Arguably the biggest spectacle of any Chinese celebration is perhaps the acrobatic lion dance and martial arts demonstrations. Each school demonstrates techniques that have been taught, learned, and passed down for generations. Colloquially referred to as Chinese kung fu, “officially it is actually called the national sport, ‘國術’,” said Dr. Paul Kwan, Associate Professor of Medical Education at Tufts.
In the U.S., kung fu was popularized in the 1970s after the initial successes in Hong Kong in the 50s and 60s. Here in the U.S., kung fu not only serves the purpose of continuing tradition, but it has also become an important vessel to preserve and pass on Chinese culture. Boston Chinatown has housed many masters and schools. Gin Soon Chu is the only disciple of Yeung Sau Chung and 5th generation lineage holder of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan in the U.S. Bow Sim Mark founded the Chinese Wushu Research Institute and is the mother of movie star Donnie Yen. Pui Chan is 6th generation successor of the Wah Lum Pai Tam Tui Northern Praying Mantis style; his daughter also served as the model of Disney’s animated film Mulan.
In 1977, these masters along with Winchell Woo, Dr. Paul Kwan, and several masters of different styles came together to establish New England’s Eastern US Kung Fu Federation headquartered in Boston. The Federation represented a variety of kung fu systems, namely: Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, Hung Gar Tiger Crane, Wah Lum Praying Mantis, Hung Far, Seven Star Praying Mantis, Tai Chi/Hsing Yee, Wah Ok, and Tai Mantis.
The creation of the Federation had the goal of bringing all the different styles, masters and grandmasters together to learn from each other. Dr. Kwan said, “So they’re not competing against each other, they’re helping each other to respect the Chinese culture and the martial arts because it’s all together, there’s no real separation between the kung fu and the Chinese culture.”
Perhaps this might not have happened if it were still in China, as the urgency to stand together while in a foreign land may have been a motivating factor for them to get together.
This was significant because traditionally, “schools would only teach Chinese people martial arts,” said Arthur Soo Hoo, longtime student of Grandmaster Gin Soon Chu. “You don’t teach your enemy how to defend themselves.”
Kung fu has come to be synonymous with Chinese culture for several reasons. The sport is not solely a means of exercise or a method of self-defense. It encompasses a lifestyle of philosophies as well as an emphasis in teaching not just the physical, but also the mental. Soo Hoo said, “We practice the internal, not the external. Internal is something you don’t see the strength until after. In karate, when they do that you see the power coming, but in Tai Chi, you don’t want that.”
Dr. Kwan said, “It’s difficult to read Chinese poetry even if you know how to read Chinese. But Kung Fu is faster, and more engaging.” Just as any cultural tradition does, it brings people together. “When you practice with each other in the school, you are not just students. These are fellow brothers and sisters,” said Dr. Kwan.
However, the practice struggled to survive overseas. Kung Fu, the movie, and other movies like those starring Bruce Lee helped popularize the practice, but there were still challenges. Chinese martial arts schools faced stiff competition from other forms of martial arts such as karate and taekwondo that had been popular for a longer time in the U.S.
Not that many people knew about Kung Fu because of the language barrier – you could not find the schools that taught it if you could not read Chinese. Over-time, the masters were convinced that they must teach non-Chinese and those outside of the community to continue the lineage. Dr. Kwan said, “I told him (Chan Pui) to advertise in the Yellow Pages. For kung fu to survive outside Chinatown, you have to advertise, you have to go and teach people, you have to accept multiple students.”
The Federation began to fizzle out when each of the founders began pursuing their own goals and endeavors. Dr. Kwan went to medical school at Tufts, and is now an associate professor there. Chan Pui went to Florida, bought some land and built the Wah Lum Temple.
Today the New England’s Eastern US Kung Fu Federation is only a shadow of what it used to be. “People prefer to keep to themselves nowadays,” said Soo Hoo. “Before, kids wanted to learn martial arts. Now they would rather play video games online than practice martial arts.”
Even though the grandmasters no longer physically come together anymore, their bonds are still as strong as ever. Gin Soon Tai Chi Chuan Federation continues offering classes hidden away in Chinatown Boston. Wah Lum has a New England headquarters in Chinatown and satellites in Malden and Quincy. The Hung Gar Kung Fu and Lion Dance Academy has moved down to Quincy. Plus, many younger kung fu masters have opened schools around the Greater Boston area.
Despite the modern challenges faced by these masters, they all still share a bond built on respect. Respect is one of the most important lessons in the teachings. Dr. Kwan said, “The Chinese tradition says you can learn from a person for one day, that person is your instructor for life.”
