Leo T. Fongs CLF

[monk weed]

I was wondering if any clf people know anything about Leo Fong. I found an old book of his from the '70's and was wondering who his teacher might have been. I'm thinking someone from Buk sing but not sure. If anyone has any info. I would appreciate it. Thanks to all.

[CHAZ]

From what I have read in an old issue of Inside Kung Fu, he studied under Lau Bun of (Fut San) Hung Sing Choy Lee Fut. Does not say for how long, best ask one of the Fut San people.:D

[David Jamieson]

I have that book too monk weed. The Sil Lum Kung Fu book right?

when he wrote that book, he had 12 years of study in. so anyway, do the math and he's been a Kung fu guy for a long time. He was a golden gloves boxer and a priest at one time in his life as well.

definitely an interesting kungfu person.

cheers

[buddhapalm]

Leo Fong also studied Leung Tien Chu's Fut Gar style under Wong Tim Yuen in San Francisco Chinatown. The book Sil Lum Kung Fu, featured this style's form.....Lin Wan Kuen.

Buddhapalm

[bustr]

My instructor met him back in the late 1950s. I believe he did alot of boxing while growing up in Arkansas.

[monk weed]

Thanks guys for all the replies.

kung lek the book I got is called "choy lay fut the chinese art of self defense." and it has the two basic forms of choy lay fut with some applications of techniques. Does any one know if he is still around and where he might be?

[CHAZ]

Check out the Feb issue of IKF Magazine, There is an article in it about him. I too have that book, not too bad for a book published in the 70's.

[Sho]

I have to get that book too. Could some one tell me briefly the main points that are stressed in the book (history, techniques, etc.)? Thanks.

[cha kuen]

Yes, if someone could summarize a few points in the book that would be great!

__Southern Kung Fu Books---- (http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=taichimaster06&include=0&)

[Sam]

I was just wondering why didn't Fong mention his clf teacher and expertise in the Inside Kung Fu article?

[monk weed]

His main points of the book are the basic form sets of choy lay fut. He goes through the two basic set of ng lun ma and ng lun kuen and then he demonstrates some of the basic techniques found in the form. It is a fairly good book but it only skims the surface of the system.
I also recently found out that he was a friend or knew Bruce Lee. Bruce did mention choy lay fut in some of his books. Could Leo Fong have been the choy lay fut influence on Bruce? I thought it might have been some of the buk sing guy from hong kong.

[needlefist]

I bought that book when it was first published back in 1972. I had an interest in Choy-Lay-Fut at the time but found the books content very disapointing.

The stances are very Karate like, and given that Fong did Tae-Kwon-Do as well (which he says in the book) that may have been the reason why.

His san-sau at the back of the book is also Karate/Taekwon-Do like, mixed with boxing, which he did too.

He mentions his friendship with Bruce Lee in the book openly, dedicating the work both to his Wife and to Lee.

If you want what you'd recognize as 'real' Choy-Lay-Fut then its not the book for you. Its of curiosity interest but not much more.

The fist set he calls "Cheung-Kuen".

His Siu-Lum book is of a similar standard.

The book was published by O'Hara, the Library of Congress Catalog number is: 70-1811999.

[Sho]

Thanks monk weed and needlefist!

[NorthernShaolin]

Monk weed,

I believe Sifu Leo Fong is no longer with us as I was told that he has passed away many years ago.

[firepalm]

Bruce Lee had done some study with a teacher by the name of Shiu Hon Sang. Shiu was a Ching Wu instructor that had also done CLF. Shiu taught Bruce Lee some of the standard Ching Wu forms & some CLF. Little bit of trivia!
;)

[monk weed]

great trivia firepalm. Bruce Lee mentioned ching wu often in his book so that would explain the other styles that Bruce was fond of. The book mentions the use of some southern mantis( or maybe northern) that he would demonstrate and some other style that he talked about. I would like to find out a little more about shiu hon sang but I guess that might be a little difficult. Any chance that someone out there heard of this guy?

[needlefist]

Lee appeared on HK TV with Siu-Hon-Sang a few times, Lee referred to him as 'Uncle Siu', which was conventional respect as Siu had taught him some basic forms, which included 'Jeet Kuen'.
Tam-Tui, and Kung-Lik-Kuen.

Siu-Hon-Sang was a Chin Woo man and had a wide background. He was well loved in KF circles in HK and abroad. He clearly had some affection for Lee. A lot of the 'Northern' KF technique that Lee took with him to the USA came from Siu-Hon-Sang.

Lee encountered Choy-Lay-Fut many times, as it was at one time the most popular TCMA in S.E.Asia. It was claimed in HK in the early 70's that there were 400,000 CLF practitioners in the region.

Lee also encountered CLF thru Kong-Sau challenges in HK in the 50's. Wing-Chun and Choy-Lay-Fut often fought these matches and some strong rivalry persisted for many years.

To find out more about Siu-Hon-Sang and Chin-Woo:

Hong-Kong Chin Woo Athletic Association
New Lucky House
Block B-C
12th Floor
300 Nathan Road
Kowloon
Hong-Kong
Tel HK 3-843238

[monk weed]

Needlefist:

Thank you for the great info.

[chen zhen]

In what book is it that BL mentions Ching Wu, monk weed?

[buddhapalm]

Here you go Monkweed......

Life of Shaw Han-Sheng

Master Shaw Han-Sheng memorial group ( 1994 )
( Translated by Nick Lee 2001 )

Master Shaw Han-Sheng was born on 12th of November, 1900, 2:00pm and died in Queen Elizabeth Hospital of Hong Kong at the age of 94. His funeral was held in the Hung Hom Public Funeral Parlour, 27th of November, 9:30 am. By 10:30, his remains where escorted to Wo Hop Shek Cemetery and was cremated.

On this day, we also held a memorial ceremony at Master Shaw home village. Master Shaw spent his life promoting Chinese Martial Arts with passion and enthusiasm. His passing would be a great lost the world of Marital Arts.

Master Shaw was born in a poor home in Nanhai county, Sanshan region, Yinxian village of the Guangzhou province on 1900. In 1908 at the age of eight years old, he travelled to Guangzhou city in search of a job. Of which, he became a student of Master Fung Rong-Biao of Le Yi Tang. After two years of training his progress was astounding. From here, he began to develop a strong sense of affection and faith toward martial arts. He went on to learning Choy Li Fut from Master Kong Chang and northern styles from Master Sun Yu-Feng. After years of practice, he gained great knowledge, wisdom and insight becoming a martial artist whose style spans both the northern and the southern roots. At the age of 20, Master Kong Chang became the supervisor of Zhujiang-Pai in the Chinwoo Athletic Association within Guangzhou. Master Shaw accompanied him to help teaching. This led him to join the Chinwoo Athletic Association ( founded by Master Huo Yuen Jia ) to act as assistant supervisor. Soon after, Guangtung Wuben Primary school also requested for him to act as martial arts teacher. Because of his hard working nature and devoting to teaching, he was appreciated by Principal Zhuxue Gong. Knowing that he was born in a poor family and that he never received any cultural education, he was given permission to join in the classes to study. Hence, Master Shaw worked hard to study by day and trained by night. Due to this, his cultivation at a gentleman and a martial artist developed tremendously.

In the year 1920, Master Shaw and a several of his friends opened a school in Hung De San Qong of Guangzhou City. Hoping to promote martial arts through academic education.

By 1921, under the pioneering of Shaw Yi-De, Shaw Bao-Guang, and Shaw Yau-Nian , along with the effort and hard work of Master Shaw Han-Sheng, the first primary school of Yinxian village of Shansan was founded. Master Shaw was placed in charge of all activities of the school. However, because of the villager¡¦s discontent, the school was forced to close down. In 1928, the school was reopened under the struggle of people like Shaw Yau-Nian . Form then until 1934, Master Shaw acted as the school¡¦s principal and taught voluntarily. All students need no pay any school fees. Hence, he gained the popularity among many parents and the public. At that time, not only was Guangyu Priamary School an excellent environment for learning with high quality of teaching, it had a code of ¡§ effort, persistent, courage¡¨ as the school¡¦s culture. Under the strict guidelines of the primary school, student often received the first and second prize in academic competitions.

In 1931, Master Shaw Han-Sheng, was hired to establish The Secondary GaoTang Experimental Primary School of the Guangzhou province. And acted as Principal and sport teacher of The First Province Education Institute.

The Japanese invasion moved south in 1937 of World War Two. Due to the influence of the Japanese Resistance Movement of the time, Master Shaw Han-Sheng took on two occupations. One of them being a teacher for students of GuangYu Primary School while at the same time ran the Public Teaching Institute, acting as Nanhai County, Area 4 supervisor of the academic committee and Education Committee. Hoping to be able to rally up the support of the people along with teachers and students to fight back the Japanese. Develop patriotism and draw attention the Japanese invasion. Master Shaw Han-Sheng was one of the greatest activists for promoting the resistance against the Japanese and saving of the country.

Between 1935 and 1937, Master Shaw Han-Sheng led the students of GuangYu, Yinxian to participate in provincial wushu competitions. Every year, they would return in success of one form or another. For the women events, they scored three straight win. In the 1937 competition, they scored the championship of jian, dao, sabre and shield, and staff. This was noted in ¡§Guangtung Wushu Documentary¡¨.

In the year 1938, the Guangtung province fell under the Japanese invasion. Master Shaw Han-Sheng went to Hong Kong and worked in Shing Cheong Film Company.

1942, the Japanese occupied Hong Kong. Master Shaw returned to his homeland and continued teaching martial arts.

1964, Master Shaw led the students of Guangyu Priamary School to participate in Nanhai Sports Tournament receiving a first prize in the group A 800m sprint and the group B 100m sprint. In the same year, they competed in the 15th provincial sports competition achieving the women group A 400m sprint. Bring honour to the school as well as Sanshan.

However, in that very same year, Guangtung experienced the worse flood in years. Crops were destroyed and the devastation was extremely serious. Guangyu Priamary School was threatened of being closed. Unwilling to see their children without a chance to learn, the parents asked Master Shaw to find a way to solve the problem. Master Shaw proposed ¡§ Construct a secondary school to support the primary school. In times of perils, one should not only seek to survive. But to progress.¡¨ This suggestion was support by many and within three months, the secondary school was ready to be begin construction.

In the autumn of 1947, the first lower year secondary school was built using the building of the primary school. This gave the children who were about to terminate their studies a new opportunity for education. As the government of the area knew about this, an order was sent out that no school were to be closed down. The formation of Yinxian Secondary School is evidence to the determination of Master Shaw Han-Sheng and his keenness for education of the children. The future of society. His legacy has become a common topic for conversation in that region.

After that liberation, many of the students of the school participated actively in the war. Some worked as leaders, serving their country and the people with honour and integrity. Making those who create Guangyu and Yinxian including Master Shaw Han-Sheng proud.

In 1950, Master Shaw was hired to Shing Cheong Film Company of Hong Kong for both on screen and off screen roles. Also he was responsible for the training of actors and fight choreography.

By 1964, Master Shaw gave rise to the ¡§Hong Kong¡¦s Han-Sheng Research Institute for Recreation¡¨ promoting Chinese Martial Arts and integrating it with sports, entertainment and self-defence. Embracing the spirit of Chinwoo¡¦s code of ¡§ The effort of advancing Chinese Martial Arts for the benefit of man and men of the future.¡¨

In the year of 1972, the Chinese Martial Arts Club of the University of Hong Kong has been set up. Master Shaw became the main instructor of the time.

Master Shaw has studied the styles of Hung Gar, Chuanjiao, Preying Mantis, Eagle Claw, Louhan and Choy Li Fut. In 1980, Master Shaw united them all into a single style named Jinjiang-shibazi. This Style is split into six sections and a total of thirty-six movements. It was used a medium of teaching for all beginner of the CMA club and was welcomed by the students of the time.

Although his body lived in Hong Kong, the head of Master Shaw has always been turned towards the direction of China. It is known that he has been concerned about the development of his homeland and the advancement of Chinese Martial Arts there. Whenever there is a national performance of Chinese Martial Arts, he would always journey back there to watch. Also this would allow him to socialise with fellow martial artists and learn from each other. Master Shaw is also concerned about the advancement of Chinese Martial Arts of his home village. In 1985, he went and formed that Sanshan Wushu Team and made his own student Shaw Kwung the instructor. This re-lit the flames of martial arts in Sanshan which has been out for fort right years. This drew the attention of Team Leader of Nanhai County and was reported in the Nanhai Martial Arts Association Official Magazine.

Between 1985 and 1988, Sanshan Wushu Team had more than eight hundred students learning the jian, spear, staff and dao and often scored championship for martial arts contests. Under the teaching and nurture of Master Shaw, Shaw Kun was given the honoured title of ¡§Advance Service¡¨ by the state, city, region and village. The martial arts of the Sanshan village are still passed down from generation to generation.

[buddhapalm]

continued....


A Village Sport Promotion Prizes given by Nanhai County Sport Official, Foshan City Official, National Sport official

After 1985, Master Shaw returned to his own village many times and requested to be able to loan back the pitch of Guangyu Primary School and Yinxian secondary school so that the Agricultural Research Institute could be rebuilt. In the April of 1990, he loaned One thousand eight hundred square feet of land from the administration department in the name of the Agricultural Research Institute. He hoped to be able to use this to bridge the gulf between the locals, people of Hong Kong and Macau and the overseas Chinese.

In 1987, Master Shaw supported the building of Huhyin Ting besides the schools financially. Also inscribing a plaque commemorating the three founders of the primary school, Shaw Yi-De, Shaw Bao-Guang and Shaw Yau-Nian. Also in 1990, the students of Yinxian Secondary School also help to form the Guangyu-Yinxian Commemoration Hall to save the memories of those who worked hard to build and preserve the schools.

Master Shaw has great faith in the education and the advancement of Martial Arts in his homeland and incredible care for his fellow Chinese. In 1990, he donated two hundred thousand HKDs to the Nanhai as a means to further develop the education and Chinese Martial Arts in that area. This year, China experienced a rare natural catastrophe. He donated a total of twenty four thousand dollars to help the people in need.

Master Shaw has left us today. He had put in much effort to strive for a better new generation. He never yielded in his struggle for the advancement of China. These attributes are to be remembered by us all. He devoted his life to his country, his people and achieved much success in this path of service for the greater good. He is definitely one person who has left a mark in each and every one of the hearts he has touched

Long live the spirit and ideals of Master Shaw Han-Sheng
27th November, 1994

.................................................. .................................................. ....

Hope it helps my friends.

Cheers

Buddhapalm

[monk weed]

Thank you buddhapalm. That was great information. Master Shaw was a true martial artist.

Chen Zhen:
The book I was refering to was Bruce Lee's "Tao of kung fu". there is an interveiw in the back with Bruce and Leo and some other person. Also in an interveiw in Inside kungfu Leo talks about his relationship with Bruce. It appears the Leo is a jeet kune do man now.

[chen zhen]

I also have that book, and he doesn't mention Jing Wu in it. But the styles he trained under Shiu Hon-Sang is mentioned in the back of the book under "Lee's Gung Fu background before 1964", though... Is it that you meant?

Also, there should be more information on Sifu Shiu out there... he seems to have been a great master, and has made greater contributions to martial arts than many other Ma'tists, who are more famous. Also because I'm a Jing Wu- man myself...;)

[monk weed]

chen zhen:

Ya, that list in the back is what I was refering to. For some reason I had the idea that that had something to do with the jing wu association.