How did you first get involved with martial arts?
I was born in Yang's Village near the coast of Xinzhu, Taiwan. In the village, there were more than two hundred different Yang families living together as one. This was very common in the old days. Nearly 80% of the males in the village trained martial arts.
After World War II, when I was only two years old, my family moved into the Xinzhu city. I have always liked martial arts. When I was 15 years old, my friend mentioned that he could introduce me to a White Crane master for martial arts training. Immediately I asked for my father's permission and started my training.
Who was your early influences?
My White Crane master. He taught me the way of life through martial arts training.
Do/did you compete? If yes, how many have you win/lose?
No. My motivation for learning and practicing martial arts has always been to train myself, not to show off or compete.
What was the last movies/TV shows/entertainment you saw that featured some martial arts? If yes, do you think the it did the art justice?
Yes. "The Matrix." However, it was more fantasy than reality.
Do you think the commercialization, both in Asian and western, of martial arts has help or harm your martial arts? and why?
Commercialization of the martial arts has distorted the truth of real martial arts; however, it has also brought much interest to the new generation. Thus, commercialization has hurt the martial arts in the respect that it has made the arts into such a fantastic power, but it has also helped in keeping the martial arts alive.
From the new generation, we choose those who want to sincerely dedicate themselves to the arts. This selection process has become harder and harder over the years. It is very hard to find a committed and moral student today.
I think to have a traditional martial arts training in today's lifestyle is very difficult. Therefore, in order to keep the martial arts alive, all martial artists must adjust themselves to this industrial society.
What is the philosophy behind your martial arts? Is your martial arts for everyone?
Martial arts are for everyone who are willing to put an effort into it. The reward is better health, self-defense capability, self-discipline, confidence, and the most important of all, a better understanding of the meaning of life.
What do you think should be done to further promote martial arts?
Martial arts should be treated and taught as an art instead of as a fighting tool or a sport. Self-discipline and moralities should be emphasized. If we treat martial arts as merely a fighting tool or sport, the level of achievement will be very shallow. The arts will have lost their true meaning and their traditional root.
What advice do you have for people who wants to learn your martial arts or martial arts in general?
Training martial arts is a lifetime commitment. It is not for temporary fun. Students who are not committed will end up wasting their time and money as well as the instructor's time and effort. I am always searching for committed, strong-willed, patient students. Once they have committed themselves, I will not hesitate to teach them.
Reported by David Ripianzi for BLT Supplies, Inc.
@2000, BLT Supplies Inc.
Interview with George A. Dillman 11/2000
Interview with Sifu Chen 9/2000
Interview with Frank Yee 7/2000
Interview with Hu Jianqiang 3/2000
Interview with Grandmaster Pui Chan 2/2000 |
