Iron Thread. Southern Shaolin Hung Gar Kung Fu Classics Series

Priceless Heritage of Southern Shaolin Inherited from the Past and Handed Down by Venerable Grandmaster Lam Sai Wing.

Original edition: Hong Kong, 1957; translated from Chinese in 2002 - 2007.

The Iron Thread Form (Tid Sin Kuen) was created by Tid Kiu Sam (Iron Bridge III), one of the best martial artists in the history of China. His real name was Leung Kwan (1813-1886). He was one of the famous Ten Tigers of Guangdong.

Tid Kiu Sam was born in the town of Nanghai, Guangdong province. He, the third child in the family, became a disciple of a monk from the Southern Shaolin Temple, Gwok Yan. Gwok Yan was one of the greatest masters of the Southern Shaolin Hung Gar Kuen school. He was known along the whole length of the Yangtse river. Through the years Tid Kiu Sam passed his knowledge down to one of his students, Lam Fook Sing. Some time later Lam Fook Sing taught Wong Fei Hung (1847-1924) and the latter Wong Fei Hung taught Lam Sai Wing (1860-1943).

The Iron Thread is considered as the highest form taught in the traditional Southern Shaolin Hung Gar Kung Fu system. This method belongs to a branch of "Hard", or fighting Southern Shaolin Qi Gong (Chi Kung) and considered as "Internal Training". A master of the Iron Thread can withstand, with no consequences, the strongest of blows, including ones with heavy objects or cold steel, bend thick iron rods with his hands, and his "rooting power" is so strong that he cannot be displaced by a group of strong people. In addition, this wonderful method strengthens all internal organs, bones, muscles and sinews. The entire body thrives and rejuvenate. Benefits of this training are endless.

Lam Sai Wing (An article from ZHONG GUO WU SHU ZEN MING CI DIAN - Dictionary "Well-known Masters of the Chinese Martial Arts" edited by Chang Cang and Zhou Li Chang) .

Lam Sai Wing (1861 - 1943) was born in the district of Nan Hai, Guangdong province. Followed the customs of ancestors and learnt the tradition of Martial Arts in his family, proceeded to learn from tutors Lam Fook Sing, Wong Fei Hung, and Wu Gum Sin. Indulged in persistent training, achieved great mastership in the Martial Arts. Founded Wu Ben Tang ("The Hall of Fundamental Study") in Guangzhou (Canton) where he taught the Martial Arts. During his life brought up more than 10,000 followers.

Toward the end of the Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911) gained the first place at large competitions that took place at the Dongjiao ground. Thanks to it, with great pleasure, Lam Sai Wing received a silver medal handed to him by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen himself as a token of the recognition of his great services and successes. In the years followed, taking images and characters of the Tiger and the Crane as a base, as well as techniques of Hung Gar Kuen and Fo Kuen styles, he founded a new school Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen ("The Double Form of the Tiger and the Crane").

Lived in his old years in Hong Kong where he taught the Martial Arts together with his favorite disciples Juy Yu Jaai, Jeung Sai Biu, Lei Sai Fai, and others. Wrote books: GUNG GEE FOOK FU KUEN ("Taming the Tiger"), TID SIN KUEN ("Iron Thread Fist"), and FU HOK SEUNG YING KUEN ("The Double Form of the Tiger and the Crane").

Marked a new epoch and a new school of Chinese Martial Arts, in particular in the division of formal complexes Tao Lu. Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen is practiced on a large scale both in China and abroad and the interest to it does not fall down. After the formation of the People's Republic of China (1949) this style was included into syllabuses of institutes and Wu Shu high-grade schools.