There sit a number of books in my Kung Fu library that I hope to someday get a chance to translate. One of these—an inexpensive volume with wonderful pictures which I have returned to over and over—is the Hung Jia form: Snake, Cat and Crane Combined Boxing. The postures intrigue me. What exactly was the relation of this form to its more famous brothers like Tiger/Crane, Iron Thread and such?

A while back we were informed by our friend Eric Shou-li Yao that he was involved in publishing this book, en face, in Chinese and English. It seemed that the author was Leung Wing-hang, Eric’s grand-uncle. It also appeared that while Eric had a later edition than ours it was less accurate. We were delighted to try to help and I remember taking our copy and holding it against a window while Debbie photographed each page to send to him.

And now the Snake, Cat Crane book is here. Not only does it contain the entire form, but it gives some great historical information on the creation of this set and, in the wider picture, the creative process that was occurring with many other teachers developing a rash of customized forms such as Ying-Jaau-Tong-Long-Bo-Yin-Sun (Eagle Claw, Mantis Step, Swallow Body).

Leung also became the martial arts director for that famous movie series about Wong Fei-hong, showing real Kung Fu technique for the first time on the big screen.

Besides teaching Kung Fu Leung Sifu was a Dit Da (traumatology) specialist. And a chrysanthemum painter. A student of Lam Sai-wing, his every posture has the correct spirit, the right fragrance, the truest shape.

Why cat not tiger? Snake, not dragon? There are reasons. This book is a fine addition to a Kung Fu library not only for Hung style but for enthusiasts of Kung Fu history. This text doesn’t just re-issue the original but it keeps the end papers, prefaces, and personal notes for fellow practitioners and admirers which is such a part of martial culture.