FIRE HAWK
06-06-2001, 09:33 AM
Fong Yang kung fu is a Chinese Martial Art, which originated in the prefecture of Fong Yang situated in An-Wei province in Central China. The style is known to the Chinese themselves as the 'Beggar Art' – this is because it used to be the custom of villagers to tour the surrounding provinces giving kung fu displays and dispensing medical treatments in return for food and money, hence they were given the nickname; Beggar of kung fu. The people of Fong Yang always announced their arrival by the noisy but melodious beating of their "Flower Drums".
As for the style itself, it is a composite one, that is to say it contains several styles within itself. For example it combines the hands of Pek Hok with the legs of Tai Chor. This is the Chinese way of saying it combines the Northern and Southern schools of kung fu. Fong Yang also merged very successfully the hard and soft systems and this can be seen very clearly in a large number of the self-defense moves that are taught to students. Over and above these two main aspects of Fong Yang is woven an amazingly colorful and fascinating mixture of Forms (kata) incorporating such diverse animals and philosophies as the following: -
• Fierce Tiger Coming Down The Mountain
• Poisonous Snake Spitting Out Pearl
• Eagles Claw South Of The River
• Single Phoenix Facing The Sun
• A Thousand Pound South Of The River
• Tai Chi Fairy Coming Down The Mountain
• Manchurian Below Fist
• Son And Mother Sword
The above are just a few of the 80 forms taught in Fong Yang kung fu.
The Seven Sisters
The Seven Sisters is the collective name given to the Seven Plum Blossom sets taught in Fong Yang kung fu. The Plum Blossom sets are the ones from which all of the Blossom Finger techniques are taken. These techniques are extremely dangerous and a person who has trained in this art for a number of years can simply kill an opponent with one finger. Fortunately however it is an exceedingly difficult art to master, for apart from the need to strengthen ones fingers to an incredible degree, one also needs an extensive knowledge of human anatomy and Chinese medical theory. This safely prevents the knowledge from falling into the wrong hands since only a student who had stayed with his or her Master for many years would be entrusted with the knowledge.
Chin Na
Chin Na is the art of seizing. The literal meaning is 'seize' (chin) and 'control' (na). From this it can be seen that it is the art of applying holds, locks and throws. Chin Na is not a separate art; it is a component part of many Chinese arts. However, it is true to say that Fong Yang has more Chin Na in it than most Chinese styles. As a matter of interest there is a strong school of thought that the Japanese art of Ju Jitsu is a direct descendent of Chin Na having been exported to Japan in feudal times.
The Manchurian Stick
The Manchurian walking is another deadly weapon for which Fong Yang is renowned among the Chinese martial arts. The name as its name implies was the weapon of a fighting originating in Manchurian. Taught to Fong Yang master generations ago, the 'stick' is now a Fong Yang trademark.
As for the style itself, it is a composite one, that is to say it contains several styles within itself. For example it combines the hands of Pek Hok with the legs of Tai Chor. This is the Chinese way of saying it combines the Northern and Southern schools of kung fu. Fong Yang also merged very successfully the hard and soft systems and this can be seen very clearly in a large number of the self-defense moves that are taught to students. Over and above these two main aspects of Fong Yang is woven an amazingly colorful and fascinating mixture of Forms (kata) incorporating such diverse animals and philosophies as the following: -
• Fierce Tiger Coming Down The Mountain
• Poisonous Snake Spitting Out Pearl
• Eagles Claw South Of The River
• Single Phoenix Facing The Sun
• A Thousand Pound South Of The River
• Tai Chi Fairy Coming Down The Mountain
• Manchurian Below Fist
• Son And Mother Sword
The above are just a few of the 80 forms taught in Fong Yang kung fu.
The Seven Sisters
The Seven Sisters is the collective name given to the Seven Plum Blossom sets taught in Fong Yang kung fu. The Plum Blossom sets are the ones from which all of the Blossom Finger techniques are taken. These techniques are extremely dangerous and a person who has trained in this art for a number of years can simply kill an opponent with one finger. Fortunately however it is an exceedingly difficult art to master, for apart from the need to strengthen ones fingers to an incredible degree, one also needs an extensive knowledge of human anatomy and Chinese medical theory. This safely prevents the knowledge from falling into the wrong hands since only a student who had stayed with his or her Master for many years would be entrusted with the knowledge.
Chin Na
Chin Na is the art of seizing. The literal meaning is 'seize' (chin) and 'control' (na). From this it can be seen that it is the art of applying holds, locks and throws. Chin Na is not a separate art; it is a component part of many Chinese arts. However, it is true to say that Fong Yang has more Chin Na in it than most Chinese styles. As a matter of interest there is a strong school of thought that the Japanese art of Ju Jitsu is a direct descendent of Chin Na having been exported to Japan in feudal times.
The Manchurian Stick
The Manchurian walking is another deadly weapon for which Fong Yang is renowned among the Chinese martial arts. The name as its name implies was the weapon of a fighting originating in Manchurian. Taught to Fong Yang master generations ago, the 'stick' is now a Fong Yang trademark.