What is the meaning of Kui Sau and how is it used in Hung Fa Yi?
- Allen Kong, 9th Generation HFY Disciple (San Francisco)
There are many families/styles of martial arts, such as Hung Gar, Choi Le Fut, Bak Qua that incorporate many long-armed attack tactics. Other kung fu families incorporate ground fighting skills which were designed to take advantage of styles of kung fu that do not train against such attacks.
Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun's Kiu Sao is introduced to the HFYWC practitioners before the Chi Sao curriculum. Why Kiu Sao? In reality, a practitioner is not in offensive range when intercepting/bridging a attacker. Yes, if you can see your attacker is in front of you and can determine the type of attack being used, you may strike your opponent simultaneously with your defense. Most likely, you do not know who or what they are using (type of martial arts) to attack you and most attacks are only in your peripheral vision. In HFYWC time frame, we must bridge the gap first (kiu sao range) before entering into attack range (chi sao range).
The Kiu Sao curriculum emphasizes both anti-grabbling and bridging (fishing) your opponent's attacks. As with most attacks, the element of surprise is usually used. Through a series of training dealing with opponents in your vision and your inability to see your opponent clearly, the practitioner understands and trains to be in the proper range to intercept an opponent's attacks. Whether the attacks are in the high, middle, or low gates, the practitioner's use of proper footwork and forearm engagements will neutralize all grabbers and long-arm attacks.
Bridging your opponent's arms/hands not only relies on your basic wing chun training, but a developed sensitivity and conditioning on the forearm to allow the practitioner to know precisely when to enter into attack range (chi sao range) and back out to defense range (kiu sao range). Other styles of martial arts may also have forearm training. Their training may be based on conditioning of the forearm.
Proper footwork (along with your bridging arm) is essential in your kiu sao training. By understanding the proper footwork in different timeframes, one can neutralize sudden ground fighting attacks. With the understanding of YJKYM, LYM, BYM, and BM during various training exercises, the practitioner will know when to engage to mount an offense and retreat to regain proper defense. Remember, one must use the proper footwork along with the proper bridging arm to complete the kiu sao curriculum.
In conclusion, the Hung Fa Yi wing chun kiu sao curriculum is essential for the beginner before chi sao curriculum is introduced. We must first identify the time, space, and energy of our opponent before the proper counter attack is made. In comparision to all of today's wing chun lineages, only the Chi Sim wing chun lineage have the kiu sao curriculum in their system. The modern day Ip Man wing chun lineages do not use kiu sao training; they primarily use chi sao training for sensitivity and attack ranges. This may be why other lineages do not recognize Chi Sim lineage as a wing chun lineage. Though all wing chun lineages come from the same ancestors, in comparison with all wing chun lineages, we relate heavily to the chi sim wing chun lineage. Both the lineages's history and descendents originated from the shaolin temple. Along with the kiu sao training, our traditions/philosophies/zen buddism emphasis are parallel.
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