kungfubrothers


snake cat crane combined fist





An Enduring Intrigue



Do you remember the 1978 Jackie Chan movie "Snake in the Eagle's Shadow", where the bullied 'Chien Fu' defeats the Eagle Claw master by combining Snake style with techniques he creates observing his pet cat? The 'Cat' style was a theatrical novelty, but unbeknownst to most comes from the real story of Leung Wing-hang.





The Snake Cat Crane Combined Fist, also known as the "Three Shapes Fist" or "Sam Ying Kuen", was created in the 1920's by the young Leung Wing-hang with the guidance of Master Yeung Hon-git who he met during his work travels in Northern China. His eyes were opened to the limitations of his Southern Hung Kuen when confronted with unfamiliar styles such as Mian Kuen 'Cotton Fist', and Ying-Jow-Tong-Long-Bo-Yin-Sun 'Eagle Claw, Mantis Step, Swallow-Body''. Upon self-reflection he found strength and power by focusing on the 'lighter' and 'softer', and ultimately discovered a way with this new style to counter and conquer his weaknesses.



snake cat crane publication history



Chinese Boxing Magazine #73 to #87



1951 Oct - Nov



As a contributing editor to this popular Hong Kong martial arts magazine, Leung Wing-hang was encouraged to demonstrate and publish his Snake Cat Crane Fist, which appeared as a serial in 4 issues. Upon popular demand this was compiled and published in the 1955 book.



Cheung Kee Book Co. First Edition


1955


This first edition printed in Chinese, includes studio portraits of Master Leung demonstrating the form's 58 techniques, foot patterns tracing its movements, the rhyme for remembering the progression of techniques, and letters of congratulations by notable masters and community leaders.


See the University of Hawaii's scanned copy here


Chan Sheung Kee Book Co. Second Edition


1970's


After Master Leung's death, the closure of Cheung Kee Book Co. saw their copyright holdings sold to Chan Sheung Kee Book Co. The original stone lithographs had not been preserved, so this edition was reproduced from a physical copy of the first edition. The image quality is therefore poor, and the photos for step 1 and step 2 were mistakenly switched. There were at least 2 versions of this edition, with and without Master Leung's portrait.


See this edition here


Chu Wan San's Unauthorized 'Copycat'


1980


Published in Taiwan by Chu Wan San (Cloudy Mountain Chu) who has no known relation to Master Leung. The form techniques are illustrated with crude hand drawings that do not capture the essence of the form. No reference is made within to Master Leung.


See this copycat book here


Douglas H.Y. Hsieh's Unauthorized 'Copycat'


1983


Printed in Taipei, "compiled" by Douglas H.Y. Hsieh, who has no known relation to Master Leung. Hsieh carried over the mistake from the second edition, and falsely attributes the origin of the style to a monk named "Yi Cheng". The photos are presumably of Hsieh himself attempting to emulate Leung, but it's apparent from his stance that his martial arts skill is elementary.


See this copycat book here


Chan Sheung Kee Book Co. Third Edition



2012



Kungfubrothers decade-long republication project, edited by Eric Yao, Leung Wing-hang's grand-nephew, in both Chinese and English, original studio photos were found and reproduced at a quality exceeding the first edition printing. The original content has been maintained, with the addition of two new forewords by Eric Yao and Master Leung's top disciple Tam Siu-ming.