The Praying Mantis Master Wong Hon Fan Collection is formed through the digitisation of some 286 items, which comprises 71 publications, 63 manuscripts, 17 photo albums and 132 newspaper cuttings, donated to the Chinese University of Hong Kong Library by Master Wong’s family. This collection serves as a valuable database for the study of the historical development of martial arts in Hong Kong, the Praying Mantis School, and even the culture of post-war Hong Kong as a whole.
Not only does this collection detail the biographical history of Master Wong Hon Fan, it also displays valuable information on the Praying Mantis School. In addition to the original manuscript of Authentic Teaching of Shaolin inherited from Master Wong’s predecessors, the Collection also showcases digitised copies of most of Master Wong’s published work (The Praying Mantis School of Martial Arts Series and the manuscript of The Treatise in the Praying Mantis School of Martial Arts) as well as unpublished teaching notes. Other examples of exhibits include Lecture Notes for the Praying Mantis School Bone-Setting Class, Handbook for Martial Arts Teachers and lecture notes of Flying Swan Palm, Descending Eagle Palm, Small Cartwheel, The Linkage Set, Praying Mantis Leaving Cave, Praying Mantis Stealing Peach, Gentle and Agile and Black Tiger Crossover, with photos of Master Wong demonstrating the moves himself. There are also many other precious photos, newspaper cuttings, publications, etc. displayed in the Collection – Lectures on the Praying Mantis school, for one, explains in detail the characteristics of the Praying Mantis School, to pass on the spirit of the School for generations to come. The Library would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude for Master Wong’s dedication in the promotion of martial arts and his family’s generous donations.
Master Wong Hon Fan and the Praying Mantis School
At the beginning of the 20th century, China was weak and at the mercy of Western powers. In time, the strengthening of people’s physical capabilities through the practice of Chinese martial arts was promoted by some visionaries. This resulted in the establishment of the Chin Woo Athletic Association and the revitalisation movement of Chinese martial arts. As the Praying Mantis School is one of the major schools, Master Luo Guangyu of this school was appointed as coach at the Chin Woo Athletic Association, resulting in a significant growth. As Master Luo’s disciple, Master Wong brought the teaching of the Praying Mantis School to Hong Kong and gained fame as “the King of Praying Mantis”.
Master Wong Hon Fan was born in Shunde County, Guangdong Province in 1915. He became a disciple of the Praying Mantis Master Luo at an early age and was subsequently selected by Luo to set up his own martial arts school. Later on, Master Wong was appointed as an instructor at the Hong Kong Chin Woo Athletic Association, where he taught for forty years. After World War II, Master Wong undertook to revive the Hong Kong Chin Woo Athletic Association and carry forward the revitalisation of Chinese martial arts. As the 7th Master of the Praying Mantis School, he dedicated lifelong effort in passing down its heritage in a systematic manner by organising its documentation and publishing its theories. His devotion was a great contribution to the development of Chinese martial arts.
Promoting the Praying Mantis School of Martial Arts
Master Wong further systematised and modernised the teaching programmes inherited from Master Luo. He annotated the manuscripts, demonstrated the moves, and transformed them into publications. Unveiling the Secrets of the Praying Mantis School published in 1946 was written based on Authentic Teachings of Shaolin passed down by Master Fan Xudong. It was the first publication dedicated to the Praying Mantis School and was followed by over 30 more. Aside from passing on knowledge through publications, Master Wong continuously voiced his opinion on the system of the Praying Mantis School and spoke against the split of the School, pointing out that the three branches (“Seven Stars”, “Plum” and “Plain”) were of the same origin. Apart from serving the Chin Woo Athletic Association and his own Hon Fan Athletic Association, Master Wong also taught in various schools, associations and trade unions, educating countless students. Some of them subsequently opened their own martial arts schools in such far-reaching places as the United States, Canada, Brazil and Southeast Asia, spreading the teaching of the Praying Mantis School around the world.
Contribution to Chinese Martial Arts and Bone-Setting
Master Wong united the martial arts community by hosting the first post-war Grand Charity show of South and North Martial Art Masters and setting the stage for the establishment of the Association of Martial Arts Masters in Hong Kong and Kowloon. He also advocated the education of Chinese martial arts teachers by setting up training classes for them and regularly dispatched instructors from the headquarters to serve each branch. Master Wong proposed to enhance martial arts courses with fitness and practicality as major goals to popularise it and progress it towards professionalism.
Inheriting Master Luo’s excellent massaging techniques and various prescriptions handed down in the Authentic Teaching of Shaolin, Master Wong was particularly skilled in bone-setting and the repositioning of joints. He developed bone-setting tincture, powder, ointment and pills to be available to the general community. In addition to providing medical consultations in the martial arts schools, Master Wong also ran a clinic for a period of time. In hopes to pass on his knowledge in these aspects, he co-authored The Science of Bone-Setting with Doctor Chan Hoi To and opened a certificate class on the subject.
