From Leung Jan to Yip Man

Leung Jan (approx. 1826—1901) was one of the most recognised sifus in the Wing Chun lineage. His name became well-known due to his wins in competitive bouts; he won the title of “Wing Chun Kuen Wong” or “King of Wing Chun Fist” earned over the course of 300 challenges, in which he went undefeated. He was also the first to beat a wide range of styles using the Wing Chun Fist methods. Leung Jan began learning Wing Chun Kuen during the 1840s or 1850s from members of the King Fa Wui Goon Opera Troupe. It is commonly believed that Leung Jan started learning under Leung Yee-Tai, who was a poler, and probably from Wong Wah Bo, who also a member of the Opera, when apprenticing on the Red Boats in the period of the 1840′s- 1850′s until Leung Jan’s father died. After his father’s death, Leung returned to Foshan to run his father’s pharmacy on Fai Jee Street and became a known Chinese medicine practitioner and herbalist as was his father.
It is believed that during the Opera ban post 1855, that Leung Yee Tai and Wong Wah Bo moved to the area of Foshan and that at this time Leung Jan continued his studies alongside his two teachers created the three hand forms which are the main vehicle for transmission of the Wing Chun Kuen system.Leung Jan’s students included his sons Leung Chun and Leung Bik as well as Chan Wah-Shun (nicknamed “Moneychanger Wah”) from whom the Yip Man, Yiu Kai, and Pan Nam lineages descend. Leung Bik has been featured in the “Prodigal Son” (1981) “Descendant of Wing Chun” (1978) and “Warriors 2” (1978) movies.