The history Of Hung Gar

By Eric Wolven

I am eternally grateful to my teacher and for all his words of wisdom that have shaped the man that I am today. I am also grateful of this great martial art that I practice for centering my life and bringing good health. The poetry and the grace this style provides as well as the historical significance make me appreciative of all the hard work our past masters have endured.

The history and origins of Hung Gar, like most other Chinese Martial Arts, is full of legends, myths and contradictions without much fact or actual recorded historical evidence. The earlier history of Hung Gar, especially before Wong Fei Hung, is somewhat ambiguous and confusing. This is largely due to much of the history being passed down verbally from generation to generation, master to student and so on. Passing on much of the history orally has of course led to more than one version of the story and many contradictions. Throughout the centuries some of these stories have often changed and at times have been over exaggerated. The gap between actual historical facts and evidence has lead people to make up their own history. This being the case, some of the historical information that follows (especially the early history) comes from a variety of different sources. Some of the stories or legends are without any hard facts or evidence to support them.

As the Red-Face General said “We are all brothers”. I have produced this paper to give my fellow students a hard copy of the history of our great style of Kung Fu. In the pages that follow, I have chosen to concentrate on the masters directly responsible for passing on Hung Gar to our teacher and ultimately his students. There have been many students of our past masters and by no means do I disrespect them by not mentioning them here.

All masters have added their own personality to the style they practiced. Over the decades, some styles changed completely to meet the needs of the people using them. There are many different looking Hung Gar systems, although their core is still the same. Among them are Canton Hung Gar, Hung Moon, Wubei Hung Gar, Szechwan Hung Gar and Ha Say Fu (4 lower Tigers) Hung Gar.

Chapter One: The Origins

According to historical references, Buddhism was introduced into China around 25 – 317 AD. Emperor Yuan Hong built the Shaolin Monastery in 495 AD for an Indian Buddhist monk called Brahdra. It was located on the northern foothills of the Wuru summit, of Shao shi mountain, northwest of Deng Feng city, in the Henan Province. Brahdra preached Theravada Buddhism, which taught liberation by purifying oneself of all defilements and desires.

By 527 A.D., ancient records show Ta Mo traveling to China who found the Shaolin monks to be so purified of desire that they were in a state of ill health. He convinced the monks of the benefits of physical exercise and taught them the "18 Lohan Techniques". These patterns,developed by replicating the movements of animals, fused breathing with exact movement exercising mind, body and spirit. Seated Yoga techniques were also taught to help with focus. The monks thrived and thus began Zen Buddhism.

Over time many people would come to the Shaolin Temple to study Zen Buddhism. Many were warriors and they brought with them their combat skills. As self preservation is considered a form of physical health, the sharing of defensive skills was encouraged. Monks needed to know how to defend themselves as they traveled to teach their religion. The nature of the 18 Lohan Techniques were utilized as a format for the development of practical combat exercises.These Forms became the prototypes of Chinese combat exercises which would follow for centuries to come.

Due to the growth and popularity of the Shaolin Buddhist teachings other temples were built. Among the most notable was the Fukien Temple to the South. In time these two temples would come to characterise the concepts of Northern Fist and Southern Foot fighting.

In the Song dynasty (960 A.D.-1279 A.D.), a great martial artist from the Shaolin temple, named Chueh Yuan took Ta Mo's 18 Lohan Techniques and increased them to 72. Still not satisfied, Chueh Yuan sought out other kung fu masters to increase his skills. In his travels, he found Li Sou who introduced him to Bai Yu Feng. Together, all 3 went back to the temple and combined their skills. They increased the 72 techniques into 170. These techniques were then divided into 5 categories (Dragon, Tiger, Panther, Crane and Snake).

Movements of the Dragon were internal and external, circular and spiraling, cultivating the spirit. Moves of the Tiger were fierce pouncing and clawing attacks, emphasizing muscle and bone development. Moves of the Panther were based on speed and power utilizing sudden explosive movements and the use of chi (internal energy). Techniques of the Crane were graceful, fluid, swift and agile, stressing balance. Exercises from the Snake developed chi. The movements were soft and circular yet accurate and deadly. Each of the animal styles was a complete fighting system. They all included long and short range punching/kicking, joint locking, grappling, ground fighting and moves unique to their own styles. 

The Manchurians

The Manchurians were a minority group that lived in Northeastern China outside the Great wall. Manchu territory was surrounded by Russia, Korea, Mongolia and China. In 1644 Manchurians invaded and conquered all of China thus starting the Qing Dynasty.

Secret societies arose to deliver the people from the Manchurian rule. Many rebel factions used the Shaolin temples for refuge. Posing as monks, the rebels would train and plan strategy all under the safety of the temple. By the early 1700's the Manchurians discovered this and had the temples destroyed. One Shaolin monk from the southern Fukien temple, who was proficient in the Tiger style, escaped the destruction. His Name was Gee Sum Sim See and he hid out in southern China, teaching kung fu to the rebels.

Another version of the story of why the Shaolin temples were destroyed and how the Shaolin monks become the enemies of the Manchurians is as follows:

During the reign of the Qing emperor Kangxi (1662–1722) the warriors of the Xilufan launched a revolt. These warriors were so feared that the two ministers Kangxi ordered to end their attacks fled China rather than face either the merciless Xilu warriors, or the displeasure of the emperor with failure often resulting in being beheaded.

The monks of Shaolin were asked to help and 128 monks of the southern temple defeated the Xilu army over three months in 1673 without suffering a single casualty. However, by doing so the monks had made enemies of some in the Qing army and the Qing court who were embarrassed by how easily the monks had succeeded where they had failed. Soon rumors began to spread about the threat posed by a power so great that it defeated the entire Xilu army with a force of only 128 monks. This campaign of innuendo was wasted on Kangxi, who remained grateful to the monks, but the rumors had their intended effect on his successor, the emperor Yongzheng (1722–1735), who ordered the destruction of the temples.

The northern temple was destroyed first with many monks fleeing to the south. In 1723, on the 6th day of the first new moon of the lunar calendar, Qing forces launched a sneak attack on the southern Shaolin temple, which began by bombarding the largely wooden monastery with a relentless deluge of burning arrows.

Between the surprise attack, the fire, and the overwhelming number of Qing soldiers, 110 out of the 128 monks were killed that day. The purge of the Shaolin temple took 70 days as Qing forces hunted down the 18 survivors. The surviving warrior monks of Shaolin inflicted massive casualties on their Qing pursuers but, in the end, their numbers were too great.

Soon only five remained:

The Chan (Zen) master, Jee Sin Sim See
The nun, Ng Mui
The Taoist, Bak Mei or Pei Mei (White Eyebrow)
The Taoist, Fung Do-Duk
The "unshaved" (lay) Shaolin disciple Miu Hin

 After two years of running and hiding from the Qing army, these fugitives of the cloth regrouped at Mount Emei in Sichuan Province. As one of the sacred mountains of China, Mount Emei was home to about 70 monasteries and temples where the five clerics could blend in easily.

Regardless of why the temples were destroyed it is commonly thought that the northern temple was destroyed first, forcing the survivors to seek refuge in the south.

Chapter TWo: Jee Sin Sim See

Legend has it that Jee Sin Sim See is one of the legendary Five Elders of the Shaolin temple. When he traveled to southern China he took refuge in a temple at the Fukien province. This temple was known as or became known as the famous Southern Shaolin temple.

It is believed that Jee Sin Sim See became the head monk or abbot of the Southern Shaolin temple and continued teaching the art of Shaolin Kung fu openly as well as continuing to support the rebel movement. He trained many students at the southern temple including Hung Hei Goon who is credited as the founder of Hung Gar style. Hung Hei Goon is said to have been the abbot’s top disciple and the best of the so called Shaolin's Ten Best. The Ten Best were the top students of Jee Sin Sim See who followed and trained under him for many years. Besides the top disciple Hung Hei Goon, Luk Ah Choy, another legendary figure of Hung Gar, was also considered a member of the Shaolin’s Ten Best.

Jee Sin Sim See’s time in the southern temple ended with the destruction of the temple at the hands of the Manchurian army. Once again, Jee Sin Sim See managed to survive the attack and escaped with many others. According to the legends he traveled through southern China and finally ended up at the famous Red Boat Opera Troupe (Hung Syuhn Hei Baan). He stayed with the Troupe teaching Kung fu and carrying on with his support for the rebel movement. According to some legends Hung Gar was created on these red boats. It is also said that Jee Sin Sim See is associated with the creation of Wing Chun.

At this point there are many conflicting stories about the betrayal of the rebel movement and who was thought responsible. However this has little relevance to the history of Hung gar and therefore will not be addressed here. Only to point out that Jee Sin Sim See may have met his death at the hands of Bak Mei.

Chapter Three: Hung Hei Goon

Hung Hei Goon was a tea merchant by trade and his real name was Jyu Gu Chah according to some legends. He may have changed his name to Hung, which can be translated as “to stand tall with integrity”, to keep the Manchurians from suspecting he was a rebel. Another translation of Hung is “red” or “blood colored” and may have been used to signify the Red or Bloody fist Clan. Yet another legend tells of Gee Sum Sim See using the term Hung Gar because of the Hung Syuhn or red boats.

Hung Hei Goon learned all that he could from master Gee. Seeking more knowledge Hung then sought out the White Crane style from Fong Wing Chun (Hung eventually married Fong). In his quest for more Kung fu knowledge he turned to the techniques of the Dragon, Snake and Panther systems as well as the 5 Elemental Fist. Hung combined the systems he learned and created his own unique style rooted in the Tiger style. Hung Hei Goon's system was very powerful and deadly. He became very famous for his Kung fu skills, his strong horse stance and iron fist techniques.

Hung Hei Goon's style was so popular that it became one of the 5 main family systems practiced in southern China which were Hung Gar, Lau Gar, Li Gar, Choy Gar and Mok Gar. The Hung Gar style can be recognised by low stances, brutal blocks and vicious claw attacks. It even spread to other countries were it influenced Korean Tae Kwon Do, Okinawa Karate and Japanese Kempo.

Chapter Four: Luk Ah Choy

Luk Ah Choy was another well known disciple of the abbot Jee Sin Sim See and a class mate of Hung Hei Goon. He, unlike many other Hung Gar masters was a Manchu descendant who is credited for his efforts to spread the art of Hung Gar. It is indicated by some sources that Luk Ah Choy started his Kung fu training as a young boy under a monk named Li Bakfu who taught Luk Ah Choy the FA Kuen (Flower Fist), a northern style of Kung Fu. He became an expert in this style.

Luk Ah Choy trained under Jee Sin Sim See for a long time. According to one story when the abbot heard about Hung Hei Goon's school he sent Luk Ah Choy to FA city to further develop his skills under Hung and to help him with his new school. Hung’s school had already become one of the most famous Kung Fu schools in southern China. Hung Hei Goon passed all his skills on to Luk Ah Choy. Teaching Ah Choy everything he knew including the famous Tiger/Crane Set (Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen) which he had developed. Luk Ah Choy became an expert in Hung Gar. He was later sent to Canton by Hung Hei Goon to help spread the art of Hung Gar, which he taught openly to the public.

Luk Ah Choy's best student was Wong Tai (and later Wong Kei Ying) who learned the complete system under his sifu’s instruction and became an expert in the Hung style. From this point onwards, the traditions and teachings of Hung Gar were carried on by the three generations of the Wong Family; Wong Tai, his son Wong Kei Ying and grandson Wong Fei Hung. It is believed that Luk Ah Choy died at the age of 68.

Chapter Five: Fong See Yuk

Fong See Yuk is also an important character from this era. He was the grandson of the nun Ng Mui who was one of the five elders to escape the destruction of the Shaolin Temple. It is said that his mother, who taught him martial arts, also bathed him in dit da jow (a Chinese herbal liniment) as a child, which made him practically invulnerable. His father was said to be the leader of The Red Flower Society. Although there is not a lot of information about him he has become a folk hero with movies and a TV series created in his honor. Legend has it that he met his death at the hands of Bak Mei in an act of revenge.

Chapter Six: Wong Tai

Wong Tai always had an interest in Kung Fu and began his training in Chinese Martial Arts at a young age. When Luk Ah Choy came to Canton Wong Tai went to learn the famous Hung Gar style. Luk Ah Choy accepted him as a student and taught him all he knew. Some claim that Wong Tai also trained under Hung Hei Goon as well. Wong Tai, in turn passed his knowledge on to his famous son Wong Kei Ying who had also trained under his fathers teacher Luk Ah Choy.

Chapter Seven: Wong Kei Ying

Wong Kei Ying was said to have been born in the Nam Hoi district of Kwungtung province. He was well known and respected for his skills in Kung fu as well as his knowledge and skill in the traditional Chinese medicine. Although sometimes over shadowed by his son’s fame he is widely regarded as one of the best martial artist of his time and was one of the Ten Tigers of Kwungtung.

Wong Kei Ying started learning Hung Gar at a very young age. After years of hard training and dedication, Wong learned and mastered the Hung Gar style under the guidance of his teachers. He later opened a dit da clinic and Kung fu school in Kwungtung.   

Although Wong Kei Ying had excellent skills and had already mastered all he was taught, he was not satisfied and searched for other Hung Gar practitioners to improve his understanding of the style as well as his existing skills. Being a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine he often had to travel all over China to find herbs and medicines to bring back to his clinic in Kwungtung. During his travels he met many famous and skilled masters of Kung fu which helped him to improve his skills and knowledge in Hung Gar. His son Wong Fei Hung also traveled with him from a very young age which in turn gave young Wong Fei Hung the chance to meet and train with some of the best Kung fu masters of the time.

It is said that during one of their journeys, they helped a famous martial artist who was performing his Kung fu skills in the street and accidentally hurt a bystander. The street performer was Lam Fook Sing who was a top student of the famous Tid Kiu Sam (Leung Kwan). Wong Kei Ying helped Lam Fook Sing by treating the bystander. Lam Fook Sing was so grateful that in return for their help he taught both Wong Kei Ying and young Wong Fei Hung the famous internal form of Hung Gar "Tid Sin Kuen".

Chapter Eight: Tid Kiu Sam (Leung Kwan)

Tid Kiu Sam is regarded as one of the best Chinese Martial Artists in China. His real name was Leung Kwan and like Wong Kei Ying, is said to have been born in Nam Hoi district of the Kwungtung province. According to legend he started his Kung fu training at a young age under the famous master Lee Hu Si who was nicknamed Bearded Li and also known as Golden Hook. Leung Kwan trained under the guidance of Lee Hu Si for a long time.  

Leung Kwan being a curious man who loved training in martial arts was always in search of new knowledge and skills. He searched out other great masters to improve his Kung fu. During his search, he met Gwok Yan, a Shaolin monk and a famous master of Kung fu. Gwok Yan, who is said to have lived to the age of 110, took Leung Kwan as his disciple and taught him everything he knew. Some sources indicate that Gwok Yan taught him the "Gung Gee Fook Fu Kuen" and "Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen"(here lies a possible contradiction for, as stated above, Hung Hei Goon has been credited as the creator of “Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen”). Leung Kwan learned much from his teacher Gwok Yan and through his dedication and hard work he developed extremely strong, iron like arms and solid stances. According to the legend he was so strong that not even 100 people could match his strength. Combining his vast knowledge in Kung fu and everything he had learned Leung Kwan created the famous Tid Sin Kuen or Iron Wire Fist.

Leung Kwan's amazing skills made him very famous in Southern China. He became an extremely well known and respected figure and because of his skills and being the third son in his family, he was given the nickname "Tid Kiu Sam" or Iron Bridge Three. He was also one of the Ten Tigers of Kwungtung (Kwungtung Sup Fu). The Ten Tigers were the most famous and respected Kung fu masters of the time and according to many sources he was the leader. His fame grew far and wide and many from all over the country came to study under him. Some of the students he trained were Lam Fook Sing, Ma Gee Tiem (double finger), Choi Chan Ngau Chu, Lee Song, and Ng Hee Kwan.

It is said that at a later stage of his life Leung became addicted to opium and slowly fell ill. To break the habit he asked a Shaolin monk to help by teaching him his Shaolin pole techniques. However he pushed himself too hard and his condition got worse. It is believed that he died at 73 and according to some sources he was buried near Wan Shan (Cloud Mountain) by his students.

Chapter Nine: Wong Fei Hung

Wong Fei Hung was born in (circa 1847) and is easily the most well known and famous Hung gar practitioner to date. He earned an excellent reputation for his Kung fu as well as his skills as a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine. He also became known and respected for his strong character, honesty, righteousness and moral values. He always helped those in need without asking for anything in return. His name and stories about his Kung fu skills and moral values spread far and wide.

Wong Fei Hung's martial skills and the effectiveness of his style (Hung Gar) was tested and proven time and time again in many open challenges. Many famous and skilled Kung fu fighters of the time came to cross hands with Wong Fei Hung but none could defeat him. He was very skilled in the 8 diagram staff, Tiger tail kick and his very famous No Shadow Kick! There have been countless movies about Wong Fei Hung's feats of bravery and skill. He was named one of the "Southern 10 Tigers".

Wong Fei Hung eventually inherited his father’s school and clinic "Po Chi Lum" where thousands of people came to be accepted as his disciple and study his famous Kung fu style (Hung Gar). It must be mentioned that besides his martial and medical skills, he was well known for his excellent Lion Dance and was referred to as the "King of Lions". Wong Fei Hung was also the head instructor of the Kwungtung army and leader of the Civilian Militia.

Grandmaster Wong is widely known as the father of modern day Hung Gar due to the reason that using his excellent knowledge and hands on experience he further developed and modified Hung Gar. One of his greatest legacies and masterpiece is the Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen, or Tiger and Crane set, which he re-choreographed. Many important aspects and principles were further developed and added in, such as the unique internal training handed down by the Tid Kiu Sam, 10 special hands (sup duk sao- sup jeut sao) also known as 10 killing hands or 10 Tigers and the theory of yin-yang (5 elements, 7 stars etc). The ten special hands were his most favored techniques/principles which he used in many challenges to defeat his opponents. He is also accredited for developing and creating the Sup Ying Kuen as a bridge form between Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen and Tid Sin Kuen.

Wong Fei Hung was married four times and had many children. Three of his wives sadly died due to illness. Wong had no children from the first wife however his second wife bore him two sons who were named Wong Hon-Sum and Wong Hon-Lam. Grandmaster Wong's third wife also bore two sons for Wong. They were named Wong Hon-Hei and Wong Hon-Hsu. It is said that Wong Fei Hung's first son Wong Hon-Sum was excellent in Kung fu, however he was ambushed and shot dead by gangsters. After this tragic incident Wong Fei Hung stopped teaching Kung fu to his other children only to protect them.

Wong’s fourth wife was Mok Gwai Lan who he met through a funny but rather embarrassing incident on Wong Fei Hung’s behalf. It is said that grandmaster Wong and his students were asked to perform a lion dance and demonstrate Kung fu for the anniversary of the Lam Hoi Association. After an excellent performance by his students, Wong Fei Hung stepped out to demonstrate his famous skills to the eagerly awaiting crowd. During his performance, one of his shoes accidentally flew into the crowd and hit a young woman in the face. Wong quickly apologized, however the young woman was furious and slapped Wong in the face. She then proceeded to tell him off in front of the crowd saying that such a famous master of Kung fu had no excuse and should be more careful. After this incident Wong Fei Hung could not forget about the young woman and later found out that her name was Mok Gwai Lan and that she was not yet married. She was also from a respectable family of Kung fu masters and was skilled in her family style of Mok Gar. She learned Mok Gar from her uncle who was also a good friend of Wong Fei Hung. Despite the age difference they eventually married.

Because of Mok Gwai Lan’s background in Mok Gar and her interest in martial arts, grandmaster Wong taught her the Hung Gar system. Later she became an instructor at her husband’s school and was responsible for teaching all the women's classes. After Wong Fei Hung passed away (circa 1924) she moved to Hong Kong with her children and lived in Wanchai where she carried on teaching Kung fu until her death. She was interviewed by Hong Kong TV a few times in the late sixties, and seventies. When she was about 83, she was interviewed by the Hong Kong TV and performed the famous Tiger and Crane form.

The story of Wong Fei Hung’s life has been immortalised by over one hundred movies, publications, TV and radio shows. Kwan Tak Hing, a well known Chinese actor, rose to fame playing the character of Wong Fei Hung in over 90 black/white and colored movies. Even today many movies and TV shows are still made about his life and his adventures by such famous actors as Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

Not much is written about Wong Fei Hung’s death. A theory is that jealous government officials may have seen to the demise of this great legend.

Chapter Ten: Lam Sai Wing

One of Wong Fei Hung's top students, Lam Sai Wing, is widely considered as one of the best martial artist of his time. He was born (1860-1943) in Ping Chow, a small village in Nam Hoi district of Kwungtung province. He was a generous, bright and witty boy who strove for knowledge and did well in traditional classic sciences.

He grew up at a time when China was still under the rule of the Qing government and the people were suffering from poverty, hunger and oppression. It is said that Lam Sai Wing was born into a family of martial artists and started learning Kung fu from a very young age. Because of his hard work and dedication as well as his strong interest and natural ability he progressed rapidly, and in time, mastered his family style.

Lam Sai Wing learned Kung Fu for many years and had much experience yet was lacking in self-confidence and humbly sought other masters in his desire to comprehend the innermost essence of martial arts. His esteemed ancestor Lam repeatedly told him that talent and persistence was a good base to form one's character. “As far as Chinese pugilistic arts and sword fencing are concerned, the past, when fighting techniques were secretly trained, should serve as an example. So, the second factor of success is to follow the ancient methods.” Master Lam took this advice to heart and diligently applied himself to mastering the arts.

Lam Sai Wing's search for a Kung fu master finally ended when he heard about the legendary folk hero Wong Fei Hung. Lam had heard so much about Wong Fei Hung that one day he decided to go and see him to find out if Wong Fei Hung was as good as everyone had said. Lam respectfully challenged Wong Fei Hung and asked to cross hands with him to test his skills. The challenge didn't last long and despite his already accomplished skills Lam was no match for Wong Fei Hung. He was knocked down to the ground by Wong’s famous "No shadow Kick" (Mo Ying Guerk). Lam, being defeated easily, realised there was much he could learn from this great master. He kneeled on the floor and asked to be accepted as Wong Fei Hung's disciple.

Lam Sai Wing stayed and trained under Wong Fei Hung until the day Wong passed away. Over the many years of hard training, Lam learned and mastered everything his master taught him including his famous skills in dit da. He eventually became the most famous and well known student of Wong Fei Hung. Open challenges in old times were common and all challenges were accepted to save face. As a part of Kung fu tradition any challenges to the master were first met by one of his top students. This being the case, Lam faced many expert Kung fu fighters who came to cross hands with his master. Lam Sai Wing's fame spread all over Kwungtung and he became a well known and respected figure. Lam's fame grew even more when he entered a competition in Canton. Using his Hung Gar skills he defeated all his opponents and won the first prize. There are many stories about Lam Sai Wing, his Kung fu skills and how he came to be one of the best boxers of his time. One of the best known and much talked about of these is the incident that took place at the Lok Sin Theatre.

In the early 1900's there was a famous incident involving Lam Sai Wing being lured into the Lok Sin Theatre and then attacked. Out numbered Lam Sai Wing emerged without injury. Some reports state 80 people were injured in that fight. Lam escaped the danger, but a little later a great scandal broke out because of the number of wounded and killed. He realised that he had to move away from the place of the incident to avoid repression.

Master Lam opened a school in Canton (Guangzhou) which quickly became very popular. Master Lam Sai Wing did not fear anybody and showed benevolence to everybody. His disciples tried not to participate in brawls and kept aloof. In the early days of the republic, worried about the poverty and the fact their country was on the verge of a downfall, they agreed to participate in a public demonstration to raise money for an orphanage. A lot of important people came to see the exhibition including the President Sun Yat Sen. After overthrowing the Manchu’s in 1911; Sun Yat Sen was elected as the provisional president of the new Republic of China on December 25, 1911. Sun Yat Sen was very impressed by Lam Sai Wing and honored Lam by giving him a medal for all his deeds and efforts for helping those in need.

In the sixth year of the Chinese Republic (1917) Lam Sai Wing invited by General Wu Jin was appointed the Chief Instructor in the army of Fujian Province. It was during this time that Lam wrote three books on Hung Gar to help spread the popularity of his style: (1)Gung Gee Fook Fu Kuen, (2) Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen and (3)Tid Sin Kuen. This was the first time anyone had published books on Hung Gar and made them available to the general public. He also created a Saber form for foot soldiers in the field of battle.

Lam Sai Wing did not have children of his own, but adopted a young orphaned boy (Lam Cho), whose parents had passed away when the boy was still very young. Lam Sai Wing loved and raised Lam Cho like his own son, gave him his family name and passed down all his Hung Gar knowledge as well as teaching him the traditional art of bone setting and healing (dit da). In the early years of the Republic, Lam Sai Wing was invited to live and teach in Hong Kong. Lam Sai Wing eventually moved to Hong Kong, taking his nephew with him. Soon after moving to Hong Kong, Lam Sai Wing set up the Southern Martial Physical Culture Association where he continued teaching Hung Gar until his death in 1943.

Chapter Eleven: Lam Cho

Lam Cho is a living legend of Hung Gar. The last of the great masters of his generation, Lam Cho has dedicated his whole life to the research and advancement of Hung Gar. His lifelong journey in Chinese Martial Arts began when he was 6 years old under the strict but caring guidance of his uncle Lam Sai Wing. Extremely talented, young Lam Cho was not only a natural athlete but very intelligent and hardworking. His natural flair combined with his conscientious attitude towards training allowed him to quickly grasp the finer points of Kung fu. Lam Cho diligently practiced everything he was shown and kept on practicing day after day until he mastered everything Lam Sai Wing taught him. Lam Cho was born to be a martial artist and destined to be a great master. Lam Sai Wing also taught his nephew the traditional art of dit da medicine along with many secret herbal formulas which were only passed down to the next successor of the art. Not surprisingly, Lam Cho is as famous as a dit da healer as he is for his Hung Gar. Using his first hand knowledge and years of experience in dit da, Lam Cho helped and healed thousands of people in his life.

In his teens Lam Cho had already become a well known and respected figure within the martial arts community throughout the whole of Southern China and Hong Kong. He was sixteen years old when he began teaching Hung Gar. He was admired by all and called sifu even at that tender age. Initially he assisted his uncle at Lam Sai Wing’s Southern Martial Physical Culture Association which Lam Cho eventually took over. Later, he set up his own Kung fu school and dit da clinic in Hong Kong. Lam Cho also taught Kung fu at the first branch school of Lam Sai Wing and in 1933 he took over Lam Sai Wing’s second branch School which was formerly run by his younger Kung fu brother Dang Hinchoi. After taking over the second branch school Lam Cho changed the name of the school to "Lam Cho Gwok Sutt Say" (Lam Cho's Chinese Martial Art School/society). Grand master Lam Cho was an excellent teacher and taught his art openly to all those who were willing to learn. He was extremely accurate in his teaching and always ensured that his students completely understood every aspect of the art. Masses of students from all over southern China traveled to learn Hung Gar from Lam Cho. He had many students who in turn became quite well known within the Chinese Martial Arts community in Hong Kong and around the world. Following the footsteps of their master, many of grand master Lam Cho’s students went on to open Kung fu schools of their own.

Grandmaster Lam Cho contributed to the awareness of Hung Gar around the world through public demonstrations and his teachings. His schools in Hong Kong closed for a time during the Japanese war but reopened again once the invasion was over. He is a benevolent man who is well remembered for his efforts in helping those in need during the hard times of the Japanese occupation. He continued teaching his art openly to the public as well as treating patients using his dit da skills. When treating the rich he never overcharged and when treating the poor he charged very little if anything at all.

Grand master Lam Cho was a treasure of Hung Gar, who dedicated his entire life to the art of Hung Gar and the teaching of Kung fu for more than three quarters of a century. A man of principle and strong moral values he possessed more knowledge and experience in the art of hung gar than just about any other man at that time. Grand Master Lam Cho has enriched Hung Gar with the principles and techniques of the Northern styles. He combined power and stability with speed and mobility. Using his extensive knowledge and vast experience in Kung fu, he added a number of different weapon and two-man weapon sets to the style. He further developed the famous Tiger and Crane two-men sparring set (Fu Hok Seung Ying Deui Chaak).

Grand master Lam Cho passed away in 2012. He has passed down his great legacy to his sons Lam Chun Fai and Lam Chun Sing. Like father like son, both Lam Chun Fai and Lam Chun Sing are exceptional masters gifted with natural talent. They possess decades of experience in their family art of Hung Gar and dit da medicine as they were trained since childhood. Grand Master's first born son, Master Lam Chun Fai runs his own Kung fu school and dit da clinic, located in North Point, Hong Kong. Master Lam Chun Sing is in charge of his father’s legendary studio in Mong Kok.

Chapter Twelve: Chan Hon Chung

Chan Hon Chung was born in 1909 in a small village of Hing Ling county in the Kwungtung province of Southern China. Growing up in poverty, Chan Hon Chung worked and lived in mainland China until his teenage years. At the age of 19, he immigrated to Hong Kong with his family. Soon after arriving he started working as a street vendor near St. Joseph College of Hong Kong Island. Chan Hon Chung's life long journey in Kung fu began when he joined the Lam Sai Wing National Art Association First Branch. Here he began learning the traditional art of Hung Gar. He was diligent and hard working. Despite the difficult living conditions of the time, young Chan Hon Chung trained at the Lam Sai Wing’s martial arts center most evenings from seven until midnight. He would then wake up early in the morning in order to train before heading for work. He would try to perfect his skills, often concentrating on a single movement until he got it right. Due to his hard work and strong interest he eventually became one of the top students.

During 1936, Chan Hon Chung traveled to Kwungtung (Canton) for business. The Japanese aggression against China had already started and people were greatly worried about the Japanese forces. Groups of swordsmen were being formed to fight the Japanese and Chan Hon Chung was asked by the county authorities to help train these volunteer swordsmen. He trained hundreds of skilled swordsmen to fight against the aggressors.   

Upon his return to Hong Kong in 1938, Chan Hon Chung established his own Kung fu school and dit da clinic called the "Chan Hon-Chung Gymnasium". As a teacher he demanded that his students work hard and dedicate the time required to learn the art correctly. As his reputation grew so did the number of his students. He was one of the first Hun Gar masters in Hong Kong to accept western (non-Chinese) students. People from different countries from all over the world came to train at his school.

Chan Hon Chung dedicated his entire life to the perseverance, advancement and promotion of Kung fu and his chosen style of Hung Gar. He is well known and remembered for his endless efforts to promote the art of Kung fu all over the world. He was the leading figure behind the organisation of the Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Association. In 1969, at a meeting between numerous Kung fu masters, Chan Hon Chung suggested that Hong Kong should have a martial arts association and bring different Kung fu schools together in order to expand and coordinate the Chinese martial arts in Hong Kong. In 1970, after months of work and preparation The Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Association was born and Chan Hon Chung was elected President. The HKCMAA brought together most Kung fu schools in Hong Kong and eventually grew to be the one of the biggest Kung fu associations in Hong Kong.

He also contributed a lot to the community and often took part in the charity events. Consequently, in 1973, Chan Hon Chung was awarded a medal by Queen Elizabeth II of England for his contribution to community and efforts in the development of Chinese martial arts.

A humble master of Kung fu, Chan Hon Chung achieved much throughout his life and did a lot for the development and advancement of Kung fu in and around Hong Kong. He appeared in numerous magazines, newspapers and TV shows both in Hong Kong and around the world. At times he also acted as a martial arts advisor for the Hong Kong Kung fu movies. Chan Hon Chung passed away in 1991.

Chapter Thirteen: Tennyson (Tian Sun) Yiu

Tennyson was born in Hong Kong August 15, 1937. He was born at a very tumultuous time in Hong Kong history and survived the great typhoon of 1937 as well as the Japanese invasion. He often told us how much he enjoyed food now as when he was young food was quite scarce. After the Japanese eventually left Hong Kong and China the great Martial Artists, scholars and artists fled to Hong Kong from China to escape the communist government.

Because of Tennyson’s unique family position he was exposed to nearly all martial arts masters who travelled or migrated to Hong Kong. Like all the great masters before him Tennyson started training very early in life. Unlike most students however nearly all the masters had a hand in teaching him. He spoke of the monks as well as Lam Cho and Chan Hon Chung. He spoke of his “uncle” Tak-Hing Kwan (famous for playing Wong Fei Hung in over 90 movies) who would take him to soccer matches and the theatre. Tennyson told us how he discussed how unrealistic movies were with his uncle. Needless to say Tennyson showed great proficiency in martial arts and was well liked by all his teachers. As all young boys do he had his share of fights testing his ability against others. One fight he recalled to us was with a fellow named White Unicorn who happened to be the guy who introduced Bruce Lee to Yip Man.

Needless to say Tennyson grew up at a very interesting time in history and his martial arts was shaped by these times. Although he had great opportunity to be a legend himself his heart wasn’t into fighting or the path his father would have him follow. So in the sixties Tennyson escaped to Sydney Australia to eventually become a Professor in Mathematics, a Kung Fu and Tai Chi teacher to hundreds if not thousands of students, an acupuncturist and Chinese herbal medicine doctor, a father and grand father. One of his greatest achievements was to prove to Western Doctors that acupuncture works. In a way he did achieve legendary status but in the fields of his choosing and on his terms. He also continued the tradition of the Hung Gar masters before him by giving himself and his medical wisdom to his community.

While being a doctor and a martial arts Master may seem contridictory to some, Tennyson encouraged all his patients to learn either Tai Chi or Kung Fu. He professed the medical benefits of exercise but more importantly how martial arts stimulated so much more than just the physical body. His sensitivity to healing and his deep knowledge of how deadly martial arts could be caused him to refuse to teach people how to fight. He drew the line at teaching forms. He would tell us the application when pushed but he never consentrated on fighting. The secrets were in the forms. You just had to train hard enough to find them.

Sadly Tennyson passed away March 15, 2017 at the age of 79. His illness came suddenly and he passed quite quickly. He will be missed by many.

Chapter Fourteen: Summary

Among Lam Sai Wing’s many students Lam Cho and Chan Hon Chung are directly responsible for spreading the knowledge of Hung gar around the world and ultimately to Australia. It is through their dedication to training and the many hours of practice that it takes to perfect and master this great style that we are privileged to be practicing Hung gar in Australia today. It must be acknowledged that we owe a great debt to all the masters of Hung gar for enhancing the lives of thousands of people through their selfless efforts in teaching Hung gar and the principals of brotherhood and sacrifice for the greater good of our fellow man. It must also be noted that hand in hand with this deadly martial art came the desire to heal. The tradition of dit da, or Chinese medicine, has long been practiced in unison with the teaching of Hung gar. In this vain it is the responsibility of all practitioners of this fine art form to uphold the honor of the great masters and only use your skills for the enhancement of life.

The Vital Step Lineage