Читать книгу Complete Wing Chun. The Definitive Guide to Wing Chun's History and Traditions онлайн

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Dr. Leung Jan, a noted local herbalist, was known both as Jan Sin-Sang (Mr. Jan) for his professional and gentle nature and also as Wing Chun Wong (King of Wing Chun) for his fighting prowess and fierce reputation in challenge matches. Leung Jan taught at his store Jan Sang Tong (Mr. Jan’s Hall) on Fai Jee Street in Foshan and had a number of students, among them his own sons Leung Chun and Leung Bik, and his disciple, Chan Wah-Shun.

Chan Wah-Shun, often called Jiao-Chin Wah (Moneychanger Wah) due to his profession as a currency converter, proved himself outstanding in the practice of Wing Chun. A large and powerful man, Chan carried on his teachers reputation in challenge matches, and enhanced Wing Chuns reputation in Foshan with his victories.

Among Chan Wah-Shun’s disciples (said to have numbered sixteen in all) were his son, Chan Yiu-Min, and students Ng Siu-Lo, Ng Jung-So, Lui Yiu-Chai, Lai Hip-Chi, and Yip Man, among others.

It was Yip Man, Chan Wah-Shun’s final disciple, who went on to change the history of Wing Chun forever. Born in the mid-1890s to a wealthy family in Foshan, at roughly the age of thirteen (although some accounts suggest earlier) Yip Man approached Chan Wah-Shun, who taught on the Yip family’s property, and sought instruction. Chan, at first, thought the young Yip Man was too scholarly and gentle for the martial arts. Hoping to dissuade the young man, Chan asked Yip for a substantial tuition. Yip’s desire was so great, however, that he returned immediately with his life’s savings, intent on pursuing lessons. Yip Man’s dedication won over Chan and he accepted Yip as his last disciple. A short time later, when the old moneychanger passed away, Yip Man continued his lessons under Ng Jung-So, one of Chan’s most senior and talented disciples.