Fujian (Fukien) WHITE CRANE Kung Fu

FU JIAN (Fukienese) WHITE CRANE was founded by a woman named Fang Chi-Niang. She was born in Lei Chow Fu. Her father was called Fang Hui Sz. Her mother was Lee Pik Liung. Her father studied Shaolin at the Nine Lotus Mountain in Ching Chiang district. The family, moving away from hostile land lords settled at Ching Chea Mountain in Lei Fu Show at the Ching Chu Temple. Fang Chi Niang was drying grain at this temple one day when a huge white crane landed near her and started to eat up the grain. Fang quickly grabbed her staff and tried to shoo away the bird but everything she attempted was foiled by the crane: it evaded with its head, avoided strikes to its wings and pecked at the staff. Despite the knowledge shown to her by her father she was completely unsuccessful in driving off the crane. She felt frustration but also curiosity. On subsequent days, when the crane returned, she would play with it and eventually absorbed the essence of the crane's spirit.

During this era the Chien Lung Manchu Emperor ordered the Southern Shaolin Temple to be burned down. Fortunately Fang the elder escaped and took his wife and daughter to Pik Chui Liang. Fang reinstalled himself in Sah Liang Temple, FooChow. He continued to teach his daughter who eventually decided to blend her father's Shaolin with what the crane had revealed to her.

Fang Chi Niang's transmission of information led to the formation of four kinds of Crane Fist which, as time passed developed into even more groups. The original four were Fe He (Flying Crane), Shi He (Eating Crane), Ming He (Screaming Crane) and either Jan He or Su He (Sleeping Crane).

Grand-Master Lee Kiang Ke (1903-1992)
Lee Mah Saw taught his son, the future grandmaster Lee Kiang Ke. After ten years with his father Kiang Ke went to live for four years at White Crane Temple (Bai He An) and study under Chang "9 Dots Monk." After returning to his father he learned herbal medicine and continued helping with the teaching.

Eventually he was asked to join the KuoMingTang's 49th Division as a medic. Finally he became the teacher of the famous Da Dao soldiers. After serving his returned home them went on to Singapore for six years. Next it was KuChing in East Malaysia where he opened the "Martial Heroes Association." Several schools grew out of this initial effort.

When GM Lee retired in 1978 he passed his teaching to his son, Lee Jo Chian.

Attributes of White Crane Boxing
White Crane style takes it technique and strategies from the creature itself and heightens each attribute to a special skill. For instance it utilizes the one knuckle fist (Phoenix Eye Fist) for its beak-like penetrating power. Like an agile bird it eschews confrontations of head-on power. It utilizes folding and flapping actions for elbow and hand continually exchanging with one another. Some times the crane is frontal like a posturing bird. Sometimes it turns suddenly with a surprising wing like covering. In ancient days observers were amazed at the sight of cranes taking off into flight and cracking the branches of nearby trees with the tips of their wings. This idea of extreme acceleration is still evident in the shivering fingertips of crane practitioners when they utilize this energy.

There are over 80 sets in the Crane style and many weapons including:

Other key types of training include specialized Chi Kung, body and arm conditioning and tactile listening skill drills. White Crane's influence on other styles is quite apparent.

There is a definite historical link between Crane and Okinawan Karate. We see this in older Okinawan forms such as No Hai with its Crane on the Rock posture. O-Sensei Yamaguchi, who popularized Miyagi Choju's Go-Ju in Japan, visited FooChow in Fukien and studied a number of styles including the White Crane and Praying Mantis. The SanChin stance is obviously derived from Southern Kung Fu as are the distinctive sounds used int SanChin Kata.

There is also a strong link between Crane Boxing and Taiwan. In its formative period as a Chinese province, Taiwan was a wild and wooly place always in need of top boxers. It was a thriving economy, due in part to its position and in part to the growing number of emirgrants from the oppressive Qing mainland. In the 1700's in particular top White Crane boxers came to the area and were well paid for bodyguard services. Taiwan was not passive in the development of White Crane and at times has been considered the location of the top boxers in this style. While the term "White Crane" can cover many styles, the Taiwanese representatives, even to the present day, have kept the strength and tradition of the art alive and well.

LEGENDS OF THE CRANE

One classical reference that inspires martial artists and other seekers is that of Taoist Master An Qi, an immortal, who was an herb salesman. Seeking his glowing health he was commonly called "Old Father Thousand Years." A student of Chi Kung, Herbal remedies, martial arts and Taoist alchemy, he finally decided he had had enough of life in the "dust of the world." He rode a White Crane to the Isle of the Immortals, called Peng Lai where he stayed in peace and contemplation.