Done Help with classical Japanese passage

[mote]

I came across this untranslated passage in a samurai manga (Shigurui) and tried to read it. I kinda get the general idea, but I can't seem to grasp the flow of these sentences at all. Can anyone help me with the finer points?

This is the text and my attempt at a translation:

若き士ども嗜むべきことあり。
There is an agreement (belief?) among young samurai

剣術に秘剣と称するものあるなり。
In kenjutsu there exist so-called "secret techniques"

必勝不敗を謳い、何事をするぞといへば、
Should one do this/something? while claiming certain victory (this and the next 2 lines are giving me the most trouble)

我は相手の刃を貰わず、我の刃のみを相手に当てんと
If you strike your opponent with only your blade without taking his blade

身をよじり七転八倒する術理なり。
These techniques will leave him twisting and writhing in agony

まこと沙汰の限りなり。
In truth, this is preposterous.

我のみ助からんとして、相手の目をかすめたる様は、
When it comes to saving yourself, keeping something hidden from your opponent

盗人の働きと大差なきものなり。
Is not much different from a thief's earnings (is this an expression? maybe like "a fool's errand" in English?)

曲者の用いる術理は、ただの一通りなり。
The techniques used by experienced warriors are quite basic

太刀を担ぎ、届くところまで近寄りて振り下ろすばかりなり。
Lifting the sword, he will approach until the (proper?) moment, then swing downward.

これには知恵業も入らざるなり。
In this, there is no great wisdom

我の刃が届くからには、相手の刃もまた届くものなり。
If your blade can reach your opponent, your opponent's blade can also reach you (?)

要は踏みかけて切り殺さるる迄なり。
One must press the attack until the kill is made

仕果たすべきと思わば、間に合わぬものなり。
You must wish to see the job to completion (?)

曲者といふは勝負を考えず、無二無三に死狂ひするばかりなり。
True experts think not of victory, but focus singularly on the death frenzy

これにて夢醒むるなり。
In this way, it is as though one is waking from a dream.

TIA

 

[Shiratori99]

There is something that young samurai should learn.

Something that became known as the "secret sword" in kenjutsu.

More to come when I have more time.

 

[mikkih]

I came across this untranslated passage in a samurai manga (Shigurui) and tried to read it. I kinda get the general idea, but I can't seem to grasp the flow of these sentences at all. Can anyone help me with the finer points?

Hi, mote. Long time no see. Great to see you!

This is the text and my attempt at a translation:

若き士ども嗜むべきことあり。
There is an agreement (belief?) among young samurai

剣術に秘剣と称するものあるなり。
In kenjutsu there exist so-called "secret techniques"

Go with Shiratori99's post.

必勝不敗を謳い、何事をするぞといへば、
Should one do this/something? while claiming certain victory (this and the next 2 lines are giving me the most trouble)

我は相手の刃を貰わず、我の刃のみを相手に当てんと
If you strike your opponent with only your blade without taking his blade

身をよじり七転八倒する術理なり。
These techniques will leave him twisting and writhing in agony

術理： techniques ----> a technical principle
何事をするぞといへば: what actions to take would be --> by (verb)

Using your tl phrases -
The jutsu-ri, a technical principle, is to claim certain victory by twisting and writhing in agony only to strike your opponent with your blade [fill in what you wrote/ or ... while avoiding his strikes/blade].

まこと沙汰の限りなり。
In truth, this is preposterous.

In truth --> truly

我のみ助からんとして、相手の目をかすめたる様は、
When it comes to saving yourself, keeping something hidden from your opponent

　
keeping something hidden ---> hiding from

盗人の働きと大差なきものなり。
Is not much different from a thief's earnings (is this an expression? maybe like "a fool's errand" in English?)

I go with a literal tl.

曲者の用いる術理は、ただの一通りなり。
The techniques used by experienced warriors are quite basic

quite --> nothing but

太刀を担ぎ、届くところまで近寄りて振り下ろすばかりなり。
Lifting the sword, he will approach until the (proper?) moment, then swing downward.

これには知恵業も入らざるなり。
In this, there is no great wisdom

我の刃が届くからには、相手の刃もまた届くものなり。
If your blade can reach your opponent, your opponent's blade can also reach you (?)

要は踏みかけて切り殺さるる迄なり。
One must press the attack until the kill is made

仕果たすべきと思わば、間に合わぬものなり。
You must wish to see the job to completion (?)

曲者といふは勝負を考えず、無二無三に死狂ひするばかりなり。
True experts think not of victory, but focus singularly on the death frenzy

fine

これにて夢醒むるなり。
In this way, it is as though one is waking from a dream.

I'm not quite sure, but this might work. Then he wakes up from his dream state.

 

[mote]

Oh, this thread wasn't forgotten after all Good to see you too, Mikkih!

Btw, I found it in a manga, but I think this is actually a passage from Hakagure. No wonder it was so tough. Thanks for your help! Makes a lot more sense now.