The Northern Shaolin style (Bak Siu Lam Kuen Mun) comes from Shao Lin Temple in Henan province. Together with Shuai Jiao, it is one of the most traditional styles in China.
Founded in 495 by Emperor Xiao Wen (471-500), the Shao Lin monastery was built in the middle of a forest at the foot of Mount Song, in Henan province, between the cities of Zhengzhou and Luoyang (ancient capital of the Chinese empire), north of the Yellow River (Huang He).
When they begin Buddhist practice, the monks of the Shaolin Temple promise a new phase, a rebirth for monastic life. Cutting hair is also a symbol of rebirth, as is the temple’s name Shao, meaning «new», and Lin, meaning «forest». In other words, the monk must renew himself day after day, just like his vows, his hair and his Kung Fu, like a forest that is always reborn with more vigor on the ashes of its past.
The first abbot was the Indian monk Badhra (Batuo), and the sole purpose of Shao Lin Monastery was to become the most important center for the study, development and teaching of Buddhism in all of Asia. Also considered a pilgrimage center, the Shao Lin monastery welcomed Buddhist monks from all over Asia (India, Ceylon, Persia).
When it comes to Chinese martial arts and the Shao Lin Monastery, there are many legends; the best known is the visit of the monk Bodhidharma (Damo) to the monastery. Twenty-eighth patriarch of Mahayana (Great Vehicle) Buddhism and first patriarch of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, Bodhidharma was born in Ceylon into a noble family, converted to Buddhism and later became a student of Prajnatara. Bodhidharma arrived in China in 475, made a pilgrimage to several southern temples, and retired to Shao Lin Monastery, around 520, to replace then-abbot Bodhiruci.
Bodhidharma taught the monks of Shao Lin the first breathing exercises to increase the physical endurance and concentration required for long periods of meditation. Some argue that these exercises, combined with the fighting techniques practiced in the region, would later give rise to the first forms of Shao Lin’s martial art. In the book A Brief History of Kung Fu (William Acevedo, Carlos Gutiérrez and Mei Cheung) the fact that Bodhidharma taught the monks is questioned and their martial knowledge is even attributed to the Chinese army.
After years and years of history, the Shaolin monks learned body and weapon combat techniques and developed their own techniques that made them known and feared. The teachings were reserved for monks but in 1650 the then abbot Chiu Jin allowed lay people to learn some styles reserved for monks. One of the first of these laymen was Kan Fon Si, who later became a hero in Chinese history for fighting against Qing oppression.
Gan Fenchi’s martial legacy passed through four generations until it reached Ku Yu Cheong, who learned Shaolin techniques from a friend of his father. Ku Yu Cheong became famous for his «iron palm» technique and joined the Nanjing Central Academy as an instructor in 1928. There he learned the sword Tai Kek Kuen, Baat Kek Kuen and Mou Dong from Li Kin Lam, and Baat Kua Cheong and Yeng Yi Kuen from Sun Lok Tong.
Later Ku Yu Cheong was invited to represent the Guangzhou Central Academy together with other famous masters. Subsequently he opened his own school and decided to give the name «Shaolin of the North» to the techniques he taught; the explanation of the name was because the style brought together only the best styles from northern China, such as: “The Ten Routines of Shaolin”, Tai Kek Kuen, Baat Kua Cheong, Yeng Yi Kuen, Tam Toi, Cha Kuen, weapons and “Little Golden Bell” chikung.
Ku Yu Cheong had several students, among whom Yim Sheung Mo stood out notably, who was able to learn Luk Hop Kuen and Ji Yin Mun (Zi Ran Men) with Mong Lai Sin. Yim Sheung Mo resided until the end of his life in Hong Kong, where he taught many students. The one who stood out the most was Chan Kowk Wai, representative of the northern Shaolin style.
The main style, «The Ten Shaolin Routines», is divided into hand forms and weapons, a total of ten hand forms and more than twenty-five different weapons, each with approximately one or two forms. His striking features are long and short attacks, with the hands and especially with the feet, elbows, sweeps and takedowns. The strength and technique used in the movements denote efficiency and is considered the most complete of all Chinese martial art styles.
See the nomenclature of the Northern Shaolin kati here.
Characteristics of the Northern Shaolin style
Northern Shaolin is characterized by a large number of kicks, firm and strong movements, and bases that are often not as low as southern styles. The large number of techniques in just a few movements is one of its strengths.
There is a cartoon, called Avatar, that shows Northern Shaolin in Fire Nation form.
Other sources
I recommend you watch the films:
- Shaolin
- Shaolin Chamber 36!
Also read the books:
- Northern Shaolin Kung Fu (Grand Master Chan Kowk Wai)
- The Shaolin Monastery (Meir Shahar)
- The art of Shaolin Kung Fu (Kit Wong Kiew)
- The sequence of books Northern Shaolin style (Rick L. Wing)
You can practice this style in our gym! Contact us!
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