Old Judoka
Yellow Belt
I ran across this in an internet search today, I am interested in thoughts from folks well versed in Wing Chun:
"Faht Shan Wing Chun", is considered the official lineage of the Wing Chun system recognized by the Government of the Peoples Republic of China and therefore is referred as the "Chinese System" of Wing Chun as it relates to the Ip Man WC system and is referred to as the "Hong Kong system" of Wing Chun Kung Fu. I am sure there's lots of debate among WC factions in Shanghai and Hong Kong, who would feel quite differently regarding this official sanction by mainland China. However, this review will discuss the instructional content and value of Eddie Chong's WC DVDs, and will leave the matter of which system is considered the official lineage of WC to martial art historians. However, I will say this...martial art institutions are just as much a political animal in China as the two party political systems in America. Enough said.
Master Sifu Eddie Chong gives a demonstration of all three characteristic forms of “Faht Shan” Wing Chun passed down by former Grandmaster Pan Nam, who died in 1995, near the age of 100! Obviously, there are characteristic or stylistic differences between the Chinese and Hong Kong systems. For example, one can readily see in the WC forms demonstrated by William Cheung and other subsequent lineage holders of Grandmaster Ip Man, such as Chu Shong Tin, expressing a different approach in teaching and the execution of WC technique.
In that being said, however, one should look for the common thread which runs through all of three styles of WC. So which system is better? I strongly feel this is a foolish and misplaced question! I have news for you..."it's all good."
In principle the differences which one might observe in movement, is one of degree not of kind. For example, in the Sli Nam Tao of the Faht Shan system, the Chuan Sao Hand (fist) does not move forward and up through the centerline, but slightly off from the center of heart line. The Fook Sao and Wu Sao hand movement is done from the lower Tan Tien and not from the middle Tan Tien or heart line position. These movements are done slowly, as you would expect in Chi Kung practice for the development of power....proper breathing technique, is also emphasized during training of the first form _ Sli Nam Tao.
However, there are basic hand techniques, which are emphasized in the "Faht Shan" system, that would not necessary be observed in Ip Man's, Hong Kong system...that is the use of the "Tiger" and "Leopard" hand, which are movements so common in Hung Gar Kung Fu. It is said by Master Sifu Chong, that the Butterfly Knifes of Wing Chun evolved out of Hung Gar...from my experience all Chinese Wu Shu styles have incorporated movements and techniques from older systems...what works seems to be the general rule...Sifu Chong fortunately, does not hold anything back and his demonstration of technique is quite effective. Some schools in the US, particularly among the commercialized Shaolin martial art establishments...will not show a student such techniques using the "leopard" hand, because it's considered a secret teaching! Be aware, you could end up paying big bucks for all the so called secret techniques by such martial art institutions.
Besides the Sli Nam Tao form, Master Sifu Chong also demonstrates the last two forms of Wing Chun in this DVD, they are Chum Kiu and Bil Gee...again their expression, is quite different in what you would normally see from observing the "Hong Kong" style of WC Kung Fu. Some may even regard the movements in Chum Kiu, of Chong's demonstration as almost appearing robotic...but, don't let that fool you...there is definitely, subtlety in what he does! If you are truly a Wing Chun enthusiast the purchase of Chong's DVDs are a must see and a worthwhile addition to any one's collection demonstrating this martial art.
This is commentary from a DVD set put out by Sifu Eddie Chong, a Pan Nam student. Apparently Pan and Ip Man had the same Sifu. Pan was also a strong Hung Kuen stylist before learning Wing Chun. Can all the differences between Faht Shan Wing Chun and Master Ip's lineages be due to Hung Kuen influences that Pan had?
"Faht Shan Wing Chun", is considered the official lineage of the Wing Chun system recognized by the Government of the Peoples Republic of China and therefore is referred as the "Chinese System" of Wing Chun as it relates to the Ip Man WC system and is referred to as the "Hong Kong system" of Wing Chun Kung Fu. I am sure there's lots of debate among WC factions in Shanghai and Hong Kong, who would feel quite differently regarding this official sanction by mainland China. However, this review will discuss the instructional content and value of Eddie Chong's WC DVDs, and will leave the matter of which system is considered the official lineage of WC to martial art historians. However, I will say this...martial art institutions are just as much a political animal in China as the two party political systems in America. Enough said.
Master Sifu Eddie Chong gives a demonstration of all three characteristic forms of “Faht Shan” Wing Chun passed down by former Grandmaster Pan Nam, who died in 1995, near the age of 100! Obviously, there are characteristic or stylistic differences between the Chinese and Hong Kong systems. For example, one can readily see in the WC forms demonstrated by William Cheung and other subsequent lineage holders of Grandmaster Ip Man, such as Chu Shong Tin, expressing a different approach in teaching and the execution of WC technique.
In that being said, however, one should look for the common thread which runs through all of three styles of WC. So which system is better? I strongly feel this is a foolish and misplaced question! I have news for you..."it's all good."
In principle the differences which one might observe in movement, is one of degree not of kind. For example, in the Sli Nam Tao of the Faht Shan system, the Chuan Sao Hand (fist) does not move forward and up through the centerline, but slightly off from the center of heart line. The Fook Sao and Wu Sao hand movement is done from the lower Tan Tien and not from the middle Tan Tien or heart line position. These movements are done slowly, as you would expect in Chi Kung practice for the development of power....proper breathing technique, is also emphasized during training of the first form _ Sli Nam Tao.
However, there are basic hand techniques, which are emphasized in the "Faht Shan" system, that would not necessary be observed in Ip Man's, Hong Kong system...that is the use of the "Tiger" and "Leopard" hand, which are movements so common in Hung Gar Kung Fu. It is said by Master Sifu Chong, that the Butterfly Knifes of Wing Chun evolved out of Hung Gar...from my experience all Chinese Wu Shu styles have incorporated movements and techniques from older systems...what works seems to be the general rule...Sifu Chong fortunately, does not hold anything back and his demonstration of technique is quite effective. Some schools in the US, particularly among the commercialized Shaolin martial art establishments...will not show a student such techniques using the "leopard" hand, because it's considered a secret teaching! Be aware, you could end up paying big bucks for all the so called secret techniques by such martial art institutions.
Besides the Sli Nam Tao form, Master Sifu Chong also demonstrates the last two forms of Wing Chun in this DVD, they are Chum Kiu and Bil Gee...again their expression, is quite different in what you would normally see from observing the "Hong Kong" style of WC Kung Fu. Some may even regard the movements in Chum Kiu, of Chong's demonstration as almost appearing robotic...but, don't let that fool you...there is definitely, subtlety in what he does! If you are truly a Wing Chun enthusiast the purchase of Chong's DVDs are a must see and a worthwhile addition to any one's collection demonstrating this martial art.
This is commentary from a DVD set put out by Sifu Eddie Chong, a Pan Nam student. Apparently Pan and Ip Man had the same Sifu. Pan was also a strong Hung Kuen stylist before learning Wing Chun. Can all the differences between Faht Shan Wing Chun and Master Ip's lineages be due to Hung Kuen influences that Pan had?
