Tracing the Origins of Karate and Wing Chun: What You Need to Know
Though we may use photos to lighten the mood in this article. What we intend on doing is showing the correlation between Karate and Wing Chun share Origins. That through trade routes between Japan and Southern Chinese Martial artists. These two countries passion for self defense was also shared. That in that passion for exchange cultural differences shaped those styles in there perspective lands. With that new ways of engaging similiar exchanged ideas were moulded in their new homes and lands. There seems to be a lack of discussion about their similarities amidst all this conflict regarding their differences.
Do Karate and Wing Chun Share Origins? I am here to argue that they do, and that origin is Southern Chinese Kung Fu, and White Crane Kung Fu.
The Surprising Connection Between Karate and Wing Chun’s Origins
Writers note: All of the information recorded below is complied via the written texts and speaking to different masters from both chinese martial arts and japanese martial arts. With all of the variances in language and historical accounting there may still be conflict. As the writer I have done my best to streamline the knowledge I have gathered and pay respects to the appropriate Masters who’s work brought these to incredible arts to life.
The Surprising Martial Arts History Linking Karate and Wing Chun
To begin answering the question do Karate and Wing Chun share origins let us look at Wing Chun Kung Fu First. Ng Mui, a Shaolin nun, developed it during the ancient Qing dynasty (1644-1917) in Southern China. Much of the martial arts history is a mix of legend and fact due to the monks living on the run from the Manchu Government seeking to destroy all opposition at that time.
As the story goes, Ng Mui developed a system of short range combat with heavy influences from Crane Style Kung Fu. One only need watch the Crane style form and the similarities become easily visible. For example, Wing Chun’s Bui Jee’s, Palm strikes, and Tan Sao shapes.
Even Stances immediately show themselves in the first form: San Zhan. Generations of Wing Chun maintained its secretive nature and served for assassinations because of its viciousness and effectiveness. Eventually, they passed it down to Ip Man. Who made it available to the rest of the world. When Ip Man brought it to Hong Kong after leaving Foshan.
Students like Bruce lee made it famous to the west. Bruce Lee was not the only one though, students like Wong Shun Leung, Ip Chun (featured in the photo to the left, at 97 years of age) still training and practicing Wing Chun. Ip Chun, just to name a few train Wing Chun students in its direct and incredibly fast techniques.
Karate and Wing Chun: Discover Their Surprising Martial Arts Connection
It uses structure and technique to overcome size and power by cutting angles or driving force back into the opponent. Its extensive and rich history, Karate cannot be easily defined. Karate and Wing Chun: Their Surprising White Crane Connection. Karate’s history is not easy to trace because of its many styles and variations. However, in 1922, a man by the name of Funakoshi Gichin, later known as the “Father of Japanese Karate”, left Okinawa for Tokyo, Japan, to demonstrate his art to the Ministry of Education at the First National Athletic Exhibition. Funakoshi’s stunning performance led to governmental approval to include Karate in the University Education System.
Combining the fighting techniques from Okinawa with the Budo, or “martial way”, he began teaching the art openly across Japan. His teaching was the key to opening the door for Karate’s international future. Karate’s many styles all have their own origins but there was a clear Chinese influence from the very beginning.
One piece of the puzzle lies in the name given to the original styles of Karate from Okinawa: Okinawa-te or Tode, meaning “Chinese Hand.” An Okinawan master later changed the name to “Karate-do,” which means “way of the empty hand.” So where did Karate come from and where does White Crane fit in? Confirming the influence from Southern China.
Trade between Southern China and Okinawa during the early 1900’s was at a high. As a result of this trade, Chinese Kung Fu exposed many people on the island of Okinawa and in Mainland Japan to its techniques. So sought after were these chinese techniques that many martial artists would journey to China for extended periods of time. Often presumed dead, many would return as masters in the style of Kung Fu they had trained. Three main schools emerged when local masters organized these techniques: Naha-te, Tomari-te, and Shuri-te, all located in Okinawa. From Naha-te came Grandmaster Kanryo Higaonna (or Higashionna in the original Okinawan language) and from Shuri-te came To-De Sakugawa. both men had heavy training in Chinese arts.
Karate and Wing Chun: Discover Their Surprising Martial Arts Connection
Grandmaster Sakugawa trained under Chinese Master Kong Su Kung (or Kusanku in Japanese). From Master Kung he learned Chinese Boxing or Kenpo. From his knowledge in these styles three main styles emerged from his school in Shuri: Shotokan, Wado-Ryu, and Shito-Ryu Karate. So even though his style of Karate does originate from China it does not really contain White Crane. However, another important lineage to follow is through Grandmaster Kanryo Higaonna, which eventually led to Goju-Ryu Karate. Grandmaster Higaonna spent time in Fuzhou, China, in the 1870’s and trained under Ryu Ryu Ko, also known as Xie Xie Chongxiang, the founder Crying Crane Kung Fu and Grandmaster of White Crane Kung Fu.
Tracing the Surprising Connection Between Karate and Wing Chun
Writers Note: Uechi-Ryu and Chito-Ryu are both also said to have aspects of White Crane. Due to the influence as far as lineage not being quite as clear and for the sake of simplicity I wanted to focus on Goju-Ryu here.
Now, obvious to say that White Crane is not the sole founder of Karate with so many styles of Kung Fu in China at that time. There was, however, a definite influence on at least Goju-Ryu Karate (and as mentioned above Uechi-Ryu and Chito-Ryu). It is easy to quote a lineage but what about the actual techniques?Are there visible similarities between Karate and White Crane? Yes, a clear example can be found in a form called Sanchin or San Zhan. This video titled “Sanchin Form Comparison” clearly shows the movements and similarities between the forms.
The Hidden Connection Between Karate and Wing Chun’s Origins
Martial Arts Secrets: How Karate and Wing Chun Share the Same Lineage
In conclusion, certain styles of Karate were undeniably influenced by White Crane Kung Fu. Thereby solidifying Karate as a cousin of Wing Chun (albeit a very distant one). A further study could explore overlapping concepts among the four mentioned styles: Goju-Ryu, Uechi-Ryu, Chito-Ryu, and Wing Chun. But, I will leave that to you the reader as a challenge. As you continue your martial art journey don’t seek out conflict but look to find harmony wherever possible.
Comparison with Related Articles
- Article Title: Wing Chun vs. Other Martial Arts: What Makes It Unique
- Article Title: Comparing Wing Chun and Karate: A Comprehensive Guide
- Article Title: The History of Wing Chun: Origins and Development
Editors Closing Thoughts
Isn’t that what martial arts is about? Making yourself better and working together with those around you. Are we prepared to defend ourselves should trouble arise? Of course, but whether you train Karate, Wing Chun, or any other system we should be seeking to common ground. As martial arts brothers and sisters we should seek help those around us!
