Hasayfu
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Hasayfu (δΈεθ) is a form of Chinese martial arts, credited with originating in the four southern Chinese provinces of Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, and Yong'an. It shares many aspects with the traditional Hung Ga system of kung fu. Unfortunately, much of its early history has been lost, however, modern teachers and students recognize Grandmaster Leung Hwa Chiu as its founder. Currently in the United States, Grandmaster Kwong Wing Lam is considered the successor of this style of kung fu[1].
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[edit] Name of the System
The proper translation of Hasayfu is "four lower provinces" which references the areas of origination for the style. When Grandmaster Wing Lam began teaching the style, his students desired a more inspired title for the art. The pronunciation of the Chinese character "province" is similar to that of "tiger." Therefore, Grandmaster Wing Lam and his students began referring to the style as "the Four Lower Tigers." Since Hasayfu is a fighting art, tiger is seen as more appropriate because it denotes the fierce dominating aspects of the tiger's fighting abilities.
[edit] Present Day Training
Hasayfu is a rarely demonstrated system of kung fu[2]. Grandmaster Wing Lam himself never taught it as a separate system but combined it in higher-level training for his advanced Hung Gar students. In the United States, teachers are almost non-existent; Sifu Saleem Alamudeen[3], Grandmaster Wing Lam's student, teaches Hasayfu as a separate curriculum in order to restore it to a more prominent place in Chinese martial arts.
The most recent demonstration of the style was at the 2007 CACMA[4] martial arts tournament wherein the Thunder Hoe set was performed.
[edit] System Characteristics
[edit] Beginner Training
Basic conditioning consists of stance training[5] and qi gong. Among the stances that students are expected to be proficient in are the Horse, Bow and Arrow, Scissors, and Cat stances which are common in Hung Ga as well. The execution in the Hasayfu system of these stances presents slight differences such as foot placement. The Yee Gee Kim Yeung Ma stance, which has a unique execution in the Hasayfu system, reflects the characteristic of the ligament power development that is required throughout training in the style. Although seen in other martial arts like Wing Chun, the focus that Hasayfu places on the binding force allows the practitioner a greater connectivity in his entire posture.
[edit] Forms
The system consists of empty hand form sets that are known in Chinese martial arts as the Five Animals. The Five Animals of Hasayfu are: Panther, Tiger, Snake, Crane, and Dragon. These forms are usually taught in this sequence. It is thought that the natural elements of the animals can be perceived and appreciated by proper understanding of the forms. They teach the practitioner skills such as speed, explosive force, absorbing and redirecting energy, balance, and breath control. Many more aspects are also taught through the forms relevant to fighting application such as blocks, strikes, grabs, and breaks.
The system also has its own weapons forms[6]. Butterfly swords, Trident, Heaven General Nine Point Rake, and the Tiger Shield are some of the more noteworthy. There are also two-man sparring sets, such as Four Gates Sparring Form, Empty Hand Versus Butterfly Sword, and Staff Versus Butterfly Sword.
[edit] Differences From Other Styles
Along with the focus on the Kim Yeung Ma stance as opposed to the emphasis typically placed on the horse stance there are several other distinguishing features of Hasayfu. Most notably absent from the Hasayfu style is the kiu sao hand posture which is prominent in Hung Ga. Therefore, in appearance the Hasayfu forms look quite different from the traditional Hung Ga sets (i.e. Tiger Crane) because the elements emphasized by Wong Fei Hung are absent.
[edit] References
- ^ Ching, Gene, The Roots and Culture of Hung Gar. Shadows of Ha Say Fu Hung Gar Lie Between shaolin Temple and Grandmaster Wing Lam, in: Wushu KUNGFU, Aug/Sep, 1998, p. 48-52.
- ^ Hung Kuen Net - Online Hung Gar Kung Fu Resources
- ^ Master Saleem Alamudeen | Hasayfu Kung Fu Association
- ^ CACMA: Carolinas Association of Chinese Martial Arts
- ^ Hung Kuen Net - Online Hung Gar Kung Fu Resources
- ^ Hasayfu Forms | Hasayfu Kung Fu Association
