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The Wing Chun Kuen of Yuan Kay Shan

by Sifu R. Chu

Many Wing Chun practitioners that we see and meet trace their style and system of Wing Chun Kuen to the late Grandmaster Yip Man. The Yip Man Wing Chun style is quickly becoming an international martial art. Its practitioners have spread the seeds of Wing Chun around the world. But few practitioners know of the other styles of Wing Chun that still exist. These other styles have crept their way into the limelight through various Chinese and English publications. The purpose of this article is to introduce you to a lesser know style passed on through Yuen Kay Shan. Wing Chun Kuen originated in Fut Shan city during the

Ching dynasty (1644-1912). Some writers wrongly state that the Yuen Kay Shan Wing Chun style is also known as "Fut Shan style" Wing Chun; this is incorrect as all Wing Chun Kuen comes from Fut Shan. In Fut Shan, Wing Chun is also known as "Fut Shan Kuen". The characteristics of this style

of Wing Chun have led practitioners to refer to their style of Wing Chun as "Pien Sen Wing Chun" (slant body Wing Chun) or "Sae Ying Wing Chun" (snake form Wing Chun).

 The Yuen Kay Shan Wing Chun system is comprised of the forms Siu Lien Tao (little training set), Chum Kiu (sinking bridge), Biu Jee (darting fingers), Muk Yan Jong (wooden man post), Luk Dim Boon Gwun (6 1/2 point staff) and Yee Ji Cern Dao (double knives). There are also two additional forms that were created by Master Kwok Jin Fen, called "Sae Go Gen Ben Chuie" (four basic strikes) and "Gaun Kou Sao" (cutting hands). These two additional forms were developed to train the military in Fut Shan and Kwang Chou.

 The entire system of Yuen Kay Shan Wing Chun is based on just twelve principles which are embodied in twelve key words: Kuen (fist), Kiu (bridge), Jeung (palm), Bong (wing), Jee (finger), Chi (stick), Mor (touch), Kou (hook), Lap (grab), Dop (ride), Tang (slant), and Dong (sway). Kuen is to strike with the fist. Kiu is to bridge the opponent's gap and cross over to attack. Jeung is to strike with the palm. Bong is to use the bridge to dispel an opponent's force while in contact. Jee is to use the fingers in combat. Chi is to stick with your opponent. Mor is to touch your opponent’s bridge. Kou is to hook your opponent's bridge. Lap is to grab and Dop is to use Fook sau to ride on your opponent's bridge. Tang and Dong are inter-related and give the Yuen Kay Shan Wing Chun system the characteristic of a cobra swaying and poised to strike. These twelve principles are inherent in the system and in fact, Yip Man's Wing Chun also follow these principles except for the last two key words. Yip Man’s Wing Chun follows the principles of Huen (circle) and Dim (point), rather than Tang and Dong. Prior to learning the Siu Lien Tao set, a Yuen Kay Shan practitioner trains in twelve basic techniques: The straight punch, a combination back fist and straight punch, the slant body punch, the sidewards arrow punch, an equivalent to Tan sau, an equivalent to Fook sau, the outside Fook sau, the inside Fook sau, the outside Gan sau, the inside Gan sau, the triangle hand and the double Fak sau (double sideways chop) found in Siu Lien Tao. These twelve techniques train how to issue force and position the body for combat.

 Yuen Kay Shan's Wing Chun at times appears totally different from Yip Man's system in form, but in application, remains very similar. Both systems maintain the training of Chi sau. The motto, "Loy Lau, Hoy Sung, Tu Sau, Jik Chung" is known to practitioners of both styles. The major differences of the two Wing Chun styles is one of approach and terminology. For example, "Pao Pai Jeung" (embrace the sign palm) from Yip Man Wing Chun is known as "Dip Jeung" (butterfly palm) in Yuen Kay Shan's. Similarly, "Tan sau" (spread hand) and "Tun sau" (swallowing hand), "Bat Jam Do" (eight slash knives) and "Yee Ji Cern Dao" (double knives), "Siu Nim Tao" and "Siu Lien Tao" have been renamed in the former term. Yip Man's genius is credited here, for being a scholarly man, he renamed the terms in favor for more ideological concepts. Hence, the "Little Training Set" is renamed "Little Idea" in Yip Man's version.

 Yuen Kay Shan learned his Wing Chun from Chan Wah Shun originally, but after Chan Wah Shun passed away, head disciple Ng Jung So became his primary instructor. Yip Man also studied under his Si-hing Ng Jung So after Chan's death and remained under his tutelage for three years, until Yip Man left Fut Shan for Hong Kong. Yip Man and Yuen Kay Shan were good friends as they both were the same age and enjoyed practicing Wing Chun together. Yip Man went on to study with Leung Bik in Hong Kong, whereas Yuen Kay Shan remained with Ng Jung So. Later when Yip Man returned from Hong Kong, Yuen Kay Shan and he maintained in contact until Yuen Kay Shan moved on to Kwang Chou, roughly thirty miles away from Fut Shan. Both Yuen Kay Shan and Yip Man were separated due to the Communist take over in China and were separated for the rest of their lives.

 While introducing Wing Chun Kuen in Kwang Chou, Yuen Kay Shan taught one outstanding student named Sum Nung. Sum Nung is currently in his 89s and is the present Grandmaster of this system. He is also a noted Chinese herbologist and teaches at a local college in Kwang Chou. It is interesting to note that many instructors of the Yuen Kay Shan system have either learned or claimed to have learned from Sum Nung. Sum Nung taught several outstanding students, of which the most notable are Kwok Jin Fen and Pang Chou. Kwok Jin Fen, as I noted before, is responsible for the spread of Wing Chun throughout the military in Kwang Chou. He taught Wong Fen, who is a reputable Master in Kwang Chou. Wong Fen had a very close friend that was a snake collector in Kwang Chou named Chen Mei Shun. The young Chen Mei Shun was a snake dealer by profession, and sold snakes for food and medicinal purposes. One day while wandering about in the countryside, Chen Mei Shun accidentally trespassed on another person's property. The owner of this property forbade Chen to hunt for snakes while on his property. A heated argument ensued, which later led to a crossing of fists. The property owner was a person skilled in Choy Lay Fut, and the young Chen, who knew little about martial arts, suffered a devastating defeat. This incident led him to look up his good friend Wong Fen, and Chen then asked if he could learn his friend's Yuen Kay Shan Wing Chun. Chen Mei Shun learned quickly and mastered the art in a short time. After two years of practice, he went back and challenged the Choy Lay Fut practitioner and soundly defeated him. Chen's name became known throughout Kwang Chou as a result of this match and many had asked to become his disciple. The Yuen Kay Shan style is fortunate to have survived the Cultural Revolution.