VING TSUN’S SONG OF STONE

The Ving Tsun kung-fu system has long been known for its principles. It’s what defines it, makes it unique among the vast number of martial art styles and systems. All that is Ving Tsun can be seen within these principles. This differs from other systems which are based on technique and are preserved through the forms which contain those techniques.

So, simply memorize the forms and learn the applications of the techniques within them and you’ve learned the system. Sounds easy right? Well, it’s not. Any martial system can be learned in a relatively short time but, none can be mastered as quickly. Just ask anyone who has studied for several years or more. It is a simple matter, however, to preserve a system based on technique. Just keep the forms pure and nothing in the system will be lost.

This is not true in the case of Ving Tsun, and can be easily seen in the many conflicting styles today. Surely most of the masters claiming to teach traditional Ving Tsun truly believe that their system is indeed authentic. So, why are there so many differences from one Ving Tsun kung-fu family to the next? The answer is in the principles and how they’re interpreted.. Unlike techniques, which can be learned through repetition, a principle must be understood. While there are many ways to demonstrate principles, how they are interpreted may not always be correct. This is where the differences can be found. A slightly different interpretation of the principle can greatly change the way it is translated.

So, does a really authentic Ving Tsun system still exist. And if so, how has it survived having been passed down through so many hands for so many years? Authentic Ving Tsun continues to exist because it is based on principles and not techniques. You can change a technique and who would know? Principles are based on scientific laws, while the methods used to teach them may vary, the principle cannot. The student who does not blindly accept what is taught, but instead searches for truth, will eventually have authentic Ving Tsun.

The principles can be found hidden within the three forms of the Ving Tsun system. This is particularly true in the first form, Siu Nim Tao. It is even said that this first form contains the proper learning process needed to master the entire system. If played with an open mind students will find through Siu Nim Tao the answers to many of the questions they may be asking during their training.

To help students find their way, certain sayings were passed along. These proverbs are a compilation of generations of experiences by the grandmasters, called the Ving Tsun kuen kuit. Kuen Kuit are two Chinese words meaning martial art idiom or song. Being short and rhythmic verses, kuen kuit are easy to remember. Many styles of martial arts use kuen kuit for expressing the basic ideology of their art.

There was a period when there were numerous sayings. It was during the Ching dynasty. These proverbs were part of secret codes used by rebels, many of whom were Ving Tsun practitioners trying to overthrow the Manchus. Over time many of these proverbs were eliminated because of their lack of applicability. What is left truly represents the essence of the Ving Tsun system. Traditionally, the proverbs have been passed down by word of mouth and on an informal basis. One could be given during a chi sao session or over tea. These proverbs, or maxims as they are generally called, were meant to serve the students during those discoveries they would inevitably make during the course of their training. Grandmaster Yip Man warned his students that these sayings were not intended to be preached but, rather to be enjoyed. He felt that experience was the best teacher and that the Ving Tsun kuen kuit was there to remind them of those discoveries made by their kung-fu ancestors that have formed the system as we know it today.

Result-These sayings mention the result of an action or movement.

Formula-These are much like equations in format. Loy lau hui sung. Lut sao jic chung (Hand comes, detain. Hand goes, follow. Hand lost, thrust forward).

Warning-These proverbs caution the student on particular mistakes to avoid during training as well as combat situations. Pak sao ge noi moon (Slap block, avoid the inner gate) is on of those warnings.

Qualifiers-These sayings define the quality of certain techniques within the Ving Tsun system. One of the best-known maxims, "Yan han kung, ngor han yin (Others walk the bow, I walk the string)", shows the quality of the straight-line principle (shortest distance between two points is a straight line).

It is important to note that none of the kuen kuit proverbs provide the student with any secret mystical or deadly techniques. Many actually contain that which seems to elude so many of those trying to understand the principles of Ving Tsun-common sense.

It is quite conceivable that these maxims could be lost or changed in time, especially with the passing of Yip Man. Yip Man was very concerned about this while still alive, knowing that he was the last of the Ving Tsun grandmasters fortunate enough to receive the entire Ving Tsun system. It became his wish that the history, philosophy and principles of the system be kept safe somehow for all time. This was considered an important priority during his lifetime. It was his desire that written documentation of the kuen kuit, along with a record of the Ving Tsun family tree, from its founder up to Yip Man himself, be created. Also to be included was the main training stages of the Ving Tsun system.

To provide documentation that would withstand time, and would also be appreciated as artwork, it was decided that everything would be carved into stones known as chops. A chop is an Oriental seal or stamp which was used to prove authenticity of such things as a family’s lineage. Seals were often used much like signatures are today. Carved into the stone would be the family or clan leader’s name. These were considered heirlooms and were passed down from generation to generation. Some still use the chop today along with their written name.

These stones are hand carved and are considered to be fine artwork themselves. Chop crafting is an ancient art which requires great skill. It cannot be done by just anyone. In fact the number of skilled seal crafters still existing today are few. One of the most well-known and respected people of this unique art alive today is grandmaster Moy Yat. Known for his great skills as a Ving Tsun grandmaster, Moy Yat also is considered an accomplished artist. Along with his knowledge of Ving Tsun history and the many different styles of Chinese writing developed since the system’s creation, this made him destined to take on this historic project.

Moy Yat, along with help from is kung-fu nephew, Kwong Tse-Nam, began the project by searching for and selecting the proper stones for each chop. This alone took three years as each stone was carefully selected to represent a certain period in Ving Tsun history. The complete set of chops consists of 51 stone seals. The actual stone carving was also carefully planned with styles of Chinese writing used on each stone, representing different periods in Ving Tsun history. To inscribe all the necessary information included on these stones took an additional three years. Precision was very important as one mistake could ruin a very expensive stone. The kuen kuit chops are the only set of stone carvings ever done representing the Ving Tsun history and system.

Moreover, this stone set is the only representation of its kind. No other martial art style or system has anything of this magnitude to preserve the art throughout time. The complete set of stones covers the entire history of Ving Tsun kun-fu. Some of the stones contain information about each of the masters considered most important in the evolution of the system. Others contain the names of the forms and the essential points in them. Of course, the kuen kuit maxims, those verses created by the masters, are also carved into the stones.

This six-year long project was completed and approved by grandmaster Yip Man before his death, and could very well be considered the most important contribution made to Ving Tsun during his lifetime. Since their completion, the kuen kuit chops have been kept safely stored away. Being the only set in existence, the value of these stones is priceless especially considering the fact that a second set could never be produced. Only Moy Yat has the skill and knowledge necessary to do such a thing. Because of a lack of time and the necessary stones to recreate the chops, this is the only work of its kind that will probably ever be done.

In July, 1995 the kuen kuit chops were publicly displayed for the first time ever at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ving Tsun Museum and Training Center. All 51 stones were displayed for those that were present at the Moy Yat branch school (Meng’s Martial Arts, Huber Heights, Ohio), which has been chosen as the site of the soon-to-be completed center. In attendance at this event was grandmaster Yip Chun and Yip Ching. Many other Ving Tsun Sifu and students also were on hand to celebrate this historic event and to meet these legends. Th Ving Tsun Museum will become the new home for the kuen kuit chops, as well as many other memorabilia, treasures and artifacts.

Was this the greatest contribution made by Moy Yat to Ving Tsun? Who can really say? He’s given so much over the years. Certainly he is not the first and only one to have done things of value to the system. Throughout the history of Ving Tsun, there have been many who have made contributions. Now these masters, many whose names remain engraved in our minds, will also be forever engraved in stone with the art they dedicated their life to, because of the efforts of Moy Yat and Kwong Tse-Nam.