Post by Eric Ling on Oct 7, 2004 22:44:47 GMT -5
The Chou brothers created the Chou style of Kung Fu back in the 1900's. The Chou brothers were from the village of Safu in Hsiuhui County, Kwangtung Province. They were well known for their skills and techniques and were referred to as "The Five Tigers of the Chou Family".
Chou Lung, the eldest of the five was the 5th son in the family, followed by Chou Hup the 6th son, Chou Piao the 8th son, Chou Hai the 9th son and Chou Tien the 10th son. Among them Chou Piao and Chou Tien were twins.
Each of the five brothers has his own unique individual talents. Chou Lung was especially gifted with a natural disposition in martial arts training. Since early childhood, he had been a follower of his uncle, Chou Hsiung, a master of the Hung Style Kung Fu. Chou Lung migrated to the south in 1910 at the age of 19 to seek employment. While he was there, he studied under another great master who specialized in the Choy Lai Fut Style Kung Fu. Five years later, he returned to Kwangtung and worked as a carpenter. He spent his leisure hours studying the two different forms of martial arts he had mastered and combined the best of the two and created his very own style – Chou-Ga.
In the early days of the Chinese Republic, a general by the name of Lee Fu Lin issued a decree making it mandatory for all officers and men serving the army to master Chinese martial art for self-defense. An elimination contest was held among the good and famous martial arts teacher in the Province in an attempt to choose the best instructor. Chou Lung saw the contest as an opportunity to promote the Chou Style. He entered for the contest and defeated 28 chosen instructors to become Chief martial art instructor for the army. The other four brothers later joined Chou Lung as instructors in the army.
Soon, Chou Style of martial art became the most popular form of martial art throughout China. Many requested Chou Lung to teach in their gymnasiums. However, due to his commitment to the army, Chou Lung was unable to accept these offers. Nevertheless, he sent his four brothers out to the various provinces to set up gymnasiums.
In 1919, an epidemic broke out in Kwangtung, many people suffered from a disease known as pandemic, Chou Lung was among the unfortunate ones. But believing that his superb physical fitness would help him overcome this disease, he refused to consult a doctor and thus, died a very young age of 29. His death was indeed a great loss to the Chinese Martial Art Circles.
After Chou Lung's death, the remaining four Chou brothers continued to run their gym and take in disciples. These disciples are teaching in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia and the United States of America.
Singapore's Chou Jia Sifu Fong Fook Hua is a very good friend of mine.
Chou Lung, the eldest of the five was the 5th son in the family, followed by Chou Hup the 6th son, Chou Piao the 8th son, Chou Hai the 9th son and Chou Tien the 10th son. Among them Chou Piao and Chou Tien were twins.
Each of the five brothers has his own unique individual talents. Chou Lung was especially gifted with a natural disposition in martial arts training. Since early childhood, he had been a follower of his uncle, Chou Hsiung, a master of the Hung Style Kung Fu. Chou Lung migrated to the south in 1910 at the age of 19 to seek employment. While he was there, he studied under another great master who specialized in the Choy Lai Fut Style Kung Fu. Five years later, he returned to Kwangtung and worked as a carpenter. He spent his leisure hours studying the two different forms of martial arts he had mastered and combined the best of the two and created his very own style – Chou-Ga.
In the early days of the Chinese Republic, a general by the name of Lee Fu Lin issued a decree making it mandatory for all officers and men serving the army to master Chinese martial art for self-defense. An elimination contest was held among the good and famous martial arts teacher in the Province in an attempt to choose the best instructor. Chou Lung saw the contest as an opportunity to promote the Chou Style. He entered for the contest and defeated 28 chosen instructors to become Chief martial art instructor for the army. The other four brothers later joined Chou Lung as instructors in the army.
Soon, Chou Style of martial art became the most popular form of martial art throughout China. Many requested Chou Lung to teach in their gymnasiums. However, due to his commitment to the army, Chou Lung was unable to accept these offers. Nevertheless, he sent his four brothers out to the various provinces to set up gymnasiums.
In 1919, an epidemic broke out in Kwangtung, many people suffered from a disease known as pandemic, Chou Lung was among the unfortunate ones. But believing that his superb physical fitness would help him overcome this disease, he refused to consult a doctor and thus, died a very young age of 29. His death was indeed a great loss to the Chinese Martial Art Circles.
After Chou Lung's death, the remaining four Chou brothers continued to run their gym and take in disciples. These disciples are teaching in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia and the United States of America.
Singapore's Chou Jia Sifu Fong Fook Hua is a very good friend of mine.
Sifu Fong Fook Hua
