Tian Zhenfeng. Taiji boxing explained 田鎮峰。太極拳講義

Translation by Paul Brennan. — Posted on January 29, 2018 by Paul Brennan. — 91 p. — (Published Feb, 1931).一，是書以闡揚國術，溶化門派為主旨，其虛誕之說，盡皆删去，因編時倉卒，未遑校正，疎漏之虞，槪所難免，故定名曰，太極拳講義草本，擬從事審核，再為出版，
– The purpose of this book is to promote martial arts and melt away bias between styles. All fantastical explanations have been left out. But because it was written in a hurry, there has been no time to proofread it, and so I fear that errors are inevitable. Therefore a better name might be Taiji Boxing Explained – The Rough Draft. I had originally planned to edit it before publishing it. [Despite this admission, the book is no more error-ridden than other manuals from the same era and fulfills its task adequately.]
一，編者囿於見聞，此拳之深妙，理難窮盡，難數載磨習，稍窺門徑，而所獲者，未足一斑，旣無發揮光大之可能，時以為憾，書中經解，皆王宗岳先師之遺註，又經現代太極專家李公景林，午夜琢磨，考核校正，惟恐理深意奧，不易了解，故再重加贅述，以便學者容易領悟，倘荷海內同志不棄，有所闡明見貽者，則不勝馨香祀禱，而跂望之，
– As my knowledge of the subtleties of this art is limited, it is difficult for me to give a full appraisal of its principles. I have barely scratched the surface, and what I have obtained is but a speck. That I cannot do this art justice is something I constantly regret. The theory texts within this book are the writings of Wang Zongyue, which have been carefully scrutinized and proofread by the modern Taiji expert Li Jinglin. But I fear that the deeper meanings of the principles are not easy to grasp, thus I have added commentary in order for you to more easily understand. If my comrades throughout the nation will not look down upon my efforts and can offer better explanations, then I will not be able to stop myself from burning incense and bowing in prayer, for that is how much I am looking forward to it.
一，書內所云，各式之解說明法，僅擇其一端，略加說明，使初學者易於參悟，而太極拳之廣義，非僅乎此，若以狹義擊技而目之，未免有負此拳之眞義，
– In this book, each posture’s application explanation gives only one version, which is explained succinctly, so that beginners will more easily understand. But Taiji Boxing in a broader sense is more than this. If we were to look upon it only as a martial skill, we would lose touch with the true meaning of the art.
一，此拳無男女老幼之別，無短衣擇地之戒，習之旣久，自可强身健腦，塡精補髓，有百益而無一害，人生之有為，端賴此身之培植，凡我同胞豈可忽視，若以此拳為必須之營養料，則別趣橫生，誠無上之補品，
– This art does not distinguish between man or woman, young or old, and does not makes restrictions as to attire or location. After practicing it for a long time, it will naturally strengthen body and mind, boosting essence and rejuvenating marrow. It has countless benefits and not one harm. The productivity of a human life depends entirely upon the training of one’s body, so how can our compatriots ignore it? If this art is seen as a necessary nourishment, then interest in it will increase until it is truly the supreme tonic.卷頭語 Introduction
太極拳之意義 The Meaning of “Taiji Boxing”
太極拳之功效 Effects of Taiji Boxing
太極拳之源流 On the Origins & Development of Taiji Boxing
太拳極之眞義 The True Meaning of Taiji Boxing [and other texts]
太極拳論 The Taiji Boxing Treatise
太極拳經 The Taiji Boxing Classic
十三勢歌 附行功心解及打手歌 Thirteen Dynamics Song, Understanding How to Practice, Playing Hands Song
太極拳名勢圖解 Explanations for Each of the Taiji Boxing Postures
推手法 Pushing Hands Methods