Tung Kong Chow Gar Tong Long (), or simply Chow Gar (), is a southern Chinese martial art (kung fu) of the Hakka () people. It is one of the four major schools of Southern Praying Mantis, the other schools being (), (), and (). It is an aggressive style of kung fu with an emphasis on close-range fighting. These skills are developed by utilizing a range of training techniques that have been developed over several centuries.
This style is unrelated to Jow-Ga kung fu (), a southern Chinese martial art founded by Jow Lung in the early 1900s. It is also unrelated to the Northern Praying Mantis systems such as Seven Star Praying Mantis (), Plum Blossom Praying Mantis (), and Tai Chi Praying Mantis ().
Introduction
History
The history of Chow Gar was transmitted orally with little supporting documentation until the 1900s. The origins of the system are similar to other martial arts of the Hakka community with references to the Southern Shaolin Monastery and exploits centered around southern China. Information before the turn of the 20th century is speculative at best. In the modern era, Lau Soei is recognized by both Chow Gar and Chu Gar practitioners as the leading promoter of this style. The leading authorities on Chow Gar are the students of Yip Shui, and their schools can be found worldwide.
Lineage of past masters
Chow Ah Naam () is the traditional founder of Chow Gar in the 19th century. He is said to have spent many years in the Southern Shaolin Monastery under the guidance of the abbot Sim See Yan. He later developed a new style which he called Praying Mantis after watching a fight between a praying mantis and a bird. His style is not related to the Northern Praying Mantis style created by Wang Lang () during the Song Dynasty (960–1279). Chow taught the style to many people in the region, including his student Wong Fook Go. Wong Fook Go () was initially a layperson but later became a traveling monk. He traveled throughout southern China including Waiyeung (Huiyang) village in the area of Tungkun (Dongguan). Lau Soei (; 1866–1942) was an accomplished teacher of martial arts in his home village of Waiyeung in Guangdong Province, before meeting Wong. Oral traditions suggest that Lau challenged Wong but was soundly defeated by him. Lau then became a student of Wong and became proficient in Chow Gar. Using this knowledge, he further enhanced his reputation and earned the nickname "Number one of the three Dongjiang tigers" (). In 1913, Lau moved to Hong Kong and established a Southern Praying Mantis school in Kowloon. Initially, he would teach his system only to members of the Hakka community. Near the end of his career, he opened up his teachings to the general public. Yip Shui (; 1912–2004), who was one of Lau's first non-Hakka students, perpetuated his tradition after training extensively with his predecessor. He established a reputation for the effectiveness of the Chow Gar style by meeting all challenges. Yip died in 2004.
Masters in Hong Kong
After the passing of Grandmaster Yip Shui in 2004, the legacy of Chow Gar continues to be taught and passed down to future generations. Listed below are some of the masters who are currently teaching the system in Hong Kong:
Yip Chee Keung (), the son of Yip Shui, continues the family tradition as the inheritor, gatekeeper, and Grandmaster of the system. Chee Keung emigrated to London, England in the 1970s, where he established a Chow Gar school. Chee Keung currently resides in Hong Kong but regularly travels abroad to teach in Hungary and the UK. Ng Si Kay (), Yip Shui's son-in-law, is the current head instructor for the Chow Gar Mantis Association (International) based in Hong Kong. Li Tin Loi (), a student of Yip Shui, teaches at the Hong Kong Tung Kong Chow Gar Praying Mantis Li Tin Loi Martial Arts Association (). In recent years, master Li has joined together with other masters of Hakka kung fu to form the Hakka Kung Fu and Culture Research Society, with the goal of preserving and promoting the traditions of Hakka martial arts and culture such as the Unicorn Qilin dance. Ng Woon Hang (), a student of Yip Shui, teaches at the Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung Fu Association () in Mong Kok.