Some Hstorical info for all NSL
It is exciting to see so many people practicing Northern Shaolin. We are all cousins, brothers and uncles. I would like to share some info about our style that I have obtained over the past 35 years.
In 1902 in Chiang Su Province, Kuo Yu Chang was first introduced to Northern Shaolin by his father, Kuo Li Chih, and he started to learn 10 row tam tui. However, two years later, at the age of 14 years old, his father past away before KYC could finish. In his death bed, he told KYC to finish his school and then to seek out his classmate, Yim Chi Wen in Shantung province, and finish learning Northern Shaolin. KYC could not wait and left school two years later at the age of 16 and went to seek out Yim Chi Wen (nickname Great Spear Yim). For the next eleven years he and his cousin Pa Ching Hsiang learned from Great Spear Yim. KYC returned home only to find his mother passed away.
Originally KYC learned the 10 Northern Shaolin sets in its numerical order, one to ten. Before Kuo Yu Chang learned the 10 Northern Shaolin sets they were known by their names only and were not numbered. Many of the students got confused and so the sets were referred by numbers as they learned them. Hence the first set they learned in the series was number one because the name, Open Door, implies that the set is an introduction to the style and Northern Shaolin is about using various leg techniques. What better way to be introduced to the style than to learn all the kicking methods in the style. As all of you are aware there are 36 kicks in this set. Each set has a specific name because the essence of the set is demonstrating specific attacking techniques of the style. For example, in number four, Chest Attacks, the set teaches one how to attack the opponent’s center line. In number two , lead the way, it demonstrating how to attack your opponent by side stepping , angling your attacks and sliding into your opponent.
It was not until KYC started teaching in KwangTung in 1929 that he realized the his students were having a difficult time learning NSL. He then reorganized the sequence of teaching the sets and came up with the current sequence of 6,7,8,5,4 1,2,3,9 and then 10. KYC also added Lien Bo set (from Wu Chih Ch’ing) which was a standard set in the National Martial Arts Provincial schools and since KYC was one of the head Instructors, he added it to his curriculum. His top two disciples Lung Tzu Hsaing and Yim Shan Wu continued the sequence. YSW developed his own set, Sil Wah which is patterned after Ching Wu’s Kung Lic, and added to our current curriculum. Wong Jack learned from YSW and was the first to bring the NSL to North America. Because Wong Jack was affiliated with Ching Wu Association he replaced 10 row tam tui with Ching Wu standard 12 row. He also added to the curriculum some of Ching Wu’s sets such as NSL Lo Han, and other various weapons. Over a period of 36 years he has modified the sequence order to 6,7,8,5, 4, 3,2,1, 9,10.
The NSL sets are divided into two levels with 6,7,8,5,4 composing the lower level and 1,2,3,9,and 10 consisting the upper level. Over 50 years ago many NSL disciples regarded the upper level sets as their prized sets and always demonstrated them. Today we see NSL students demonstrate mostly the lower sets.
The 18 hands form is a set that is usually taught after the ten NSL sets are taught. Most NSL students were glad that they finished the 10 sets and felt no need to learn the 18 hands set since it was just a repeat of techniques from the 10 NSL sets. Most of YSW students regarded the 18 hand set as KYC’s favorite techniques and that he composed it to capture the essence of NSL. Many disciples believe this because there are no records or documentation on this set before KYC ‘s time. Personally, I feel if you are given a chance to learn it, do it because if what they believe is true then we, who are living today, would at least have an insight of what techniques KYC preferred.
Hope this will give everyone some reasonable historical background of why sets are taught in a certain sequence. I believe it all depends on when your sifu learned from who and during what time period. Almost everyone here in the North America can trace their heritage to two sources: Wong Jack (who taught Paul Eng, Kam Yuan, Wing Lam, who later went to YSW in HK to finish, and Peter Ralston) or Ma Ching Fung (whom has since has stopped teaching NSL and Lo Han for a long while). Most of Lung’s disciples are in Hong Kong with a few of them living in the USA.
As for the five northern stem styles, it is believed that they were all taught at the temple at the same time. Remember the 10 sets of NSL are composed of what are regarded as the best techniques from these five styles.
Hung style originally had six sets that were based on Tsung Tai Jo style. It was regarded as a fierce style that appeared hard and explosive in power in comparison to the other four styles.
Pao style originated in the yellow river valley and was very similar to Hung style. This style had 10 sets and only five sets were fully documented in manuals. And uses suppleness as its core and hardness as its application
Wah style originated in the Yellow River Valley in Hopei and Shantung provinces. It is characterized by its long strides, low stances, high kicks with well connected movements. The style had 12 hand sets which only 4 sets are documented and possibly only six hand sets exist today.
Hua style or Flower style consist of rapid altercations. The stances and strides are shorter than Wah and Ch’a but like Ch’a and Wah, it requires flexibility, agile and suppleness. The style was known to be close fighting techniques and originated in the Yellow River Valley. It also had 10 hand sets but only four survived because they are documented.
Ch’a style is the most popular in China today and is the most complete within China. The stances are not as low as Wah but are lower than Hung, Pao and Hua. Techniques are graceful, continuous and generates its power on the same principles as Wah style.
Since the 1700’s Ch’a Style has divided into three branches with each having 10 sets:
Chang Branch : Chang Shi is the founder of this branch and is known for being quick, fast, compact, agile and has a reputation as being good for defense after the Ching Dynasty, Chang Hsi Yen and Chang Chen Fang taught this branch in Honan Province.
Yang Branch: This branch is known for it’s upright stances, and graceful moves. For many years the branch was represented by Yang Hong Xiu who was born in 1864. Later he taught Wang Tzu Ping and Chen Chan Sheng who shared the style with Kuo Yu Chang. Yim Shan Wu taught the Ch’a style but in his later years stopped teaching the style save one set, number four. Sets number four and number six are the most popular because it is thought that these two sets contained the best fighting techniques.
Li Branch: This branch is known to be more powerful than the other two. It is known for its continuous and masculine techniques and is represented by Li Szu Chu who taught at the Ching Wu Associations in Shanghai and Kwangchow.
Hope this helps,
:cool: :) :)
My friend kung Lek is misinformed
Ling Mo Fa QI has survived entirely intact. It is however slowly rising from obscurity. It takes a bit longer to achieve mastery then the previously mentioned system.
This system is Northern Shaolin Tiger system of the Ling family. The "Mo" in the name is representative of the Mohist (a retired military class) of which resided in the Honan provice since
before bodhi dharma showed up. This system predates the Black tiger system, and the two are not the same. Ling Mo Fa Qi encompasses external, internal and weapons and consists of form sets of shaolin chuan, chang chuan, and tai chi chuan exclussive to this particular system.
Gung Lik Kune and Jeet Kune
NorternShaolin,
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. If I may post a question. Where would Gung Lik Kune and Jeet Kune fit in the NSL system. These sets are said to be taught in the Ching Wu Schools among other forms. Many Mantis practitioner who took Mantis had to take these prior to the Mantis forms. What is your view on taking these first? If you don't mind also sharing your view on the concepts and techniques that formulate these 2 forms.
I have learned both sets. The applications that I have learned are some what different from Dr Yang's. Anyway just like to get your opinions on them. Appreciate your comments and enjoy your posts.
Mantis108
Contraria Sunt Complementa
Everyones account is differrent
In reference to "Ling Mo Fa QI" loosley traslated
(my understanding which is susceptible to error)it is "Ling Mo organization". That is what it is called today. Ling being the family name, Mo haveing ties to Mohinst philosophy, which by the way, some of its philosophy was adopted by Toaist and Confucius schools and. To be honest I forgot what the Fa Qi traslation is, but we get organization from tong, which is generally left off.