Sifu and I
I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn authentic Ving Tsun from my Sifu, Grandmaster Ip Ching. I am deeply grateful for his years of guidance. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to him.
I started learning various martial arts since my teenage years, including Ving Tsun, Filipino stick fighting, grappling, self-defense, and military and police combat techniques. I've been teaching Ving Tsun for 21 years. Before I studied under Sifu Ip Ching, I had already been learning Ving Tsun. However, I often questioned myself about the nature of Ving Tsun, which was founded by a woman. It's impossible for every move to be forceful, as women's physical strength is generally less than men's. Many times, I asked myself, "What am I lacking?" From then on, I sought to understand what Ving Tsun truly entails. It wasn't until I had the opportunity to learn Ving Tsun from Sifu Ip Ching, the second son of Grandmaster Ip Man, that I felt boundless excitement in my heart.
The first time I met Sifu Ip Ching was at his home. I found him to be approachable, well-mannered, and cultured, with none of the typical arrogance that some masters exhibit. (I've encountered masters who seem to take pleasure in hitting their students during teaching, regardless of their character or martial ethics.) During our first lesson, Sifu asked if I had learned Ving Tsun before, and I replied, "Yes." He then asked me to demonstrate Siu Nim Tao and Chum Kiu. I eagerly performed, hoping for some praise, but to my surprise, his feedback was only "mediocre" and "very stiff." I thought to myself, "After fifteen years of learning Ving Tsun, is this all the feedback I'll get?" When Sifu asked if I had learned Chi Sao, I immediately said, "Yes." He suggested we do Chi Sao together, and I agreed, thinking to myself, "Alright, let's see what you've got." As we began, I realized he had complete control over my hands. I tried to strike back but couldn't break free from his control. It felt like my hands were magnetically attracted to his, unable to move. Then,
Sifu launched an attack, and I found myself completely overwhelmed. His techniques were incredibly diverse, and the speed of his punches and palms left me astonished. I had never seen such profound and unpredictable skills before! After the session, Sifu suggested teaching me Chum Kiu since I already knew three forms of Ving Tsun. I replied, "Sifu, please start from the beginning. I want to learn authentic Ving Tsun." Sifu smiled and said, "Alright, let's start with Siu Nim Tao." From then on, I diligently followed Sifu's guidance in my Ving Tsun journey.
Having studied at Sifu's home for many years, besides practicing Ving Tsun, Sifu and I often discuss how to improve our Ving Tsun techniques. He also shares many anecdotes and interesting stories about Grandmaster Ip Man. I remember one time when Sifu recounted how someone asked Grandmaster Ip Man why Ving Tsun only three sets of forms while other martial arts have many different sets. At that time, Grandmaster Ip Man responded, "The three sets of Ving Tsun contain different levels and structures. If we can integrate these three sets into one while preserving the essence, principles, and characteristics of Ving Tsun that would be ideal."
In 2004, when the National Sports Commission hoped that Ving Tsun could create a competitive set of forms, the Ving Tsun Athletic Association organized the "Ving Tsun Chark Yiu" competition. Sifu created a set of forms for the competition, which included Siu Nim Tao, Chum Kiu, Biu Jee, wooden dummy techniques, Chi Sao, and footwork. From this set, it is evident that Sifu's understanding of Ving Tsun is profound. I was fortunate enough to be taught this set by Sifu and was selected by him as one of the participants in the competition. Eventually, the "Ving Tsun Chark Yiu" set became the competition routine of the Ving Tsun Athletic Association, receiving recognition from fellow practitioners.
Master Ip Ching
Master Ip Ching was born in 1936 in Foshan Town, Guangdong Province. At that time, Foshan was a thriving commercial and industrial hub, renowned alongside Hankou, Jingdezhen, and Zhuxian as one of China’s four famous ancient towns. The Ip family, originally from Foshan, was a prominent and well-educated family.
In 1943, Master Ip Ching began learning Wing Chun from Grandmaster Ip Man in Foshan. He continued his studies until 1949 when Ip Man left Foshan for Hong Kong. Master Ip Ching remained in mainland China to complete his education.
In February 1962, Master Ip Ching reunited with Ip Man in Hong Kong. They lived together, with Ip Ching closely following and learning from the Grandmaster. During this period, he gained profound knowledge and understanding of Ving Tsun techniques and teaching methods. He later became an assistant instructor at Ip Man’s school, a role he maintained until the Grandmaster’s death in December 1972.
Afterward, Master Ip Ching established a factory in Lam Tei, New Territories, to develop his personal career. During this time, he privately taught Ving Tsun at his home. Starting in 1992, he was frequently invited to Europe and the United States to give lectures and teach Ving Tsun. In 1994, after his retirement, he began teaching classes at the Ving Tsun Athletic Association.
Throughout his Wing Chun journey, Master Ip Ching not only deeply studied Ip Man’s teachings but also discussed ways to improve Wing Chun with the Grandmaster. During his long years of teaching, Master Ip Ching continually reflected on how to elevate Wing Chun techniques. His teaching method was to explain techniques patiently and progressively, ensuring that each student understood the positions, power application, and usage of various techniques. This method allowed students to deepen their understanding of Wing Chun step by step.
As a result, Master Ip Ching had numerous disciples in Hong Kong and attracted many international students. His students have spread worldwide, with many establishing their own schools and passing on Ving Tsun, contributing significantly to the art's global proliferation.
Grand Master Ip Man
Written by: Master Ip Ching
My late father, Grandmaster Ip Man, actively promoted Ving Tsun after bringing his skills to Hong Kong in 1949. In just 22 years (from 1950 to 1972), he not only spread Ving Tsun across Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan but also sowed its seeds worldwide. As a result, Wing Chun has firmly established itself in various countries. His outstanding disciples, including Leung Sheung, Ip Bo Ching, Wong Shun Leung, Bruce Lee, Lok Yiu, Tsui Sheung Tin, and Ho Kam Ming, have all upheld his legacy and further developed Ving Tsun. Consequently, after his passing, Ving Tsun practitioners universally recognized him as a Grandmaster of the Ving Tsun lineage. Despite his humble and modest nature, he never claimed to be the Grandmaster or head of Ving Tsun. This recognition is a true testament to his contributions.
Born in late Qing dynasty Foshan, a prosperous town in Guangdong's Pearl River Delta, my father grew up in a region known for its thriving commerce and industry, particularly in handicrafts. The local residents enjoyed a stable and affluent life, fostering a rich cultural and artistic environment, including Chinese martial arts. Notable Southern martial arts masters such as Wong Fei Hung, Cheung Hung Sing, Leung Jan, and Fung Siu Ching all hailed from Foshan. Growing up in this era and place, my father's passion, intelligence, and perseverance, coupled with training from renowned masters (first Chan Wah Shun, then Leung Jan's son Leung Bik), contributed to his accomplishments.
I came to Hong Kong in 1962 and immediately began learning Ving Tsun from my father, later assisting him in teaching until his death in 1972. During this time, I deeply observed and experienced his teaching methods. On the occasion of Grandmaster Ip Man’s 100th birth anniversary, I wish to share some insights from his teaching approach with fellow Ving Tsun practitioners.
My father placed great emphasis on selecting students. He often said, "It is difficult for a student to find a good teacher, but it is even more difficult for a teacher to find a good student." For someone dedicated to teaching martial arts, this mindset is commendable and demonstrates his serious approach and responsibility towards his students. He never hung a sign or advertised for students, strictly adhering to the principle of choosing his disciples. Maintaining this principle for 20 years is a remarkable feat for any dedicated martial arts teacher.
Ving Tsun is a practical, straightforward, and functional martial art. My father stressed the importance of basic training for beginners. When teaching Siu Nim Tau, he focused on correct techniques, coordination of waist and stance, and the application of force, without any time constraints. Only when a student met his standards would he proceed to teach new material, encouraging diligent learners.
Another characteristic of my father's teaching was tailoring his methods to each student’s abilities. He considered each student's psychology, personality, physique, knowledge level, cultural background, and learning ability. He adjusted his teaching methods to meet individual needs, making it easier for students to learn and absorb the material.
During training, my father emphasized Chi Sao (sticky hands) and free sparring. These exercises nurtured students' love for and confidence in Ving Tsun, guiding them towards a deeper understanding of its techniques and the wooden dummy.
In addition to his profound knowledge of Ving Tsun, my father had received advanced education in his youth and continually absorbed modern scientific knowledge. He often used contemporary principles such as mechanics and geometry to explain Ving Tsun techniques. He dismissed esoteric theories like the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, believing they clouded understanding. His clear, rational approach contributed significantly to his success.
My father despised those who claimed to have learned mystical abilities or secret martial arts from extraordinary encounters, using these tales to deceive students and promote themselves. He believed such people lacked confidence in their skills and relied on misleading stories to intimidate and deceive others. Teaching methods based on genuine skills and knowledge are destined for success.
The insights I've shared here are just a few aspects of my father's teaching methods. I hope that future Ving Tsun practitioners will continue to explore and uncover more meaningful contributions to our art.