This Is Not To Clarify Anything
Although it has been said on this post that it does not matter who Tang Fong learned under, it seems to matter to some. I have never trained under Lam Sai Wing's branch nor do I know much about Lam Sai Wing's branch. However, there are many that I associate with from the Lam Sai Wing branch. What I have learned is that the best thing to do is to leave well enough alone and just concentrate on the development of Hung Ga Kuen and to come together as a true family and not to bicker about things which don't really matter.
Although what I am about to say may not matter either especially to the ones who are 1) willing to continue a fight which is not going to change anything accept to pull us ****her apart or 2) just care about training their gung fu only and it doesn't matter where it comes from as long as it is bona fide and helps to make the individual a better person in some way.
Our history (Tang Fong's Story) is this when it comes to Hung Ga. He originally learned Hung Ga under Lam Sai Wing. After the incident at the Luk Sin Theater, he started learning gung fu under Wong Fei Hung. We consider Lam Sai Wing and Wong Fei Hung to be teachers to Tang Fong.
Some will say that since he learned under Lam Sai Wing and Wong Fei Hung, then Lam Sai Wing would be Sifu and Wong Fei Hung Sigung. I think that's a fair assumption, but we also have old articles from Hong Kong news papers that speak of Tang Fong and Lam Sai Wing realtionship as one of friends and not Teacher/Student. If this is the case, then Wong Fei Hung would be considered sifu to Tang Fong. The other issues is this, who did Tang Fong Bai Si to? Was it Wong Fei Hung or Lam Sai Wing? I can't answer it because I was not there nor does it matter. I know for a fact that Tang Fong's hung ga is not consistant with what is done in the Lam Sai Wing lineage due to Tang Fong changing things or maybe Lam Sai Wing changing things.
But the issue is this also and if I offend anyone with what I am about to say, then forgive me because I don't mean to do so. If Tang Fong was a student of Lam Sai Wing, and he learned gung fu before the Luk Sin theather incident, then why in the world is Lam Jo ranked as being more senior to Tang Fong on the Lam Jo Alumni Chart? According to some sources the Luk Sin Incident occured in 1908 and Lam Jo was born 1910. That shows that Tang Fong already had years of training before Lam Jo started learning gung fu.
I know someone is going to say that he was Lam Sai Wing successor, but common information states that Lam Sai Wing never picked a successor.
According to our lineage, Tang Fong learned from both Wong Fei Hung and Lam Sai Wing. Whatever anyone else want to believe as the truth for them is fine too. But we can debate about this issue for an eternity and never get anywhere but mad. The important thing is to train your gung fu like there is no tomorrow and spend less time on the forum talking about things that don't make a difference when it comes down to the individual.
Another issue I would like to clear up is the issue of Tang Fong not changing anything Wong Fei Hung has taught him. Whoever Tang Fong learned from, he has changed many things he has learned. The evidence can be seen in all of the so-called pillar sets. Gung Ji Fook Fu Kuen, Fu Hok Seung Yin Kuen, Ng Ying Kuen and Teet Sin Kuen has moves which are not done in any other Hung Ga lineage. Tang Fong has movements that are considered trademarks of Tang Fong's Hung Ga. Any student who study the real Tang Fong Lineage Hung Ga will know these movements. Just by watching someone performing, it would automatically be recognized as Tang Fong's Lineage. So forget what you may have heard and learn the truth of the matter. There are several Tang Fong people that represent the style as it is suppose to be performed and not what some say it is.
Peace
I wish the best to all of you.
Jerry Battle.
The Southern Fist Subdues The Fierce Mountain Tiger
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