Wing Chun Kung Fu in China History
Red Boat Opera Troupe:
Wing Chun Kung Fu Melbourne Sifu Garry and Sifu Linda describe Wing Chun History in China.
The true history of wing chun kung fu is still shrouded in mystery, hearsay and legend.
Today, there are many theories and stories about wing chun’s origins.
Categorically, there is still no significant proof or evidence to verify its true grass roots.
The most popular belief is, the idea of wing chun was conceived at the Shaolin Temple.
Northern Shaolin Temple:
Jee Shin created the concept of Wing Chun.
Ng Mui developed Wing Chun into a fighting system.
Upon its destruction by the Manchus, all the intellectual prowess fled into southern china.
Abbess Ng Mui fled South and hid in Tai Lang Mountains near Foshan.
She spread her Ideas and Concepts to a local Girl named Yim Wing Chun.
By the mid 1800’s, wing chun kung fu had found its way into southern china.
It established itself with the red boat opera performers of Foshan and Canton.
The Red Boats Members were a revolutionary group of kung fu experts.
They were opposed to the Qing rule and were intent on restoring the Ming Dynasty.
Leung Yee Tai, Wong Wah Bo and Dai Fa Min Kam were 3 members of the red boats.
They were instrumental in establishing and structuring contemporary wing chun.
The most outstanding student of Leung Yee Tai and Wong Wah Bo was the legendary Dr, Leung Jan.
Dr. Leung Zhan:
Leung Jan was a herbalist and worked in Foshan.
When he retired, he returned to his native village of Kulao in southern China.
The most renowned disciple from Dai Fa Min Kam was the legendary Yuan Kai San.
When Leung Jan retired to Gulao village, he taught Leung Yi Tai’s version.
Wong Wah Bo’s version stayed in Foshan through Leung Jan’s teachings, to 4 major disciples.
Dr. Leung Jan and Yuan Kai San would each forge their own brand of wing chun.
They become the 2 most influential Masters, teaching and spreading wing chun kung fu in southern china.
Chan Wah Shun, a student of Leung Jan, became renowned for creating an alternative lineage of wing chun.
Yip Man:
Yip Man, a student of Chan Wah Shun, was also instrumental in establishing a unique style of wing chun.
From the 50’s and began teaching it to the general public in Hong Kong.
Yip Man taught legends, Bruce Lee, William Cheung and Wong Shun Leung.
Dr. Leung Jan’s Son, Leung Bik also established a unique lineage of Wing Chun.
He passed on to Yip Man, today being called Traditional Wing Chun.
Red Boat Opera members Wong Wah Bo and Leung Yee Tai had as many as 11 peers.
His peers were ancestors to other lineages of wing chun kung fu.
Wang Family wing chun lineage
Cho family wing chun lineage
Way Yan wing chun lineage
Also, outside the Red Boat Opera Troupe, there was a monk “Dai Dong Fung”.
He was the ancestor of Pao Fa Lien wing chun lineage.
Wing Chun Practitioners around the World, regardless of lineage have one essential responsibility.
They must maintain a high standard of Integrity in Mankind through their teaching of Wing Chun Kung Fu.
Wing Chun Kung Fu Origins:
Abbess Ng Mui and Abbot Jee Shin from Northern Shaolin Temple fled to Southern China.
Ng Mui taught Yim Wing Chun and Jee Shin stayed with the Red Boat Opera Troupe.
Yim Wing Chun and her Husband also taught the Red Boats.
Dr. Leung Jan eventually met 2 members of the Red Boats and learnt from them.
Leung Yi Tai and Wong Wah Bo taught Leung Jan Wing Chun.
Our Wing Chun Lineage stems from Leung Jan, aka, ‘King of Wing Chun”
1st image – Sifu Garry Sifu Linda Family Tree.
2nd image – Jee Shin Wing Chun Graduates.
click either image to enlarge.
