Lam Sai Wing
Encyclopedia
Lam Sai-wing (1861 - 1942, or 1860 - 1943 depending on the source), was a student of the Cantonese
martial artist
, healer and folk hero
Wong Fei-hung.
district, Guangdong
. He followed the customs of his ancestors and learned the traditional martial arts of his family, progressing to learning from Lin Fucheng, Wong Fei-hung and Wu Quanmei. He was eventually considered an expert in Hung Ga ("Hung family fist", a style originating from the Southern Shaolin Tiger style, known for its efficiency and widespread at the time in various secret societies), and may have also studied Fut Kuen ("Buddhist Fist", a style practiced by various Buddhist sects in Guangdong province).
He founded the Wu Ben Tang (Hall of Fundamental Study) in Guangzhou (Canton) where he taught his martial arts.
Towards the end of the Qing dynasty
, Lam gained first place at a large martial arts competition that took place at the Dongjiao ground, receiving a silver medal from Sun Yat-sen
as a token of recognition for his service and success.
Between 1917 and 1923, Lam served in the National Revolutionary Army
of Fujian province as Chief Instructor in hand-to-hand combat.
, where he started teaching martial arts. Together with his favorite students Zhu Yuzhai, Zhang Shibiao, Li Shihui, and others, he wrote three books on the three primary forms (taolu) of Hung Ga: gung ji fuk fu keun ("Taming the Tiger Fist"), fu hok seung ying keun ("Tiger Crane Paired Form Fist"), and tit sin keun ("Iron Wire Fist").
Although his exact age is not known, Lam was over 80 when he died during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong
. Whilst conditions were difficult during the occupation, there has been no indication that the occupation contributed to his death.
. Another student of Lam was Golden Harvest
producer Raymond Chow
.
Lam Sai-wing's kung fu legacy is being continued by his nephew & disciple Lam Jo, who is still residing & teaching in Hong Kong with his own sons Anthony Lam Chun Fai and Lam Chun Sing. Among Lam Jo's senior disciples, Tang Kwok Wah taught in Boston. Among his disciples are amongst others Winchell Ping Chiu Woo (Chiu Mo Kwoon, Boston), Yon Lee* (Harvard Tai Chi Tiger Crane Shaolin Cultural Foundation, Shaolin Institute, Quincy), Y.C. Wong (San Francisco), Buck Sam Kong (Kong's Siu Lum Pai Assn., Los Angeles).
") (Lam was a butcher
by trade, causing his name to be translated as "Porky" in the English version), and by Sammo Hung
in the 1979 film "Lam Sai-wing" ("Magnificent Butcher
"), as well as many of the (over 100) films made about Wong Fei-hung.
[*In 2007, Yon Lee was appointed International Shaolin Cultural Ambassador by the Municipal Government of Dengfeng (home to the Shaolin Temple) Henan Province, People's Republic of China. In collaboration with the Songshan Cultural Research Foundation of Dengfeng, Lee hosted an international conference focusing on kung fu and Shaolin medicine in 2010.]
Cantonese people
The Cantonese people are Han people whose ancestral homes are in Guangdong, China. The term "Cantonese people" would then be synonymous with the Bun Dei sub-ethnic group, and is sometimes known as Gwong Fu Jan for this narrower definition...
martial artist
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
, healer and folk hero
Folk hero
A folk hero is a type of hero, real, fictional, or mythological. The single salient characteristic which makes a character a folk hero is the imprinting of the name, personality and deeds of the character in the popular consciousness. This presence in the popular consciousness is evidenced by...
Wong Fei-hung.
Early life
Lam was born in NanhaiNanhai
Nanhai District , historically known as Namhoi, is a district of Foshan prefecture-level city, in Guangdong province, southern China. It is the first city to have developed e-government informatization at the county level in China.-Administration:...
district, Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
. He followed the customs of his ancestors and learned the traditional martial arts of his family, progressing to learning from Lin Fucheng, Wong Fei-hung and Wu Quanmei. He was eventually considered an expert in Hung Ga ("Hung family fist", a style originating from the Southern Shaolin Tiger style, known for its efficiency and widespread at the time in various secret societies), and may have also studied Fut Kuen ("Buddhist Fist", a style practiced by various Buddhist sects in Guangdong province).
He founded the Wu Ben Tang (Hall of Fundamental Study) in Guangzhou (Canton) where he taught his martial arts.
Towards the end of the Qing dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, Lam gained first place at a large martial arts competition that took place at the Dongjiao ground, receiving a silver medal from Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese doctor, revolutionary and political leader. As the foremost pioneer of Nationalist China, Sun is frequently referred to as the "Father of the Nation" , a view agreed upon by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China...
as a token of recognition for his service and success.
Between 1917 and 1923, Lam served in the National Revolutionary Army
National Revolutionary Army
The National Revolutionary Army , pre-1928 sometimes shortened to 革命軍 or Revolutionary Army and between 1928-1947 as 國軍 or National Army was the Military Arm of the Kuomintang from 1925 until 1947, as well as the national army of the Republic of China during the KMT's period of party rule...
of Fujian province as Chief Instructor in hand-to-hand combat.
Later life
Lam eventually moved to Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, where he started teaching martial arts. Together with his favorite students Zhu Yuzhai, Zhang Shibiao, Li Shihui, and others, he wrote three books on the three primary forms (taolu) of Hung Ga: gung ji fuk fu keun ("Taming the Tiger Fist"), fu hok seung ying keun ("Tiger Crane Paired Form Fist"), and tit sin keun ("Iron Wire Fist").
Although his exact age is not known, Lam was over 80 when he died during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong
Japanese occupation of Hong Kong
The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong began after the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Young, surrendered the territory of Hong Kong to Japan on 25 December 1941 after 18 days of fierce fighting by British and Canadian defenders against overwhelming Japanese Imperial forces. The occupation lasted...
. Whilst conditions were difficult during the occupation, there has been no indication that the occupation contributed to his death.
Legacy
Lam and his students, which are said to have numbered over 10,000 during his life, are primarily responsible for popularizing the style in the 20th century. Some of his students became among the first actors and stunt people in the fledgling Hong Kong "kung fu" film industry in the 1940s. They included two men who would work as action directors on the Wong Fei-hung films that starred Kwan Tak-hing - Leong Wing-hang and Lau Cham, father of action director and star, Lau Kar-leungLau Kar-leung
Lau Kar-Leung is a famous Hong Kong martial arts filmmaker, choreographer, and actor.Lau Kar-Leung is best known for his movies which he made during the 1970s and 1980s for the Shaw Brothers Studio...
. Another student of Lam was Golden Harvest
Golden Harvest
Golden Harvest is a film production, distribution, and exhibition company based in Hong Kong. It played a major role in becoming the first Chinese film company to successfully enter the western market for an extended period of time, especially with the films of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan...
producer Raymond Chow
Raymond Chow
Raymond Chow Man-Wai is a Hong Kong film producer, and presenter and was responsible for successfully launching martial arts and the Hong Kong cinema onto the international stage...
.
Lam Sai-wing's kung fu legacy is being continued by his nephew & disciple Lam Jo, who is still residing & teaching in Hong Kong with his own sons Anthony Lam Chun Fai and Lam Chun Sing. Among Lam Jo's senior disciples, Tang Kwok Wah taught in Boston. Among his disciples are amongst others Winchell Ping Chiu Woo (Chiu Mo Kwoon, Boston), Yon Lee* (Harvard Tai Chi Tiger Crane Shaolin Cultural Foundation, Shaolin Institute, Quincy), Y.C. Wong (San Francisco), Buck Sam Kong (Kong's Siu Lum Pai Assn., Los Angeles).
Portrayal in the media
Lam has been portrayed in film, including the 1991 film "Wong Fei-hung" ("Once Upon a Time in ChinaOnce Upon a Time in China
Once Upon a Time in China is a Hong Kong martial arts action/adventure film franchise directed, written, and produced by Tsui Hark. The stories are based on the life of the legendary kung fu master, Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, and Chinese folk hero, Wong Fei Hung...
") (Lam was a butcher
Butcher
A butcher is a person who may slaughter animals, dress their flesh, sell their meat or any combination of these three tasks. They may prepare standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish for sale in retail or wholesale food establishments...
by trade, causing his name to be translated as "Porky" in the English version), and by Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
in the 1979 film "Lam Sai-wing" ("Magnificent Butcher
Magnificent Butcher
Magnificent Butcher is a 1979 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, starring Sammo Hung, Kwan Tak-hing, Yuen Biao, Wei Pai, Lee Hoi San, Chiang Kam, Fan Mei Sheng, Fung Ging Man, Fung Hak-on and Max Lee.The film is based on the story of Lam Sai-wing, one of the...
"), as well as many of the (over 100) films made about Wong Fei-hung.
[*In 2007, Yon Lee was appointed International Shaolin Cultural Ambassador by the Municipal Government of Dengfeng (home to the Shaolin Temple) Henan Province, People's Republic of China. In collaboration with the Songshan Cultural Research Foundation of Dengfeng, Lee hosted an international conference focusing on kung fu and Shaolin medicine in 2010.]