White Tiger (Tai Gik Koon) Training
In modern martial arts it is common practice to keep a public account of who trained whom and for what purpose. Traditionally in Chinese martial arts this is not the case, lineage and training records are privately held, trusted to a few and transferred orally, as family photos or through shared customs.
Historical experience has shown that naming members of a martial arts family can bring with it dire unforeseen consequences. These traditions are not without their cost, as with family histories whole branches can become isolated or lose track of their roots, when information is lost forgotten or not passed on.
PaLosing track of the roots of your skills is a terrible thing, but rediscovering them is a joy and privilege. In this spirit Sifu Paul Burkinshaw has spent the past several years renewing and reaffirming the connections in our kung-fu family tree. In early 2006 Sifu Paul re-established links with his Black Tiger brothers in Hong Kong and the U.S.A. With the aid and tuition of Paul’s Si-Hing’s (older brothers) Eric Tsai (Hong Kong) and Jerry Davis (U.S.A), Paul has been able to introduce many of the traditional forms, weapons and other skills that were missing from his branch in the U.K.
The original founder of the U.K branch was Si-Gung (Master) Bob Johnson, whose focus had been the practical street side of the art of self-defence and fighting. The late Si-Tai Gung (Grandmaster) Wong Cheung didn’t teach a set syllabus as is the norm in many Western clubs, but would teach each student individually as he and they thought appropriate. Two of Si-Gung Bob Johnson’s original students are Si-Gung James Bedford-Stradling and Si-Bok Pete Smith who decided to write a book about their former teacher documenting his life and legacies. Through this process they contacted Sifu Paul in mid 2007 to interview him. After some discussion and demonstration from both sides, Sifu Paul asked if they would be willing to share some of Si-Gung Bob Johnson’s teachings.
Si-Bok Pete Smith demonstrating Tiger bag-work
Si-Bok Pete Smith watching Dave Richardson on the bag
In January 2008, disciples and senior students of Sil Lum Hark Fu Mun were invited to train with Si-Gung James Bedford-Stradling and Si-Bok Pete Smith. They began with astonishing openness introducing us to each discipline of the White Tiger style from the Tai Gik Koon System and giving us an overview of how these aspects blend in their training. From these initial sessions it became evident that we shared more than a common history, the White Tiger System was familiar but much of the practices were different. Captivated by both the similarities and differences between our systems, members of Sil Lum Hark Fu Mun have continued closed door training under Si-Gung James and Si-Bok Pete.
Si-Gung James watching Ian Harrison on Bob
Exploring our differences has strengthened both our technique and common bond. Si-Gung James and Si-Bok Pete have passed drills and techniques from the Tiger System for speed training, free sparring and bag work. We have learnt hand and training forms with new measurements of progress. We are most grateful for the Tiger forms which have been passed to us with detailed attention to their application. The knowledge from Master Johnson's original system that has been passed to us has reinvigorated our practice of technique application and fuelled our desire to learn more.
Visiting the White Tiger Gym in Leicester
Si-Gung James and Si-Bok Pete have continued to train members of Sil Lum Hark Fu Mun for over a year now, going far beyond their original offer. We are in the process of reintroducing the traditions we have been taught into our normal practice. Sil Lum Hark Fu Mun has been enriched by the skills returned to us from our Tiger brothers and we are grateful for their openness and wisdom.
Written by,
Andrew Shenton, Student of Sil Lum Hark Fu Mun