History
Chinese martial arts has a long history, different regions, different styles, with 2 characteristic North-South factions, internal and external power methods, the majority of Lingnan martial arts originate from southern Shaolin factions Hung, Lau, Choi, Li, Mok. The world-famous Wing Chun is a more unique style and for a time its popularity grew.
Wing Chun legend states that it was created by a Nun from Southern Shaolin called Ng mui, who taught a Fukien woman called Yim Wing Chun and hence its name. Yim Wing Chun was married to a Fukien salt merchant called Leung Bok Chau. The fighting methods were first passed down to her husband Leung Bok Chau who then taught Leung Lan Gwai. Leung Lan Gwai passed it down to Wong Wah Bo. While on board the Red Boat Opera Troupe Wong Wah Bo met Leung Yee Tai and exchanged the Wing Chun Fighting methods for Leung Yee Tai’s Pole technique. Thus Leung Yee Tai also became the successor of Wing Chun. Fatsan historical documents state that at the time Leung Yee Tai passed his knowledge and skill to a famous doctor in Fatsan called Leung Jan and afterward Wong Wah Bo carried on his teaching. From this period onwards there were many versions of this story …The renowned Leung Jan was Born 1851-1918,his origins are from Heshan Gulao, his Clinic in Fatsan was located on Faiji street and was named [Apricot Aid Hall].
Leung Jan received the true Wing Chun transmission and was able to combine it with his natural skill to bring the art to a higher state. Theory, Structure, Stance and Power, each reaching a higher level. At the time many wanted to see for themselves and test these new techniques, all were beaten with never more than a few moves. Wing Chun shook the Lingnan area and gained its reputation as a powerful force not to be reckoned with. Leung Jan due to his practical combat martial art skills became famous in the whole of Guangdong Fatsan. He was thus known as the King of Wing Chun and known locally as Fatsan Mr Jan.
Chan Wah Shun aka [Wah the money changer] in his youth his job was to exchange coins thus his nickname. Wah was a closed door disciple of Leung Jan and thus received the full transmission of Wing Chun. Since his working environment was in the market, it was a dangerous place and the number of real combat situations he was in was as numerous as the stars in the sky. Afterwards during Mr Jan’s later years, Wah represented his Master in many challenge fights and these exciting tales can still be found in present day Fatsan.
Ip Man and his early follower
Ip Man
Chan Wah Shun taught Wing Chun for total of thirty-six years and accepted sixteen disciples. His final disciple was named Ip Man. Ip Man’s full name was Ip Kai Man, he was of the famous Ip clan from Fatsan mulberry gardens. As a child he was wealthy clever intelligent and gifted. At seven years of age he became a closed door disciple and final student of Chan Wah Shun. Wah in his last moments before his death, commanded his disciple Ng Chun So to continue to guide and to teach Ip Man whole heartedly. Ip Man at the age of sixteen went to study in Hong Kong and by coincidence met Sigung Leung Jan’s second son Leung Bik by recognizing each other’s skills. Ip Man followed Leung Bik and studied martial art in depth with him for 3 years. Receiving the complete Wing Chun transmission he returned to Fatsan. China experienced a change in government and in 1949 Ip Man was forced to flee China and settled in Hong Kong. During the fifties he set up a school and gathered disciples to promote Wing Chun. Among his disciples there were many who were talented individuals and within just a few short decades Ip man brought Wing Chun out from Foshan into the world to become one of the most famous Chinese martial art styles. Nowadays Grandmaster Ip Man is acknowledged by everyone within the Wing Chun family as our clan’s Grand Master of a Generation.
Wong Shi Wing/Chau Lin Fat
Au Chi Shing/Kong Chi Keung