Illustrations
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Draft Translation 
by John Tse
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Transcribed by
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The strong will be from the back half for defense. And the weak for offense from the point until the middle.
The sword can also be divided into three as you see above.
As for the guards on which I rest my foundation, I stand with the common opinion of those who have made a profession of handling arms well that there are four guards, in the order that they are consecutively attributed; which nevertheless can be reduced to two, joining the first and second in one, and the third and fourth in the other.
So let's say before going over what it is to be perfectly on guard.
To be on guard consists of two things, namely: the accommodation of the body and that of the sword.
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Section 1 - How one must accommodate the body to get into a good posture.
Now the accommodation of the body to be on guard will be holding the body straight with the right side a bit forward, turning the left side a bit backward, leaning the body on the left leg, of which the knee must be bent; the left arm is raised near the face like a semi-circle, the right leg extended or slightly bent, the two heels face-to-face to one another showing only the flank; you will cover with your right arm well extended below and a bit in front above the right thigh, the point of the sword looking in front of the enemy's right shoulder a bit higher than the fittings[1], and traversed somewhat within, properly going on all sides to the sword of the enemy. It is the third guard that I hold to be the most perfect, and in which all observations of good technique can be better preserved, since everything that derives from the other guards can easily (at least in part) be accommodated by this one. However having previously spoken of the four guards, I want to explain each of them in their place, to show that it is not necessary to rest in only one, because I hold them all good when performed well.
Before putting the said guards in effect, a good master must teach his disciples the steps which are called passing, turning, traversing, and linear following before putting the sword in their hand, to make them more agile and swift in all movements, which having understood, he will give them sword in hand, teaching them the ensuing guards from which all the others derive as their principal element.
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Section 2 - The four principle guards of the single sword.
Item 1
The first guard is when one holds the arm at shoulder height.
Item 2
The second will be when the hand is a bit lower than the shoulder.
Item 3
The third is when the arm is a bit forward past the knee as it has been said above.
Item 4
The fourth will be holding the sword forward from the left side.
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Section 3 - Counterguards to the aforementioned.
The counterguard of the first aforementioned will be the fourth guard.
The counterguard of the second will be the same.
The counterguard of the third will likewise be the same in passing outside the enemy's sword.
The counterguard of the fourth will be the third, your sword covering that of the enemy's with your strong on your opponent's weak.
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Section 4 - It is also important to know how our body can operate.
Our body can be divided in two parts, one for offense, the other for defense. The right part will be used for offense, and the left for defense.
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Section 5 - The most notable points of warning that must be observed in several places.
First, note when you are on guard with the enemy that you have a view of his eye, so that you have the proper means to discover all of his intentions.
If you see the enemy's foot narrow, it will be to offend, if it is wide it will be to wait.
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Section 6 - Knowing which is the correct[2] or false edge of the sword.
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Section 7 - Four ways of passing.
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Section 8 - Knowing which are the kind of times.
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Section 9 - Which kind are being in and out of measure.
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Section 10 - How to win the measure.
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Section 11 - What is the strong and the weak of the sword.
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Section 12 - Understanding when one is on guard with advantage.
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Section 13 - Some definitions of words that are noted to understand fencing.
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