TAIJI SWORD 吳圖南 by Wu Tunan published 1936 Trans. Scott M. Rodell

是故一舉一動，務須活潑靈利。

一開一合，須知動靜虛實。

其動也，若龍飛鳳舞。其靜也，似虎步熊行。

劍劍有神，無動若風搖之弊。

步步實踏，免飄忽懶散之虞。

Shì gù yījǔ yīdòng, wùxū huópō línglì.

Yī kāi yī hé, xūzhī dòngjìng xūshí.

Qí dòng yě, ruò lóngfēifèngwǔ. Qí jìng yě, sì hǔbù xióng xíng.

Jiàn jiàn yǒu shén, wú dòng ruò fēng yáo zhī bì.

Bù bù shí tà, miǎn piāohū lǎnsǎn zhī yú.

Each and every movement must be lively and agile.

When opening and closing, one must comprehend, movement and stillness, empty and full.

The movements are like a dragon flying, a phoenix dancing.

One is calm, like a tiger or bear walking.

The sword’s every movement has spirit, don’t have the problem of moving like shaking in the wind.

Every step true and solid, avoiding the error of swaying and sloppy steps.

From

太極劍

TAIJI SWORD

吳圖南

by Wu Tunan

published 1936

Trans. Scott M. Rodell