Jung Si Li Niu talks about Jow Ga history & the Baht Gwan
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:18 amMASTER LI NIU JOW GA HISTORY & BAAT GUA GWAN ARTICLE
(http://www.jowtigers.com) 美國周家功夫體育協會
Li Niu (Lee Ngau) is the big brother of Jow Gwun (Jow School).
He Specialized in the Baat Gua Gwan (eight diagram pole) of Jow Family
The Jow Gwun in Canton City (Guangzhou) famous in Kwangtung or Canton Province (Guangdong Province), Hong Kong and Macau, held decisive influence in the martial arts scene of Canton Province (Gwungdong) 30 to 40 years ago,
The Founder of the Jow Family Kung Fu, Jow Lung together with his brothers, Jow Hip, Jow Biu, Jow Hoy and Jow Tian took care of the Gwun, training a lot of talents that have contributed to the spread all over the world of the Jow family Kung Fu up until this day.
The name was changed from Jow Gwun to Jow Ga Kuen (Jow family Fist) in 1950 by Jow Biu after his arrival in Hongkong.
Due to the different environment between Hong kong and the old days in Canton City (Gwungzhou) China, the term Gwun, which had several different explanations and meanings could not be used anymore, so the old term was changed to “Jow Family Fist”; however the elderly of the Martial World would still refer to it between themselves as Jow Gwun.
The Jow Family Fist has the head of Hung and the tail of Choy combining hard and soft together.
This magazine in its 85th issue had an introduction titled The Spring and Autumn of Jow Gwun, which however was missing many details; now fortunately we can obtain detailed information from Sifu Li Niu and supplement all the omission of the previous article.
Jow Lung was from Xin Hui Sha Fu village, since young he followed his uncle Jow Hung to study martial arts. His uncle studied Hung Gar. Later Jow Lung followed Cai Jiu Gong in his study of the Cai (choy) Family Kung Fu. Jow Lung then combined the two Fists into what was called the head of Hung and the tail of Choy (Cai).
Jow Lung’s system adopted the steady position and sinking power of the Hung kuen when throwing a fist; the quick footwork, floating horse and burying body of the Choy (Cai). The Hung system has Long bridge hands, where as the Choy (Cai) system has short bridge hands.
The old Jow Family Fist has many peculiarities, an all around arsenal of technique; there are Long and short hands bridges and unpredictable changes. When attacking with a Long bridge hand the short hand bridge will defend (guard). The footwork, when relaxed is steady as the mountain, when moving is quick as an escaping rabbit. Attack and defense, quick and slow all around techniques are contemplated.
In his youth Jow Lung went to South East Asia to earn a living; in that occasion because of a deadly fight with a local triad member, was forced to escape. He took refuge in a small mountain where he found a Buddhist temple named “Gi Le” (Ji Le Si); the Abbot of the temple was a Shaolin monk with deep knowledge of strike techniques. Jow Lung managed to be taken in. ¬
After strenuous practice and mastering the old sage teachings, Jow Lung returned to Canton City. At that time the military had ordered the official Li Fu Lin to promote a public audition in order to find a martial arts instructor. Jow Lung felt he had to try; his outstanding martial abilities won him the position.
After that Jow Lung established his Jow Gwun in Shi San Hang and started teaching the Jow Family Fist and not Long after many branches were established; Jow Hip opened a branch in the seventh street of Tong De in Honan Province. Jow Biu established a branch in Jin Hua Lang, Jow Hoy established one in Chong Kou, Jow Tian in Yan Tou. Many branches but one headquarters; a lot of proficient students were formed and in Canton City and the Jow Gwun covered an influential role in the martial world.
Li Niu is the Jow Gwun old man. Between all the Jow Gwun disciples, Li Niu can be considered the big brother (the elder). In terms of position in the Family tree and record of service, Li Niu can be considered today the oldest and most qualified among the Jow Family Fist group. He be longs to the senior forces.
At the time when Jow Lung established his school in Shi San Hang, Li Niu was among the first group of students; after Jow Lung past away, Li Niu continued by following Jow Biu everywhere and trained very hard improving his skills up to a very high level; it is said that his technical achievements were obtained through Jow Biu’s praise and encouragement and being entrusted with heavy responsibilities.
Because of that, when the first branch school was established out of the city, Li Niu was given the responsibility to manage it together with all the branches schools in the four major country area around Canton City
The first branch school was established in Xin Hui of Jiang Men city and Li Niu was appointed head instructor and Zhu Hua vice-head instructor.
After a while from this branch school started the establishment of other branches up to an estimate of 30 branches all over towns and villages in an area comprising of four city.
Also Jow Tian opened school branches in Xi Jiang, Zhao Qing, Wu Jow and Jow Hoy opened a school in the town of Hai Chen of Shun De city. Another one was opened in Jiu Jiang of Nanhai called Ying Yong Tang (hall of the brave] which was under the responsibility of Chen Gui zai (younger Kung Fu brother of Li Niu).
During the war Canton City was taken by the enemy and Li Niu escaped to Hong Kong. At the beginning he settled in Shen Shui She (Da Nan road) where he took the instructor position at the Lu Feng Villa. Subsequently he moved to You Ma Di and taught at the association of cow and sheep farming.
After Hong Kong too fell under the enemy, Li Niu moved to ChangJow and taught at the Fei Xing athletic association; after two years he also took a position as instructor at the Da Ao Min Quan athletic association.
After the war he went to (nowadays) Hong Kong New Territories Yuan Lang in search of development.
The Lion picks the vegetable on the martial world as it climbs the pagoda. (very difficult to translate and in this case was not literally done. The meaning of it, by guess, should be something like Li Niu climbs the martial world as the lion picks up the vegetable hanging from a pagoda)
Li Niu Sifu learnt his skills and serviced in the Jow Gwun for approx 30 years. Brothers of the same generation whom had practiced kung fu together at the time left a few.
Sifu Li Niu was taught by his Jow Family seniors to be unselfish and to help people through his knowledge of Chinese medicine, to teach Kung Fu. He successfully taught many students over the years; some of them have accomplished mastery and opened a school of their own. Some of his students went to live abroad and contribute to enhance and glorify the Jow Family Kung Fu overseas.
In the martial tradition of the Jow Family, the Baat Gua Gwan and the Lion Dance are the most yarned skills by the practitioners. The Baat Gua Gwan set is formed by the combination of three sets which are Dai Baat Gua (big Baat Gua), Jung Baat Gua (middle Ba Gua, Siu Ba Gua (small Ba Gua).
(http://www.jowtigers.com) 美國周家功夫體育協會
Li Niu (Lee Ngau) is the big brother of Jow Gwun (Jow School).
He Specialized in the Baat Gua Gwan (eight diagram pole) of Jow Family
The Jow Gwun in Canton City (Guangzhou) famous in Kwangtung or Canton Province (Guangdong Province), Hong Kong and Macau, held decisive influence in the martial arts scene of Canton Province (Gwungdong) 30 to 40 years ago,
The Founder of the Jow Family Kung Fu, Jow Lung together with his brothers, Jow Hip, Jow Biu, Jow Hoy and Jow Tian took care of the Gwun, training a lot of talents that have contributed to the spread all over the world of the Jow family Kung Fu up until this day.
The name was changed from Jow Gwun to Jow Ga Kuen (Jow family Fist) in 1950 by Jow Biu after his arrival in Hongkong.
Due to the different environment between Hong kong and the old days in Canton City (Gwungzhou) China, the term Gwun, which had several different explanations and meanings could not be used anymore, so the old term was changed to “Jow Family Fist”; however the elderly of the Martial World would still refer to it between themselves as Jow Gwun.
The Jow Family Fist has the head of Hung and the tail of Choy combining hard and soft together.
This magazine in its 85th issue had an introduction titled The Spring and Autumn of Jow Gwun, which however was missing many details; now fortunately we can obtain detailed information from Sifu Li Niu and supplement all the omission of the previous article.
Jow Lung was from Xin Hui Sha Fu village, since young he followed his uncle Jow Hung to study martial arts. His uncle studied Hung Gar. Later Jow Lung followed Cai Jiu Gong in his study of the Cai (choy) Family Kung Fu. Jow Lung then combined the two Fists into what was called the head of Hung and the tail of Choy (Cai).
Jow Lung’s system adopted the steady position and sinking power of the Hung kuen when throwing a fist; the quick footwork, floating horse and burying body of the Choy (Cai). The Hung system has Long bridge hands, where as the Choy (Cai) system has short bridge hands.
The old Jow Family Fist has many peculiarities, an all around arsenal of technique; there are Long and short hands bridges and unpredictable changes. When attacking with a Long bridge hand the short hand bridge will defend (guard). The footwork, when relaxed is steady as the mountain, when moving is quick as an escaping rabbit. Attack and defense, quick and slow all around techniques are contemplated.
In his youth Jow Lung went to South East Asia to earn a living; in that occasion because of a deadly fight with a local triad member, was forced to escape. He took refuge in a small mountain where he found a Buddhist temple named “Gi Le” (Ji Le Si); the Abbot of the temple was a Shaolin monk with deep knowledge of strike techniques. Jow Lung managed to be taken in. ¬
After strenuous practice and mastering the old sage teachings, Jow Lung returned to Canton City. At that time the military had ordered the official Li Fu Lin to promote a public audition in order to find a martial arts instructor. Jow Lung felt he had to try; his outstanding martial abilities won him the position.
After that Jow Lung established his Jow Gwun in Shi San Hang and started teaching the Jow Family Fist and not Long after many branches were established; Jow Hip opened a branch in the seventh street of Tong De in Honan Province. Jow Biu established a branch in Jin Hua Lang, Jow Hoy established one in Chong Kou, Jow Tian in Yan Tou. Many branches but one headquarters; a lot of proficient students were formed and in Canton City and the Jow Gwun covered an influential role in the martial world.
Li Niu is the Jow Gwun old man. Between all the Jow Gwun disciples, Li Niu can be considered the big brother (the elder). In terms of position in the Family tree and record of service, Li Niu can be considered today the oldest and most qualified among the Jow Family Fist group. He be longs to the senior forces.
At the time when Jow Lung established his school in Shi San Hang, Li Niu was among the first group of students; after Jow Lung past away, Li Niu continued by following Jow Biu everywhere and trained very hard improving his skills up to a very high level; it is said that his technical achievements were obtained through Jow Biu’s praise and encouragement and being entrusted with heavy responsibilities.
Because of that, when the first branch school was established out of the city, Li Niu was given the responsibility to manage it together with all the branches schools in the four major country area around Canton City
The first branch school was established in Xin Hui of Jiang Men city and Li Niu was appointed head instructor and Zhu Hua vice-head instructor.
After a while from this branch school started the establishment of other branches up to an estimate of 30 branches all over towns and villages in an area comprising of four city.
Also Jow Tian opened school branches in Xi Jiang, Zhao Qing, Wu Jow and Jow Hoy opened a school in the town of Hai Chen of Shun De city. Another one was opened in Jiu Jiang of Nanhai called Ying Yong Tang (hall of the brave] which was under the responsibility of Chen Gui zai (younger Kung Fu brother of Li Niu).
During the war Canton City was taken by the enemy and Li Niu escaped to Hong Kong. At the beginning he settled in Shen Shui She (Da Nan road) where he took the instructor position at the Lu Feng Villa. Subsequently he moved to You Ma Di and taught at the association of cow and sheep farming.
After Hong Kong too fell under the enemy, Li Niu moved to ChangJow and taught at the Fei Xing athletic association; after two years he also took a position as instructor at the Da Ao Min Quan athletic association.
After the war he went to (nowadays) Hong Kong New Territories Yuan Lang in search of development.
The Lion picks the vegetable on the martial world as it climbs the pagoda. (very difficult to translate and in this case was not literally done. The meaning of it, by guess, should be something like Li Niu climbs the martial world as the lion picks up the vegetable hanging from a pagoda)
Li Niu Sifu learnt his skills and serviced in the Jow Gwun for approx 30 years. Brothers of the same generation whom had practiced kung fu together at the time left a few.
Sifu Li Niu was taught by his Jow Family seniors to be unselfish and to help people through his knowledge of Chinese medicine, to teach Kung Fu. He successfully taught many students over the years; some of them have accomplished mastery and opened a school of their own. Some of his students went to live abroad and contribute to enhance and glorify the Jow Family Kung Fu overseas.
In the martial tradition of the Jow Family, the Baat Gua Gwan and the Lion Dance are the most yarned skills by the practitioners. The Baat Gua Gwan set is formed by the combination of three sets which are Dai Baat Gua (big Baat Gua), Jung Baat Gua (middle Ba Gua, Siu Ba Gua (small Ba Gua).
