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.
The correct edge of the sword is that which offends and the false edge is that which parries.
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Section 7 - Four ways of passing.
The first passing is made outside of the enemy's sword. The second will be on the left side, the third will be narrowing the step going in a straight line. The fourth will pass one foot in front of the other; take heed that with this last passing, the left foot must move first.
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Section 8 - Knowing which are the kind of times.
Time of the sword, time of the foot, and time of the body movement are those that one can take in measure, when one wants to offend his enemy.
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Section 9 - Which kind are being in and out of measure.
The measure consists of the distance from which one can reach each other with a single extended step, for there are three kinds, namely: exact, narrow, and far measure. The exact measure is when one can reach one another in one step, the narrow measure is when one can reach one another solely by extending the sword or an unforced half-step. The far measure is when one cannot easily reach with only one step; so to perfect it, we put a half step forward with a forced follow-up, another step to reach at what is the true resolute cut. Out of measure means when one cannot reach one another.
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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.
The strong will be for defense, from the back half; and weak for offense from point until the middle.
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Section 12 - Understanding when one is on guard with advantage.
The advantage will be when you have the sword point right at the enemy's shoulder, and his sword does not face you.
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Section 13 - Some definitions of words that are noted to understand fencing.
Pass means to always move without changing intention except when the opportunity arises.
Turn[3] properly speaking means going or turning towards the part that one wants to offend whether it is inside or outside.
Walk means going step by step both forwards and backwards.
Snatch the foot means to bring the foot back to thereby break the measure with discretion.
Estocade means a touch given with the point carried by the hand turned with the nails upwards.
Brocade also means a touch of the point taken with the hand twisted with the nails downwards.
A thrust means a touch both in brocade and estocade.
Disengage means when one feints high and goes low, or feints low and goes high.
Call means pulling a step or uncovering a part of the body, to provoke the enemy to attack, in order to execute what one desires.
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