The Students of Chan Wah

As Chan Wah's reputation grew, and people came to know him as a good man, Wing Chun continued to spread in Foshan. Many business people went to his school. Ng Chun-So, Yuen "the Fifth", Lui Yiu-Chai, and Wong Yat-Fook were all highly skilled practitioners. Wah's youngest student was Yip Man.

Yip Man came from a rich family. When Yip had been younger, he had gone to Hong Kong to learn English. When Yip graduated, he returned to Foshan. Although 16 years of age when he returned, Yip had not taken a job and spent most of his time with his bird cage in the park or taking tea. Yip's clothing was always very good, and he did not look like a martial artist. Yip was, however, very interested in Wing Chun. Yip had heard that Wing Chun was very good, and so one day he approached Chan Wah and asked to learn.

When Chan Wah saw Yip Man, he saw a rich youth with nice clothing, a beautiful face, and a gentle demeanor. Wah smiled and asked Yip if he was sure he wanted to learn. Wah told Yip he thought it may be better if he stuck to playing with his birds and walking around, rather then trying the martial arts. Yip smiled back and informed Wah that Wah did not understand. Yip really liked the martial arts, but had never before been able to find a good teacher with quality knowledge. Yip hoped Wah would be the teacher he had been looking for.

Chan Wah heard Yip Man's words and believed the youth. Wah agreed, provided that Yip worked hard at his lessons. Wah said he could not refuse Yip's request, but said Yip must be dedicated. Yip could not merely show up for a few days and then change his mind and never return. Wah told him in advance this would not be half a job. Wah invited Yip to be his student and maintained that he always wanted his students to succeed and get good quality skills. Wah told Yip, however, that if Yip did only a partial job, did not graduate, went around picking fights and lost, Wah would lose his reputation, so Yip had better be sure. Yip understood, and said he had made up his mind and would work at Wing Chun until he was successful.

When Yip Man came to class, he worked very hard. Chan Wah wondered about the youth because during the day he would go out with his rich friends, but at night in the school Yip was very friendly with everyone, even the businessmen and workers, butchers, all types of people. Yip was very punctual. During the day, he dressed in fine clothing, at night he wore old, tattered attire. Wah thought Yip was special, different in the day than at night.

A few years later, during which time Yip Man had progressed rapidly, Leung Jan became quite ill and passed away. At his funeral his many students and descendants came, the number of well wishers reaching between 500 and 600. Although Wing Chun had come to rest with Chan Wah, Wah himself was almost fifty years old and people had begun to call him Wah "Gung" ("Grandfather" Wah). During this period, helping Wah teach the students were Ng Chun-So, Yuen "The Fifth", Ah Lam, and others.

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.