Lau Family Hung Gar

Birmingham, United Kingdom

Great Grand Master Lau Jaam

At the age of 16, he followed his father to Hong Kong and worked at Daai Sing Gold-Smith Shop located at Queen’s Road West as an apprentice at a monthly salary of 50 cents Sterling coin. To add clothes or a blanket, it ought to be saving 3 months salary at least. It was a hard time. He realized this job could not bring him standard living, and he was compelled to wait. Six months later, people say at String Lane close to Bamboo Hillside, a boxer was teaching there, and this boxer was the beloved disciple of Wong Fei Hung known as Lam Sai Wing. Before he came to Hong Kong, he was a fight-instructor in the military. Both names, Fei Hung and Sai Wing were not new to Lau Jaam. Now, as he was right there teaching, surely he went to see how good his kung-fu really was. When Lau still was in his village, he already learnt Kung-Fu from his uncle Lau Bou Sing who belonged to the short-bridge branch of Hung Kyun.

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His uncle saw that Lau was diligent so he taught him as much as he had. Lau was well-phased in martial arts, and now he went to Sai Wing’s gym standing by the entrance of the door. The whole evening until they finished. Lam Sai Wing did not notice anything special, but evening by evening, Lau was there, and would not leave unless got scolded. Then he found Lau was so concentrating during his students were practising, and this is so rare, a young man like him loving kung-fu so much.

Then Lam laughed at him, saying: „Hey young man, why are you stood there every evening watching me teaching?“ Lau answered: „I did learn Gung Fu too, and now I want to compare if it is the same as yours.“ „You learned Gung Fu, then how different you find it now after standing here watching many evenings?“ Lau, shook his head: “Not the same“ and he continued: „Can you teach me too?“ “I opened this gym here, and everyone who may obey the rules and pay the fee can learn“ “How much is the fee?“

“3 dollars per month.“

Lau said: „I earned only 50 cents a month, and for a 1-month fee, I need to work for 6 months, cannot afford it even I love learning.“ Lam, fond of his childlike manner, said: „If I teach you free of charge, how can you reimburse me? I live here alone, and no one takes care of my living like washing clothes etc, so can you do it for me? If you can, I teach you.“ Lau said: „Yes, yes, yes!. When I can come to Baai Si?“ [Baai Si is the ceremony to affirm the relationship of master and disciple].

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Lam told Lau to come the next evening. Lau was very happy and left after salutations. The next evening, Lau Jaam got packed his suitcase, along with sterling coin 15 cents. Taking 5 cents to purchase joss sticks, candlesticks and Yun Bao, and the remaining 10 cents folded in a red envelope as the Baai Si gift. Everything prepared he then rushed to Sai Wing gym. Entered into the hall, ignited the joss sticks and candles beneath the White Crane Ancestor’s Shrine, bowed and offered worship.

Secondly brought Lam Sai Wing a seat, bowed and submitted the Red Envelope. He called Lam “Sifu!“several times. Lam Sai Wing accepted all. As Lau Jaam did declare he has been learning Gung Fu before, to avoid confusion, and to convince Lau in the coming lessons, Lam Sai Wing said: “You said you had learnt some, while I do not know your standard. as now we’re master and disciple, as a matter of fact, I’ll teach all I have, I need to test you for 2 reasons: First, to know your weak points, second to evaluate whether or not I’m qualified as your teacher.“ ​
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Lau though repeatedly said:“ I dare not impolite“ but in heart, excited to have a chance to compete. In just a few moves Lau realised that he stood no chance, so he was ready to drop all his prior martial art studies and fully focus on the teachings of his new sifu. He never complained about hard times and never got tired.

In just a few days Lau completed learning 108 techniques of the “Taming the Tiger Set” (Fuk Fu Kyun). Lam Saiwing’s concept was “learning without hard practice, one can neither be facile in the skill nor capable to enjoy the hidden stability”. Lam Saiwing ordered Lau to practise Fuk Fu Kyun for that moment, no further teaching given. Lau had a secret way of learning what other students performed. Lam Sai Wing ordered his disciple Jeung Yun to teach on his behalf, Lau knew this Si Hing was skilful in this set, so begged Si Hing to teach him the same. Si Hing Jeung Yun said: “No, this behaviour is offensive when the master is absent.“ Lau persuaded his Si Hing and said: “Teaching outside the gym is okay!“ Jeung Yun for the sake of not disappointing Lau taught him. And it took Lau only a few days to complete this set.