The History of Mui Fa Kuen (Plum Flower Fist)

[Clifton Sweeney]

The history surrounding the fighting arts in and around China are
extremely vague. This is mostly due to hiding the arts from the
Manchu's during their rule over the Chinese. I have read a number of
accounts and stories about the development of Kung Fu and although
there are many similarities there are also are a great number of
contradictions. I am not telling you that this is "THE" true account
of Kung Fu's history but rather a gathering of terms and events that
bring us out of the darker ages. (More historical notes will be
included in future lessons.)
Mui Fa Kuen (Plum Flower Fist)
Mui Fa is an extremely common theme in Chinese Martial Arts due to the
popularity of the flower in the rest of Chinese culture. Many other
styles of kung fu also have Mui Fa forms. It is said that the original
Mui Fa Kuen was a Northern Shaolin set, believed to be founded by Hou
Yuan Jia. As well as the Mui Fa fist form there is also many other
sets including sword and spear sets, making Mui Fa to be a small
system in itself.
This short and simple but very practical form is presented in four
directions, like the petals of a plum blossom flower, teaching
attacking and defending in each direction. The first Mui Fa set
teaches basic footwork and stances as well as initial bridging and
kicking techniques. Many fundamentals as well as some of Hung Gar's
trade mark techniques are taught in this set.
A Brief History of Hung Gar Kuen
The evolution of Kung Fu is very closely related to the development of
Buddhism practiced by monks all over China. Buddhism wasn't native to
China, but introduced from India (between 58-76 A.D during the Eastern
Han Ming Dynasty) where it originates. Over the following Centuries,
many Chinese Emperors embraced Buddhism slowly becoming China's most
practiced religion and with it was the introduction of Thousands of
Buddhist Temples.
In around 540 A.D, an Indian priest named Bodhidharma traveled to
China to spread what would later be named Zen Buddhism. On his journey
he came across a temple called Shaolin, at the time famous for
translating Buddhist writings into Chinese. Bodhidharma observed that
the monks were in poor physical shape as they spent lots of their time
writing and meditating, so exercises were introduced to enhance bodily
strength and the energy flow. These exercises were developed from
Indian Yoga and were based on the movements of both real and mythical
animals.
Fighting styles had existed in China for many Centuries before Shaolin
started to develop any form of martial arts. Monks at the temple were
very peaceful but in the remote areas of the countryside they would
often encounter bandits or wild animals. Not all monks would study
martial arts, but as time passed many retired soldiers of all ranks
converted to Buddhism and joined the temple. This meant that the
soldiers could accompany fellow monks making dangerous journeys to
provide protection, and with there skills combined with the daily
exercise, Shaolin kung fu started to develop. Monks studied and
imitated animal movements realizing that they possessed natural self
defense and killing techniques in order to survive which the monks
refined into there own fighting systems.
As time went on, the Shaolin sect began to divert from the other
Buddhist sects as there focus became ever more conditioned toward the
study of martial arts which appeared to be somewhat of a contradiction
of Buddhist principles. The monks replied simply stating along the
lines of "To understand something such as violence makes you better
equipped to resolve a conflict".
In the mid 17th Century, Manchurian invaders led by the Ching family
ended the Ming Dynasty and eventually conquered China. Those fleeing
from the Chings sought refuge in the Shaolin temple, initially only
passive residence was permitted but due to the injustice that the
Chinese people suffered, Shaolin soon became the centre of the
resistance. At this time Shaolin had five elders:
Jee Shin Sim See- Founder of Shaolin Iron Cloth, creator of Wing Chun
and founder of Hung Gar Kuen. Bai Mei - Founder of Golden Bell Iron
Body Chi Gong Fong Sai Yuk- Famous Swordsman, Founder of White Tiger
Kung Fu. Miu Hin- Founder of Five Shapes Boxing and helped to develop
Wing Chun. Ng Mui- Buddhist Nun and Dim Mak expert, helped to develop
Wing Chun, founder of Dragon Shape Boxing and Wu Mei.
In 1647 A.D, the original Shaolin temple in Henan province was burnt
to the ground by the Ching. Many of the monks were slaughtered and the
rest fled, going into hiding, seeking refuge in other temples and
monasteries. The five elders are said to have escaped helping to form
other rebel groups and training the people up using there expert
fighting knowledge. Fong Sai Yuk, took refuge at Wudan mountain in the
Hubei province (home of the internal martial arts), with the aid of
his fellow elders he organised a following of up to a million strong
called the Heaven and Earth Society.
The Buddhist Nun Ng Mui is later said to have taught Yim Wing Chun,
one of her close friends a close range fighting system later to adopt
her name (wing chun) , so that she may publicly challenge her husband
from a forced marriage to win back her freedom.
Fong Wing Chun, relative of Fong Sai Yuk, was a master of White Crane
Kung Fu. She married Hung Hei Goon and it was he using his expertise
in Tiger kung fu, combined it with his wife's knowledge of the White
Crane system developed Southern Hung Gar Keun. Hung Hei Goon developed
a reputation for being a fighter of great skill and was known as "The
Southern Fist". The essence of Hung Gar can be found in its name.
"Hung" means to "stand tall with integrity".
Hung Hei Goon was a disciple of Jee Shin Sim See. As Hung's master he
usually appears at the top of most Hung Gar lineages, placing the
origins directly back to the Shaolin temple.
My Masters & Lineage Hung Hei Goon Luk Ah Choi (1740-1845) Leung
Kwan aka "Tid Kiu Sam"(1815-1888) Ng Hei Kwoon Hang Yat Sui Lai Ng Sam
(1927-1995) Jeff Hasbrouck (1947 - ) Phil Dandridge (1962- )