Early History of Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu

Our system of Chinese martial art consists of two branches. In approximately 1909, our present Grandmaster, Tai Shī Fù Tonny Kho’s (太師父許敬唐), Great Grandfather, Huáng Yún Zŭ (黄云祖), concerned over the turmoil surrounding the pending revolution concerning the Qing Dynasty, took the family from Fujian, China to Borneo where he met the Southern Shaolin Teacher, Zōng Shī Lín Yă Qìng (宗師林亚庆). In exchange for room and board, Zōng Shī Lín Yă Qìng agreed to teach his Kung Fu to Huáng Yún Zŭ’s three sons - Tai Shī Fù Kho’s Grandfathers. After the Japanese invaded Borneo, the family relocated to a village, Pekalongan, Indonesia populated by Chinese ex-patriots. Pekalongan was somewhat isolated enabling the immigrants to maintain their traditional, cultural heritage without the influence of the changing mores in their home country, China. It was in Pekalongan that Tai Shī Fù Kho was first taught Kung Fu by his Grandfather, Zōng Shī Huáng Shŭi Shíng (宗師黃水行).

Soon after arriving in Pekalongan, Tai Shī Fù’s Grandfather met and developed a very close friendship with Zōng Shī Wú Shén Xĭ (宗師吳神禧), with whom he shared all of his martial knowledge. Zōng Shī Wú Shén Xĭ was, early on, taught by his Mother and later, after his Mother had taught him everything she was able, sent Zōng Shī Wú Shén Xĭ to her Teacher, Zōng Shī Léi Bái Xíng ( 宗師雷白行), a Northern Shaolin Teacher living in the Shandong province, to further his martial education. In addition, as Zōng Shī Wú Shén Xĭ traveled from his hometown to meet and train with Zōng Shī Léi Bái Xíng as well during his return home, he met other Teachers with whom he shared and gained additional martial knowledge. As a result of Zōng Shī’s travels as well as his relationship with Tai Shī Fù’s Grandfather, Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu’s content includes not only Northern and Southern Shaolin but methods from the Kuen Luen mountainous region and more. Most importantly, as a result of the conditions in Indonesia at the time, Zōng Shī Wú Shén Xĭ combined all of his knowledge in a systematic way and passed his teachings on to his students in an undiluted manner. As a result of the friendship between Tai Shī Fù Kho’s Grandfather and Zōng Shī, Zōng Shī Wú Shén Xĭ considered Tai Shī Fù Kho his “nephew” and continued Tai Shī Fù’s martial education once the Grandfather moved away from Pekalongan. 

For a full overview of our history, please visit https://www.shaolinhungmei.org/history-of-hung-mei.php