The History of Hung-Gar Kung Fu
The Hung-Gar style of Kung Fu was founded by Master Hung Hei Goon during the late 1700's in Southern China. This was a turbulent time in China's history as the Manchus from the North had overthrown the Ming dynasty government. Hung, who at that time was known as Jyu Hei Goon, was a tea merchant that came into disfavor with some high ranking Ching officials. Jyu fled and took refuge in the Southern Siu Lum (Shao Lin) Temple where he met Abbot Gee Sin Sim See. Although martial arts training had been forbidden by the Ching government, the Abbot Gee Sin was a Master of the Tiger Claw system and accepted Jyu as a student. After a few years Jyu became Gee Sin's top student.
When the Siu Lum Temple was destroyed by the Ching government, Jyu Hei Goon and Gee Sin Sim See were forced to flee and go into hiding. Because Jyu was a wanted man and in defiance of the Ching government he changed his name to Hung, to honor the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
During his wanderings Hung met Fong Wing Chuen, the daughter of one of his classmates at the Siu Lum Temple. Hung learned that Fong Wing Chuen's father had been killed by the same person(s) that killed Gee Sin Sim See. Hung wanted to take revenge but Fong persuaded him to learn her Crane style techniques first. Hung agreed and added the Crane techniques to compliment his Tiger techniques before avenging the death of Gee Sin Sim See and Fong's father.
Skillful boxers of the Hung style have been described as powerful and swift with a solid, immovable-like stance. The Hung system utilizes a combination of short-range tactics (prized for its defense value) and long-range movements (good for offense). Blocks and counters should have the striking power of a sledgehammer, but like the graceful moving Crane, firmness must be complemented by softness and softness by firmness.
With a history of more than 200 years, the Hung style has become one of the most popular methods of Kung Fu practiced in Southern China. Wong Fei Hung is arguably the most famous of the Hung Style Masters and is said to have systemized the Tiger & Crane movements into several formal exercise patterns that are still practiced today. In later years famous actors such as Jet Li and Jackie Chan have immortalized Wong Fei Hung in blockbuster movies in Asia and the United States.
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