Brief History of Fu-Jow Pai - Tiger Claw Kung Fu
The original name of what's known today Fu-Jow Pai was called "Hark Fu Moon",
translated Black Tiger System. (Hereby in English text called "Hark Fu Moon - Black
Tiger System") Later it was named as "Fu-Jow Pai of
Hoy Hong Temple" by the first generation Grandmaster Wong Bil Hong in memory of
his own master, a guest monk who was residing at the Hoy Hong Temple, Canton
province. Unfortunately, his name and personal history was never divulged.
Wong Bil Hong (1841-1934)
Wong Bil Hong studied the "Hung Gar" Kung Fu from the famed Wong Kay Ying. Due
to some circumstances, later he continued his training with Wong Kay Ying's son,
the legendary hero Wong Fai Hung.
In the August Moon of year 1876, he started to receive "Hark Fu Moon - Black Tiger System" kung fu training at Hoy Hong Temple. During his entire life time, he only taught two disciples. One of them was his nephew Wong Moon Toy, who became the sole inheritor of the "Fu-Jow Pai of Hoy Hong Temple".
Wong Moon Toy (1907-1960)
Wong Moon Toy was born on April 21, 1907. During his teens, he studied "Hung
Gar" from Lam Sai Wing, and "Mi Chung I" from Lau Chook Fung and Doon Yook
Ching. In 1927 he was accepted by his uncle Wong Bil Hong into the "Hark Fu
Moon - Black Tiger System" at Lor-Fow Mount, Canton. He trained intensively
for seven years in an isolated mountain. Without any wordly distraction, his
development as a genuine kung fu person was forged, and tempered as well by the
constant influence of his own teacher, a highly evolved individual. Perhaps
that explained the non-egotistic nature of his, despite the fact that he
possessed a vast formidable knowledge of martial arts, as well as accomplishment.
In 1934, he departed China to USA. The next 25 years or so, he taught kung fu for various Chinese associations in Chinatown, New York City. Publicly he only taught Hung Gar, or Mi Chung I, but never Fu-Jow Pai. Privately, he accepted a selected few to be his disciples, who were the first generation in America studying the secret arts of "Hark Fu Moon - Black Tiger System".
The name "Fu-Jow Pai" was not known publicly until the establishment of the Chinese Youth Athletic Club in New York City, September 1957. Spearheaded by his seven disciples and approved by the late grandmaster, the Club was formed to announce the existence of "Hark Fu Moon - Black Tiger System/Fu-Jow Pai of Hoy Hong Temple" to the public.(Hereafter called "Fu-Jow Pai" in short.)
Although the club was publicly known at this time, however it still remained as a private organization. Therefore, the arts of Fu-Jow Pai were not available to the public. Readers shall understand the mentality as well as the culture at that time. Tradition called for secrecy, by which each succeeding grandmaster must guarded his style's secret with utmost devotion, and passed on the secret of the arts to a selected few. The essence of tradition is to preserve. Changes in tradition always had been slow and gradual, and as result for centuries many traditions remained unchanged. The life styles in general after WWII underwent a progressive and rapid change. The fundamentalists of all cultures were facing the same dilemma in meeting the needs of changing times. Few had resourced to adapting changes largely due to the rooted belief that tradition was not meant to be changed. However, one such courageous fundamentalist recognized and advocated the needs of changes in traditions was Wai Hong, one of the seven disciples. On one hand he was a devoted traditionalist and he still is, and on the other hand he realized that traditions must be able to meet the challenges of changing time.
Grandmaster Wai Hong
Grandmaster Wai Hong renowned as the father of present day Fu-Jow Pai was born
in 1938. His early training in kung fu included Choy Lee Fut, Northern Shoalin,
and Tai Chi Chuan. When he came to America with his family, he was trained under
and accepted as disciple by the late grandmaster Wong Moon Toy, and became his
successor after his death in 1960.
Master Wai Hong had a vision as well as a mission. No more he wanted to see the kung fu hidden in the shadow of secrecy. He wished all men and women, young and old could be benefitted from the arts of Fu-Jow Pai. In order to defend the prosperity as well as the future well-being of the system he recognized a drastic step needed to be taken. After years of accessing the prospect of the arts for which he was responsible, he had decided that Fu-Jow Pai should be available to all. In 1968, he converted the Chinese Youth Athletic Club to the Fu-Jow Pai Federation, and opened his first school, Wai Hong's Fu-Jow Pai Kung Fu in New York City. Thus he had made the arts accessible to the public for the first time. His aims were to build a family where all students/members would insure brotherly love, better understanding and greater unity, to standardize the methodology in teaching as well as the certification of all Fu-Jow Pai instructors.
In the 70's he introduced kung fu the Chinese fighting arts to many colleges and universities in NYC. He was a pioneer in promoting kung fu competitions and full-contact tournaments in United States. He earned his respect from his colleagues in martial arts as well as in the Chinese community, and was given a respectable nickname "Great Hero". Among all his achievements and accomplishments, he is most recognized as the driving forces behind the formations of the Eastern US Kung Fu Federation, and the United Kung Fu Federation of North America.
Fu-Jow Pai - Tiger Claw Kung Fu
The concept of the fighting arts of Fu-Jow Pai as the name dictated was modeled
after the demeanor and fighting strategy of an attacking tiger. The striking
movements are lightning fast, agile and powerful. Techniques unique to Fu-Jow
Pai are ripping, tearing, clawing and grasping applications. The training
encompasses both physical and spiritual development. It emphasizes strenuous
exercises as well as spiritual discipline. The practitioners not only can be
benefitted from it in health or self-defense aspects, also can develop a
stronger and self-confident personality within.
Standard Fu-Jow Pai Forms: