03 November 2012

Bruce Lee heated up “Wing Chun” whereas the recent film series have further beefed up Wing Chun, making an increasing number of all peoples, with different ages, learn Wing Chun. Earlier in the year, some Wing Chung masters held “Baisi” with their respective disciples who came from Europe. Sifu Sam Lau, the disciple of the first generation of Master Ip Man, concerned about the pure Chinese Wuhu would be easily devoured by other cultures; and therefore, he set up “Wing Chun Kuen Do” in order to have a systematic development. Also, Sifu Sam Lau proposed that “Wing Chun” should be included in the Olympic Games so as to raise its level of martial arts.

“Should be at all times respectful to Sifu; obedient to Sifu’s teaching; diligent to practise Wuhu; keen to safeguard and promote Chinese culture......” was proclaimed in one voice by over 20 disciples who were having the traditional ceremony of “Baisi & Bow with Tea” to Simu, then to Sifu and Simu. In the course of the ceremony, Sifu drank tea from the disciples while disciples received red packets from Sifu who would tap his disciple’s shoulder for encouragement.

Students of “Wing Chun Interest Class”

Disciple Olivier Andre from Switzerland had learned western boxing and was keen to learn “Wing Chun” as he was fervent about the flexible skills of Wing Chun. But he found it hard to learn Wing Chun in Switzerland. It has been for two years that he came to Hong Kong twice a year to receive direct training from “Sifu Sam Lau”. Although he does not know Chinese, he loves Chinese culture greatly. He said that if there is a chance to teach Wing Chun in future, he will become an instructor, but “I have only one Sifu”. Meanwhile, because of the recent hot trend of Wing Chun, another disciple is called Hao Zhuan who is seven and small. Hao Zhuan frankly said that owing to the film influence on him, he thought Wing Chun was good for strong body. He has learned Wing Chun for three years and greatly respected Sifu as his own father.

Truly, Sifu said that nowadays most students regard leaning kung fu same as a kind of interest class, without a respectful attitude towards teacher. Hence, to show its cardinal importance, I sincerely invited a number of honorable Yip Man disciples to attend the ceremony of “Baisi”. For 45 years, Sifu Sam Lau has never forgotten his “Baisi” declaration.

Concern over the invasion of the cultures of foreign countries

In 1970s, Sifu Sam Lau established Yip Man Martial Arts Athletic Association, with Master Yip Man’s son, Yip Ching and Yip Man’s other disciples, for teaching Wing Chun. Sifu Sam Lau said recently there were lots of sifu with different teachings of Wing Chun, making students hard to adapt to learn. “some (sifu) just have learned about several months, then begins to teach others!”. Especially there were an increasing number of students from overseas to Hong Kong. For example, during interview, there was a Wing Chun class with 30 students, one-third of the students are non-locals. Despite the trend of Wing Chun could go further in the world, this made me feel worried about the invasion of other foreign cultures against Wing Chun. (Some overseas students, who had followed other sifu to learn Wing Chun in Europe, once practice “Stick Hand” with me, they could know well my genuine Wing Chun).

Sifu Sam Lau set up “Wing Chun Kuen Do” so as to promote the integration of “Dan”, “Rules of Examination”, “Regulations of Competition”, etc. Sifu had discussed on the development of Wing Chun with the relevant government officials of the mainland sports organizations, but in vain; not to mention the support from the respective Wing Chun sects. In spite of this, Sifu proposed Wing Chun to enter the Olympic Games and sent a letter to the Member of CPC Central Committee in October this year. He requested the Chinese Wuhu Association would support and strengthen the promotion of Wing Chun. He expected that Wing Chun could be generally learned and comprised in the curriculums of school one day.

News Story: common sayings about the derivation of “Wing Chun Kuen”

For the advent of Wing Chun in Hong Kong, lots of Wing Chun teaching schools have been set up. In fact, there are common sayings about the derivation of Wing Chun. A vast majority of people refer Wing Chun as “derived from Yan Wing Chun; expanded by Leung Zan; prospered by Yip Man”; with the recently hot trend of kung fu films, such as stars: Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Dennis To, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, etc. This makes Wing Chun become the hop talk under the movie heat.

In the legend of the Qing Dynasty, Wing Chun was generated by a nun called Wu Mei who perceived the special kung fu skills mixed with the “Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin”. Wing Chun was created, suitable for those people who were small in built to learn. Shortly afterwards, Wing Chun was passed to a girl called Yan Wing Chun. Because Yan Wing Chun’s husband wanted to commemorate her, it was named “Wing Chun Kuen”. Then, Wing Chun Kuen was widely spread to Foshan and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, another legend inferred that Wing Chun originated from “Wing Chun Temple” in Quanzhou, Fujian. Thus, it was originated as “Wing Chun Sec – Shaolin Kuen” which was later generated as “Wing Chun Kuen”. Further legend was that the former Wing Chun was the source of the kung fu skills of the “Tiandi Hui” that was the Chinese fraternal organization against the Qing Dynasty.

Yip Man came from Foshan to Hong Kong in 1949

Highly-recognized as The First Master of Wing Chun; came from Foshan to Hong Kong in 1949; a myriad of disciples, including famous kung fu star Bruce Lee, etc. Yip Man died in 1972 and boosted Wing Chun.

From Oriental Daily News (3rd November, 2012)