Chan Wah Inherits Wing Chun

After Leung Jan's encounter with Tse Biu, Jan knew that all his students were now aware he had the secret Butterfly Palms technique and would want to learn it. Since the technique was so dangerous, Jan believed he should be very careful when passing it along. Jan's dilemma was, if he didn't teach some people, they would think he was no good. It was very difficult to decide. Jan eventually chose to close his Wing Chun school.

Leung Jan told his students that he was old, and the pharmacy was too much work. Jan decided he would retire and from then on it should be Chan Wah's job to teach Wing Chun. Many of Jan's students had not yet finished their lessons, and so Jan sent them to Wah's school to complete their lessons. Wah had graduated and knew all of Leung Jan's skills, so Jan was confident Wah could do as good a job as he.

At first, Leung Jan's students were very upset with the news. But they knew Jan was old, and they forgave him. Jan kept a few weapons from his school for himself, but gave all the rest to Chan Wah. Due to the influx of students, Wah's school expanded, and Jan concentrated only on his medical practice.

Wing Chun's reputation was great in Foshan, and since Chan Wah's skills were good, many sought him out for instruction. One student, who had originally begun learning from Leung Jan but continued with Wah was named Ng Chun-So. Jan had always liked Chun-So, and thought he would be very good in the future. Chun-So was the son of a wealthy businessman who had heard of Jan's great reputation and had come to him seeking lessons.

Ng Chun-So was not very tall, and was quite slim and gentle. At first, Leung Jan thought that since Chun-So was from a rich family, he was only doing Wing Chun as a pastime. When Chun-So came, however, he always worked very hard, learned quickly, and made sure to ask questions so that he learned exactly. Jan thought Chun-So was very special and asked him why he wanted to learn Wing Chun. Chun-So replied that his first aim was for self-defense, his second for health. Jan taught him everything.

Although young, Ng Chun-So was progressing faster then others. Every night, Chun-So came early, before anyone else, and practiced on his own. If Chun-So did not understand something, he was sure to check it with Leung Jan. Since Chun-So was smart, smarter than all the other students, Jan thought he could learn and pass along the art well.

When Leung Jan retired, Ng Chun-So had not yet finished his lessons, so Jan spoke to Chan Wah. Jan told Wah that there were 40 people in his last class. Some came only to play, some were temperamental, only Chun-So was special. Jan thought Chun-So would become very good, but he was closing his school, and he could not just keep Chun-So on. Jan informed Wah that Chun-So would be going to Wah's school from now on, and asked that Wah be sure to teach him very well, and to show him the Butterfly Palms technique. Jan explained that Chan-So would be able to help Wah later.

Chan Wah heard Leung Jan's words and realized his teacher liked Ng Chun-So very much. Wah agreed to follow Jan's wishes and teach Chun-So very well. Whenever Chun-So had a question, Wah explained every detail to him. Chun-So eventually became a famous Wing Chun master.

These stories were translated by Rene Ritchie, and have been included here with his permission. Visit the Yuen Kay-San Wing Chun home page to see the originals.