Wing Chun Kung Fu E-Book

Shaun Rawcliffe

• Herausgeber: Crowood
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 247

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2012

Beschreibung

Following on from the success of Simply.....Wing Chun Kung Fu and Wing Chun Kung Fu - The Wooden Dummy, Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe presents a thorough guide to the weapons forms in Wing Chun Kung Fu. The Knives and Long Pole forms provide advanced classroom training for the Wing Chun student and instructor. Weapons training focuses on core elements of power usage and precision, improving stance, structure and strength. Mastering control of the weapons focuses on the need for total body control and absolute accuracy of movement.Covers the principles of the forms for Baat Cham Dao (the eight slashing or chopping knives form) and Luk Dim Boon Kwun (six and a half point pole). Gives clear, concise explanations of the shape, structure and movements of the weapons forms, and applications where appropriate.Illustrates each section of the forms in detail with step-by-step photographs. Provides an essential training checklist to each key technique within the forms. Examines the benefits of training in the weapons forms. A comprehensive and valuable guide to the weapons forms in Wing Chun Kung Fu. Concise explanations of the shape and movements of the weapons forms are given. Aimed at advanced Wing Chun students and instructors. Each section of the forms are illustrated in detail with approximately 350 colour photographs. Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe is one of the most highly qualified and certified Wing Chun instructors in the world.

Leseprobe

Fig 1 Wing Chun passing down the traditional way, making the whole nation stronger.

WING CHUN KUNG FU

WEAPONS TRAINING

Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe

Copyright

First published in 2012 by The Crowood Press Ltd, Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 2HR

www.crowood.com

This e-book edition first published in 2013

© Shaun Rawcliffe 2012

All rights reserved. This e-book is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

ISBN 978 1 84797 508 9

Disclaimer Please note that the author and the publisher of this e-book are not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any damage or injury of any kind that may result from practising, or applying, the principles, ideas, techniques and/or following the instructions/information described in this publication. Since the physical activities described in this e-book may be too strenuous in nature for some readers to engage in safely, it is essential that a doctor be consulted before undertaking training. Martial arts weapons practice can be dangerous and should only be performed under the supervision of a qualified instructor. In addition, Federal, state or local law may prohibit the use or possession of the weapons used in this e-book. Check with local authorities for more information.

Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Foreword

by Julian Dale

by Cynthia Rothrock

Acknowledgements

Preface

Shaun Rawcliffe: the man behind the martial artist

by Gee Higham

1 Introduction

2 Baat Cham Dao – the eight slashing or chopping knives form

3 Luk Dim Boon Kwun – the six-and-a half-point pole form

Glossary

Bibliography

Midlands Wing Chun Kuen family tree

Index

Foreword

by Julian Dale (SiFu)

Fig 2 Julian Dale.

Foreword

by Cynthia Rothrock

Shaun has written a very interesting and detailed book on training with Wing Chun weapons. Its purpose is to share what he has learned over many years of training in Hong Kong and to provide a defined training guide on the weapons of Wing Chun. Shaun has avoided the usual ‘this is how I do it’ approach and refreshingly addresses the ‘these are the keys behind whoever does it’ approach in the context of best development for all.

Shaun has also managed what others have failed to do: write a clear and concise book about the weapons system of Wing Chun. I found this book goes into great depth about the purported development and original purpose of the Wing Chun weapons system as well as the modern day benefits of training the weapons and therefore will remain a great source of reference for students and instructors at all levels. It is an undertaking of great potential value, and Shaun has done it very nicely.

Between 1981 and 1985 I was undefeated World Karate Champion in forms, and in 1982 I was the first woman to be ranked number one in the United States in weapons (a feat hard to accomplish since there was no women’s division and I had to compete against the men). I therefore took great interest in this publication about the Wing Chun weapons forms and it is my pleasure to provide this foreword and to recommend this book.

Fig 3 Cynthia Rothrock.

Wing Chun Kung Fu Weapons Training is not just for those beginning weapons training, it is also a good book for bringing instructors up to speed and an invaluable reference for teaching and training alike. It will not replace tuition from a certified instructor. That is not its purpose or why it was written. Rather, as with Shaun’s other two books, it provides a visual and descriptive reference that will serve all Wing Chun practitioners well in future learning as well as in their day-to-day training and refinement of the weapons forms.

The beginning gives a unique insight into Shaun’s personal and non-martial arts history and development, part of which I can attest to personally as I have known him both professionally and as a friend for twenty years. We first met when he provided close protection for me at the Martial Arts Extravaganza in 1991 and he has provided protection and accompanied me on several occasions since, as well as working with me on several photo shoots, TV and radio appearances and at martial arts demonstrations.

The largest part of the book centres on the Wing Chun butterfly knives, a complex and detailed eight section form, whose techniques are derived from the empty hand techniques of Wing Chun. Each section is detailed pictorially and described in detail. There is an in-depth description of the Wing Chun knives as well as the benefits gained from practising the form. This section then discusses in detail each key movement within each of the sections, providing an essential checklist to each key technique as well as detailing the original reasons for and benefits of training each section of the form.

The final part focuses on the Wing Chun long pole, which, though not originally part of the Wing Chun system, seems to have been taught in a knowledge exchange many years ago and adopted into the system ever since. Though this is a much shorter, simpler form than the knife form, owing to the limitations of the weapon and its reason for development within the Wing Chun system, there is still a vast amount of information regarding its development and the benefits of training the form. Again, each movement is clearly described and illustrated.

I enjoyed the book and found it gave a valuable and informative insight into the weapons training of the Wing Chun system. I know you will too. Enjoy!

Cynthia Rothrock 1981–85 undefeated World Karate Forms Champion 1981–85 Weapons Champion Black Belt Hall of Fame December 2011

Acknowledgements

There are many individuals who have influenced my Wing Chun either directly or indirectly over the years and to whom I owe an acknowledgement of appreciation. These include Joseph Cheng, who inspired me, Brian Hook, who provided me with a good solid technical grounding in Wing Chun, Stephen T. K. Chan, Simon Lau and Samuel Kwok, all of whom spent time honing and guiding my skills in the UK, and my friends Trevor Jefferson, Martin Brierley and Garry McKenzie.

In Hong Kong I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet and discuss Wing Chun with numerous Wing Chun Sifus, including Ip Ching, Wong Shun Leung, Chu Shong Tin, Siu Yuk Men, Lok Yiu, Leung Ting and many, many others.

I am equally grateful for the many hours I have spent discussing and practising Wing Chun with my Kung Fu brothers, all of whom have greatly assisted in the development of my Wing Chun: particularly Lo Tak On (Raymond), Leung Cheung Wai, Ho Po Kai, Leung Ting Kwok (Patrick) and Steve Cheung in Hong Kong; Yip Pui (Terence) in the USA, Ludo Delaloye in Switzerland and Colin Ward, Kwok Cheung, John Brogden, Carl Stanley and Brian Desir in the UK. I thank you all and offer my apologies to those I have not named, but your time and assistance will always be appreciated.

The individual who has had the greatest influence on my Wing Chun training and teaching, however, as well as on me as a person, is my Sifu and mentor, Ip Chun. He saw and drew out my potential, influenced my thinking and directed my approach to both training and teaching. His patience, humility, understanding and wisdom are an inspiration to myself and to all those who are fortunate enough to know and train with him; he is truly a scholar and a gentleman. Ip Chun Sifu opened my eyes to Wing Chun training and teaching and gave my Wing Chun perspective, focus and meaning. In Sifu I found a mentor, teacher and friend who was willing to spend his free time practising and discussing Wing Chun during my frequent trips to his Hong Kong home. There are no words that can truly express my respect, admiration and thanks. I would also like to thank his wife, Si-Mo, for quietly and graciously accepting the many evenings I trained in their living room until late at night, and for providing me with many needed cups of Bo Lei Cha.

I have had the privilege of meeting far too many people through Wing Chun to mention them all and for that I apologize. But I would particularly like to thank Paul Clifton, editor of Combat magazine, who has been a good friend for many years, advised me on many occasions and has been my sounding board on more issues than I care to remember.

I would like to thank all the students within the Midlands Wing Chun Kuen (MWCK) who have helped and supported me, taught me as much as I have taught them and driven me to train harder. In particular, I would like to thank the senior students and instructors of the Midlands Wing Chun Kuen.

Fig 4 Shaun Rawcliffe and the MWCK instructors involved in the photo shoot.

Thanks also go to David Ackroyd-Jones for the use of his studio for the photographs. As well as co-running the Cheltenham branch of the Midlands Wing Chun Kuen, David runs Physability, a rehabilitation centre in Stroud, Gloucestershire, specializing in spinal cord injuries, head injuries, multiple sclerosis and other paralysing conditions.

Finally, thanks to the MWCK instructors – David Ackroyd-Jones, Steve Woodward, Mark Poleon, Umar Choudhury, Steve Shaw, Lee Woodward, Kwok Wan and Simon Moore – for their time, assistance and patience during the photo shoot (photography by Theresa Waugh, www.theresawaughphotography.co.uk), and to Chris Bates and Umar Choudhury for proofreading and correcting this book for me.

This book is for and because of all of you.

Shaun Rawcliffe 2012www.wingchun.co.uk

Preface

Following the publication of my first two books, Simply … Wing Chun Kung Fu (The Crowood Press, 2003) and Wing Chun Kung Fu: The Wooden Dummy (The Crowood Press, 2008), I have had many requests from my peers, my Wing Chun friends and my training partners to write a third book on the weapons training of the Wing Chun system – the Wing Chun knives and the long pole form.

Continuing the theme of the first two books, my intention and desire is to share the learning experience, insight and knowledge that I have been fortunate enough to gain through ten years of study in the UK and a further twenty-three years of travelling to Hong Kong to study Wing Chun intensively.

My concern in writing about training with the knives and the long pole is that it is extremely difficult to illustrate accurately the complex positions and movements of the weapons forms with photographs. In order to explain and demonstrate these movements fully, they need to be depicted or explained in the context of an application. This immediately leads to several problems, the first being that one person’s interpretation of an application of a technique or movement may be different, even contradictory, to another’s interpretation. Furthermore, it is highly debatable whether the weapons forms have any need for explanation in terms of application in the twenty-first century, as there is no direct application today outside of a classroom environment.

In writing this book, I hope to be able to satisfactorily explain and describe the in-depth movements and principles behind the movements of both the knife and long pole forms, giving examples with concise explanations that enhance the learning of these forms.

In order to continually progress and develop in Wing Chun, it is vital to understand what you are doing, how you should do it and the reason and theory behind each technique, position and movement. I have therefore attempted as far as possible to explain and demonstrate each of the movements and techniques simply and clearly, where appropriate or possible using applications as an example of how they can be applied in order to enhance the learning and appreciation of the movement, rather than as the definitive way they should be applied.

In my many years of studying Wing Chun in Hong Kong I have been very fortunate and privileged to meet and watch many senior Wing Chun Sifus teach and practise. As well as my teacher, Ip Chun, I have witnessed his brother Ip Ching, Wong Shun Leung, Siu Yuk Men and Chu Shong Tin demonstrate/teach the pole form and, interestingly, each one does the form differently. The core elements are the same, but the sequence, footwork and even the techniques themselves vary, sometimes quite considerably.

I cannot and will not comment on the differences, why they differ, nor on which form may be ‘better’. However, each Sifu I spoke to told me the same story; the differing sequences of the forms are largely irrelevant, particularly as they are no longer practised for actual combat. What is important is to train the movements to develop the core elements of power usage and focus, improved stance structure and increased forearm strength. The other key element is the control of such an unbalanced and unwieldy weapon, enhancing the need for total body control and pristine accuracy of movement.

The sequence of the forms shown and discussed in this book reflects that taught by my Sifu, Ip Chun, during many hours of intensive training at his home in Hong Kong. Whilst I accept the forms depicted may not exactly match the sequences taught by other Wing Chun Sifus, it is nevertheless my sincere hope that each reader will appreciate and enjoy the content of this book, rather than being distracted by any differences and the trivialities of whether the names, spellings, translations of the techniques differ from their own.

Furthermore, it is my hope that the reader can look beyond whether the sequence of the forms matches their own or that of their teacher and be able to see and appreciate the commonalities and similarities at the core of Wing Chun.

The aim of this book is to provide a reference and checklist for all Wing Chun (Wing Tsun, Ving Tsun) practitioners. Each practitioner will then be able to explore freely their own applications, whilst still adhering to the basic core principles and shapes of the system and the forms. The structures in Wing Chun are simply tools that, if fully understood in terms of shape, energy, structure and inherent lines of strength and weakness, may be deployed in a multitude of ways and scenarios.

I have again chosen to spell Wing Chun and the names of the techniques in the way of Ip Chun Sifu. Throughout this book I shall use the names of each technique or movement simply as a point of reference in order to discuss the shapes, structures and energies; furthermore, the ‘definitions’ and their ‘translations’ are included simply to assist in gaining a greater understanding of the technique or movement.

I must, of course, emphasize that it is not possible to learn the forms or their applications from this, or any other, book; rather I have written this book to supplement the knowledge gained through regular training with a qualified teacher.

This book does not represent a conclusion in my training or teaching, for that is continually improving and developing. Nor does this book make any pretence to be the definitive ‘style’ or methodology of the Wing Chun system; rather it lays out for all to share the culmination of more than thirty-three years of research and training in the Wing Chun system.

I believe that this is a book for all senior Wing Chun students and instructors. It is not steeped in any martial arts mysticism. It does not discuss personal preferences, nor does it delve into the personalization that each student must undertake to make the system work for the individual. It is a definitive, scientific and technical analysis of the weapons of the Wing Chun system.

It is … simply … Wing Chun Kung Fu Weapons Training.

Shaun Rawcliffe: the man behind the martial artist by Gee Higham

Much has been written about Shaun’s martial arts history in the martial arts press and on numerous websites: he is a three times ‘Combat Hall of Fame’ inductee and awardee; he is certified both in the UK and in Hong Kong; there is even a Wikipedia page dedicated to him!

What is not so well known, however, is the man behind the martial arts instructor. They say that a man is the sum of his experiences, so here are some of those missing pieces …

Shaun is the walking personification of WYSIWYG – notorious as a straight-talking, blunt Yorkshireman. On leaving Harrogate Grammar School, he studied architecture at the University of Central England. These studies were to enhance Shaun’s own exploration and analysis of Wing Chun structure, applying engineering as well as architectural principles to gain deeper levels of understanding of the structure, shape and geometry of the system. Shaun developed an almost sixth sense when it comes to exploiting the smallest structural weakness in an opponent’s stance or technique, making his Chi Sau as much a martial science, as an art.

Shaun supplemented his student income by drifting into general security work – nothing too adventurous, mostly basic crowd control at venues. On a holiday in Tunisia, however, fate intervened when he was approached whilst training on a beach and was later offered the opportunity to stay and work with a Saudi-based professional security team. Always the opportunist, Shaun accepted and spent the next eighteen months in North Africa and Saudi Arabia learning a very different new trade, often in hazardous conditions. From this apprenticeship and the training it offered, Shaun was able to work and train alongside the Sultan of Oman’s forces, the Gurkhas and with British ex-Special Forces specialist training teams. Shaun became proficient in a whole raft of skills including defensive driving, survival, body language, CQB (close-quarters combat), corporate and executive protection, threat assessment and analysis, audio/electronic countermeasures and weapons systems, gradually gaining a reputation and steady work as a CPO (close protection officer), and eventually starting his own security business.

His unarmed combat and CQB skills were enhanced by combat training with experts in various fields and martial arts training with such important instructors as Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell and Chris Kent, in addition to seminars and training sessions with many senior Wing Chun practitioners.

Shaun rarely discusses his security work and is respected for this confidentiality; however, he was caught on a TV documentary providing close protection to Cynthia Rothrock at several martial arts shows and during TV appearances. For six years Shaun and his team also provided high-profile front-line security for the Independence Day celebrations at Winfield House, the personal residence of the US ambassador in Britain, working with the ambassador’s protection team and the US Secret Service, in cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Service and Diplomatic Protection Group (SO16).

Fig 5 Close protection for Cynthia Rothrock.

With typical self-deprecating candour, Shaun admits that sometimes not everything goes right – and he has the scars to prove it. That honesty is reassurance in itself and permeates all his teaching. He never makes empty promises or minimizes reality when teaching Wing Chun; the system is presented warts and all.

Fig 6 Security detail at the American Ambassador’s personal UK residence.

A lesser-known aspect of Shaun is his healing side. In 1989 on his first visit to Hong Kong as a private student of Ip Chun Sifu, he was introduced to one of his Sifu’s students, a well-known Dit Da practitioner (bone healing doctor). Under his guidance Shaun learned acupressure and soft tissue massage techniques, herbal remedies and, of course, Dit Da Jow, which he continues to make himself. Shaun’s fighting skills are obvious to anyone who gets to know him, but when it comes to healing he is the epitome of the Quiet Man, modest to the point of denial about his remedial skills, although always ready to render assistance to any student in pain or discomfort.

Around 1990, realizing that the threat of cyber attack was as serious as the physical threat to an individual or their business, Shaun trained as a Certified Ethical Hacker (penetration tester) and migrated from physical security into ICT security, working for various government bodies, pen testing and as part of Tiger teams. He first gained his MCSE, earned Chartered IT Professional status, and now works as a manager in the world of ICT.

Physical security work is no longer Shaun’s main occupation, and neither is teaching Wing Chun. Instead he holds to the philosophy that quality, and not quantity, is better maintained by not being required to teach martial arts for a living.

Shaun never gives less than 100 per cent: his approach to life is that there are no obstacles – only challenges to be met and overcome.

Martial arts are about personal development and progression and Shaun reflects this philosophy in his personal life. Every year he sets himself a challenge, either recreational or professional, such as qualifying as a PADI scuba diver, passing his IAM and RoSPA advanced driving tests or becoming a registered member of MENSA. It is rare that Shaun fails to achieve his goal and not only does he apply the same determination to his martial arts, he actively encourages every one of his students to recognize and realize their own potential. A natural showman, Shaun shows impeccable timing with throwaway one-liners. His sense of humour is irrepressible, albeit politically incorrect on occasion. He believes that people learn better when they laugh, whether it is ICT, security or a streetwise martial art.

Work hard, play hard and train hard should be Shaun Rawcliffe’s motto, as well as his answerphone message!

Gee Higham (Midlands Tai Chi Ch’uan) Adapted from an article first published in Qi Magazine

1 Introduction

Training in Hong Kong

Since 1989 I have made thirty-six trips to Hong Kong to train with my Sifu, Ip Chun. For the first six years all my Wing Chun training was held one to one at Ip Chun Sifu’s home on the Ping Shek Estate in the Ngau Chi Wan area of New Kowloon. In 1989 that meant travelling for up to an hour, depending on the traffic, first by bus from my temporary home on Repulse Bay Road on the south side of Hong Kong Island to Central, and then by MTR (Hong Kong’s underground) to the Choi Hung stop on Kowloonside. Later the journeys were a little shorter as I stayed in Wan Chai on the north side of Hong Kong Island, overlooking Victoria Harbour.

Sifu Ip Chun is now in his late eighties and focuses more on the health aspects and benefits of Wing Chun, particularly through the forms and Chi Sau. However, in those early years of my training, when he was in his sixties, he was much more focused on how I made techniques work in application, since my personal focus in Wing Chun training was very much on practicality: how to apply each technique in practical combat. In Sifu Ip Chun, I found someone who had the amazing ability to teach a technique technically and then work with me to develop and appreciate its successful utilization in practical application.

During the morning two-hour training sessions, Sifu and I practised Gung Lik within Chi Sau to develop structure, elbow energy and energy redirection. Sometimes Leung Ting Kwok, Law Kam Tak or Lam Seung Cheung would come to Chi Sau with me, so that Sifu could watch me.

In the afternoon, I practised Siu Nim Tao, Chum Kiu and Biu Tze for several hours with Sifu observing and correcting each structure and transitional movement. Every evening I studied either the wooden dummy or the Baat Cham Dao for three hours.

Fig 7 Training in Hong Kong, 1989.

Sifu’s flat is modest, so while Sifu and I practised Chi Sau or I went through the empty hand forms (Saam Kuen Tou) in the centre of the room, his eldest son lay on the bed trying to watch TV around us. Sifu’s wife, Si-Mo, would sit in the doorway watching us and providing many welcome cups of Bo Lei Cha (Chinese tea). Even though the temperature was often 30°C or more and the relative humidity way up in the nineties, the air conditioning was rarely on, although the ceiling fan did move the warm humid air … downwards!

Sifu’s wooden dummy is located in what is in effect a large enclosed balcony, directly opposite the kitchen area. There was no air conditioning or ceiling fan in that area and it very was hot and humid. Often the window was open so the hot draught was mixed with the sound of traffic from the Kwun Tong Highway, 13 floors below, and of aircraft since the flat overlooked the cargo terminal of the old Kai Tak airport.

When it was unbearably hot in Sifu’s home, we would practise outside in a basketball court adjacent to the flats. I once noticed several elderly men watching intently from a bench nearby. Sifu explained that these people lived in the same apartment block and were fellow students of Grandmaster Ip Man. He added that, although they did not teach Wing Chun, they were fascinated to watch a ‘gwailo’ (the Chinese term for a white foreigner, literally translating as ‘ghost man’ or ‘white ghost’), practising advanced Wing Chun (or ‘gangster fist’, as they referred to it) techniques.

Baat Cham Dao Training

Initially I studied the Baat Cham Dao section by section, meticulously drilling each of the sections in turn, checking the positions and movements, with Sifu giving a running commentary (in Cantonese), physically correcting me and then demonstrating himself. On occasions when there was an English-speaking translator, I would bombard Sifu with questions on various aspects of the knives, such as the correct use of energy, structure and footwork, only to be overloaded by the flow of answers and explanations.

Once I had learned and practised all eight sections of the knives, I then drilled the movements repeatedly for hours at a time until my wrists, forearms and shoulders burnt with fatigue, while Sifu sat in his canvas director’s chair observing, advising and correcting.

Sifu and I would spend hours discussing the knives, the benefits of Baat Cham Dao training and the practicality, if any, of the weapons in a modern society.

The long journey back ‘home’ to Qian Shui Wan (Repulse Bay), or later to Wan Chai, gave me ample time to reflect on that day’s training and make copious notes. It is those notes that have culminated in this third book.

Luk Dim Boon Kwun Training

I did not seriously study the pole form in Hong Kong for many years, as I felt there were many more important and practical aspects of Wing Chun to train, refine and benefit from. In addition, Sifu’s flat, like most in Hong Kong, is modest and training the pole there is simply not possible!

In reality, it was not until 1997 at the Ving Tsun Athletic Association in Mong Kok that I first studied the pole form intensively with Sifu. There he split the pole form into seven sections (six-and-a-half sets) and insisted I drill each section independently. Once I had spent hours drilling each of the sections, I was then encouraged to reassemble the sections and drill the entire form. The pole form is rarely taught, not because it is a ‘secret’ but because it could be said to be an impractical, antiquated weapon in a modern society. It requires a reasonably sized training area and is of relatively little benefit compared to the rest of the Wing Chun system. I was fortunate to have Sifus Ip Ching, Siu Yuk Men and Tsui Shun Tin present at the Ving Tsun Athletic Association on several occasions and was able to discuss the merits of the pole form with all four Sifus afterwards over Yum Cha (literally ‘drink tea’, but usually referring to going to a restaurant for Dim Sum).

History of Wing Chun Kung Fu

The historical story of Wing Chun has allegedly been passed down by word of mouth over several hundred years, so it seems reasonable to assume that it must have been greatly exaggerated and enhanced, and is therefore open to interpretation. My research in Hong Kong has indeed revealed that much of that history is fabrication, exaggeration and fantasy. In fact it was only when Grandmaster Ip Man was asked by a Hong Kong martial arts magazine to publish the ‘History’ of Wing Chun that he wrote out the story below and it was first set in print.

History of Wing Chun by Ip Man

The founder of the Wing Chun Kung Fu system, Miss Yim Wing Chun was a native of Canton [Kwangtung Province] in China. She was an intelligent and athletic young girl, upstanding and forthright. Her mother died soon after her betrothal to Leung Bok Chau, a salt merchant of Fukien. Her father, Yim Yee, was wrongfully accused of a crime and, rather than risk jail, they slipped away and finally settled down at the foot of Tai Leung Mountain near the border between Yunan and Szechuan provinces. There they earned a living by running a shop that sold bean curd.

During the reign of Emperor K’anghsi of the Ching Dynasty (1662–1722), Kung Fu became very strong in the Siu Lam [Shaolin] Monastery of Mt Sung, in Honan Province. This aroused the fear of the Manchu government [a non-Chinese people from Manchuria in the north, who ruled China at that time], which sent troops to attack the monastery