WING CHUN
The interest in this famous short hand style is huge and ever-growing. We have selected from among the many Wing Chun books those texts which we feel have special interest.
KE020 The Evolution of Wing Chun Kung Fu Kicking Techniques
By Osmond Lam
182 pages, oversized 8 1/4 X 11 7/8
Color, high gloss pages,
Regularly $42.95 PLUM price $38.95
Here is a text thick with history and presenting a rarely shown part of the master techniques of Wing Chun style Kung Fu. This is an important and noteworthy text in the Wing Chun canon.
The Evolution of Wing Chun Kung Fu Kicking Techniques is divided into distinct parts. The introductions add background about Wing Chun's lineage, including a very interesting front piece by C. S. Tang, a noted authority. There is much information on who was who in the branch containing Chow Tze Chuen. The intro also includeds an original piece by the author discussing the many controversies within the Wing Chun camp. Here we find a lot of inside stories such as Yip Man’s fight with Wong Shun Leung. We also get a glimpse of Yip Man’s personality; his charm and humor. This first half of the book takes us through the alleys of Hong Kong with Yip Man’s and Wing Chun’s slow but continual growth in popularity.
Following is a long section on Wing Chun kicking, including pages showing a correspondence between the dummy form and this style’s key kicks. Next, a switch to kicks performed while playing Sticky Hands. The author's teacher, Chan Tak-Kwong then performs the entire series of the “Shortened 13 Legs” set. AFter this comes more combinations and principles.
The author is very firm on the idea (and his teacher’s) that the dummy is insufficient to teach real fighting footwork. He offers a discussion on the half-circle defense and placement.
As is traditional, the core of the book is followed by pictures and text on affiliated Wing Chun schools from Australia to Finland.
This is a quality, full color edition on hi-gloss paper. It is oversized measuring 8 1/4 by 11 7/8.
NEW! KF013 Fut Sao Wing Chun
The Leung Family Buddha Hand System
by James Cama
normally $21.95, PLUM price $19.95, 175 pages, softbound, illustrations, photographs,Here is one of the first English books on the Fut Sao branch of Wing Chun Kung Fu. James Cama, lineage holder in this art, gives a description of the style but also of his meeting and study with Henry Leung from challenges by other martial artists to very personal instruction about life and art. More of a picture guide than a highly detailed text, this offers information on Siu Lin Tao (one and two-person versions), Wing Chun training devices, sensitivity drills, Wing Chun's special Chi Kung (Qigong) and applications against single and multiple attackers.
About the background: Henry Leung was the student of Grand Master Gao hi Fut Sao. Cama Sifu is the first student to comlpete the entire system under Henry Leung. These pages are filled not only with a faithful rendition of this particular branch of WC, but also a respect and fondness for his teacher. Sifu Leung gave Cama his blessing to spread this art. Unfortunately the day of Sifu's Cama's publication was within 24 hours of his passing from our ranks.
NEW! KW042 Wing Chun Kung Fu Bamboo and Iron
Jook Wan Huen & Tin Heun Ring Method
by Tyler Rea
normally $19.95, PLUM price $17.95, 175 pages, softbound, illustrations, photographs,
OUT OF STOCK!
Please place
me on your
WANT LIST
for this item.I admit it: I love to design things, though my skill level at materializing my ideas is so deficient that being all thumbs would be a promotion. This exasperating limitation condemns masses of unrealized inventions to line the bottom of banker's boxes all over my garage. I feel an affinity for the guy who wanted to create a new soft drink but stopped at "6 Up."
Tyler Rea's new book has lots and lots of things to build and then—after you have built them—you can go ahead and hit them (assuming, of course, you are a better builder than I.) He first presents Jongs (wooden men) constructed from relatively inexpensive PVC, most them anchored by bench press plates. He shows us a number of special variations, including one customized to stick-fighting. Then there is the weight pipe training device, very economical and simple, a short length of PVC with 2 caps glued on. Next comes an old favorite, the metal rings, which I think of as a superb training device. Following are instruments such as weight-clubs standing in as butterfly knives. Finally, there is a section on freehand fa jin exercises from the mantis style. The illustrations in this book are plentiful with the line drawings being crisp and clear, in contrast to the photos, many of which are muddy.
While construction plans are not highly detailed, most of these are so straightforward you should be able to assemble anything here easily.
Then, maybe, you could lend me a hand...
KW041 Wing Chun Wooden Dummy
Written by Sam Chan & Brad Groom
$34.95 PLUM price $24.95
150 pages, photographs and construction plans, soft bound over sized
First off, the authors have created one of the more in-depth presentations of the Wing Chun Dummy. Of course it contains the entire dummy set with admirably large photos at four up for each over-sized page. Even the history section is a bit different, not taking for granted all the many stories and legends related to this style. There is a nice explanation of the core sets in the Wing Chun system and what is the focus for each of them. There is another section, and I think a good one, on the four stages of progressing in dummy skills.
Further pages give insight into playing the dummy including its spirit, and general concepts you should focus on. But one of the most important additions with this text is that each sequence of the form is immediately followed by a section that explains the usage of the formal moves. This is tailed by photo-references on the entire set, a list of Cantonese terms, informal pictures of students practicing and, finally, construction plans for building your own Wooden Dummy. Our one complaint is that the binding of the books seem to be a bit "wavy," though everything seems tightly bound.
A good book on the subject with some nice insights. The authors have a lot of study under their belts. Chan HingFat (Sam) studied under the Jow Gar master, Lee Ngai and then Wing Chun under Ip Ching and Ip Chun. Mr. Groom has a wide experience in Tai Chi, boxing, escrima and more.
KW038 Bamboo Ring
Written and Illustrated by Tyler Rea
$19.95 softbound,Here is the first book in English on the practice of the Bamboo Ring. This is ostensibly a book for Southern Kung Fu practitioners in the sense that a good working vocabulary of Wing Chun terms will be a big help in understanding the commentary. However there is a 16-page glossary of terms in case you get lost. This book talks a little about the background of the rings. There is also much discussion on the principle of circularity and triangulation common and essential to the style. We would have liked to see a caption actually explaining each hand pattern and how it was done. Most of the commentary deals with the general application of the movements. However as far as specifics, we think that for some people the small rows of pictures might have been enhanced by blow-by-blow descriptions. There are a number of sections which add information tangential such as how to strike with a Phoenix Eye Fist, the main four energies of Southern Kung Fu, pivoting and footwork and more. There is a section on pole rolling to develop the Kiu Sao, also a useful southern style exercise. This information primarily derives from the teachings of Edmund Kwai, student of Li Bing Choi.
KC037 Close Range Combat Wing
Chun
Volume #1 Blocking, Striking, Kicking and Footwork Fundamentals
$29.95 PLUM price: order set and save ten per cent 10%
354 pages, Paperbound, photographs and line drawings
This series is another formidable contribution to the corpus of Kung Fu. What makes Randy Williams Sifu unique is his exhaustive elucidation of Wing Chun. He writes so fully and completely that you get the feeling you are learning all he has to say on a given subject. Of course this isn't true but it's certainly refreshing to find an instructor who wants to be clear, thorough and understood. His dedication seems tremendous and each book is chock full of photos, notes, key points and detailed observations. A serious effort.
Volume
1: The first volume discusses the entire curriculum of the system. This is followed by a long section on terms; rules of combat; principle concepts; the basic stance; the three families of blocks; chain and other forms of punching; the 8 palms; 8 elbows; 8 additional strikes; the immoveable elbow; 8 types of footwork; 8 kicks; kicking and leg blocking; long bridge blocks; complex motions; trapping; combat drills; the rattan ring and a final glossary.
Note: Just as in his first series, these books are printed with a glossy black covers. We can't guarantee they will be in the original, pristine condition which they might have started. We won't say "buyer beware" because we always try to do our best but there some scuffs and dings might be unavoidable.
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KC038 Close Range Combat Wing
Chun
Volume #2 Explosive Self-Defense Techniques
$34.95 PLUM price: order set and save ten per cent 10%
320 pages, Paperbound, photographs and line drawings
This series is another formidable contribution to the corpus of Kung Fu. What makes Randy Williams Sifu unique is his exhaustive elucidation of Wing Chun. He writes so fully and completely that you get the feeling you are learning all he has to say on a given subject. Of course this isn't true but it's certainly refreshing to find an instructor who wants to be clear, thorough and understood. His dedication seems tremendous and each book is chock full of photos, notes, key points and detailed observations. A serious effort.
Volume
2: The second volume starts with training proverbs, then goes to: facing theory, centerline, the horizontal motherline, the cutting angle, the reference concept; WC leg defense; applied timing; the eight kicking principles; combat sticky hands; chee sau concepts; close range techniques; ground fighting; sticky feet; Wing Chun power training.
Note: Just as in his first series, these books are printed with a glossy black covers. We can't guarantee they will be in the original, pristine condition which they might have started. We won't say "buyer beware" because we always try to do our best but there some scuffs and dings might be unavoidable.
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KC039 Close Range Combat Wing
Chun
Volume #3 Mook Yan Joang Wooden Dummy Form
$34.95 PLUM price: order set and save ten per cent 10%
268 pages, Paperbound, photographs and line drawings
This series is another formidable contribution to the corpus of Kung Fu. What makes Randy Williams Sifu unique is his exhaustive elucidation of Wing Chun. He writes so fully and completely that you get the feeling you are learning all he has to say on a given subject. Of course this isn't true but it's certainly refreshing to find an instructor who wants to be clear, thorough and understood. His dedication seems tremendous and each book is chock full of photos, notes, key points and detailed observations. A serious effort.
Volume
3: The third volume is dedicated to the Wooden Dummy form. It contains: proverbs relating to the Dummy Form; a discussion of the dummy's structure; building and installing; preliminaries; the 8 kicks and the dummy; the form part one; the form part two; main training points; practical applications; dummy drills; iron palm training.
Note: Just as in his first series, these books are printed with a glossy black covers. We can't guarantee they will be in the original, pristine condition which they might have started. We won't say "buyer beware" because we always try to do our best but there some scuffs and dings might be unavoidable.
OUT OF STOCK!
Please place
me on your
WANT LIST
for this item.KI005 Inch Punch Power
Details and Training Methods
by Tyler Rea
normally $24.95, PLUM price $21.95, 191 pages, softbound,
Here is a compilation of training methods, strategies and principles all revolving around a single subject: generating the famous "inch power" (Tsun Jin) so often associated with such signature styles as Wing Chun, Southern Mantis and White Eyebrow. Profusely illustrated with line drawings and photographs. Also a very large section on Kung Fu terms in Cantonese.
Table of Contents includes:
Details of Power
Four Energies (Sei Ging)
Mechanics of Inch Punch Power
The 12 Body Zones of Power: Body Drop, Round Back and Swallow Chest, Oblique Compression...
The Inch Power Exercises (Wing Chun, Southern Mantis, Crane, White Eyebrow and Six Elbows)
Martial Maxims
36 Stratagems
Device Training: Iron Ruler, Rolling Pole, Brass Rings, Chain
Southern Kung Fu terminology
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KW018 Wing Chun Kung Fu The Wooden Dummy
Shaun Rawcliffe
$32.95 (PLUM discount 10%), 160 pages, softbound, color photographs throughoutWing Chun lends itself to clear explication and this book not only gives the details about the Wooden Dummy set of Wing Chun but gives the details about the details. Student of Ip Chun, Shaun Rawcliffe has created an intelligent discussion of not only the form but the options, the principles, the logic and the alternatives locked within this essential aspect of Wing Chun training. Besides giving supporting drills, discussions of the dummy itself and some interesting scientific explanations of the style, Rawcliffe also adds the kind of teaching comments one hears on the floor of a practicing Kuan. Very informative. All color.
KC007 Chi Sau Parts 3 and 4
Leung Ting
$19.95, 130 pages, softbound, around 5" X 7.25", illustratedThis second book in Leung Ting's Chi Sau series essentially follows the information in the big red book but has been updated and broken down with new photos. Leung explains the emphasis on this point in the training on Poon and Wu Sau movements. Some of the book answers practical questions about Chi Sau. There is a nice introduction outlining what Leung Ting feels is the general prgression in learning this essential sensivity exercise of the Wing Chun (Vin Tsun) sect. Note: Each section of this series is independent and we seem to be getting more requests for this book than others in the run.
KW033H Wing Chun Kung-Fu
by Dr. Joseph Wayne Smith
103 pages, softbound, photographs
See this under our "hurt books" sectionThis book was designed to be the beginning of a series but it definitely stands alone. Dr. Smith gives a photographic summary of the three main hand forms of Wing Chun, all in one book. But of more interest is his analysis, as he says according to scientific principles, of the system as represented in its basics and in the forms. The last section of the book shows applications and continues his argument. Not everyone will agree with his conclusions as to the best stance for fighting, etc. , but we completely agree with the enlivened scrutinizing of these ancient but still relevant key points .
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KW019 Wing Chun Warrior
by Ken Ing M.D.This new book is wonderfully informal and chatty as well as instructive. Ken Ing, helps to describe the art of Sifu Duncan Leung who, it seems, is a FIGHTING Wing Chun teacher. Leung was originally introduced to Yip Man by his boyhood friend Bruce Lee. Leung became Yip Man's personal disciple for some years and during that time engaged in - by his own admittance - hundreds" of fights to test his prowess. Many, many stories and personal revelations that should be fascinating, intriguing and occasionally infuriating to students of this style and those interested in the clouds surrounding the Hong Kong days of Bruce Lee and others. Comic style drawings re-enact incidents and challengers from Leung's life. This is really an interesting text. It tries to give the spirit of the style as seen from Leung's standpoint and makes no bones about suggesting that much Wing Chun training is incomplete. However, unlike so much martial bragging we get the impression from this spirited text that Leung wants the best for the style and the students. This is the story of someone who has, at least by all reports, tested the style. His no-nonsense approach shows, at least on some levels, the dedication and adaptability of the fighter.
NOTE: This new book is very heavy and somewhat oversized and may require a little extra shipping charge (ex. domestic priority mail will be $3.85 extra).
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K#004 116 Wing Chun Dummy Techniques
by Yip ChunThis is the basic book on the Wing Chun Dummy with illustrations of Yip Man himself performing the set. An invaluable basic aid in performing and checking one's form on the Mook Jong (wooden man). Occasional interpolations by Yip Chun on application. Also, a fold out plan of how to construct a dummy. There's little to say because this is such a basic and important text for those following this branch of the art. The first wooden dummy book in English. Also reminiscences of Bruce Lee and Yip Man.
KM011 MOOK JONG Construction Manual
Michael D. Janich
$23.50, 66 pages with photos, oversize, softbound
OUT OF STOCK!
Please place
me on your
WANT LIST
for this item.This is one of the few Paladin books we handle and it is exactly what it purports to be. We have nothing against Paladin but they occupy sort of the soft-core place in the martial community touting books of real value and also "Ninja Lady Death Dealing Kisses" or whatever. This is one of the good ones. If you don't have an extra
1000 bucks or so to purchase a teak wood Wooden Dummy this manual provides detailed instructions on just how to build one. It's a bit pricey but, as we're sure the author realized, think of the money you're saving! For the sake of family unity heed well the first line of the book, "The first step in constructing a wooden dummy is deciding where to put it."
KA011 Authentic Wing Chun Weapons
by Jim Fung
$22.95, softbound, photographs
OUT OF STOCK!
Please place
me on your
WANT LIST
for this item.A good overall book on the basics of Wing Chun's main weapons: the Butterfly Knives and the 6 1/2 Pole. Introductory sections on Wing Chun teachers such as Yip Man and Leung Ting. Applications of the weapons according to Wing Chun theory. Basics and some correlations to open hand work. Sets for both weapons are profiled.