Scott M. Rodell 一寸長， 一寸強
一寸小， 一寸巧
一寸短，一寸險
~古人說
One inch longer, one inch stronger
One inch smaller, one inch (more) skillful
One inch shorter, one inch closer
~ an old Chinese saying
This is an old martial saying that seems to originate at
least in part with General Qi Jiguang who wrote, “Short weapons cannot
intercept long weapons, one inch longer is one inch stronger (Duǎn bù jiē
zhǎng, yīcùn cháng yīcùn qiáng, 短不接長，一寸長一寸強).” In general, the phrase
addresses the difference between long weapons, such as spears, and shorter
weapons, including swords.
In terms of sword work itself, this may be interpreted in
another manner as~
If your sword cuts are an inch longer, they will have more
power. However, if they are an inch smaller, that is more skillful. Then the
distance to the duifang is an inch shorter, and you are an inch close to land a
blow.
This describes the evolution every diligent swordsman moves
thorough. At first, one tends to rely on power. Further training brings
refinement leading to one’s movements becoming smaller, tighter, and thus
quicker. Deflections are then only as big as needed and the sword isn’t swung
at the duifang’s body in general, but at a small, exact target. This compacting
of one’s technique changes the timing of actions so that your sword ends up
moving closer to the target even as the duifang is attacking. Thus the distance
to your target is shorter though the starting distance has not changed.
Note that the last word in this saying, xiǎn, is typically
translated as danger in common vernacular Chinese. It can however also mean to
be near as in a near miss or a close call.. The overall structure of the saying
is one where a specific condition leads to a improved result. Following that
structure, the distance being an inch shorter, places the swordsman in a better
tactical position, one inch closer to landing his or her blow. Certainly, that
is also a more dangerous position (for both swordsmen). However, if one has
deflected properly, leading the duifang’s weapon into a void while maintain tip
control, so that one’s sword is aligned with its target, then in this dangerous
position, there is a strategic opportunity.
~ Scott M. Rodell
