Shared Hakka Fist Histories?
Greetings Short Hand Brothers!
There was a previous post about Lam Yiu Kwai, Lao Sui, and Cheung Lai Cheun all hanging out in the same teahouse in Hong Kong which sent me into hours of research trying to find connections between these three in the resources I have. I found out that all three were born in the "Wai Yeung" village/province of Guangdong. This is in the East River area (Tung Fung) - and close to Lau Fou Shen Mountain. I have been unable to locate this site to determine its exact location (through atlas's / internet) and population size. Knowing the pop. would help in either supporting my theory or detracting from it.
It appears that all three were born at the same time as well (LYK in 1876, CLC in 1880). I speculate Lao Sui was born around 1878, when I do the math subtracting various dates posted in his life 1878 - 1942?)
LYK and CLC were known as "the Two Tigers of East River" but no mention of Lao Sui. Also, from the speculation out there, the Lam Family studied from the "Hai Fung" Monk (who IKF names as "Huang Nian Jiao). This same Monk taught a man named "Liang Hua Su Ren" who taught CLC. Of course, there is the Monk named Tai Yuk as well (at Lau Fou Shen).
From the magazine articles out there on Chu Gar (written by Gene Chen and Paul Whitrod), they say Lao Sui learned his Art from a Wong Fook Gao (who was also born in Wai Yeung). However, I believe the source said that all three also learned from a "Chung Yel Jung" - the Poisen Snake, in Hong Kong. Is there dispute in the S. Mantis community over who Lao Sui learned from? It seems that Lum Sang is not connected with Lao Sui's lineage. Much of the info I have comes from the huge Southern Praying Mantis historical collaboration on the Net (by F. Blanco). I am wondering about this connection. Also, I am wondering about the possibility of Chung Yel Jung being called "the poisen snake" and Lung Ying's top form (one of) being called Poisen Snake Flicks / Hides Tongue.
Therefore (to sum), we have 3 kung-fu brothers, with a possible 4 shared teachers. The fact that Lung Ying does not mention Wong or Chung, to me suggests either a desire to seperate, or a completely seperate lineage.
Anyway, this is probably about as interesting as the dust balls in my closet to just about everyone except 10 people out there! Personally, I can't get enough of it!
By the way - for all you die hard Bak Meirs and Dragoners, Chow Fook's student in Hong Kong (CS Tang) has written a book on Lung Ying Mor-Kiew, which is now printed and can be purchased through their web-site (go to HK Chinese Martial Arts Association site). Haven't seen it yet - just ordered it! Looks awesome!
Cheers and Happy (Chinese) New Year to You!
Smashing Bridge Kevin
Sun Lu Tang's comment and Hakka arts.
I was reading something about Sun Lu Tang who had cross trained in the three major internal arts - XingYi, Taiji and Pagua.
Here is a comment of his:
Internal styles' boxing strive to seek the center*, Taiji devoids the center, Pagua morph the center, XingYi straighten the center.
* center has both physical and metaphysical senses to it.
My thoughts on this is that should Lung Ying practitioners want to cross train with an internal art Taiji is a fine choice since both are circular in nature. As for Bak Mei the choice would be XingYi since both arts are linear in nature.
In Sun's book "Xing Yi Quan Xue - the study of Form-Ming Boxing", there seems to have a strong Taoist theorectical and philosophical orientation which suits Bak Mei's Taoist connection quite well. The Trinity and Five Fists (Wu Xing) worth investigating and studying.
Just thought that I share this.
Peace to all
Mantis108
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