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VIET NAM
VINH XUAN QUYEN
HISTORY
THE
MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)
&
MANCHURIAN – QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)
“Oppose Qing and restore Ming”
“Făn Qing Fù Ming”
There are several theories about the origin of Wing Chun. However, there is one story that can be traced to the early years of the Manchurian / Qin Dynasty (1644-1911). This story starts by telling us that Wing Chun originated from Yongchun, translated as Eternal Spring. Yongchun is a county in western Quanzhou, a city in southern Fujian province, located near the source of the Jin River. In the Yung Chun Village, a simplified style of Fujan Yong Chun Bai He Quan (White Crane of the Yung Chun Village) was also known as Wing Chun Kuen.
This martial art spread during the early years of the Qing Dynasty, thanks to the efforts of the Cantonese Red Boat Opera Company that travel on ”Red Junk Boats.” They were a group of traveling Cantonese opera singers who toured China in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Early to Late 1800s and Early 1990s
Cantonese Red Boat Opera Company played a crucial role in leading a popular uprising against the Qing Dynasty. They used a style of Kung Fu called Wing Chun to defeat the Qing troops. The Cantonese Opera Troops navigated a Red Junk Boat, which they used to transport themselves between the Guandong and Guangxi Rivers for their performances. These Red Boat troupes were vital in establishing Wing Chun in Guangdong. The history of Wing Chun can be reliably traced to the years between 1845 and 1855, during which Yim Wing-chun’s husband, Leung Bok-tau, taught the Six famous Red Boat Opera Performers:
Foshan – China
The Yuen Brothers
Yuen Chai – wan
(1877-1959)
82 year-old
12 year-older
Yuen Kay – san
(1889-1956)
70 year-old
Yuen Chai-wan (Nguyen Te Cong) was the older brother of Yuen Kay-san and they had two martial arts masters:
1st Fok Bo-chuen
(Qing dynasty Ngao Moon Bo Tao an Imperial Constable)
and
2nd Fung Siu-ching
(an Imperial Marshal)
Fok Bo-Chuen
Fok Bo-chuen
There isn’t much information about Fok Bo-Chuen Wing Chun Sifu’s birth and death. So we can not determine his age.
Fok Bo-chuen was taught by Law Man-kung (also known as Fairy Fists), one of the Six Red Boat Opera performers. Fok was renowned for his remarkable depth of martial knowledge and Wing Chun skills. It was said to have been particularly skilled in the use of the Double Knives; therefore, nicknamed Double Knives. So during Fok Bo-chuen’s time, double knives were introduced into the Wing Chun system.
Fung Siu-ching
(1863-1936)
73 year-old
Fung Siu-ching
FUNG SIU CHING was an apprentice at the Dragon & Phoenix Embroidery Shop when he met Red Junk Opera performer Dai Fa Min Kam, sometimes referred to as San Kam properly. San Kam used to buy opera costumes for the members of the red boat. One day, he was mocked and attacked by a young, vivacious tailor’s apprentice named Fung Siu-ching. Sam Kam defended himself. Fung Siu-ching was a strong-built man, and even so, he was beaten seven times into the dust before he realized that he had no chance against Sam Kam. Fung Siu Ching immediately wanted to pass the tea to San Kam (Chinese Kung Fu tradition to seal the student-master agreement); however, San Kam turned him down on the grounds that he would not teach Kung Fu to uncontrolled, aggressive people. After a year of probation, Fung Siu-ching proved worthy. Sam Kam accepted him as a student and started to teach him the art of Wing Chun. He practiced for ten years and became one of the most famous masters throughout Asia.
NGUYỄN TẾ CÔNG
VIỆT NAM VỊNH XUÂN QUYỀN
HISTORY
Our Founding Father Nguyễn Tế Công
Yuen Chai-wan was also known as Luong Vu Te, Nguyen Te Van, Nguyen Lao Tu, and other names. However, Nguyễn Tế Công was the official name recorded by his family on his tombstone.
The picture below was taken in 1954 at Lạc Viên Restaurant, located at 38 Hàng Buồm Street, Hà Nội – Việt Nam. In the photo, our founding father, Grandmaster Nguyễn Tế Công is seated in a chair just before he left for Sài Gòn. To the right of Nguyen Te Cong stands his son, Mr. Thanh. From left to right, the individuals in the picture are the late GM Trần Văn Phùng, who is wearing sunglasses, followed by Mr. Lâm, Mr. Binh, Mr. Phương; Mr. Việt Hương; and finally, the late GM Trần Thúc Tiển, who is standing first on the right.
Grand Master Trần Văn Phùng
Among the Second-Generation students who taught in Hanoi was Trần Văn Phùng, often affectionately called “big brother” by his practice brothers because he was the oldest and most distinguished student of the founding father of Việt Nam Vịnh Xuân Quyền. Before receiving teachings from Te Cong, he was already a well-known master, famously nicknamed “Doc Nhan Long,” which translates to “One-Eye Dragon.”
He began learning martial arts at a young age, starting when he was just 16 years old. Over the years, he became proficient in various martial arts, especially Shaolin Shandong and Shaolin Nam Quyen. During this time, he formed a close friendship with Mr. Viet Huong, owner of the Viet Huong Bakery on Hang Ngang Street. Mr. Viet Huong was also one of Te Cong’s exceptional students and was highly skilled in swordplay.
