FIRE HAWK
06-13-2001, 07:09 AM
Wong Fei Hung's 10 Killing Hands
By Bill Fong
Of the many legends throughout martial arts history, there may be no greater than that of the great grandmaster Wong Fei Hung. During his lifetime (1850-1933) Wong Fei Hung achieved an unsurpassed reputation for martial skills and feats. His life and accomplishments have been portrayed in over 100 movies, usually starring the late and revered Kwan Tak Hing.
Wong Fei Hung began his martial arts training at the age of five under the guidance of his father, Wong Kay Ying. Being a direct disciple of south sil lum master Luk Ah Choy, Wong Kay Ying had much to offer his young son. From his father, Wong Fei Hung had learned the techniques of the dan gong and cern gong kuen (single and double strong hard fists), fuk fu kuen (controlling the tiger fist), gi mo cern do (mother and son double swords), man fu kuen (angry tiger fist), ng long bat gwa gwun (fifth brother eight diagram pole), fei tong (flying hook), and the hak fu kuen (black tiger fist).
But, it was not until master Wong Fei Hung met renowned sifu Tit Kiu Sam that he eventually reformed and refined the southern hung kuen we know today. Both masters had exchanged their techniques, knowledge and experience, since their lineage traced back to the Nam Siu Lam Temple to an individual monk there, Gok Yuen. With the knowledge of Tit Kiu Sam's hand bridge and horse stance, along with the original nam kuen (southern fist) Gee Shim's fat ga lo han kuen (Buddha style abbot fist) and his own fighting techniques, Wong Fei Hung had finally created the fu hok cern ying kuen (tiger/crane double pattern fist form), the trademark of the hung ga style. It was this form that made Wong Fei Hung the most famous nam kuen sifu (southern siu lum master) in China.
The sup juet sao (ten killing hands) comes from the fu hok cern ying kuen. The sup juet sao is a series of ten principles that Wong Fei Hung thought were the most effective killing methods in hung kuen. Because of its effectiveness and practicality, master Hung became a hero in China because he never lost a fight. The main principles are: strike the eyes; stop the breath; break the face; explode the ears; crush the groin; twist the tendons; break the fingers; dislocate the joints; break the elbow; and dim mak (nerve points). It should also be noted that without the proper hung ga training (foundation, basics, conditioning, ging, body connection) and comprehension of the style, the ten killing hands would be simply reduced to basic blocks, strikes and grabs.
The techniques accompanying this article demonstrate some of the most common ways to achieve the ten killing hands.
Po Pai Sao - Side Tiger Claw
This technique emphasizes the use of the side tiger claw (jut ming fu). The key points of this technique are: Use the tiger claw to lock and crush the throat (fung hau), which will stop the breath; poke the opponent’s eyes, which causes blindness. The object of po pai sau is to block and grab your opponent’s punch while stepping back into a side bow stance, then at the same time use your side tiger claw to strike the throat or chin.
These movements accomplish two things - stepping back and sinking - which keep your body away from your opponent’s other hand. And by grabbing your opponent's punch and simultaneously locking his throat, it elongates and holds his position so he can neither move forward nor backward.
Cern Gwa Choy Faht - Double Backfist
The emphasis is on the double fist (cern gwa choy faht) smashing downward upon your opponent's face, which causes multiple fractures to the facial structure including the cheekbone, bridge of nose and eye sockets. This technique counters well against a collar grab. As with all hung ga techniques the cern gwa choy faht will only work when used in conjunction with the hung ga footwork.
Key points of this technique are: Remembering to keep your fists close together. This will help you hit your intended target; only by rising, sinking and violently exploding forward into your stances, as well as opening and closing your torso with speed and power, will you be ensured maximum effectiveness.
Tong Tin Kuen Faht - Heaven Piercing Fist
This technique emphasizes the uppercut (heaven piercing fist) to the floating ribs. Speed, power and violent aggressive transition from stance to stance is essential for maximum effectiveness of tong tin kuen faht, as with all techniques such as, gum gao gin sao (golden scissor hand) and gwa choy faht (backfist).
Key points include:
Sealing the breath by attacking the floating ribs two inches below the nipple.
To obtain maximum power and ensure effectiveness when executing this technique, you must pull back one fist while simultaneously delivering the tong tin kuen faht. Also, you must pull your upper torso back in an erect position at the time of impact, simultaneously advancing with a sliding mouse step.
Only by sinking into sai ping ma (horse stance) and simultaneously trapping your opponent's attacking arm with the gum gao gin sao (golden scissor hand) will you bring your attacker down to set up for the gwa choy faht (backfist).
Use of the hung ga footwork is essential for the effectiveness of the tong tin kuen faht.
Ngaw Fu Cum Yang - Hungry Tiger Catches The lamb
In this technique, the hung ga tiger claw is emphasized. This is shown by the vise-like grip used to crush the groin and the tearing by the hands to seal the chi and gouge the eyes. When the fingertips of the tiger claw dig into the particular accupoints in the face, you can cause disruption and blockage of chi and blood flow into the opponent's brain, as well as severely damaging the eye organs.
The important points regarding the ngaw fu cum yang technique are:
The defender must develop quick hands to block the incoming punches.
Both hands must work together in unison.
The body must sink in stance.
Concentrate on the target.
Like a tiger, step in strong.
Man Fu Ha San - Angry Tiger Descends The Mountain
In this particular grappling technique, the tiger claw is used to exert tremendous pressure onto the opponent's elbow joint. By sinking the stance, coupled with the lock onto the joint, the opponent's elbow can be seriously and permanently destroyed. The important points to note about the man fu ha san technique are:
The defender must intercept the incoming attack with the golden scissor hand motion.
You must step forward and sink into a bow and arrow stance (ging ma) for greater leverage. Remember, this technique can only be executed with proper stancework.
The rear hand twists the arm until the elbow points up and must pull the opponent's arm back while the top tiger claw presses downward to exert immense pressure on the elbow to break the joint.
San Ban Dan Gwai - Squeeze And Crush
The Dan Gwai
This technique puts emphasis on stancework, using pulling, twisting and sinking. Sau ban dan gwai is also known as dai ma gwai cho (take the horse back to the stable). The key points of this technique are:
Stop the blood flow to the brain by squeezing the neck.
Dislocate or break the neck by twisting and sinking after squeezing. The object of sau ban dan gwai is to parry or block the opponent's strike as you step in to apply a chokehold. By squeezing the carotid artery, the oxygen supply to the brain is cut off. When your opponent goes limp, step forward and at the same time twist and sink in your stance. This will break or dislocate the neck.
Won Won Bao Hok - Reincarnation Of The Fulfilled Crane
In this particular technique, the crane's beak is targeted to the opponent's eye. By using the whipping motion of the attacking arm, the "beak" essentially pierces into the ocular cavity of the skull, thereby destroying the eye. It is important to note that to effectively execute the won won bao hok (reincarnation of the fulfilled crane) technique, you must observe the following:
The whipping energy, or "bin ging," must be executed with the turning of the waist at the same time to achieve a greater impact. Also, the striking hand must be kept relaxed to acquire the whipping power.
The escaping of the grip on the wrist, using a snake motion, must flow immediately into the won won bao hok strike unleashed to the opponent's eye in a fluid, quick and continuous manner.
Hau Gi Tao Toe - Monkey Steals The Peach
This technique is used to twist tendons and break bones (usually fingers and collarbones). The key points here are to grab, squeeze, twist and lock on
to your opponent's attack. By grabbing the fingers and twisting up (also called tiger climbs up mountain) you will subdue and break the fingers.
When attacking the collarbone and using all four key points, you will not only cause the bone to break, but also cause severe nerve and tendon damage. Hung ga's tiger claw training will condition the hands to make this technique effective.
Cern Fei Wu Dip - Double Flying Butterfly
This technique is used to damage and dislocate the tailbone. The key points here are to use a strong tiger claw for grabbing and low twisting stances to develop power for striking. Double flying butterflies got its name because the hand and foot positions are open and form the shape of a butterfly.
Fu Pao Cern Kuen - Tiger Leopard Fist
In this technique, emphasis is placed on slapping the ears with double leopard paw strikes. This forces air into the ear drums, which causes them to explode and disorients the opponent.
You can also use fu pao cern kuen to attack your opponent’s eyes. This technique counters well against a double-handed collar grab. Key points of this technique include:
You must sink into the diu ma (cat stance) while simultaneously executing the man fu yan ngam (hiding tiger) to create an opening.
The use of ging (inch power) is extremely important for maximum effectiveness. Also key is exploding forward into yee jee kim yeurng ma (crane stance).
You can finish your opponent by stopping the flow of oxygen to the heart and brain by wrapping your arm around the opponent’s neck.
Use of the hung ga footwork, as well as speed and power, is essential for the sup juet sao to work.
In hung kuen, Wong Fei Hung dedicated his life to the research and study of this art. As a result, grandmaster Wong preserved the traditional hung style and raised it to the next level. The sup juet sao is among the famous series of techniques supplemented within the fu hok cern ying kuen, tiger crane double form. Other techniques and philosophies are also incorporated with the structure of this famous form, such as ten tiger and eight crane techniques.
Bill Fong (Kwong Wai Lum) is director of the Staten Island branch of Yee's Hung Gar-Fong’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Association and an inner room disciple of master Frank Yee (Yee Chee Wai). He is a former deputy secretary general of the United Kung Fu Federation of North America.
By Bill Fong
Of the many legends throughout martial arts history, there may be no greater than that of the great grandmaster Wong Fei Hung. During his lifetime (1850-1933) Wong Fei Hung achieved an unsurpassed reputation for martial skills and feats. His life and accomplishments have been portrayed in over 100 movies, usually starring the late and revered Kwan Tak Hing.
Wong Fei Hung began his martial arts training at the age of five under the guidance of his father, Wong Kay Ying. Being a direct disciple of south sil lum master Luk Ah Choy, Wong Kay Ying had much to offer his young son. From his father, Wong Fei Hung had learned the techniques of the dan gong and cern gong kuen (single and double strong hard fists), fuk fu kuen (controlling the tiger fist), gi mo cern do (mother and son double swords), man fu kuen (angry tiger fist), ng long bat gwa gwun (fifth brother eight diagram pole), fei tong (flying hook), and the hak fu kuen (black tiger fist).
But, it was not until master Wong Fei Hung met renowned sifu Tit Kiu Sam that he eventually reformed and refined the southern hung kuen we know today. Both masters had exchanged their techniques, knowledge and experience, since their lineage traced back to the Nam Siu Lam Temple to an individual monk there, Gok Yuen. With the knowledge of Tit Kiu Sam's hand bridge and horse stance, along with the original nam kuen (southern fist) Gee Shim's fat ga lo han kuen (Buddha style abbot fist) and his own fighting techniques, Wong Fei Hung had finally created the fu hok cern ying kuen (tiger/crane double pattern fist form), the trademark of the hung ga style. It was this form that made Wong Fei Hung the most famous nam kuen sifu (southern siu lum master) in China.
The sup juet sao (ten killing hands) comes from the fu hok cern ying kuen. The sup juet sao is a series of ten principles that Wong Fei Hung thought were the most effective killing methods in hung kuen. Because of its effectiveness and practicality, master Hung became a hero in China because he never lost a fight. The main principles are: strike the eyes; stop the breath; break the face; explode the ears; crush the groin; twist the tendons; break the fingers; dislocate the joints; break the elbow; and dim mak (nerve points). It should also be noted that without the proper hung ga training (foundation, basics, conditioning, ging, body connection) and comprehension of the style, the ten killing hands would be simply reduced to basic blocks, strikes and grabs.
The techniques accompanying this article demonstrate some of the most common ways to achieve the ten killing hands.
Po Pai Sao - Side Tiger Claw
This technique emphasizes the use of the side tiger claw (jut ming fu). The key points of this technique are: Use the tiger claw to lock and crush the throat (fung hau), which will stop the breath; poke the opponent’s eyes, which causes blindness. The object of po pai sau is to block and grab your opponent’s punch while stepping back into a side bow stance, then at the same time use your side tiger claw to strike the throat or chin.
These movements accomplish two things - stepping back and sinking - which keep your body away from your opponent’s other hand. And by grabbing your opponent's punch and simultaneously locking his throat, it elongates and holds his position so he can neither move forward nor backward.
Cern Gwa Choy Faht - Double Backfist
The emphasis is on the double fist (cern gwa choy faht) smashing downward upon your opponent's face, which causes multiple fractures to the facial structure including the cheekbone, bridge of nose and eye sockets. This technique counters well against a collar grab. As with all hung ga techniques the cern gwa choy faht will only work when used in conjunction with the hung ga footwork.
Key points of this technique are: Remembering to keep your fists close together. This will help you hit your intended target; only by rising, sinking and violently exploding forward into your stances, as well as opening and closing your torso with speed and power, will you be ensured maximum effectiveness.
Tong Tin Kuen Faht - Heaven Piercing Fist
This technique emphasizes the uppercut (heaven piercing fist) to the floating ribs. Speed, power and violent aggressive transition from stance to stance is essential for maximum effectiveness of tong tin kuen faht, as with all techniques such as, gum gao gin sao (golden scissor hand) and gwa choy faht (backfist).
Key points include:
Sealing the breath by attacking the floating ribs two inches below the nipple.
To obtain maximum power and ensure effectiveness when executing this technique, you must pull back one fist while simultaneously delivering the tong tin kuen faht. Also, you must pull your upper torso back in an erect position at the time of impact, simultaneously advancing with a sliding mouse step.
Only by sinking into sai ping ma (horse stance) and simultaneously trapping your opponent's attacking arm with the gum gao gin sao (golden scissor hand) will you bring your attacker down to set up for the gwa choy faht (backfist).
Use of the hung ga footwork is essential for the effectiveness of the tong tin kuen faht.
Ngaw Fu Cum Yang - Hungry Tiger Catches The lamb
In this technique, the hung ga tiger claw is emphasized. This is shown by the vise-like grip used to crush the groin and the tearing by the hands to seal the chi and gouge the eyes. When the fingertips of the tiger claw dig into the particular accupoints in the face, you can cause disruption and blockage of chi and blood flow into the opponent's brain, as well as severely damaging the eye organs.
The important points regarding the ngaw fu cum yang technique are:
The defender must develop quick hands to block the incoming punches.
Both hands must work together in unison.
The body must sink in stance.
Concentrate on the target.
Like a tiger, step in strong.
Man Fu Ha San - Angry Tiger Descends The Mountain
In this particular grappling technique, the tiger claw is used to exert tremendous pressure onto the opponent's elbow joint. By sinking the stance, coupled with the lock onto the joint, the opponent's elbow can be seriously and permanently destroyed. The important points to note about the man fu ha san technique are:
The defender must intercept the incoming attack with the golden scissor hand motion.
You must step forward and sink into a bow and arrow stance (ging ma) for greater leverage. Remember, this technique can only be executed with proper stancework.
The rear hand twists the arm until the elbow points up and must pull the opponent's arm back while the top tiger claw presses downward to exert immense pressure on the elbow to break the joint.
San Ban Dan Gwai - Squeeze And Crush
The Dan Gwai
This technique puts emphasis on stancework, using pulling, twisting and sinking. Sau ban dan gwai is also known as dai ma gwai cho (take the horse back to the stable). The key points of this technique are:
Stop the blood flow to the brain by squeezing the neck.
Dislocate or break the neck by twisting and sinking after squeezing. The object of sau ban dan gwai is to parry or block the opponent's strike as you step in to apply a chokehold. By squeezing the carotid artery, the oxygen supply to the brain is cut off. When your opponent goes limp, step forward and at the same time twist and sink in your stance. This will break or dislocate the neck.
Won Won Bao Hok - Reincarnation Of The Fulfilled Crane
In this particular technique, the crane's beak is targeted to the opponent's eye. By using the whipping motion of the attacking arm, the "beak" essentially pierces into the ocular cavity of the skull, thereby destroying the eye. It is important to note that to effectively execute the won won bao hok (reincarnation of the fulfilled crane) technique, you must observe the following:
The whipping energy, or "bin ging," must be executed with the turning of the waist at the same time to achieve a greater impact. Also, the striking hand must be kept relaxed to acquire the whipping power.
The escaping of the grip on the wrist, using a snake motion, must flow immediately into the won won bao hok strike unleashed to the opponent's eye in a fluid, quick and continuous manner.
Hau Gi Tao Toe - Monkey Steals The Peach
This technique is used to twist tendons and break bones (usually fingers and collarbones). The key points here are to grab, squeeze, twist and lock on
to your opponent's attack. By grabbing the fingers and twisting up (also called tiger climbs up mountain) you will subdue and break the fingers.
When attacking the collarbone and using all four key points, you will not only cause the bone to break, but also cause severe nerve and tendon damage. Hung ga's tiger claw training will condition the hands to make this technique effective.
Cern Fei Wu Dip - Double Flying Butterfly
This technique is used to damage and dislocate the tailbone. The key points here are to use a strong tiger claw for grabbing and low twisting stances to develop power for striking. Double flying butterflies got its name because the hand and foot positions are open and form the shape of a butterfly.
Fu Pao Cern Kuen - Tiger Leopard Fist
In this technique, emphasis is placed on slapping the ears with double leopard paw strikes. This forces air into the ear drums, which causes them to explode and disorients the opponent.
You can also use fu pao cern kuen to attack your opponent’s eyes. This technique counters well against a double-handed collar grab. Key points of this technique include:
You must sink into the diu ma (cat stance) while simultaneously executing the man fu yan ngam (hiding tiger) to create an opening.
The use of ging (inch power) is extremely important for maximum effectiveness. Also key is exploding forward into yee jee kim yeurng ma (crane stance).
You can finish your opponent by stopping the flow of oxygen to the heart and brain by wrapping your arm around the opponent’s neck.
Use of the hung ga footwork, as well as speed and power, is essential for the sup juet sao to work.
In hung kuen, Wong Fei Hung dedicated his life to the research and study of this art. As a result, grandmaster Wong preserved the traditional hung style and raised it to the next level. The sup juet sao is among the famous series of techniques supplemented within the fu hok cern ying kuen, tiger crane double form. Other techniques and philosophies are also incorporated with the structure of this famous form, such as ten tiger and eight crane techniques.
Bill Fong (Kwong Wai Lum) is director of the Staten Island branch of Yee's Hung Gar-Fong’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Association and an inner room disciple of master Frank Yee (Yee Chee Wai). He is a former deputy secretary general of the United Kung Fu Federation of North America.