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SEVEN STAR PRAYING MANTIS
Chinese Martial Arts Styles foshan wing chun. This is to certify that Mr. Hengxin HUO (Derek Frearson) employed as the Director of the Soft / powerful Boxing Club of Rongju, Foshan, and Counseling Station Chief, UK for a term of 4 years.
Most Chinese martial art styles rely heavily on the use of forms. Forms are prearranged sequences of techniques and movements that simulate attack and defense. Seven Star Mantis is no different. The Seven Star style consists of hand forms, weapon forms, two person hand and weapon forms, internal forms and strength building forms. In recent times there has been much debate on how many forms to practice. No one can agree on what is too many and what is too few. Our branch of Seven Star Mantis has 110 hand forms. These forms are garnered from two sources. The first is Chiu Chi Man and the second is the Yip Ming Duk monks. All of the forms have their unique value. However, it is certainly not necessary to learn them all. In fact few people ever learn more than 30 forms. Yet the style can be mastered with even fewer. Mastery of the style comes from mastery of the theory and principles of the style. Forms are a way of learning how to use the principles of a style by setting a clear example of what can be done within the boundaries of that style. Some styles contain as few as one form. Others have three. Still others have 10 or 20 or more forms.
Once borrowed, these forms were changed into Seven Star Mantis forms. Merely the sequence of techniques and series of movements were borrowed. Then things changed drastically. Many forms are even unrecognizable from the original. The forms that came from non mantis systems were “mantisized”. Meaning that, many techniques were replaced with variations which would fit the characteristics of mantis. The forms that came from other mantis styles were “sevenstarized” for lack of a better word. That is to say that they were changed to the way a Seven Star Mantis practitioner would do it.
The Hung Gar system uses the form Lau Gar Kuen as a base set, which was taken from a style called Mok Gar. Yet Hung gar practitioners don’t take the position that Hung Gar is part Lau Gar or Mok Gar. To use forms from another system and not use the same principles and theory from the style it came from changes the dynamic of the form. It is no longer the original and should not be construed as such.
So, The question that remains is: are they all real Seven Star Mantis forms. What constitutes a “real” Seven Star Mantis form? It is opinionated at best. Any list you come up with can be argued with. For example, many would consider Bung Bo to be a “real” Seven Star Mantis form, but it really isn’t. Bung Bo was created before the factions of mantis existed. So there is Bung Bo in Tai Chi Mantis and many others. The style of mantis itself is a combination of many styles incorporated into a hybrid art.
Chaap Choy is a form created by Chan Lin Wor and taught at the Jing Mo association and was added to the mantis style only 2 generations ago. But many consider it a “true” Seven Star Mantis set. This goes on and on with sets being “borrowed” from many styles. And there is still debate about how many forms Law Gwong Yuk borrowed and or created. Added to this is the differences between Law Gwong Yuk’s students in China and his students in Hong Kong. Did Law Gwong You create continually during his life? Or were there spurts of creativity here and there? The fact is that we simply don’t know where most of our forms came from.
So, that being said, all of the forms that are listed here are as real as any form can be. All were added in due course in the history of the Seven Star Mantis style. The deciding factor to decide if a set is “real” is whether or not the form follows the theory and rules set forth in the method of Seven Star Mantis. If a form is taken from another style and then “mantisized” as so many times has happened, then the choice has to be made whether to accept it or not. That is going to be up to the individual. The forms listed are passed on to me by my teacher who is unquestionably a Seven Star Mantis mantis practitioner for almost 70 years. I accept them for what they are: a method of training movements and techniques in accord with the principles of Seven Star Mantis.
The Siu Lum Chut Sing Tong Long (Shaolin Seven Star Praying Mantis) system has 110 hand forms. They are split into these groups:
1. The 14 Route Tam Toy
2. The Sup Yee Kuen Jong (12 “seed” forms)
3. The Plum Blossom series
4. The White Ape Series
5. The Dragon Series
6. The Tiger Series
8. The Jak Yiu (extrapolation or selected boxing)
9. The Yau Ling (soft energy)
10. The Chi Gung sets
11. Specialty Forms (i.e. miscellaneous sets)
1. The 14 Route Tam Toy
2. The Sup Yee Kuen Jong (12 “seed” forms)
3. The Plum Blossom series
4. The White Ape Series
5. The Dragon Series
6. The Tiger Series
8. The Jak Yiu (extrapolation or selected boxing)
9. The Yau Ling (soft energy)
10. The Chi Gung sets
11. Specialty Forms (i.e. miscellaneous sets)
HAND FORMS
(Of the 110 forms, I am only allowed to disclose the following 72 including the internal sets. Only an inheritor of the system is allowed to learn the entire 110. The sets (forms) are generally divided into levels of training. That is to say 10 forms or more may be at the same level. Here it is then, for the first time anywhere the following 72 forms. In addition to these sets, there are numerous two person forms.)1. Sup Sei Lo Tam Toy Kuen – 14 Routes Tams Kicking Maneuvers
2. Gung Lek Kuen – Strength exertion form
3. Bung Bo Kuen – Collapse Step Form
4. Sup Ba Sao Kuen – 18 Elders
5.Dar Gong Kuen – Avoiding Hardness form
6. Chaap Choy – Stabbing Fist
7.Hak Fu Gow Cha Kuen – Black Tiger Inter Sectional
8. Bak Yuen Chut Dung – White Ape Comes Out Of The Cave
9. Bak Yuen Tau Toe – White Ape Steals The Peach
10. Tong Long Chut Dung – Mantis Comes Out Of The Cave
11. Tong Long Tau Toe – Mantis Steals The Peach
12. Muy Fa Sao Kuen – Plum Blossom Hand
13. Muy Fa Lok Kuen – Plum Blossom Falling Fist
14. Muy Fa Kuen – Plum Blossom Fist
15. Sei Lau Bun Da Kuen – 4 Roads Quick Hitting
16. Dai Fan Che Kuen – Big (expanded) Spinning Wheel (revolution) Form
17. Siu Fan Che Kuen – Small (contracted) Revolution Form
18. Dai Ga Sik – Big Aggressive Boxing
19. Siu Ga Sik – Small Aggressive Boxing
20. Yat Lo Jak Yiu Kuen – First Route Essential Techniques (extrapolation)
21. Yee Lo Jak Yiu Kuen – Second Route Extrapolation Form
22. Saam Lo Jak Yiu Kuen – Third Route Extrapolation Form
23. Yau Ling Jang – Soft Energy Elbow
24. Yau Ling Jeung – Soft Energy Palm
25. Yau Ling Kuen – Soft Energy Fist
26. Yau Ling Toy – Soft Energy Kicks
27. Yau Loong Jeung – Swimming Dragon Palm (lit. flexible dragon)
28. Lan Jeet Kuen – Interception Boxing
29. Yat Lo Muy Fa Toy – First Route Plum Blossom Leg (kicks)
30. Yee Lo Muy Fa Toy – Second Route Plum Blossom Leg (kicks)
31. Muy Fa Fei Toy – Plum Blossom Flying Kicks
32. Yat Lo Tong Long Sao – First Route Mantis Hands
33. Yee Lo Tong Long Sao – Second Route Tong Long Sao
34. Fei Ngan Jeung – Flying Goose Palm
35. Muy Fa Jeung – Plum Blossom Palm
36. Joy Lo Han Kuen – Drunken Lohan From
37. Lin Wan Gam Tao – Continuous Brocade Weaving
38. Dahn Chaap Fa – Singe Flower Arrangement (lit. stabbing flowers)
39. Seung Chaap Fa – Double Flower Arrangement
40. Dai Fu Ngan Kuen – Big Tiger and Goose Form
41. Siu Fu Ngan – Small Tiger and Goose Form
42. Tong Long Bo Suen – Mantis Whirling Step
43. Yat Lo Bak Yuen Kwai Yin Kuen – First Route White Ape Secretly Watches Banquet
44. Yee Lo Bak Yuen Kwai Yin – Second Route White Ape Secretly Watches Banquet
45. Yat Lo Baat Jang – First Route 8 Dominant Elbows
46. Yee Lo Baat Jang – Second Route 8 Dominant Elbows
47. Yat Lo Lok Ying Jeung – First Route Descending Eagle Palm
48. Yee Lo Lok Ying Jeung – Second Route Descending Eagle Palm
49. Yee Lo Hak Fu Gow Cha Kuen – Second Route Black Tiger Cross Path (intersectional)
50. Hak Fu Chut Dung – Black Tiger Comes Out Of The Cave
51. Hak Fu Tau Sum – Black Tiger Steals The Heart
52. Yat Lo Muy Fa Yau Loong Jeung – First Route Plum Blossom Swimming Dragon Palm
53. Yee Lo Muy Fa Yau Loong Jeung – Second Route Plum Blossom Swimming Dragon Palm
54. Chuen Wan Jeung – Cloud Thrust Palm
55. Hoy Au Kuen – Seagull Fist
56. Seung San Fu – Tiger Ascends the Mountain
57. Ha San Fu – Tiger Descends the Mountain
58. Yin Ji Chuen Lum – Swallow Penetrates the Forest
59. Muy Fa Ba Kik – Plum Blossom 8 Ultimates
60. Tong Long Ba Gwa Bo – 8 Diagram Step (longest form in the system)
61. Joy Bo Tong Long – Drunken Step Mantis
62. Yat Lo Tong Long Lin Wan Jak Yiu Sao – 1ST Route Continuous and Returning Extrapolation Hands
63. Yee Lo Tong Long Lin Wan Jak Yiu Sao – 2ND Route Continuous and Returning Extapolation Hands
64.Yat Lo Bak Yuen Bok Dau – 1ST Route White Ape Bows North
65. Yee Lo Bak Yuen Bok Dau – 2ND Route White Ape Bows North
66. Sup Ba Lo Han Gung – 18 Section Lo Han Chi Gung
67. Lin Wan Noy Gung – Continuous and Returning Inner Energy
68. Luk Lek Kuen – 6 Powers Fist
69. Gong Yau San Gung – Hard and Soft Energy Training
70. Tong Long Chut sing Bo
71. Noy Gung Fook Fu Kuen – Subduing Tiger internal form
72. Damo Yi Jin Jing – Damo’s muscle change classic
As mentioned before, The rest of the sets up to form 98 is reserved for only the top disciples. The final 12 forms (99 – 110) are reserved for the inheritors of the style.
Spear
Saber (dao)
Double edge or straight sword
Halbered
Two sectional staff
Three sectional staff
9 sectional steel chain whip
Needles
Monk Spade
Whip ribbed sword
Butterfly knife (single only)
Crescent spear
Snake spear
Tiger hook swords
Seven star hammers
Daggers
Short stick
Flying hammer
Steel fan
Rattan rings
Various assortment of short weaponry based on the longer weapons (Short spear, trident, halberd, cresent spear etc)
WEAPON FORMS
Here is a list of 40 of the weapon forms in Seven Star Mantis. They are not in the learning order. The weapons are taught first are the staff, saber, spear and double saber. After that the sifu can teach any kind of weapon but the next is usually the gim (straight sword).
1. Kwan yeung gwon (Shepherd’s staff)
2. Yee lo kwan yeung gwon (Second route Shepherd’s staff)
3. Baat gwa dahn dao (Eight trigrams single saber)
4. Yat lo muy fa cherng (1st route plum blossom spear)
5. Ng hon dahn dao (5 element single saber)
6. Luk hop seung dao (6 harmony double saber)
7. Jee Ng gim (meridian straight sword)
8. Chut Sing Choy (seven star hammers)
9. Luk hop gwon (6 harmony staff)
10. Yee lo muy fa chern (second road plum blossom spear)
11. Kwon tong seung dao (rolling court double sabers)
12. Man mo baat tsin gim (civil and military eight immortals straight sword)
13. Joy jao dei tong dahn daao (Drunken ground rolling single saber)
14. Fu mei saam jeet gwon (tiger tail three sectional staff)
15. Seung jan dai dao (entering battle gwan dao)
16. Suen fong dahn fu tao au (tornado single hook sword)
17. Kwon tong sueng fu tao au (rolling court double hook swords)
18. Ng fu duen wan cherng (5 tigers heart breaking spear)
19. Fong tien wak gik (heavenly lance)
20. Lin wan gau jeet bin (continuous and returning 9 sectional steel whip)
21. Kwon tong gau jeet bin dahn dao hop lau (9 sectional whip and saber combined)
22. Chut sing gaan (7 star ribbed sword)
23. Seung sao dai dao (two handed dai dao)
24. Baat gwa dahn dao (eight diagram saber)
25. Ng long baat gwa gwon (fifth son eight diagram staff)
26. Seung bei sao (double daggers)
27. Saam yee cherng ( three loyal spear)
28. Sei lo yee jeet gwon (four route two sectional staff)
29. Sueng loy jeet dim (double needles intercepting points)
30. Muy fa saam jeet gwon (plum blossom three sectional staff)
31. Shir cherng bai moon (snake spear closing gate)
32. Yen Ching daahn dao (Yen Ching’s single saber)
33. Baat sin gim (8 immortals straight sword)
34. Joy baat sin gim (durnken 8 immortals straight sword)
35. Joy jao dei tong lin wan gwon (drunken ground rolling continous staff)
36. Chut sing guei (seven star single cane)
37. Chut sing seung guei (seven star double cane)
38. Baat gwa seung fu dao au (8 trigrams double tiger hooks)
39. San Choy gim (San Choy’s straight sword
40. Chut sing fei choy (seven star flying hammer)
2. Yee lo kwan yeung gwon (Second route Shepherd’s staff)
3. Baat gwa dahn dao (Eight trigrams single saber)
4. Yat lo muy fa cherng (1st route plum blossom spear)
5. Ng hon dahn dao (5 element single saber)
6. Luk hop seung dao (6 harmony double saber)
7. Jee Ng gim (meridian straight sword)
8. Chut Sing Choy (seven star hammers)
9. Luk hop gwon (6 harmony staff)
10. Yee lo muy fa chern (second road plum blossom spear)
11. Kwon tong seung dao (rolling court double sabers)
12. Man mo baat tsin gim (civil and military eight immortals straight sword)
13. Joy jao dei tong dahn daao (Drunken ground rolling single saber)
14. Fu mei saam jeet gwon (tiger tail three sectional staff)
15. Seung jan dai dao (entering battle gwan dao)
16. Suen fong dahn fu tao au (tornado single hook sword)
17. Kwon tong sueng fu tao au (rolling court double hook swords)
18. Ng fu duen wan cherng (5 tigers heart breaking spear)
19. Fong tien wak gik (heavenly lance)
20. Lin wan gau jeet bin (continuous and returning 9 sectional steel whip)
21. Kwon tong gau jeet bin dahn dao hop lau (9 sectional whip and saber combined)
22. Chut sing gaan (7 star ribbed sword)
23. Seung sao dai dao (two handed dai dao)
24. Baat gwa dahn dao (eight diagram saber)
25. Ng long baat gwa gwon (fifth son eight diagram staff)
26. Seung bei sao (double daggers)
27. Saam yee cherng ( three loyal spear)
28. Sei lo yee jeet gwon (four route two sectional staff)
29. Sueng loy jeet dim (double needles intercepting points)
30. Muy fa saam jeet gwon (plum blossom three sectional staff)
31. Shir cherng bai moon (snake spear closing gate)
32. Yen Ching daahn dao (Yen Ching’s single saber)
33. Baat sin gim (8 immortals straight sword)
34. Joy baat sin gim (durnken 8 immortals straight sword)
35. Joy jao dei tong lin wan gwon (drunken ground rolling continous staff)
36. Chut sing guei (seven star single cane)
37. Chut sing seung guei (seven star double cane)
38. Baat gwa seung fu dao au (8 trigrams double tiger hooks)
39. San Choy gim (San Choy’s straight sword
40. Chut sing fei choy (seven star flying hammer)
(Redirected from Southern Praying Mantis (martial art))
Also known as | Nan Pai Tanglang |
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Focus | Striking, Grappling |
Country of origin | China |
Creator | Chow Gar style: Chow Ah-Nam Chu Gar style: Chow Ah-Nam & Chu Fook-To Kwong Sai Jook Lum style: Som Dot Iron Ox style: Hung Mei Thong Long Quet Tsot style: Chen Kiu |
Famous practitioners | Wong Fook Go Lau Shui / Lau Soei Lee Kun Ching / Lee Siem See Choi Dit-Ngau / Iron Ox Choi Hsiung Khan Seong |
Parenthood | Southern Shaolin kung fu |
Olympic sport | No |
Southern Praying Mantis | |||||||||||||||
Chinese | 南派螳螂 | ||||||||||||||
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Literal meaning | 'southern-style mantis' | ||||||||||||||
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Southern Praying Mantis (Chinese: 南派螳螂) is a Chinese martial art originating with the Hakka people. It is most closely associated with styles such as Southern Dragon Kung Fu and Bak Mei.
Despite its name, the Southern Mantis style is unrelated to the Northern Praying Mantis style.[1]
Southern Praying Mantis places a heavy emphasis on close-range fighting. This system is known for its short power methods, and has aspects of both internal and external techniques. In application, the emphasis is on hand and arm techniques, and a limited use of low kicks. The application of close combat methods with an emphasis on hands and short kicking techniques makes the Southern Praying Mantis art somewhat akin to what many would call 'street fighting.' The hands are the most readily available for attack and defence of the upper body, and protect the stylist by employing ruthless techniques designed to inflict serious injury. The legs are moved quickly into range through footwork to protect and defend the body, and kicks are kept low, short and quick so as to never leave the Southern Mantis combatant off balance and vulnerable.
- 1History
- 4Media
History[edit]
There are five main branches of Southern Praying Mantis:
- Chow Gar (周家; Chow family)
- Chu Gar (朱家; Chu family)
- Kwong Sai Jook Lum (Chinese: 江西竹林; pinyin: Jiāngxī zhúlín 'Jiāngxī Bamboo Forest')
- Iron Ox (Chinese: 鐵牛; pinyin: Tiě niú)
- K. S. Hsiung Thong Long Quet Tsot (Chinese: 螳螂國術; Wade–Giles: tángláng guóshù 'Mantis Martial Arts')
A common antecedent can be surmised from the same traditional region of origin, the popularity amongst the Hakka community, a reference to praying mantis, similar training forms such as Sarm Bo Jin (Chinese: 三步箭; pinyin: sān bù jiàn, 'Three Steps Arrow') and common application principles. However, despite similarities, the genealogies of these branches are not complete enough to trace them to a single common ancestor. The relationship between Chow Gar[2] and Chu Gar[3] can both be traced directly to Lau Shui.
The origins of the Kwong Sai Jook Lum system is controversial with some Chu Gar proponents claiming a relationship also to Lau Shui.[3] However, those claims have since been refuted.
The Iron Ox system can be traced historically to the area of South China where the other branches of Southern Mantis originated and to the same Hakka communities where the art was transmitted.[4] There are many other Southern styles such as Chuka Shaolin [5] that uses similar technique but are not identified as being part of this group of martial arts according to their respective schools. Those styles can be identified as being Hakka Kuen.
Hakka Kuen[edit]
Kwong Sai Jook Lum tradition mentions that the people of the Pearl River Delta once referred to the Southern Praying Mantis style as 'Hakka Kuen' (Chinese: 客家拳; pinyin: Kèjiā quán 'Hakka Fist'), a term that was initially linked to the Southern martial arts practised by the Hakka community of inland eastern Guangdong and later applied to the skills that are practised by oversea Hakka communities. The reason for this was the close association of this style with the Hakka community.
This region, the original home to Southern Praying Mantis by way of being the childhood hometowns of its deemed founders, covers a wide expanse in Southern China. It begins at the very heart of Hakka territory at Xingning, the home of Chow Gar founder Chow Ah-Nam. From Xingning, the Dong River (東江) flows west out of Meizhou (梅州) through Hoh Yuen, the place of origin for Iron Ox founder Choi Tit-Ngau. In the prefecture of Huizhou, the Dong Kwong forms the northern border of Huìyáng (惠陽) County, where Kwong Sai Jook Lum master Chung Yu-Chang and Chow/Chu Gar teacher Lau Shui grew up and established their martial arts reputation. From there, the Dongjiang flows into the Pearl River Delta (珠江三角洲) at Bao'an County (present-day Shenzhen), where Kwong Sai Jook Lum masters Wong Yook-Gong and Lum Wing-Fay originated. These masters are all members of the Hakka community and the transmission of this remained within this community until the generation of Lau Shui and Lum Wing-Fay.
Praying Mantis[edit]
The association of the term '(Praying) Mantis' with the style is also controversial. Each branch of the style offers a different explanation.
The traditions of the Chow Gar and Kwong Sai Jook Lum branches each maintain that their respective founders Chow Ah-Nam and Som Dot created their styles after witnessing a praying mantis fight and defeat a bird. Such inspiration is a recurring motif in the Chinese martial arts and can be found in the legends of Northern Praying Mantis, Fujian White Crane, Tai chi and Wing Chun.
The traditions of the Chu family branch contend that the name 'Southern Praying Mantis' was chosen to conceal from Qing forces its political affiliations by pretending that this esoteric style of Ming loyalists was in fact a regional variant of the popular and widespread Northern Mantis style from Shandong.[3]
The use of the term 'Praying Mantis' seems appropriate when one considers the postures of well known practitioners of this style. The emphasis on the techniques of sticky hands, the use of the forearm with the elbows tucked into the chest, claw like fingers and quick explosive actions creates an image that are visually similar to a praying mantis preparing to strike its prey.[6] However, other martial artists argue that those techniques are more similar to the actions of the Five Ancestors style or the White Crane style than a praying mantis.[7] Unlike the Northern Praying Mantis, which have a special hand technique that is directly attributed to a Praying Mantis strike, for example, the tángláng gōu, the Southern Praying Mantis do not have similar special hand techniques named after the mantis. The legacy of Lau Soei that is related to the praying mantis name was his famous staff form - the Tong Long Bo Sim Staff (Chinese: 螳螂捕蟬棍).
Lau Soei[edit]
Lau Soei (1866–1942; 劉瑞; 劉水﹞) was a Hakka who established a reputation as a martial artist during the turn of the century in Southern China and later as a martial arts teacher in Hong Kong.[8]Lau Soei was also known as the tiger of Dong Jiang (東江老虎). His signature techniques include the 'Zhoujia (Chow Gar)-Tanglang-Sanjian' (the three arrows of Zhoujia praying mantis, 周家螳螂三箭拳) and the staff form “Tanglang-puchangun” (螳螂捕蟬棍尤). Like many martial artists of his generation, he resettled in Hong Kong after the Chinese Civil War. He continued to teach the Southern Praying Mantis Style and many of his students eventually became teachers of this style. He was acknowledged by both the Chow Gar and the Chu Gar practitioners as the founding teacher of the system in the modern era.
Chow Gar[edit]
The most famous branch of Southern Mantis martial arts, the Chow family (周家) branch traces its art to c. 1800 to Chow Ah-Nam (周亞南), a Hakka who as a boy left his home in Guangdong for medical treatment at the Southern Shaolin Monastery in Fujian where, in addition to being treated for his stomach ailment, he was trained in the martial arts and eventually created Southern Praying Mantis. His student was Wong Fook Go (黃福高) who was one of the teacher of Lau Soei.[2]
The continued popularity of modern Chow Gar is due to the work of Ip Shui (葉瑞), a student of Lau Soei. He promoted the style within Hong Kong and later, to the United Kingdom[9] and Australia.[10][11]
Chu Gar / Chuka / Chu Ka[edit]
The Chu family (朱家) branch attributes its art to Chu Fook-To, who created Southern Praying Mantis as a fighting style for opponents of the Qing (1644–1912), a Manchu dynasty that overthrew the Ming royal family (1368–1644), who were Han Chinese. This is the oldest branch in terms of origin and is the probable origin of the Southern Mantis style by way of age from which the other branches derived from. According to the Chu family branch, Chu was a member of the Ming Royal family who took refuge at Shaolin Monastery in Henan. After the destruction of the Northern Shaolin Monastery, Chu escaped to the Southern Shaolin Monastery in Fujian. He then promoted his art in the surrounding regions.
Current students of Chu Gar are not related to the students of Lau Soei. Lau Soei was friends with the a member of the Chu family. Chu's son, who had learned Chu Gar all his life, was sent to Lau Soei to learn Chow Gar. At a Demonstration a reporter asked Chu's son what style of kung fu he did and he replied 'Chu Gar'. Then the reporter asked him 'Who is your master?' and because at the time he was training under Lau Soei he said Lau Soei was his master, the reporter misunderstood and thought Lau Soei taught Chu Gar. This is the story told by grandmaster Ng Si Kay, Son in law of Ip Shui, who has been the records keeper of Ip Shui's School for approximately 50 Years and is the current head of the Chow Gar Mantis Association in Hong Kong.
Current students of Chuka are related to the students of Si Tai Gung Sammy Wong. Those students, Sigungs Tony Blum Jr, Eddie Chin and Manuel Rodriguez continue the tradition of his school. Sigung Tony Blum Jr. took over teaching of the System in 1995 in the Chicagoland area as appointed by Si Tai Gung Sammy Wong. He was then turned over the legacy and heritage in the United States by Si Tai Gung Sammy Wong before his passing in 2007. Sigung Manuel Rodriguez also continues teaching in Ventura, California area. Chuka can be found in China and the United States.
Kwong Sai Jook Lum[edit]
According to oral traditions, the Kwong Sai Jook Lum (江西竹林) style traces its origins to the temple Jook Lum Gee (竹林寺; Bamboo Forest Temple), Wu Tai Shan (五台山) in Shanxi province and on Mt. Longhu (龍虎山) in Jiangxi (江西) province. The monk Som Dot (三達祖師), created this new martial art system in the late 18th to early 19th century. He passed the art on to Lee Kun Ching (李官清), later known as Lee Siem See (李禪師); a name that can be translated as 'Zen master Lee'). Lee Siem See would travel to Southern China and spread the art amongst the general population. In Guangdong, his student, Cheung Yiu Chung (張耀宗), would later return with him to Kwong Sai (Jiangxi) Province to complete his training at Jook Lum Gee.
In 1919, Cheung returned to reside in Wei Yang Xian (Wei Yang County) Dan Shui in Guangdong Province. During the winter of 1929, Cheung opened his first martial arts school and a traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Bao'an County in Píngshān (坪山) Town and continued to promote the Jook Lum system. Wong Yook-Kong (黃(公)毓光), Lum Wing-Fay (林榮輝; 1910–1992; also known as Lum Sang, 林生; Lum Sang can be translated as Mr. Lum) and Lee Wing Sing (李腎勝) are some of his students from that period.
Lee Wing Sing (李腎勝) originally trained in Chu Gar before becoming a student of Cheung Yiu Chung. He then continued his training at the Jook Lum Gee, learning a variant of Bamboo Forest Temple Praying Mantis that was somewhat different from (although related to) the art he learned under Cheung Yiu Chung. The lineage of Lee Wing Sing is continued by his family and disciples in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Cheung eventually moved to Hong Kong. He opened a martial arts studio and became the head teacher to the Hong Kong Hakka ship and dock workers union. The classes in Hong Kong was taught by Wong Yook-Kong[12] and this school still exists today.[13] Wong Yook-Kong was described as a large man and in training he placed great emphasis on strength and physical conditioning before moving onto the more internal aspects of the style. One of his favorite training method was to practise with 30 to 60 LB iron rings on his wrist while he perform his forms. As a result, his students also emphasize those aspects in their training. The lineage of Wong Yook Kong is continued by his two sons: Wong Yiu Hung (黃耀雄) and Wong Yiu Hwa (黃耀華) and other students such as Lee Kwok Leung, (李國良)[14] and Sifu John Koo[15] of Portland, Oregon, a Disciple of both Wong Yook-Kong and Lee Wing Sing.
In the 1920s Lum Sang, one of the youngest of Cheung's students in Hong Kong, was fortunate enough to meet and study with Lee Siem See during one of Lee Siem See's trips to Hong Kong to establish a Buddhist temple (Chuk Lam Sim Yuen).[16] Lum studied and traveled with Lee for the next seven years. In the 1930s, Lum returned to Hong Kong and opened a Kwong Sai Jook Lum Temple Tong Long Pai school in Kowloon.[12] Lum Wing Fay was described as being small in stature, being only 5'2' and 120 lbs. In practise, he placed emphasis on softness and redirection and his students continue to display those traits. In 1942, Lum Sang emigrated to the United States and settled in the Chinatown of New York City. He started teaching in Chinatown's Hakka Association, the New York Hip Sing Tong at Pell Street. In the late 1950s, he taught at Free Mason [sic] Association Athletic Club, also known as Hung Ching. By 1963, his Kwong-Sai Jook Lum Gee Tong Long Pai was one of the largest kung fu schools. In 1969, Lam Sang retired from teaching and migrated to Taiwan. Lam Sang died in 1991. His students such as Chin Ho Doon, Harry Sun, Wong Buk Lam, Gin Foon-Mark (麥振寬),[17] Henry Poo Yee(余冠溥) [12] and Louie Jack Man[18] would establish themselves as teachers after Lum Sang retired. All of these men have promoted this art in the United States and around the world.
After Lam Sang's passing, his teaching position at the Hung Ching school in New York was occupied by a number of his successors over the years. Over the last decade, actively instructing the art there was late sifu James Cama (grand-student of Lam Sang through Robert Lee).
Iron Ox[edit]
The Iron Ox (鐵牛) branch was renamed so by students of Iron Ox Choi (Choi Dit-Ngau; 蔡鐵牛) in honour of their teacher. He earned the nickname for his strength and ability to withstand his opponent's strikes. He was also known to have taken part in the Boxer Rebellion (1900) fighting against the Ching government to restore the Ming government. The founder of this system is said to be Hung Mei (Red Eyebrow) and origins of this system is said to be from Er Mei mountain.
Ho Kung Wah introduced the style to the United Kingdom in the 1960s.[19] Most practitioners of this branch of Southern Praying Mantis are found in Southern China but there are now promoters of this lineage in Europe as well.[20]
K. S. Hsiung Thong Long Quet Tsot[edit]
Thong Long 'Praying Mantis'(Quet Tsot) 'country style' (Chinese: 螳螂國術) is a Southern Praying Mantis style that was taught in the city of Kolkata, India. Originating in the Moi-yan (Chinese: 梅縣; pinyin: Méixiàn), northeast Guangdong, China, the system was taught initially by Chen Kiu exclusively to the Hakka community in a school named Pei Moi Tangra Chinese School at Tangra, Kolkata Chinatown. Chen passed the lineage on to Sifu Hsiung Khan Seong (1917-2000) who, in his broad-mindedness, opened the style for the non-Chinese in the year 1975. He taught at Tangra, Calcutta, from the 50's till his death in the year 2000. The system is carried forward by the students and grand students of Hsiung.
Characteristics and Training[edit]
Like other Southern Chinese martial arts, Southern Praying Mantis is characterized by a strong stance, powerful waist and fast, heavy forearms and quick hand movements. The essences of the style is captured in various poetry and mnemonic aids.[21]
Training includes a variety of solo forms, pair practise, and weapon practise. The name and type of form will vary between branches. In Circular Tong Long (a version of Chow Gar Tong Long under the direction of Henry Sue in Australia), the form structures are as follows:
- Sarm Bo Gin
- Sarm Bo Yil Sou
- Sarm kung Bic Kuiel
- Sarm Bo Pai Tarn
- Tong Long Bow Sim Sou
- Tong Long Won Sou
- Tong Long Um Ging Sou
- Darn Sey Moon Gang Ging
- Tong Long Bic Sarn Gung
- Sarm Bo Gin Dai Ei Doon
- Sarm Bo Gang Tarn Ging
Kwong Sai Jook Lum by Gin Foon Marks Kung Fu Association excerpt of curriculum:
- sarm bo gin
- two man breakdown sarm bo gin
- eighteen points and breakdown
- seven stars and breakdown
- five stars and breakdown
- poison snake staff
Sarm Bo Gin is considered one of the most important forms of the southern mantis system. It is a hard chi gung form and is usually the first to be learned. It strengthens the body, aiding its resistance to physical blows, and also develops power. The form should be done everyday, preferably early morning.
K. S. Hsiung Thong Long Quet Tsot have the forms: Kiu Bo Chen or 9 Step Arrow as the First Seed Form, Pai Sith, Sine Su and Fa-Khian as training Forms.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhyLY1-1RSQ.
Notes[edit]
Chinese | Pinyin | Cantonese Yale | Hagfa Pinyim | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
^ Sarm Bo Jin | 三步箭 | Sān Bù Jiàn | Saam1 Bou6 Jin3 | Sam1 Pu5 Zien5 | literally 'Three Step Arrow' |
^ Jook Lum Gee | 竹林寺 | Zhú Lín Sì | Juk1 Lam4 Ji6 | Zuk7 Lim2 Sii5 | literally 'Bamboo Forest Temple' |
^ Kwong Sai | 江西 | Jiāngxī | Gong1 sai1 | Gong1 si1 | Jiangxi (江西; Cantonese Yale: Gongsai), not Guangxi (廣西, Cantonese Yale: Gwongsai) |
Media[edit]
Film[edit]
Lo Mang of the famed Venom Mob is an expert in Chu Gar Southern Praying Mantis, having studied the martial art for over 13 years before starting an acting career. He shows off his style, complete with a long training sequence, in the Shaw Brothers movie Invincible Shaolin (1978).
Animated series[edit]
The character Toph Beifong from Avatar: The Last Airbender uses a unique style of earthbending, based on the Chu Gar style Southern Praying Mantis. More contemporary earthbending is instead based on the Hung Ga style.
Quick Kick (G.I. Joe)[edit]
The character Quick Kick from the Toy Line, Comic Books, and Cartoons of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is said to have Southern Praying Mantis in his martial arts background. No particular branch of Southern Praying Mantis is identified in his file so theoretically any South Mantis family can claim him.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^http://www.mantiskungfu.com/praying_mantis_kung_fu_complete_system.phpJon Funk, Praying mantis Kung fu: the complete system
- ^ abNg Si Kay. 'History of the style'. Chow Gar Mantis Association (International). Archived from the original on 2009-10-25. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
- ^ abcGene Chen. 'Hakka Praying Mantis Chugar Gao: The Real Southern Mantis Boxing'. Kung fu megazine. Martial Arts of China vol. 2 pp.18. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
- ^Li Tien-Lai. 'Dongjiang Chaujia Preying Mantis'. University of Hong Kong - Chinese Martial Arts Club. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- ^Leong, Cheong Cheng; Draeger, Donn F. (1998). Phoenix-eye fist. New York: Weatherhill Publishers. ISBN978-0-8348-0127-1. OCLC3002333.
- ^Roger D. Hagood (19??). 'Abridged History of Southern Praying Mantis'. Bamboo Temple Chinese Benevolent Association. Archived from the original on 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2008-03-07.Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^Fernando Blanco (19??). 'Southern Praying Mantis System'. Siberian Association of Traditional Martial Arts (SABTI). Retrieved 2007-12-20.Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^'Hong Kong Martial Arts Masters (香港武林名師)'. Hong Kong Wushu & Art Service Centre. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^'Abridged History of Southern Praying Mantis'. Chow Gar Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu (UK). 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^'Chow's Family Praying Mantis Kung Fu Association'. Archived from the original on 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2010-04-09.
- ^'Chow Gar Tong Long, Brisbane, Australia'. 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^ abcHenry Lee & Harry A. White (1992). 'Secrets of Southern Praying Mantis - Henry Poo Yee's story'. Kung fu magazine. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
- ^Lee Kwok Leung (20??). 'History of Kwong Sai Bamboo'. Kwong Sai Bamboo Temple Praying Mantis Kung Fu Association. Retrieved 2008-04-22.Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^Lee Kwok Leung (20??). 'Brief Family Tree and Lineage of Kwong Sai Bamboo(Jook Lum) Temple Praying Mantis under Wong Yuk Gong'. Kwong Sai Bamboo Temple Praying Mantis Kung Fu Association. Retrieved 2008-08-29.Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^John Kam Shing Koo (2005). 'Biography'. Chinesefistology.com. Chinese Fistology. Archived from the original on April 22, 2014. Retrieved 2013-04-15.
- ^'Chuk Lam Sim Yuen (Bamboo forest monastery)'. eventseeker.
- ^Marty Eisen (19??). 'Mark and Jook Lum Praying Mantis'. Kung fu magazine. Retrieved 2008-02-26.Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^Louie Jack Man (19??). 'Louie Jack Man : Jook Lum Southern Mantis Kung Fu'. Louie Jack Man's School in Philadelphia. Retrieved 2008-08-13.Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^Barrios-Muras, Eduardo (2000-07-31). Iron-ox Praying Mantis Boxing: The Seeds, Chi and Boxing Forms. Muras Publications. ISBN0-9538632-0-4.
- ^'Iron Ox Praying Mantis International Martial Arts Federation'. Dit Ngau Hakka Tong Long Pai UK. Retrieved 2008-03-21.
- ^Ottawa Chinese Martial Arts Association (2005). 'Other Styles > Southern Praying Mantis'. Ottawa Chinese Martial Arts Association. Archived from the original on 2007-11-13. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
External links[edit]
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