Jow Ga

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name = Jow Ga
(周家)
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country = Flagicon|China China
creator = Jow Lung
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Jow Ga (Chinese: 周家) is a Chinese martial art founded by Jow Lung (1891-1919). It is sometimes referred to by a series of alternate names such Chow Gar, Chow Ka, Chau Ka, Zhou Jia, Chou Gar, and Jow Gar.

This style of kung fu was labeled as having "the head of Hung, the tail of Choy (and Northern Shaolin)" and the patterns of the tiger and leopard, so it is often called "Hung Tao Choy Mei". It was labeled thus because the essential techniques incorporated the muscular and mighty movements of Hung Gar and the swift footwork and complex kicking of Choy Gar Kung Fu, making it a very effective form of self defense, with emphasis on simultaneous attack and defense.

History

The Jows resided in in Sa Fu Village, Guangdong, and were farmers and practioneers of Kung Fu. Jow Lung's uncle Jow Hung (who was a Hung Gar master) taught the Hung Gar martial art to Jow Lung and his brothers Jow Hip, Jow Bill, Jow Hoy and Jow Tin. Jow Lung was hard working and won Jow Hung's favor, Jow Lung never uttered a word of complaint about the arduous training and soon proved to be the best student. Jow Hung thought of him as a possible successor to his teachings. One day Jow Hung summoned his nephew and told him that there was not much time left for him as his chronic illness had returned. While there was still time, he would teach him the remaining techniques and the Ba Gua staff fighting techniques. A month later Jow Hung died.

Shortly after Jow Lung's uncle's death, he traveled to Siu Hing County where Choy Kau of Choy Gar Kung Fu was to be found. From Choy Kau, he mastered Choy Gar Kung Fu. Jow Lung felt that it would be more beneficial for him to absorb the essence of the two styles of Kung Fu he had learned so far. He preferred the hard driving power of Hung Gar and the swift footwork of Choy Gar. He combined the best of both systems. [from the novel "Five Tigers of Jow Ga" "周龍五虎傳)]

When Jow Lung was 19 years old, because of family hardships, he left home for Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia to find work. While there, he was involved in a fight with and killed a gangster. Then Jow Lung fled. For several days he lived on wild fruits and berries and was on the verge of collapse when he came to a monastery and asked for help. The Abbot was sympathetic to the ordeal Jow Lung had gone through and said he was welcome to stay if he could take the simple, frugal, hard style of monastery life. After several months of keen observation, the Abbot had was impressed at Jow Lung’s character and began teaching him Northern Shaolin Kung Fu. Jow Lung's misunderstanding regarding the death of the gangster lead to the chance encounter with a Shaolin Kung Fu master. Encouraged by the Abbot, Jow Lung combined all of the Kung Fu systems he had mastered into a single style and stayed in the monastery for over three years before he was ready to leave.

After he returned to China. The general Lee Fook Lam was recruiting a martial arts instructor to train his army. An elimination match was set up. Jow Lung applied to the match, and won all his fights and thus he became the new instructor. He called his brothers to help instruct Jow Ga Kung Fu to the army.

In 1919. Jow Lung caught a cold which later developed into pneumonia. By the time he sought treatment he was beyond medical help, and died at the age of only 29.

After his death the Jow brothers continued promoting Jow Ga, especially outside the army. The disciples of Jow Bill went to Hong Kong to teach, then later on Jow Bill himself came. In 1936 the first school was established in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Jow Ga was taught by several notable masters. Among them, Chan Man Cheung, Lui Chu Shek, Wong Kun Leung, Lee Au and many others. Jow Tin and Jow Hip also came down to Hong Kong to teach, many of their disciples are still teaching in Hong Kong today.

Forms

Empty Hand

Small Tiger (小伏虎)The basic form of Jow Ga, teaching the most basic and fundamental techniques that are essential in order to master the system. Almost all the stances are included in this set. The majority of techniques are included as well.

Four-Square (四平拳)Another basic set, it is shorter than the Small Tiger form and sometimes is taught before the Small Tiger. And teaches many of the basics of Jow Ga (including some techniques not included in the Small Tiger). Also is the first basic form to include a jumping kick.

Lohan (羅漢拳)Lohan is a mythical figure in Chinese Buddhism, and many Chinese martial arts has a form dedicated to such a being. It is characterized by large powerful movements. It is also a form that emphasized the use of "Chong Chui" ("Rushing Fist"), it also introduces the "Lohan washing his face" (羅漢洗面)" which is actually 3 techniques (Cup Chui, Com Chui, and Jon Chui) done consecutively. This form was created by Jow Bill after he came to Hong Kong.

Eagle Claw (鷹爪拳)This form is teaches swift movements and quick attacks, this form is characterized by the 3 consecutive clawing movement and a claw movement on the ground after a flying kick.

Flower Fist (花拳)A mix and match form, supposed to be created during an impromptu performance given by Jow Bill at a banquet. Thus at the start of the form it looked like a mix of a movements from several forms.

Chai Jong KuenOne of the more powerful forms known distinctely for it's constant power movements and it's untilization of the shadowless kick in the form. It tends to use the cougar technique and some of the Chi Kung techniques.

Man Chi (萬字)A form that literally is "The Head of Hung, and tail of Choy". This form starts off at a slower pace with many Hung Ga movements, as the form progress the pace speeds up because of the use of rapid stance-changing. It is quite a long form and trains some Chi Kung and endurance as well. It also has the "Bill Gwa Jon" (標掛撞) technique, which is 3 movements performed consecutively.

Kwok Chi (國字)An advanced form which is quite long and incorporates most Jow Ga techniques. It has a distinct Northern Shaolin kicking technique in the end.

Big Tiger (大伏虎) An advanced form which has Hung Ga roots. It is a good form to practise a good stance. Usually a number of movements are done in one stance before moving. The first part (the longer part of the form) trains some Chi Kung and also the Kiu ("Bridge" "橋"). The second part of the form is much shorter and consists of rapid movements, which again emphasized the gist of the style "Hung Tao, Choy Mei"

Tiger Leopard (虎豹拳) The (usually) last form to learn. It is an advanced form teaching many combinations. It also has one ground technique which closely resembles a kneebar done on a standing opponent.

These are not all the forms in Jow Ga, there are many more differences in lineage/streams. Most consist of the same style of technique which makes people recognize it as Jow Ga. No matter which lineage one comes from, the initial salute (a certain set of movements, also used as a polite gesture or greeting) done before a form signifies oneself as a Jow Ga practitioner.

Weapons

Jow Ga has many weapons, including sword, sabre, Kwan Dao, whips, staff (short, long), spear, daggers, tiger-hunting forks, etc. It varies from lineage to lineage. But most consent that the double-sabre ("梅花雙刀") represents Jow Ga, and the Jow Ga logo usually has a set of double-sabre underneath a "Jow" ("周") written inside a plum flower.

Lion Dance

Jow Ga is famous for its lion dance. Jow Ga schools participate or get invited to attend ceremonies during Chinese New Year and other Chinese ceremonies.

Development

Jow Ga has spread worldwide, and the style is sometimes referred to as Zhong Oi Jow Ga ("中外周家"). In Hong Kong, there is still a very large population studying this style. Sometimes Jow Ga schools are invited to attend martial arts performances such as the Kung Fu corner held on Sundays in Kowloon Park.

References

External links

* [http://jowgakungfu.com/ Jow Ga Kung Fu Association Headquarters]
* [http://www.jowtigers.com Jow Ga Kung Fu Athletic Association]
* [http://www.jowgakuen.com/ Middleton's Academy of Jow Ga Kung Fu]
* [http://www.wongpeople.com Wong Chinese Boxing Association]
* [http://www.jowga.com.au/index.html Australian Jow Ga Kung Fu Academy]
* [http://www.jowgashaolin.com/jowga.shtml Jow Ga Shaolin Institute]
* [http://www.martialarm.com/history/jowgar.html The History of Jow Ga]
* [http://www.chanskungfu.com/Programs/Jow_Ga/index.htm U.S. Jow Ga Kung Fu Association]