

Chinese martial arts have a long, meaningful history and deep cultural roots. They blend the physical components of combat with strategy, philosophy and tradition, distinguishing them from Western sports.

A History of Chinese Martial Arts is the most authoritative study ever written on this topic, featuring contributions from leading Chinese scholars and practitioners. The book provides a comprehensive overview of all types of Chinese martial arts, from the Pre-Qin Period (before 222 BC) right up to the present day in the People’s Republic of China, with each chapter covering a different period in Chinese history. Including numerous illustrations of artefacts, weaponry and historical drawings and documents, this book offers unparalleled insight into the origins, development and contemporary significance of martial arts in China.

 

 

Tim Trash. 2018. Chinese Martial Arts and Media Culture: Global Perspectives (Martial Arts Studies). Rowman & Littlefield. 306 pages. $128 Hard Cover. Release Date: October 16

Signs and images of Chinese martial arts increasingly circulate through global media cultures. As tropes of martial arts are not restricted to what is considered one medium, one region, or one (sub)genre, the essays in this collection are looking across and beyond these alleged borders. From 1920s wuxia cinema to the computer game cultures of the information age, they trace the continuities and transformations of martial arts and media culture across time, space, and multiple media platforms.

 

Paul Bowman (ed). 2018. The Martial Arts Studies Reader. Rowman & Littlefield. 244 Pages. $44 Paper Back. Release Date: Nov. 15

Today we are witnessing the global emergence and rapid proliferation of Martial Arts Studies – an exciting and dynamic new field that studies all aspects of martial arts in culture, history, and society. In recent years there have been a proliferation of studies of martial arts and race, gender, class, nation, ethnicity, identity, culture, politics, history, economics, film, media, art, philosophy, gaming, education, embodiment, performance, technology and many other matters. Given the diversity of topics and approaches, the question for new students and researchers is one of how to orientate oneself and gain awareness of the richness and diversity of the field, make sense of different styles of academic approach, and organise one’s own study, research and writing.

The Martial Arts Studies Reader answers this need, by bringing together pioneers of the field and scholars at its cutting edges to offer authoritative and accessible insights into its key concerns and areas. Each chapter introduces and sets out an approach to and a route through a key issue in a specific area of martial arts studies. Taken together or in isolation, the chapters offer stimulating and exciting insights into this fascinating research area. In this way, The Martial Arts Studies Reader offers the first authoritative field-defining overview of the global and multidisciplinary phenomena of martial arts and martial arts studies.

 

Raul Sanchez Garcia. 2018. The Historical Sociology of Japanese Martial Arts. Routledge. Out Now. $54 for Kindle.

This is the first long-term analysis of the development of Japanese martial arts, connecting ancient martial traditions with the martial arts practised today. The Historical Sociology of Japanese Martial Arts captures the complexity of the emergence and development of martial traditions within the broader Japanese Civilising Process.

The book traces the structured process in which warriors’ practices became systematised and expanded to the Japanese population and the world. Using the theoretical framework of Norbert Elias’s process-sociology and drawing on rich empirical data, the book also compares the development of combat practices in Japan, England, France and Germany, making a new contribution to our understanding of the socio-cultural dynamics of state formation. Throughout this analysis light is shed onto a gender blind spot, taking into account the neglected role of women in martial arts.

The Historical Sociology of Japanese Martial Arts is important reading for students of Socio-Cultural Perspectives in Sport, Sociology of Physical Activity, Historical Development of Sport in Society, Asian Studies, Sociology and Philosophy of Sport, and Sports History and Culture. It is also a fascinating resource for scholars, researchers and practitioners interested in the historical and socio-cultural aspects of combat sport and martial arts.

Raúl Sánchez García is Lecturer in sociology of sport at the School of Sports Science, Universidad Europea Madrid, Spain and President of the Sociology of Sport working group within the Spanish Federation of Sociology (FES). He has practiced diverse combat sports and martial arts and holds a shōdan in Aikikai aikidō.

 

I should note that Professor Garcia published the first chapter his book as an article in the latest issue of the journal.  Read it here for free.

 

 

Lu Zhouxiang. 2018. Politics and Identity in Chinese Martial Arts. Routledge. $45 kindle. Out now!

Chinese martial arts is considered by many to symbolise the strength of the Chinese and their pride in their history, and has long been regarded as an important element of Chinese culture and national identity. Politics and Identity in Chinese Martial Arts comprehensively examines the development of Chinese martial arts in the context of history and politics, and highlights its role in nation building and identity construction over the past two centuries.

This book explores how the development of Chinese martial arts was influenced by the ruling regimes’ political and military policies, as well as the social and economic environment. It also discusses the transformation of Chinese martial arts into its modern form as a competitive sport, a sport for all and a performing art, considering the effect of the rapid transformation of Chinese society in the 20th century and the influence of Western sports. The text concludes by examining the current prominence of Chinese martial arts on a global scale and the bright future of the sport as a unique cultural icon and national symbol of China in an era of globalisation.

Politics and Identity in Chinese Martial Arts is important reading for researchers, students and scholars working in the areas of Chinese studies, Chinese history, political science and sports studies. It is also a valuable read for anyone with a special interest in Chinese martial arts.

You can read my review of Politics and Identity in Chinese Martial Arts here.

 

Chinese tea utensil. Source: Wikimedia.

 

Kung Fu Tea on Facebook

A lot has happened on the Kung Fu Tea Facebook group over the last month.  We watched vintage guoshu performances from the 1930s, read about new exhibits in Hong Kong, and discussed the problem of extremist political groups in the martial arts! Joining the Facebook group is also a great way of keeping up with everything that is happening here at Kung Fu Tea.

If its been a while since your last visit, head on over and see what you have been missing!

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