Fujian White Crane


Although there are several versions as to how Fujian White Crane originated, they all acknowledge the founder as being a woman by the name of Fang Chee-Niang. 

 

Origin
It is most widely believed that one day while washing her clothes at the rivers edge a white crane became overly inquisitive. To discourage the bird Fang Chee-Niang attempted to ward it off with a stick. To her surprise the crane did not retreat and effortlessly deflected all her attacks. Over the next few days the crane persisted and the scene repeated itself. 

 

Her father Fang Wei-Shi, a disciple of Shaolin Gongfu who had fled to Fujiou to escape persecution from the Manchu government, had taught her martial arts from an early age. Eventually she recognised the significance of the crane's movements, and began incorporating them into her training pattern. 

 

Over time the Art developed to contain four elements; the Whooping Crane; the Flying Crane; the Eating Crane; and the Sleeping Crane. Together they represent the Fujian White Crane System. 

 

The Form
Consists of four sets;
 1) Pah Pu Lian 
 2) Lohan (Monk Fist or sometimes called Quick-Fist)
 3) Hua Pah Pu
 4) Chung Chien (Central Frame)
and include the eight principles of;
 1) Swallowing
 2) Spitting
 3) Floating
 4) Sinking
 5) Springing
 6) Lifting
 7) Bursting
 8) Rebounding

 

Past Masters
Of the well known White Crane Masters of this century, Xie Zhong Xiang is perhaps the most famous. Having learnt from Pan Yu Ba, Xie Zhong Xiang became the first generation master of the Whooping Crane. 

 

The founder of Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Do - Chojun Miyagi, was a student of Higashionna Kanryo, who learnt White Crane from Xie Zhong Xiang. Okinawan’s also refer to Xie Zhong Xiang as Ryuruko.

 

Master Huang Sheng-Shyan also learnt Fujian White Crane directly from Xie Zhong-Xiang, from the age of 14. After a few years of personal tutorage, Huang Sheng-Shyan still only in his late teens, was sent by Xie Zhong-Xiang to study full-time for two years with his eldest disciple Ch’en Shih Ting. 

 

In 1930 Master Huang went on to train with another famous White Crane exponent P’an Ch’un-Nien, who also began teaching him the use of medicinal herbs, and stimulated an interest in Huang for other Chinese Martial Arts. 

 

In pursuit of these Huang Sheng-Shyan moved to Shanghai, where he first began teaching White Crane. He returned to his own village in 1934 at the request of P’an Ch’un-Nien to take part in County competitions. Huang Sheng Shyan not only convincingly won the competition he went on to the finals of the provincials. There he was runner up to Chang Jih-Chang, whom Huang had previously knocked down but drawn with in a preliminary round. 

 

Due to his age and success Huang became known in Fujian as “Young Hero”, and later played an active role in the war with Japan. The recognition of his fighting abilities quickly earning him the rank of colonel.

 

Following the Communist take-over of mainland China, Master Huang emigrated to Taiwan. There he met and knelt before Cheng Man-Ching an outstanding exponent of Taijiquan. For seven years he devoted himself to being a disciple of Cheng and his Art, before moving to Singapore in 1958. 

 

Although predominately propagating Taijiquan throughout South-east Asia, with schools all over Malaysia and Singapore, to the inner disciples Huang Sheng-Shyan passed on his Fujian White Crane.

 

Wee Kee-Jin was one of the few of the estimated 10,000 students to learn the four White Crane sets. 

 

With over 30 years Martial Arts training, half of which professionally teaching White Crane and T’ai Chi Ch’uan, Wee Kee-Jin is now to follow the expressed request of his teacher to broaden the access to the Art of Fujian White Crane into Australasia and Europe.

Origin
 

Form

Principles

Past
Masters