is broken. Biu jee also teaches to strike with the fingers at the body’s weak points and develops one’s bridges to become as hard as steel. In addition, the form includes hooking steps and shifting along three centerlines. As it was traditionally taught only to disciples, there is a saying that “biu jee but chut mun” (biu jee does not go out the door.) As Chinese characters have different meanings, this saying can have several interpretations: 1) Don’t teach outsiders this set; 2) Don’t use biu jee (darting fingers technique) outside of your gates; 3) Don’t go out the door using biu jee. The question is which gate/door? Biu jee is only a secret, however, if one is unaware of its inner workings and understands the techniques solely on a superficial level.
Muk yan jong (wooden man dummy) is the only form in Wing Chun to be trained using an external aid. Contrary to its use in many styles of martial arts, the Wing Chun wooden dummy is not meant to be a device for toughening the arms. Rather, the dummy is used to help the practitioner to further understand concepts such as proper positioning and diffusion of force. Every section of the muk yan jong set is a means to check for proper body structure and stance. Bridges should stick to the dummy arms. The muk yan jong is taught in several stages. The first two sections of the set are the most important, with the remainder of the set being an artistic representation of the style. Typically, Yip Man would introduce the first two sections to a student, and the students would learn the rest of the set from their si hing (seniors). The muk yan jong has the most variation in the system, and may be due to this manner of teaching.
Basics on the wooden man dummy allow a student to do repetitious excerpts from the forms and practice these movements by themselves. They can practice gaun sao (cultivating hand), kwun sao (rolling arm), huen sao (circling arm), seung fook (double subduing arm), and seung tok (double lifting arm), among others, as drills on the device (Figs. 9, 10).
The muk yan jong set varies from 108 to 116 movements and from student to student. Typically, the sequence of the first sixty movements is performed virtually identically among each of Yip Man’s students, whilst the remaining motions vary among the disciples. With the set, practitioners learn how to adjust their steps, develop power and closing skills, take the “proper” line, and how to use hand/foot combinations.
Practice of the da san jong (free-style dummy) encompasses breaking the set down into its applications in setting-up an opponent and the proper context in which to do so. Practitioners learn to juxtapose the sequence to develop their minds to vary and spontaneously change their tactics as needed.
Hong jong (air dummy) practice involves doing the set in the air, without the physical dummy, and allows the practitioner to learn to combine techniques, flow freely, and later to “shadow box.”
The use and applications of the movements or mai sang jong (making the dummy come to life), involves practicing the techniques of the dummy set against a live partner.
Master Hawkins Cheung practices tan da and gaun sao on a muk yan jong.
Luk dim boon gwun (six-and-a-half point pole) consists of the seven underlying conceptual principles tai (raise), lan (obstruct), dim (point), kit (deflect), got (cut down), wun (circle), and lao (receive). The last principle is considered a half-motion as it allows one to withdraw the pole and start a new movement.
Many Yip Man Wing Chun practitioners prefer to explain the concepts in Wing Chun terminology using biu (dart), tan (spread-out), bong (wing), fook (subdue), jut (choke), gaun (cultivate), and huen (circle). Combined with stepping, angling, sensitivity, and interpreting energy, in addition to methods of issuing strength, these basic concepts may be combined to form innumerable permutations.
Historically, the pole was the shaft of the spear typically used by Chinese foot soldiers during times of war. Measuring seven to nine feet in length, it is thicker at the butt and tapers down to one inch in diameter at the tip. The pole is a heavy weapon and requires a practitioner to utilize correct body connection, body structure, and position.
Opening move for the 6 1/2 point pole.
Wing Chun pole training is based on the Siu Lam luk dim boon gwun. The original sequence has been simplified and shortened, training has been modified to include both the left and right hand lead positions, the grip has been reduced to match the shoulder width of the practitioner (and if one’s standard is high, this distance is maintained while practicing with the pole), and chi gwun (sticking pole) has been introduced into the curriculum. An advanced practitioner can wield the long pole as if it were a toothpick. This is to say, one does not use the pole as if it were a heavy, long weapon, but rather a light, maneuverable weapon (Figs, 11–19).
Saat gwun, a quick, downward stroke to an opponent’s hand.
Biu lung cheung, darting dragon spear.
In addition to the strengthening exercises and the pole form itself, there are a variety of supplemental drills which can be performed with the pole. One such drill involves affixing a small ball on a string as a target and repeatedly trying to strike the ball while it is stationary and while it is in motion. Another accuracy drill involves hitting coins or nuts or other small objects placed on the ground. Later, as a practitioner becomes more proficient, a spontaneous or live form is used and the practitioner can wield the pole in all eight directions. The front hand allows for front power and agile movement. The rear hand is the stabilizer for driving strength. The qualities of stabbing and thrusting, striking and cutting, jabbing and driving are combined and their attributes developed for application.
Tiu gwun, jumping upward staff.
Once these drills are mastered, a student can move on to the chi gwun or sticking pole exercise. In this exercise, practitioners come into contact with and stick to each other’s pole. Similar to sticking hands, the practitioners circle, position, and re-position to exploit the openings in each other’s defense. Control is emphasized for if one thrusts or strikes too hard injuries can easily happen. Chi gwun exercises develop sensitivity through the pole, long distance positioning, and train stance, torso, and bridges. After one is proficient in chi gwun, a practitioner can move on to free-style sparring practiced slowly at first and then faster
Dang gwun, hammering staff.
The most important principles when facing pole against pole is the Wing Chun saying, “gwun mo leung heung” (the pole has not two sounds). When using the pole, a practitioner should strike in one motion, hence, make one sound. The most efficient way to do this is by combining offense and defense in one motion. This does not mean first engaging a pole and then sliding down to strike the hand, for that makes two sounds. Rather, one should strike the hand immediately upon facing an opponent.
Tan gwun, the pole
