SEVEN STAR PRAYING
MANTIS KUNG FU

A History by Sifu Derek Frearson

Throughout China’s turbulent history there have been many styles of Martial Arts that owe their development to the Shaolin Temple in Henan province. The Temple has acted as a catalyst for the development of the Chinese Martial Arts for generations.

According to tradition the founder of the Seven Star Praying Mantis style was Master Wong Long, an unshaven monk of the Henan Shaolin Temple. Wong Long was a native of Shandong province; he came from a wealthy family and studied the martial arts in his youth. Wong Long entered the Shaolin Monastery around 350-400 years ago in the period between the Ming (1368-1644) and the Ching (1644-1911) Dynasties, it was a time of chaos for China with the Manchu’s committing many atrocities. The Manchu’s were Mongoloid people of Manchuria who conquered China in the 17th century establishing an imperial dynasty that lasted until 1912. At Shaolin, Wong Long would train with his Kung Fu brothers, but no matter how hard he trained, he could never reach their standard and was always defeated by them. Wong would often travel to other areas of China seeking out famous Kung Fu masters to help improve his skills. When he return to Shaolin he would again train with his Kung fu brothers, although he had obtained the techniques of seventeen different Kung Fu styles he could still not defeat the other monks. While he was away his martial skills had grown to a higher level, but his Kung Fu brothers were also training hard and so their skills had kept pace with his.

One day while out walking, Wong Long witnessed a fight between a Praying Mantis and a Cicada (a large broad winged insect of the homopterous family). Although at first glance it would appear that the small Mantis had a distinct disadvantage against such a large insect, it fought with great courage. Wong was fascinated by the aggressiveness, speed and strength of the apparently overmatched Mantis. When the Cicada attacked, the Mantis would angle its body to the side, and with lightning speed and strength it would pin the Cicada with its powerful forearms. Wong Long took the Mantis back to his living quarters for further study, he used a reed to prod the Mantis and carefully studied its movements, examining how it reacted to various situations,. Wong would then imitate these actions and over time the system slowly evolved. Wong Long compiled these movements into what is known today as the 12 Key Words Verbal Formula, the 8 Rigid hand Patterns, the 12 Flexible Hand Patterns, the Eight Vulnerable and 8 lethal points of attack. This led to the development of the Praying Mantis style of Kung Fu with its characteristic strong and rapid movements.

When Wong Long was satisfied he added to the new style the best techniques from the other seventeen styles which he had previously studied. The more he practised, the more he realised that although the structure of the style was very fast, depicting the power and speed of the Mantis, the footwork was inadequate to deliver these speedy blows. Wong later observed monkeys playing and fighting, the solution was very clear. If he could blend the clever footwork of the monkey with the hand movements of the Mantis, both speed of hands and feet would be assured. After a further period of training Wong Long tried his newly created style while practising with his fellow Monks. Much to their surprise he was able to defeat them, so much so they continued to train and research together to further improve the skills of this new style. On leaving the Shaolin Monastery Wong returned to Shandong and helped to establish a Temple at Laoshan.

The Seven Star Praying Mantis style takes its name from the star constellation the Big Dipper, the inside meaning being ‘the disciples of this style should spread all over the world ’. Some historians link this with the Secret Societies whose aim was to ‘overthrow the Ching and restore the Ming ’. Others say that the Mantis which Wong Long caught had Seven Stars on its body. Of course, with the passing of time it's very difficult to verify these stories, the oral tradition of our school however leans in favour of the first explanation.

THE MASTERS

The first generation successor was a Taoist Sing Sil, who was a Chinese herbalist and surgeon. Little is known about his life, except that he entered the Laoshan Temple to consult with other herbalists there, on seeing the monks practising their Praying Mantis Kung Fu he asked to be taught this art. After many years of diligent practise he finally mastered the complete system. On leaving he relocated to the Taoist Temple of the Green Dragon.

Sing Sil became friendly with a security guard named Lee San Chine (second generation) after helping him defeat a number of bandits. As their friendship grew and seeing that Lee San Chine was a sincere man, Abbot Sing Sil taught him the complete system of Seven Star Praying Mantis. Returning to his security work, Lee San Chine became famous for his “Lightning Fists ’’. At the age of 60 he returned home to Shandong Province where he met Wong Wing San (third generation) who was a national Kung Fu champion. It’s said that Wong was giving a demonstration of his skills when Lee San Chine made some offhand remarks about his Kung Fu abilities. This enraged Wong, so he left no time in challenging the old man. In the ensuing contest Wong couldn’t dent the old man’s defence, seeing that his Kung fu was of such a high level, Wong begged to be accepted as a disciple. Wong came from a wealthy family so he never taught the art openly, he took the civil service examination and was awarded the title of “ third degree graduate of martial arts ’’.

In later life Wong accepted a disciple by the name of Fang Yuk Toung (fourth generation). Fang was a giant of a man weighing some 280lbs, his skill with the “iron sand palms ’’ was known over a large area. It’s said he used this technique to kill two charging bulls and in 1870 he defeated a Russian strongman in a contest which took place in Siberia.

This made him a national hero with the nickname “the giant with the broadsword ’’.

Fang Yuk Toung taught openly and had many students. Notable amongst these was Low Kwan Yu (fifth generation).

In 1909 Master Hou Yuan Jia helped to establish the Chin Woo Athletic Association in Shanghai. A request was sent to Master Fang Yuk Toung to teach there, this was turned down partly due to the fact that he was now by this time in his eighties. Instead he sent his student Master Low Kwan Yu, who taught for ten years within the Chin Woo Association. This was the first time that the style of Seven Star Praying Mantis was taught openly outside of Shandong Province. In 1919, Low’s reputation grew even further when he won the Grand Championship in a fighting competition held in Shanghai. Master Low Kwan Yu became one of the “Four Super Lords ’’ of the Chin Woo Association. In 1929 one of Master Low’s students, Ma Shing Kam, won first place in a national Kung fu tournament in Nanjing. In 1930, at the request of the Hong Kong Chin Woo Association, Master Low moved south to further spread the Seven Star Praying Mantis style. The martial arts fraternity in Hong Kong was buzzing with anticipation at the news of Master Low’s arrival.

picture Grandmaster Low Kwan

STRONG INTEREST

One young man who eagerly awaited the opportunity to train with him was Chu Chi Man (sixth generation). Chu Chi Man had a strong interest in the Chinese Martial Arts from an early age and was introduced to the Chin Woo Association by close friends in 1924. Chu Chi Man first began the study of Shaolin Tam Tui style under Master Cheung Shu Ching, he later followed two other Tam Tui Masters, Miu Yuk Kei and Chui Lin Wor. Chu Chi Man also studied under Master Chui Lin Wor’s top student Master Bak Lin Sai. Great effort and dedication was put in for six years, but not being contented he went on to further study the Eagle Claw style and Taijiquan within the Chin Woo Association.

It was through an introduction from Taiji Master Ng Po Cheng, that Chu Chi Man began to follow Low Kwan Yu. Under Master Low’s personal instruction and through laborious practise Chu Chi Man achieved remarkable results. In 1933 Chu was appointed as Master Low’s assistant instructor and took full responsibility for the classes in Master Low’s absence. In the same year, he was also nominated as the Department Head Manager of the Chinese Martial Arts division of the Chin Woo Association. Chu occupied this position for six years and during this time Chu Chi Man travelled with Master Low to Guangzhou, China and other neighbouring countries to give kung fu demonstrations.

Later, due to an economic crisis in the colony, the Chin Woo Association was forced to close down. Not to be discouraged, in 1938 Master Chu and his Kung Fu brothers set up the Man Keung Athletic Association in Hong Kong. Master Chu was elected as the first chairman while Grandmaster Low was appointed as the Chief martial arts instructor. Master Chu gave frequent demonstrations throughout Hong Kong and the New Territories at theatres and open air fund raising events for charity. Some time later the Pacific war broke out, the Man Keung Athletic association was forced to close down. Grandmaster Low returned to his home town of Fung Loy in Shandong Province where he died shortly after the war. At the end of the war things were very difficult in Hong Kong and as the inhabitants struggled for survival the majority of Grand Master Low’s students went into the commercial field. Those who remained to teach were few and far between.

Chu Chi Man has been an outstanding promoter of the Seven Star Praying Mantis Style, he was the foremost student of Grandmaster Low in Hong Kong, having studied under him longer than any of Master Low’s other students. In April 1956 Master Chu, and representatives of other Kung fu styles, formed a visiting demonstration troupe and went to Taiwan where they performed for Chinese troops stationed at Peng Hu Islands. They also visited Ping Tung, Kaohsung, Tainan, Mt Phoenix and the Fisherman Islands. Master Chu never forgot his gratitude to his Master, and his Master’s lifelong endeavour to promote the Seven Star Praying Mantis Style. Master Chu has acted as

• the Chief Instructor of the Low Clansmen Martial Arts Club,

• Chairman of the Chu Chi Man Physical Training Club,

• member of the Development Committee of the Hong Kong Martial Arts Association,

• permanent superintendent of both the Hong Kong and Kowloon Northern Seven Star Alumni Association and the Lee Kam Wing Martial Arts Gymnasium.

picture Master Chu Chi with straight sword

Lee Kam Wing (seventh generation) was born in Hong Kong in 1947 and came from a martial arts family, his father Lee Chau was a practitioner of the Pak Mei style of Kung Fu. As a young child he would often watch his father practise with his Kung fu brothers but being a merchant he never taught the art of Pak Mei and only practised for his own health and self defence benefits. For the same reasons he would not teach the young Lee Kam Wing. Although he knew very little about the different styles of Kung Fu, Lee Kam Wing was fascinated by the Chinese martial arts throughout his childhood and was always thrilled by the antics of the Monkey King in various operas and film shows.

His father opened a dyeing factory and as his eldest son, it was his responsibility to help. Master Lee recalls that these days were very hard, working long hours in adverse conditions of damp and heat. The fabric had to be stirred and removed from the vats with a long pole while being heavily weighed down with water. The cloth had to be delivered by hand and loading up a large barrow, he would make deliveries around the Kowloon area. In those days most of the buildings didn’t have lifts so each roll had to be carried up stairs often six floors or more.

Because of his interest in the martial arts his uncle took him to view a Kung Fu class run by Master Chu Chi Man, the young Lee Kam Wing was goggle-eyed, he could not believe the speed, power and agility of the students on view and he felt that this must surely be the Monkey style. It didn’t take him long to find out that he was really watching the Seven Stars Praying Mantis Kung Fu. At fifteen years of age he started his studies under Master Chu, he began to look upon the hard work in his fathers dye house with a more positive frame of mind. It could be used as a method of training, building up strong leg and arm muscles. Lee Kam Wing studied with Master Chu for ten years and learnt the complete system as handed down by Grand Master Low Kwan Yu.

During this period, a famous Pak Mei Master arrived in Hong Kong from China, Lee Kam Wing’s father assisted him in setting up a gymnasium. Of course, Lee Kam Wing helped his father and had the opportunity to study the Pak Mei style. Chu Chi Man, hearing of this, was very worried that his student might change styles. Master Chu spoke to his student about this, Lee Kam Wing reassured him that this would not be the case.

RESPECT FOR ALL STYLES

Although Master Lee has the greatest respect for the Pak Mei style and for all other styles of Kung Fu, he told his Sifu that it was his duty to teach and promote the Seven Stars Praying Mantis style. In 1972, with the encouragement of Master Chu, he opened his own Martial Arts Gymnasium. Master Chu presented him with four hand written books which were given to him by his teacher Low Kwan Yu. The books were entitled ‘ The Origins of Shaolin Kung Fu ’, ‘ Basic Structure of Iron Palm Techniques ’, ‘ The Boxing Theories of The Seven Star Praying Mantis Style ’, and ‘ Methods of Bone Setting ’.

Master Lee has made an advanced study of Osteopathy and Acupuncture in Guangzhou and is a graduate of the Famous Foshan Orthopaedics Hospital in China. In co-operation with Master Leung Ting he provided information for the book ’ Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu ’ which was published in 1980. Lee Kam Wing has been a practising Buddhist since 1981 and in 1985 produced his own book ‘The Secret of Seven Star Mantis Kung Fu ’.

This was the first detailed book on the Praying Mantis style to be published, featuring Three Hand Forms, Basics, Kicks, Chi Gung and many theories and applications. His promise to Sifu Master Chu Chi Man to promote the style has been kept and he has taught the art to many overseas students from Japan, America, Germany, England, Italy, South Africa, France, Hungary and Holland. Seminars have also been held in Germany, England, Hungary France, America, Italy and Australia.

• Sifu Lee Kam Wing is a permanent member of the Hong Kong Chinese Martial arts Association

• Vice president of Hong Kong Southern and Northern Martial Arts Association (Founder member)

• President of Hong Kong Shandong Mantis Boxing Association (founder member)

• Director and Vice President of Hong Kong Chin Woo Athletic Association

• Vice chairman of the World Organisation of Wushu Kung Fu Masters

• Director and Seven Star Praying Mantis Coach of the Hong Kong Chin Woo Athletic Association

• Consultant of the Guangzhou Chin Woo Athletic Association China

• Director of the British Taijiquan and Shaolin Wushu Association

Sifu Lee Kam Wing is also an accredited Coach with the Hong Kong Coaching Committee, overseas consultant for the Singapore San Cheen Do Institute and is the Guardian of the German Seven Star Mantis Group. Sifu Lee continually strives to promote understanding of the Chinese Martial Arts and gives many demonstrations around the Hong Kong area and on television.

picture Master Lee Kam Wing double broadswords

On December 15, 2006 Master Lee celebrated his 60th birthday in Hong Kong.

Sixteen Disciples’ came to pay homage to their mentor namely Kwok Wing Ho (Hong Kong), Chan Sie Hung (Hong Kong), Derek Frearson (United Kingdom) Malcolm James Franklin (United Kingdom), Sergio Marzicchi (Italy) Pierluigi Barbieri (Italy), Brunke Bast (Germany) Nikolai Schild (Germany), Raul Ortis (United States), Brian Bateman (United States), Laszlo Kovacs (Hungary), Lam Chi Ming (Hong Kong), Yu Fu Keung (Hong Kong), Tung Fu (Hong Kong), Wang Kin Wai (Hong Kong), and Sin Ting Fung (Hong Kong).

The above disciples represent the first generation intake by Master Lee Kam Wing.

10 Grandmasters witnessed the ceremony including Master Kong Pu Wai (Hung Fung), Master Poon Sing (Choy Lay Fut), Master Cheng wan (Chu Ka Tang Lang), Master Lau Bill ( Choy Mok), Master Tung Kin Kwong (Dragon), Master Kwok Pui Kai (Mongolian Wrestling), Master Cheng Po Lam (Northern Shaolin Tay Tong Pak Kar), Master Lo Wai Keung (Lama Style), Master Yip Chi Keung (Chow Ka tang lang), and Master Leung Ting (Wing Tsun).

picture Disciples at Lee Sifus family home Shude China