兵器譜 Manual

陈式太极单刀是太极套路中短器械的一种，原套路只有13个动作，故称十三刀。

Chen-style Taiji Broadsword is one of the short weapons routines in Taiji practice. The original routine contained only 13 movements, hence the name “Thirteen Broadsword.”

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1930年至1938年，著名太极拳大师、陈氏十八世陈照丕在南京授拳时，在原套路的基础上，增加了9个动作，成为现在陈家沟所流传的太极单刀套路。

From 1930 to 1938, the renowned Taijiquan master Chen Zhaopi of the 18th generation of the Chen family, while teaching in Nanjing, added 9 movements to the original routine, forming the Taiji Broadsword routine now practiced in Chenjiagou.

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陈式太极单刀套路短小精悍，势势用法逼真。它的滚、团、扎、拦、劈、砍、撩、截、缠、抖、架、抹、挑等13种刀法，真正体现了陈式太极拳刚柔相济、快慢相间、蹿蹦跳跃、松活弹抖、粘黏连随、缠绕落空的特点，确有刀如猛虎、力劈华山之势，并兼有短兵长用之法。

The Chen-style Taiji Broadsword routine is compact yet refined, with each posture demonstrating practical application. Its 13 broadsword techniques — including rolling, circling, thrusting, blocking, chopping, hacking, lifting, intercepting, coiling, shaking, framing, wiping, and raising — fully embody the characteristics of Chen-style Taijiquan: the balance of hardness and softness, alternation of fast and slow movements, jumping and leaping, relaxed and springy power, sticking and following, and spiraling into emptiness. It possesses the fierce momentum of a tiger and the force of splitting Mount Hua, while also applying the principle of “using short weapons as long weapons.”

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在练习时，要求手、眼、身法、步要密切配合，一动全动，劲力连绵不断，完整一气，刀法清晰，用意明确，合乎规范。练刀要缠头裹脑，律背缠腰，大劈大砍，气势磅礴。拳谚云：“单刀看手，双刀看走。”所以在单刀练习时，强调手与刀配合的重要性。右手持刀，左手成掌，随刀法变换，时而托刀上架以助刀力，时而手按刀背左右滚团，时而屈肘横架头部上方防护头顶，劈刀掌上擦，扎刀掌后推。总之掌与身法完整协调。

During practice, the hands, eyes, body methods, and footwork must coordinate closely. When one part moves, the whole body moves; power should flow continuously in one complete breath. The broadsword techniques must be clear, intentional, and standardized. Practice should include wrapping around the head, coiling around the back and waist, with large chopping and hacking motions executed with majestic spirit. As the martial saying goes: “For single broadsword, observe the hands; for double broadswords, observe the footwork.” Therefore, emphasis is placed on the coordination between the hand and the broadsword. The right hand holds the broadsword while the left hand forms a palm, changing according to the technique — sometimes supporting the blade overhead to assist power, sometimes pressing the back of the blade to roll left and right, sometimes bending the elbow to guard above the head, wiping along the blade during chopping, and pushing behind the blade during thrusting. In summary, the palm techniques and body methods must be fully coordinated.

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在练习时，必须在拳术功夫扎实的基础上，劲能一动发于四梢，一静复归丹田。套路熟练后，身催刀动，刀领身转，处处以腰为轴，劈砍撩扎、蹿蹦跳跃、弹抖发劲、威风凛凛。

During practice, one must first establish a solid foundation in martial skill so that power can issue to the four extremities upon movement and return to the dantian in stillness. Once the routine is mastered, the body drives the broadsword, and the broadsword leads the body’s turning. Everywhere, the waist acts as the axis, with chopping, hacking, lifting, thrusting, jumping, springing, shaking power, and an imposing martial spirit.

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