Wing Chun Development Timeline

1522-1566 - Some suggest the King Fa Wui Goon, was founded by Cantonese Opera People at Dai Kie Mei in 1522-1566. Other sources suggest it was a bit later during 1573-1562. It was a place for Opera Performers to live and train. Not far away was a small harbor that the Opera boats were parked at. The orignal boats were black, but the later design used a the color red. The first Red Junk was dsigned by Yuan Tai Tze in around 1522-1566.

1630s - Fang Qi Niang founded the White Crane system in Weng Chun County.

1723 - 1735 - Tan Sau Ng, a native of Hupeh, travels from the north (Peking), to the south (Foshan) to escape political persecution, for his satyrical plays and arias. He joined the King Fa Wui Goon, and passed down the "Traditional Northern Peking Opera" style there.

1816 - Leung Tak Wing (Leung Jan) born. Mr.Leung owned and ran an herbal pharmacy on Fai Gee Lo in Foshan. His Elder Son Leung Tak Nam was a Buisness man, and lived in their native village of Kulo.

1833 - Chan Wah Shun was born in Shunde province.

1840-1850 - Leung Jan apprentices, on the Red Boat, with Leung Yee Tai. Some oral traditions state that Leung Kai, was a relative to Leung Yee Tai, and introduced Leung jan to Yee Tai for instruction. Later Leung Kai learned from Leung Jan, usualy using the nickname "Kai the Rascal".

1854 - Tai Ping Rebelion

1855 - Opera Ban goes into effect. Wong Wah Bo and Leung Yee Tai settle in Foshan.

1858 - Leung Jan ruffly 45 years old reluctantly accepts Chan Wah Shun(mid 20s) as a student.At this time he already was teaching Chu Yuk Kwai (Kwai lo the pork seller), Lau Man Kay (Leung Kai the Rascal), and Muk Yan Wah (Wooden man Wah).

1862 - Opera Ban begins to lighten

1863 - Fung Siu Ching was born, in native Shunde province.

1867-1868 - Chan Wah Shun (mid 30s) changed his business from a money changer to an osteopath. Around this time Chan accepted his first 2 students, Ng Siu Lo and Ng Chun So. Shortly after Lui Yu Chai became his 3rd student.

1869 - Opera Ban ends. Kuang Xinhua was leader of the revival.

1877 - Yuen Chai Wan born to Yuen Chong Ming, owner of Jui Yuen on Chun Bak Street, Foshan

1883-1890 - Fung Siu Ching studies from Dai Fa Min Kam traditional Cantonese Opera method and Wing Chun Kuen methods.

1885 - Leung Jan 70 Years old, retires back to Kulo Village. Passing on the San Sik Wing chun method he had learned from Leung Yee Tai. He teachs only 3 students. Wong Wah Sum, Yik Ying and Leung Bok Cheung (The Son of Leung Tak Nam, Leung Jans brother)

1888 - 1890 - Leung Jan Passes away at the age of 73-76.

1889 - Yuen Kay Shan born 5th child of Yuen Chong Ming, owner of Jui Yuen on Chun Bak Street, Foshan

1892 - Yip Kai Man Born

1903 - Yip Man(11 years old) is accepted as the last disciple of Chan Wah Shun. It was said Chan only accepted 14-16 students in his 36 year teaching carrer. Ruffly 6 months later Chan Wah Shun has a stroke and returns to Shunde. He asks Ng Chun So to continue teaching young Yip Man.

1908 - Yip Man(16 years old), leaves Foshan and travels to H.K to learn at St.Stephens College.

1916 - Yip Man (24 years old), returns to Foshan

1918 - Leung Sheung born.

1919 - Yiu Kay born to Yiu Choi.

1920 -

1926 - Lun Gai born.

1933 - Fung Siu Ching moves into the Yuen Estate accepting Yuen Kay Shan as his last disciple.Fung Also teachs a small class of students including Yuen Chai Wan, Ma Jung Yiu (The Pharmacist son of Ma Bok Leung), Jiu Gan Heung (son of the owner of Go Sing Hall), Lo Hao Po (of Ying Joi Restaurant), Lee Gwang Po (of Nanhai), Au Si (Kuaizi Street Butcher shop), and Leung Yan(of Huahong road)

1936 - Fung Siu Ching passes away - Yuen Family burry him

1936 - Yuen Chai Wan moves to Vietnam. Some suggest he killed someone in a duel, and had to flee for his safety.

1938 - Sum Num starts learning from Cheung Bo

1938 - Moy Yat born.

1941 - Sum Num starts learning from Yuen Kay Shan

1943 - Yip Man teachs Chow Kwong Yiu, Lun Gai, Gwok Fu, Chan Gee Sun, Lui Pak Ying, Chow Sai Keung, Chan Sum, and than a bit later Tsang So. This was at Luen Cheung Embroidery Factory. Lun Gai and Gwok Fu are still alive as of 2007, practising and teaching Wing Chun Kuen.

1947 - Pan Nam first starts learning Wing Chun Kuen from Chan Yiu Men disciple Jiu Chow.

1949-1950 - Yip Man leaves Foshan and moves to Hong Kong to escape the communist governement. Begins teaching out of need. First student is Leung Sheung at the restraunt workers union. Other early students include Yip Bo Ching, Lok Yiu, Chu Shong Tin, Lo Man Kam

1954-1955 - William Cheung and Wong Shun Leung join Yip Mans School.

1956 - Yuen Kay Shan passes away.

1956 - Yiu Choi passes away.

1959 - Yuen Chai Wan passes away.

1972 - Yip Man passes away.

1972 - Wong Jing passes away.

1972 - Lee Moy Shan moved to New York City, bringing Yip Man Wing Chun Kuen, to the America.

1973 - Bruce Lee passes away.

1973 - Moy Yat moved to Brooklyn, NY from Hong Kong in September, 1973...and began teaching almost immediately.

1978 - Leung Sheung passes away.

1984 - William Cheung is sponsored to travel to New York City, teaching TWC WCK.

1993 - Mok Poi On passes away.

1995 - Pan Nam passes away

1996 - Yiu Kay passes away.

1999 - Sum Nung passes away.

1999 - Leung Ting, the last disciple accepted by Yip Man, visited Kulo village meeting Wong Wah Sum's disciple Fung Chun, current head of Kulo Village Fung Family Wing Chun Clan, and Leung Jans Great Grandnephew Leung Wai Nam. He wrote a book called "The roots of the Wing Tsun", which first detailed many of the mainland branchs of Wing Chun Kuen, not seen in the west.

2001 - Moy Yat passes away.

2006 - The AWCKRI was organized by Brian Scanlon

2007 - Jim Fung (disciple of Chu Shong Ting) passes away. He brought Wing Chun to Australia and penned several books, including the first book on the wing chun weapons.

Sources:

  • AWCKRI
  • New Martial Hero
  • Wulin Magazine
  • Leungs Publishing
  • Complete Wing Chun- by Ritchie, Chu and Wu
  • Oral Traditions Yuen, Sum, Yiu, Wong, Yip, Fung, Cho, Ku, Cheung and Tang