Hakka FoJia Grand Ancestor Boxing.
Hi everybody,
Remember Master Chang and his very distinctive “FoJia” or Buddhist Grand Ancestor Boxing?
A few days back, Master Chang and his associates held a traditional CKF performance/competition at a local temple, “See Lin Kong”, here in Kuching. This is also when they did “heavy” weapons competition.
FoJia TaiZhu Quan is very intriguing as far as I am concerned.
I do TaiZhu or Tai Chor (Fukinese) and for the longest time, my thought is that the style is, more or less, a merger of:-
• Northern Kung Fu reflected in the Lohan that is found at the advanced level. Characteristic features like long bridges and one stance/one technique all spell “Northern”. Not strange considering that all historical records point to a Northern beginning from Song TaiZhu.
• Fukien Crane – This is almost to be expected if we look at the evolution timeline. Fukien Yong Chun White Crane was a strong influence and bearing in mind the geographical proximity of “Quanzhou” or “Zhaung Chew” where Fukien TaiZhu was spawned, cross-pollination must have been the norm.
• Southern Tiger – This is probably a later day’s inclusion and some lines dropped the tiger element altogether. I am from GM Quek Yong Hor/Master Teo Choon Teck’s line and we still do a pure tiger form known as “5 Tigers Turning River” or “Ngo Hor Huan Kang”.
In fact, I used to think that TaiZhu is the Fukien version of Canton’s “FuHok Sueng Ying” which, if you think about it, consists mainly of Lohan, tiger and crane.
The one thing that has been bothering me is the 5-movements salutation that starts all my TaiZhu forms; almost identical to Wuzu (5 Ancestors) which, depending on which camp you talk to, could either signify the 5 component styles or 5 Elements philosophical concepts.
We have neither in TaiZhu.
Encountering Master Chang and his Hakka Grand Ancestor here in Sarawak could be the source of some answers as far as my research into TaiZhu is concerned.
His style has a stronger “Northern” feel in execution interspersed with some observable “Southern” techniques. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFCBorOv3mI
In the coming months, I will be spending more time with this very knowledgeable Hakka Master and hopefully find more answers to all my TaiZhu questions.
Warmest Regards.
Eric