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Wu Sifu and Chan Sifu: Old Master’s “Sticky Hands (Chi Sau) Demo

irzounek — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:44:35 +0000

I am currently extremely busy with organising and editing the videos my archive; before I will finally publish them and accompany them with some interesting stories, i am going to comment the few well known videos i have already uploaded. I started to share rare Wing Chun videos at YouTube in 2006 – at that time almost the only videos of Mainland China Wing Chun available on the internet.

In 2003 we have received an invitation to the “International Ving Tsun Annual Dinner” – a great event hosted by Sifu Cliff Au Yeung in Hong Kong. It is that kind of event you definitely do not want to miss. First - Sifu Cliff is incredibly friendly type of person, second – the list of other invited guests was a promising an exceptional evening.

More than 150 invited guests have attented: From Australia (Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun), England (Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun), China (Guangzhou and Hong Kong “Mai Gei Wong” Wing Chun), Hong Kong (Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun and Leung Ting Wing Tsun), Czech Republic and Slovakia (Czech and Slovak School “Mai Gei Wong” Wing Chun). Many senior students of Grandmaster Yip Man were present at the event: Grandmaster Jau Ji Chyun (Chow Tse Chuen, 邹子传), Grandmaster Chan Ji Man (Chan Chee Man 陈志文), Grandmaster Siu Yuk Man (萧煜民) and Grand Master Lok Yiu (骆耀) with his son Lok Ging Gong (Lok Keng Kwong 骆劲刚) and other masters, eg. Grand Master Fung Keung of Gu Lou Wing Chun.

Memories of Roof Top Fights and Chi Sau Demo

The Kung-Fu demo represented all schools, and even the Grandmasters were in the end persuaded to showed bare-handed forms, as well as weapons and Chi Sau.

At one point, a large restaurant hall has silenced down. The light dimmed and the screen on the wall began to reflect an old black and white movie. It was a record of fighting two Kung Fu fighters. No protection gear, no ring. The fight took place on the roof and took just ashort time. When the recording ended, people started clapping.

Older master sitting at the table along with the old generation Yip Man students stood up, bowing and smiling – it was Wu Jan Nan Sifu (Wu Chun Nam 胡镇南), Wong Shun Leung’s student and one of the fighters from the film, which won the duel! Almost immediately, Wu sifu was invited to perform on the stage. Without hesitation he started to do “Sticking Hands” (Chi Sau) together with Sifu Chan Ji Man, who just finished the demo of Baat Jaam Dou – Wing Chun form with double knives. Wonderful “old school generation Chi Sau! Beautiful.

Few weeks later in China, Guangzhou

Celebration of Master Wong Nim Yis School, my teacher of “Mai Gei Wong Wing Chun”; the old masters of Yip Man’s clan Wing Chun have accepted the invitation to celebrate and once again they are reaping acclaim for their Chi Sau demonstration. Chan sifu and Wu sifu are truly in the form and after celebration in a restaurant floating on water lake are in the center of attention. Our group payed the greatest attention, and did not miss a single word from the experienced masters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmW46ACmsms

Late night, when it’s time to accompany them to the bus – my student Eda says excited and smiling: “Sifu, look… The old man came in the morning and he was leaning on a cane…. Look now!”

Old master ran to the bus swiftly as a teenager, without the aid of the walking cane.

“Sifu, did you have a walking cane when you came today?” said Eda, giving the cane to the master.

“Oh, yes of course, thank you, I need it,” replied the master with a smile. It seemed to me that he blinked to Eda…

The Secrets of Hung Ga One Finger Bridge Hand

Pavel Macek — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:00:14 +0000

Everytime i teach the “One Finger Bridge Hand” (Daan Ji Kiu Sau) formation to a beginner, eg. in a special Hung Kyun exercise called “Three Extensions” (Saam Jin Sau), the student always asks: “Sifu, why to hold the fingers like this? What is it for?”

Well, I have the short answer (something like “shut up and train, i will tell you later”) and a long answer, encompassing the name of the first Emperor of Ming Dynasty and the death of the last Emperor, “One Finger Zen” koan, Siulam temple, anti-Ching rebels of Hung Mun society and their secret signs, ultimate art of “One Finger Zen” etc.

According the research, the art of Hung Ga Kyun is closely connected to the origins and development of Chinese secret society known under various names like “Heaven and Earth Society” (Tin Dei Wui), “Three Unities Society” (Saam Hap Wui), “Three Dots Society” (Saam Dim Wui) or “Hung Society” Hung Mun.

We will discuss the connection of Hung Ga Kyun and Hung Mun in other following articles. For now, let’s have a look at the well known “”One Finger Bridge Hand”.

Devon Woon (Woon Hin Szu), martial arts practitioner and fitness trainer from Singapore, has summarized some of the connotations of the “One Finger Bridge Hand” in an interesting two part YouTube installment presented below.

Faan Ching Fuk Ming, Hung Mun Hing Dai!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOuLbDMBDc0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYVj5O2dZ3Q

The Five Tigers of Jow Ga Kuen

tailik — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:49:37 +0000

Master Jow Lung’s (周龙) original name was Jow Ming Lam (周名林) and was born in 1891 on March the 11th in Kwantung Province (广东省)， Gong Mun City (Jiangmen City) (江门市L Sunwui Tonghaa, Saa Fu Village (新会棠下沙富村) to a family who had been farmers for generations.

Jow Lung was brought up by his father Jow Fong Zin(周方展) and mother (maiden family name Li or 黎). As a youth Jow Lung developed an avid interest in martial arts and studied Hung Ga Kuen (洪家拳) from his uncle Jow Hung (周雄) as well as other forms of martial arts such as Choy Ga Kuen from the renowned Master Jau Gong 邹耕 (also known as Choy Kua) from the same village.

When he was nineteen，Jow Lung travelled to Southeast Asia (南洋) to make his living. It was here that he learned the Northern Style Siu Lam (Shaolin 北派少林) martial arts. Eventually he incorporated these with the Southern Style Nam Pai Choy Ga(南派蔡家) combining and creating the Hung Tao Choy Mei (洪头蔡尾) discription of Jow Ga Kuen (周家拳). Therefore, Jow Lung is considered the main founder of Jow Ga Kuen, which is also written differently in english based on dialect and sound (Jow Ga, Zhou Jia, Chau Ka, Chow Gar etc.).

Jow Lung was once the Chief Martial Arts Instructor for the Canton (Kwangchow) Lei Fuk Lam Bou Deoi Armγ (广州李福林部队) with his brothers Jow Hip (周协, Jow Biu (周彪), Jow Hoy (周海) and Jow Tin (周田) as instructors too.

In 1911 General Lei Fuk Lam was ordered to hire a martial arts master to coach the military. In order to find the most qualified Martials Artist General Lei Fuk Lam held a Martial Arts competition, the winner would be awarded the position. Jow Lung signed up for the competition in order to bring even more fame to his families Kung Fu. The competition was broken up into 10 groups and used elimination bouts to determine the winner. Using his new style Jow Lung fought and won each of the elimination matches and made it to the final round. Jow Lungs opponent was Guan Gin Sze, one of the best martial artist in the area. Jow Lung defeated Guan Gin Sze and became Military Martial Arts coach.

In 1917 the Jow Yun Yi Tong (周仁義堂) was established in Canton (Kwangchow) before spreading to Sun Wui (新会), Jung San(中山) Gau-gong (九江), Kwang Sai (广西) etc.

When Jow Lung enlisted his brothers to aid in teaching, the “Five Tigers” fame grew even more. Jow Lung was a very strong leader, his brothers and students would look to him to solve problems and dissolve disagreements. However, in 1919 tragedy struck the Jow Family, when Jow Lung contracted a severe cold. Because Jow Lung did not rest, his cold quickly developed into pneumonia and Jow Lung died at the very young age of 29. Jow Lungs students mourned his death as they would their own father, and the Martial Arts Community lost a great hero. Jow Bui, Jow Hip Jow Hoy and Jow Tin, also mourned their brothers death. On the day of his funeral, they all vowed to continue Jow Lungs dream of spreading their families Kung Fu so that it may live on forever.

The brothers worked hard and opened schools all over Southern China. Branches were opened in Canton and Hunan. In 1927 a branch was set up in Chen Tsun. A branch was also opened Fo Shan and two more in Nan Hi Shi Giao and Guin Shan. In 1928 Jow Biu set up branches in Jian Meng, Tai Shan Hsin Chin and another in Jiang Men headed by his two top students Zhu Hua and Li Ngou. In 1929, Jow Tien went to Shi-Guan and set up branches in Du-Tsen, Yu-Tsen, Nan Fu and Guan-Shi. Because of Jow Tien’s efforts well over 20 schools were established under the Jow Family Banner. By 1930 over 80 schools were established in Shanghai alone. In a very short time Jow Ga was known all over Southern China, there growth was unprecedented.

In 1941the Jow Family suffered a tragic loss with the passing of Jow Hip at the age of 48. Because of political unrest in China, Jow Biu along with Li Ngou, Grand Master Chan Man Cheung 陳萬祥 (師公) and other students immigrated to Hong Kong and today there are over 50 branches now operating in Hong Kong. In 1947 the Jow Family suffered yet another loss with the passing of Jow Hoy at the age of 48.

Jow Ga Lion Dancing is also very well known. Before World War II, during the inauguration of King George II. Hong Kong held a huge parade in his honor. The Hong Kong government requested a group from the Jow Ga School, led by Jow Biu to perform at the ceremony. The Jow Ga Lion Dance team has performed for several large parades and events in Hong Kong. During Queen Elizabeth 25th Silver anniversary, the Jow Lung Branch sent a 300 person Lion Dance Team to perform at her parade.

Jow Ga has enjoyed unparallel success in the Martial Arts field, however in 1961, on March 14th the Jow Family mourned the passing of the recognized leader of the Jow Ga Style Jow Biu at the age of 62, and in 1971 Jow Tien the last of the Five Tigers died at the age of 69.

Because of the incredible dedication of the Jow Family, the Jow Ga System of Kung Fu is one of the most widely practiced and most traditional Kung Fu Styles in the world today. Its’ success can be attributed to the innovation, courage, discipline, and since of family of the Jow Ga Five Tigers and their disciples.

English calendar:

Jow Lung was born March 11, 1891 died July 7, 1919
Jow Lung’s wife Ms. Fong January 15, 1901 died March 11, 1966
Jow Hip was born May 6, 1893 and died July 15, 1941
Jow Hip’s wife Ms. Lee January 16, 1901 and died March 8, 1965
Jow Biu was born September 17, 1899 and died March 14, 1961
Jow Biu’s wife Ms. Chao July 11, 1906 and died July 4, 1975
Jow Hoy was born Septemeber 17, 1899 and died July 19, 1947
Jow Tin was born February 4, 1902 and died July 19, 1971

About the Author: Derek Johnson sifu, American Jow Ga Kung Fu Athletic Association 美國周家功夫體育協會

Chan Yu Min (Siulam) Wing Chun Kyun

irzounek — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:55:14 +0000

I am now working on the video of our adventure trip to China in 2007 from one of our visits to the tombs of the family and the birthplace of Grandmaster Chan Wa Seun (Yip Man’s teacher) near Seundak (Shunde). On the same time there was the Chinese television team with the famous professor Kang Ge Wu sifu, who is a Chinese scholar of Chinese martial arts history, and whose team was coincidentally a few days before making a television report for Chinese television in our Prague school.

Today, the “Chan” family style is usually called “Chan Yu Min Wing Chun” (陳汝棉永春), “Seundak Wing Chun” (順德永春) or “Siu Lam Wing Chun” (少林永春), written with a different character for “Wing”(永/咏) than is commonly used in “Fatsaan” styles. For my “research archives” I took several hours of video interview with “gatekeeper” of “Chan” family style, Sifu Chan Gwok Gei , which is a direct descendant of Grandmaster Chan Wa Seun. He explains about the history of wingchun as transmitted in their family, and assembly techniques and the theory of their family style. In the video you’ll see only fragments of conversation and more overall “feeling” of places and people …

Before I finish the video, here as a starter – “Siu Lin Tau” (小练头) form of “Chan Yu Min WingChun” style, by Wong Gin San sifu. I learned from him in the year 2005 the famous “Luk Dim Bun Gwan” – the use of long pole of “Chan” family. He was introduced to me by my dear friend and kungfu brother Sifu Pavel Macek (HungKyun.com) and I still remember all the days in Samjan (Shenzhen) – Pavel sifu and his students did exercises “Hung Kyun”, me and Wong sifu long pole and in every evening dinner with other masters and —> “party time” … I can not forget the extraordinary experiences with Sifu Michael Goodwin (The San Francisco Hung Gar Kung Fu Association), he was in Samjan at the same time and as Pavel sifu learned from Grandmater Lam Chun Sing. His assistance in interpreting (again and again: “Thank you Michael Sifu!”) has been invaluable, as a companion he is amazing and his knowledge and Kung Fu are a treasure!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us1xjdW_aMo

Chinese Kung Fu Ground Fighting Footlocks

Pavel Macek — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:36:04 +0000

Takedowns, locks, chokes and other submissions seem to be with the rise of MMA indespensable part of the arsenal of the modern all-round fighter.

There is a saying in Chinese martial arts: Tek, Da, Seut, Na - Kicking, Striking, Wrestling and Locking. Chinese-Mongolian wrestling has very profound throws and takedowns, many other Kung Fu styles have a very extensive arsenal of stand up locking techniques and submisisons, so called Kam Na Faat (in Mandarin Qin Na Fa), eg. Eagle Claw (Ying Jaau Paai).

How about grappling and ground fighting in Kung Fu? Very frequent topic in TCMA circles. As we will see in the following articles that will be published in the future on the NaamKyun.com server, some Chinese martial arts indeed do have ground fighting and grappling techniques.

For now please check out the first example – an interesting article about foot locks, ankle locks, kneebars and similar leg submissions from and old issue of Secrets of Kung Fu.

[Show as slideshow]

Paau Fa Lin Wing Chun – Gwok So sifu

irzounek — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:23:06 +0000

Note: Following article is the first one of oncomming series of articles written by my good friend Ivan Rzounek sifu (Wing Chun Kuen Research), dedicated to survey of various Wing Chun schools, families and branches.

In 2000 i have been living with Martina for 3 months in Wong Nim Yi sifu’s home in Canton, studying his family system of Mai Gei Wong Wing Chun. One day Wong sifu took us to Foshan Ching Woo to attend a local Kung-Fu celebration with the performance of many famous masters of various Kung-Fu styles. You will see the whole footage of the event later – including Martina’s unplanned performance.

For now let me present Gwok So sifu, student of Lao Dat Sang (Paau Fa Lin Wing Chun 刨花蓮詠春), and brother of Gwok Gaai sifu. With a master Gwok Gaai later we were very good friends. “Paau Fa Lin Wing Chun” is rare Wing Chun style, even in the “Wing Chun city” Fatsaan. At public demonstrations this style can be seen only rarely.

As an interesting point I want to draw attention to the man sitting in front of us and that sometimes turns and speaks to us. It’s a Grand Master Sum Nung (Sam Nang 岑能). It was my first encounter with him and later we had inside Foshan Ching Woo (Fatsaan Jing Mou) very nice and long conversation in which he invited me, Martina and my student Danny to visit him (I will show his performance at a later date).

Can you imagine? Grand Master Sum Nung and Sifu Wong Nim Yi in one place? Despite the fact that GM Sam Nang was one of the teachers of Grand Master “Mai Gei Wong”, their relationship was complicated…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eMRNRyjuKo

Stay tuned for other interesting Wing Chun videos and articles coming soon!

About the Author: Ivan Rzounek sifu has started to learn martial arts in 1976 (Greco-Roman Wrestling), in 1983 he has started with Shotokan Karate. Since 1988 he trains Wing Chun. Please visit the webpage of his School and Wing Chun Research, as well his school’s Facebook page and YouTube profile.

Meditation, Sutras and Martial Arts Training

Pavel Macek — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:26:31 +0000

Chinese Sim Buddhism – in Mandarin Chan, in Japanese Zen – played an important role in the origin and development of many Southern Chinese martial arts, especially those, who claim to originate from the legendary Southern Siulam (Shaolin). Chinese martial arts were practiced in many of the temples in Southern China, eg. Hoi Tung Ji, Daai Fat Ji, Sai Sim Ji etc. No wonder that an old Chinese maxim says: Zen and Martial Arts are One (Sim Kyun Hap Yat).

Does practicing Chinese martial arts and “practicing” Zen has something in common? Do they share similar obstacles, problems and questions? Please read following two pieces of wisdom form the Chinese buddhism heritage and judge for yourself.

Reverend Ma was sitting in a spot, and Reverend Rang took a tile and sat on the rock facing him, rubbing it.

Master Ma asked, ‘What are you doing?’

Master said, ‘I’m rubbing the tile to make it a mirror.’

Master Ma said, ‘How can you make a mirror by rubbing a tile?’

Master said, ‘If I can’t make a mirror by rubbing a tile, how can you achieve Buddhahood by sitting in meditation?

Following poem is attributed to Venerable Bodhidharma, in Cant. Daat Mou, first patriarch of Chan Buddhism (Cant. Sim, in Japanese Zen) and Shaolin Kung-Fu:

A special transmission outside the scriptures 教外別傳;

No dependence upon words and letters 不立文字;

Direct pointing at the soul of man 直指人心;

Seeing into one’s nature and the attainment of Buddhahood 見性成佛.

Does it mean that it is useless to devote a time to the sitting meditation? Does it mean that all the Sutras are just piece of crap?

What do you think? How would these two pieces of old Buddhist wisdom apply in the world of today’s Chinese martial arts?

Feel free to leave a comment below the article!

Rare Kung-Fu Weapons: The Tobacco Water Pipe

Pavel Macek — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:25:14 +0000

Chinese weapon arsenal is vast – all kinds of long and short weapons, soft weapons, projectile and throwing weapons etc. Some Chinese Kung-Fu styles also use tools of every day use as weapons.

Our school of Hung Ga Kyun eg. trains with a Chinese bench, very common in the restaurants and tea-rooms in old China, other lineages use an umbrella as a weapon, eg. the Grandmaster Ho Laptin’s school, who dedicated a book to this set as well. Hung Fut (Hung Fat) has a set with a rice bowl and a pair of chop sticks, Chinese abacus and even with a pair of wooden sandals!

Below is an article from an old Chinese Kung Fu magazine, featuring Chan Tat Fut sifu of Choy Lay Fut Kung-Fu, presenting some fighting applications with the Chinese tobacco water pipe. Chan sifu is well known to many of us visiting Hong Kong regularly – almost everybody has visited his Kung-Fu weapons shop in Sham Shui Po.

Please click the images and download them to your computer.

[Show as slideshow]

The Story of Hung Ga Grandmaster Lau Jaam, Part 2

frankbolte — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:46 +0000

Lam told Lau to come the next evening. Lau was very happy and left after salutations. Next evening, Lau Jaam got packed his suitcase, along with sterling coin 15 cents. Taking 5 cents to purchase joss sticks, candle sticks and Yun Bao (paper ignot), and the remaining 10 cents folded in a red envelope as the Baai Si gift. Everythings prepared, rushed to Sai Wing gym. Entered into the hall, ignited the joss sticks and candles beneath the White Crane Ancestor’s shrine (白鶴先師神位), bowed and offered worship. Secondly brought Lam Sai Wing a seat, bowed and submitted the Red Envelope. He called Lam “Sifu!“several times. Lam Saiwing accepted all.

As Lau Jaam did declare he has been learning kung-fu before, to avoid confusion, and to convince Lau in the coming lessons, Lam Saiwing said:“You said you had learnt some, while I do not know your standard. as now we’re master and disciple, as a matter of fact, I’ll teach all I have, I need to test you for 2 reasons: First, to know your weak points, second to evaluate whether or not I’m qualified as your teacher.“

Lau though repeatedly said:“ I dare not impolite“ but in heart, excited to have chance to compete. In just a few moves Lau realised that he stood no chance,so he was ready to drop all his prior martial art studies and fully focus on the teachings of his new sifu. He never complained about hard times and never got tired.

In just a few days Lau completed learning 108 techniques (108 點手法) of the “Taming the Tiger Set” Fuk Fu Kyun (伏虎拳). Lam Saiwing’s concept was “learning without hard practice, one can neither be facile in the skill nor capable to enjoy the hidden subtilty”. Lam Saiwing ordered Lau to practise Fuk Fu Kyun for that moment, no further teaching given.

Lau had a thinking of secret learning what other students performed. Among numerous pupils, one called Sou Gim Sang (蘇劍生) learning the Tiger Crane Double Style (Fu Hok Seung Ying Kyun 虎鶴雙形拳). Lam Saiwing ordered his disciple Jeung Yun (張元) to teach so on his behalf. Lau knew this Si Hing was skillful in this set, so begged SiHing for teaching same.

Si Hing Jeung Yun (張元) said: “No, this behavior is ofensive when master is absent, dare not overtake master.“

Lau persuaded his Si Hing and said: “Teaching outside the gym is okay!“

Jeung Yun for the sake of not disappointing Lau, taught him. And it took Lau only a few days to complete this set.

“This is not Wing Chun!”

Pavel Macek — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:41 +0000

“Original”, “traditional”, “orthodox”… Those are the words how (traditional) Chinese martial arts are often described. What does it mean? Same as hundreds years ago? Dated?

The word “traditional” comes for a latin word tradere, “to hand over”, “hand down”, from the Master to the apprentice, from one generation to the other – not only the techniques and sets, but concepts, principles and training methodology, often unique to a specific system or family.

So called “traditional” martial arts have always changed and evolved a lot. Just look at the system which s today called Hung Kyun – just a small part of it is “old” Hung Kyun. As many of the Chinese systems, it is in fact “MMA”, in Chinese Jaap Ga, mix of various families (Hung Ga, Choi Ga, Hap Ga, Mog Ga etc.).

Does “traditional” means that the students are supposed to be the exact copy of their teachers? Well, no. I remember my sihing giving me once a very wise advice: “Hey, look, Sifu is not teaching you to move like him, but to move like YOU”.

“Traditional martial art for a modern world”, that is the motto of my school, “practical”, “functional” Hung Kyun – revolution (in the original sense of the word, ie. going back to the roots of the art and paying respect to our ancestors) and evolution at the same time. Yes, we do not live in a Ching dynasty anymore (or even worse, in the movies about Ching dynasty).

Although i am a Hung Kyun practitioner and teacher, i have many friends from the Wing Chun community. Below is a nice short clip to the topic from a movie (i know, movie) The Legend is Born – Ip Man. Leung Bik is played by Grandmaster Yip Chun, son of grandmaster Yip Man, and i can tell he really enjoys it. Watch the choreography and listen to the wise message…

…and do not take me wrong – stop doing that jumping 720 degrees tornado kick in your Siu Nim Tau or Fu Hok, just because you think “it is cool”, that is not what i meant. Work your basics, do your homework, as your sifu told you, otherwise he is going to punish you with a stick!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5uL4dD4YJI