The White Book

Development of Foshan Wing Chun as reported by the Chin Woo Athletics Association of Foshan.

1

Preface

       In China there is a saying about Kung fu – ‘The North kicks while The South Punches’. This saying represents that martial arts in the North are famous for their kicking skills, while those of the South are famous for their boxing. The Martial arts Developed in Foshan are representative of the boxing arts of the South.   Wing Chun is one of the many typical traditional kung fu systems that were developed within Foshan.

        At the 9^th anniversary of the founding of the Wing Chun Research & Activity Centre and the 85^th anniversary of the founding of the Foshan Chin Woo Association in September 2006, Mr Liang Xu Hui, President of the Chin woo Athletics Association published a ‘White Book’ on the development of Foshan Wing Chun throwing some daylight on the actual development of the mainstream Wing Chun in Foshan.  People of all circles who are interested in the development of Wing Chun in Foshan will know more by reading it

2

A brief introduction to the origin of Wing Chun and it’s characteristics.

       There are many legends about the origin of Foshan’s Wing Chun but without written records the stories vary from each other.

       One such version says that Wing Chun was Created by a young lady from Nan Tian county, Fujian province called Yim Wing Chun. Her mother passed away while she was young , so she grew up living with her father. During this time she created a set of boxing skills that were suitable for women to defend themselves. Later she taught these boxing skills to her husband Leung Bok Tao who went on to teach other people, The art ended up taking on the Name Wing Chun after Yim Wing Chun.

       Another story says that at the beginning of the Qing dynasty a Nun Master called Mh Meui created this boxing set after watching a fight between a snake and a crane.

       Yet another story says that it was created by the martial monks of the Southern Shaolin Temple in the Wing Chun Hall in Southern China to fight their betrayers, so the art was called Wing Chun, after the hall. (note that the Chinese Character for this Wing, and the other Wings is in fact different).

       One of the stories that is now told after serious textual research by a scholar in Guangzhou is that Wing Chun was handed down to Mr Jeung Mh, (nicknamed Taan Sau Mh) by the Monk Yat Chum am Ju from Heng Mountain, Henan Province.  Jeung Mh introduced it to Foshan.

       As you can see the stories about Wing Chun differ in different regions, differ in style, and some quite simply just come out of the Martial novels.  Because of this it is very difficult to prove which is true with out sufficient evidence.

       It is however, doubtless that Wing Chun was developed, promoted in and then spread from Foshan to all over the world.

       According to the textual research done by the researchers of Foshan Museum the earliest recorded writing about Wing Chun dates back to 1854 (the fourth year of Emperor Xian Feng in the Qing dynasty) when Lei Mun Mou lead a rebellion (the red turburns) against the Qing.  Two actors from the Red Boat Cantonese Opera troupe named Wong Wah Bou, and Leung Yi Tai came to Foshan via the Red Boats and taught Wing Chun to Leung Jan.  So, according to historical evidence we can say that Wing Chun first came to Foshan around 150 years ago, since the time of Emperor Xian Feng and Tong Zhi in the Qing dynasty.

       Leung Jan was a famous doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and was known as Mr Jan of Foshan.  As a rich young man, he run a drug store Called Jan Saang Tong on Kuai zi Street of Foshan.  It is here that he practiced and sold Chinese herbal medicine.  One of the Legends states that Leung Jan paid a lot of money to Leung Yi Tai to learn a set of Wing Chun’s boxing skills called Little Idea (Siu Lim Tao). He made a contract with his master promising to give him finacial support for all his life.it was one of the legends among the wingchun history. Leung Jan eventually because a great master of Wing Chun.

       After Leung Jan there were many famous Wing Chun masters in Foshan such as Chun Wah Sun, Chun Yu Min and Mh Zhong Sou.  In the 1920’ s and 30’ s there were three famous masters, Yun Kei San, Yiu Choi and Yip Man. These three masters were called the ‘Three Hero’s of Wing Chun’.

       As one of the most outstanding representatives of Southern Boxing Wing Chun after a long developing process has formed it’s own unique characteristics. Some typical styles found in Wing Chun are the Sun Character Fist, the Phoenyx Eye Fist, and the Willow Leaf Palm.  The essential forms of Wing Chun are Little Idea, Seeking the Bridge and Thrusting Fingers.  Wing Chun also uses a Wooden Dummy to practice on so they can improve their fighting skills. Wing Chun also uses weaponry such as the 8 hacking knives and the 6 and a half points Pole. There are also specific training methods developed in Wing Chun such as Sticking Hands training, Sticking Pole training, and sticking knives training.

       The basic action of Wing Chun is Taan Fook hand. Besides this, there are also Chok Sau, Liu Sau, Po Pai Sau, Chum Kyu Sau, and Sticking fighting. The basic stances are Triangle stance, square stance, Chasing stance, kneeling stance and one legged stance.  Wing Chun is a combination of Internal Boxing and short distance boxing.

       Wing Chun’s main characteristic is that it is a practical fighting art who’s punch is changeable, flexible, elastic and powerful.   With simplified movements Wing Chun only has 3 forms each move of which can be used for combat. The art aims to defeat the opponent and win in the shortest amount of time possible. Because of this, all unpractical movements have been stripped away and an emphasis of simultaneous attack and defense and practicality are employed.

       Wing Chun players give much to the principle of to attack is to defend.  They defend themselves by attacking their opponent.  They will give up any unalterable movements in a fight through any of the simple basic Wing Chun movements according to the situational need.  They will fight as close as possible to the opponent and pursue them closely. When attacked they attack back with deadly force to win as soon as possible.

       The methods in the mind of Wing Chun are Gaan, Laan, Taan, Bong, Teui, Tok, Laap, On, Chun, Tong, Gwa, Lau, The centre line principle and Laat sau Zik Chong – when there’s no hand, attack and Yi Kyu Dim Kyu – when there is a bridge, take it.

3

The situation and Condition of Foshan’s Wing Chun before 1980

       At the beginning of the 21^st century Yun Kei San, Yiu Choi and Yip Man were known as the ‘three hero’s of Wing Chun’.  Around the same time other Wing Chun masters became known in Foshan such as Jeung Bou, Lai Yip Chi, Jiu Jao etc… They followed different masters and taught different versions of Wing Chun.  After the liberation of China the famous Wing Chun masters were Pang Laam, Sum Lung, Yiu Kei and Gwok Fu.

       The cultural revolution (1966-76) was the watershed period of Wing Chun’s development.  At this time in China , under the special political circumstances, Wing Chun, like other traditional martial arts were badly devastated and nearly destroyed.  Wing Chun was misunderstood and considered to be the most harmful fighting skill and was forbidden to be studied or taught.

       All the Kung Fu schools were closed down and labeled as ‘Antisocial Associations’. During this period of time, the Chin woo Athletic Association in Foshan known under the symbol of patriotic and justice had to stop it’s activities.  Everyone in the martial arts community felt threatened and no one dared to claim they knew Wing Chun let alone mention in public that they taught it.

       In Hong Kong and Macao however Wing Chun did not waste time to develop and spread out.  The Foshan Wing Chun practitioner Yip Man brought Wing Chun to Hong Kong and his students spread it out all over the world.  After the 10 years of turmoil in China ended in mainland China and the Gang of Four were stopped everything returned to normal, Wing Chun in Foshan reawakened. At the same time had developed very quickly abroad and had become big business.       We owe it to Yip Man that Wing Chun is the second most practiced martial art abroad.

       Yip Man originally came from Luo Cun village of Nan Hai country and family had lived in Sang Yuan of Foshan for generations.  Yip Man started learning Wing Chun when he was young from various masters and finally he became a great Wing Chun Master. In 1949 when he was 57 years old, he settled down in Hong Kong and spared no effort in promoting and popularizing Wing Chun.  He taught a great many students and they spread out all over the world. Bruce Lee, a famous Hong Kong movie star was one of Yip Man’s many students. Now there are Wing Chun schools in over 50 countries world wide, many of which were set up by Yip Man’s students. Now Millions of people practice Wing Chun giving Yip Man the good name ‘The Emissary of Wing Chun’.

       Comparing the situation in Hong Kong and abroad with Mainland China , we can see that while in Hong Kong and other countries the art was blooming, in Foshan it was stagnant.  The people who loved Kung Fu had to teach and practice Wing Chun secretly at home with the doors closed just handing it down to family and close friends to stop the art from dying out. This is a dramatic change from a few years before when Wing Chun was prosperous in the city.

4

The status quo of Wing Chun’s development in the Chin Woo Athletic Association of Foshan

       In 1986, the reopening of the Foshan Chin Woo Association was a signal that Foshan Wing Chun would be revived and blossom once again. Mr Pang Laam, ‘nicknamed black faced Laam’ who lived on Gao Ji Street was the first to teach Wing Chun at the Chin Woo Assocation, even taking the time to build a wooden dummy for the association.  He often took part in demonstrations organized by Chin Woo and his students became famous and earned a good reputation in the 1980’ s.

       Meanwhile, discipals of the ‘three hero’s of Wing Chun’ also started to enroll and teach Wing Chun at home or in public.  Gradually Wing Chun spread out to the public.

      In 1996 as the situation changed the lack of intercommunication within the ever growing Wing Chun circle could not fit the increasing expansion and attention it received.  After participating in the 5^th World Chin Woo Martial Arts Culture exchange in Guangzhou , the former vice president – Mr Luo Run Zuo, the administrative director – Mr Ou Rong Ju and the Former President – Mr Wang Zheng Liu got together and discussed about setting up a collective Wing Chun organization. After the group had came into existence, Mr Luo took the lead and paid a visit Mr. Zhang Wu Qing (Jeung Bou’s son), Mr.Kwok fu, (an early student of Yip Man) Lun kai(another early student of Yip  Man), Mr.Pang shu chong (Pang Laam’s son),Mr.Lou wa (Lai Yip Ci’s student), Mr. Sum Lung (Yun Kei San’s student) etc. All of them supported the idea and many Wingchun branches sent their disciples hoping to  help negotiations arrangements and organization of the group. Among these people were Mr. Lou Ci Gung, Mr.Fok Ging An, Mr. Tong Fo Sin, Ms.Lum Xue Moi, Mr.Je Xi Yin etc. Mr.Lun Kai donated a lot of chairs for the meetings and came out to teach Wingchun at Chinwoo Association. One thing that is worth mentioning is that Mr.Yang Run Cai (from the Hong Kong Chinwoo association) gave great support and helped Foshan Chinwoo Association in both communication and preparation. He built up a communication bridge between Hong kong and Foshan.

       In July 1997, after a hard time of preparation the Wing Chun Research and Activity Centre was set up. The Members at that time came from Jeung Bou Branch, Lei Yip Chi’s Branch, Yip Man’s Branch, Pang Laam’s Branch, Lin Rui Bo’s Branch, and some students from Sum Lung’s Branch in Guangzhou .  Former President Mr Wang Zheng Liu appointed Mr Luo Run Zuo to be the first Chief administrative officer of the Centre.  This was the First time that a non Wing Chun player had been appointed to be the organizer and coordinator for the Wing Chun circle.

       Thus the centre had taken it’s first step and raised a flag to eliminate the ruptured state of Wing Chun branches conforming the sporadic resources of Wing Chun aiming to make a famous brand for the green wood circle conference during the anniversary of the Centre.

       Since the Centre has been set up the annual anniversary celebrations have seen Wing Chun lovers coming from all over the south of China as well as overseas to witness the continual development of the Foshan Wing Chun Circle .

       Yiu Choi’s grandchildren – Yiu Wing Keung, Yiu Hon Keung and Yiu Jong Keung, as well as Lum Wei Bun and his brother Lum gei cheung also joined the centre later on. Thus in 2001 7 Wing Chun branches in Foshan had joined the centre now named as  ‘the 7 Wing Chun Swords within the Green Wood’.

       In 2000, Mr Wang Zheng Lou sent a message to the Guangzhou and Hong Kong branches of Chin Woo proposing to hold a Chi Sau (sticking hands) competition between the three Cities. This idea received an active response and the competition was sponsored by the Rose Garden Real Estate Agent and the competition took the name as ‘The Rose Garden Cup’.

       This competition help between Wing Chun practitioners from Guangzhou , Foshan and Hong Kong was the greatest Wing Chun event held in Mainland China ever since New China was founded.  The first new competition rules were made and tried and no matter if it was a success or not the competition remained a great influence and is still a hot topic for conversation.

       The first inter-regional Chi Sau competition was the symbol of the second step that the Foshan Chin Woo Athletic Association has taken in the aim of promoting Wing Chun. During this event, some people made some time to do some academic research into, and exchanged Wing Chun techniques with the hope to find a balance point combining both the traditional heritage and modern developments.

       In 2001, Mr Ho Hoi Lim from Yao choi’s branch of Wing Chun succeeded as the chief of the Wing Chun Research and Activity Centre.  After that, the center held Wing Chun Seminars where members from different branches took part several times.   At these seminars they made a set of rules for a Wing Chun competition and submitted it to the national Martial Art administrative department to be looked over.  This was another step for the development of Wing Chun.

       On the 18^th of June 2003, the Chin Woo Athletic Association of Foshan released an open declaration opposing the trade marking of the name Wing Chun which was monopolized by an individual group.  This opposition created quite a stir in the Kung fu circles of Guangdong and Hong Kong .   The declaration was drafted out by the former general secretary Mr Lian Xu Hui and was counter signed by the former president Mr Xue Mian Ben and the representatives of the ‘Seven Wing Chun Swords’.  It was then handed to the National Sports Bureau and the National Industrial and Commercial Administrative Bureau where it was paid a great deal of attention.   This event is an action which shows the strength of the different Wing Chun groups working together as a whole and laid the foundation that made foshan the worlds Wing Chun Centre. At the same time the status of Foshan Wing Chun was upgraded to be a cultural heritage marking a huge evolvement of Wing Chun.

         As time time passed, in 2006 the Wing Chun in Foshan approached another developing climax.  The 25^th leader of the committee stamped out another great reforming footstep for Wing Chun.  Under the direct leadership of the President Mr Lian Xu Hui, the Wing Chun reseach and Activity Centre has shown it’s ability and strength to promote and spread Wing Chun.  The organizational system of the centre is it’s group membership which is unifying the different branches of Wing Chun as a whole, encouraging eachof the branches to develop itself.. There are no examples to learn from and follow in other world. Wing Chun’s development relies on it’s experiences and lessons from the past.

The Members of the Wing Chun Research and Activity Centre has been increasing like a tree growing and blossoming with many new schools setting up and joining the centre.  In 2006 when people celebrated the 9^th anniversary of the founding of the Centre, Wing Chun in Foshan entered the epoch of ‘The 12 Wing Chun Hero’s’ from ‘The 7 Wing Chun Swords’  and is now in it’s most prosperous time since the founding of New China. 

Members of the Wing Chun Research Activity Centre of the Chin Woo Athletic Association of Foshan