Wing Chun Kung-Fu

by J. Yimm Lee, Bruce Lee (Editor)

Edited by Bruce Lee and featuring jeet kune do legend Ted Wong, this book introduces the reader to the sil lim tao form, the immovable-elbow and centerline theories, chi sao (sticky hands), trapping, and much more. Wing Chun Kung-Fu continues to set the standard for martial arts instructional books, and it has become the perennial study guide for kung fu enthusiasts of all skill levels. 

Genres: Martial Arts, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1972

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent overview of the Wing Chun Kung Fu system. Lee explained the hand techniques and upper body movements that are heavily displayed in this style. There was explanations on striking, economy of movements, footwork, and a step-by-step explanation of the beginning form Sil Lim Tao.

This was originally published in 1972 and has some good information in it. I think this level of book would be frustrating to a newer practitioner or someone attempting to learning this on their own outside of a studio environment. This is the only Wing Chun book I have read so I don't know how it compares to other resources available. Thanks!

[Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new Wing Chun student may find this book helpful in that it has a fairly good visual representation of the Siu Nim Tao form broken down step by step. It also has stuff on the centerline theory and kicking, but thats about it.

[Steve Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thirty plus years ago I was able to successfully adapt the trapping I learned from this book to my sparring in—believe it or not—a Tae Kwon Do class. Back then the section on trapping and attacks was useful, even though much of it was illustrated as responses to unrealistic Kung fu attacks one would only encounter in a duel of styles. The rest of the book wasn’t useful, as I had little interest in the footwork or formal drills of the system. I still don’t.

The book today is an obsolete medium for transmission of the material. Digital video on the internet can yield far more information in a clearer way.

At best this is a collector’s item for the Wing Chun enthusiast.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent introduction to Wing Chun - in particular the Sil Nim Tau form.

[Ahdom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wing Chun Kung-Fu, edited by Bruce Lee and featuring the insights of jeet kune do legend Ted Wong, stands as a timeless classic in martial arts literature. Covering essential techniques such as the sil lim tao form, centerline theories, and chi sao, this book sets the standard for Wing Chun instruction. As one of the earliest works on the subject, it remains a must-have for martial artists of all levels, offering invaluable insights and guidance for enthusiasts of kung fu.

[Cameron Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great, but it's only the first form. Maybe someday I will complete them all.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got a bit slack finishing this book. I read it on a recommendation from a friend who is trying to get me to try out yoga. First of all, I ain't very bendy in my many years on this planet, and secondly .....I ain't very bendy at all. Ok that's out of the way. This book contains a forward by Bruce Lee, who learned and adapted many things from this form. He changed almost everything he learned, but his foundation was solid in a lot of the Wing Chun styles.
This book teaches a lot of discipline and repetitive moves involving trapping, elbow locks and blows and "sticky hands". It's kinda funny but it makes good sense. You keep on a target, allowing little movement and the rare economy of force is controlled by the one who keeps hands, gravity and momentum in their favor. Many people talk with their hands, and fight with their hands, so they are lead and controlled by their hands. Really interesting concepts and while I don't usually read many books like this, this one was pretty good.

Danny

[Vance Gatlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those in a Wing Chun class this helps you learn the terminology but not as much the principles behind it in the book alone. I did gain insight so it was worth the price. I'm sure I'll revisit it again.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book to read if your a martial artist and want to start to learn the basics of the wing chun kung fu system. I recommend every martial artist to read this if they want to improve their fight skills.

[Ahmad Subbah]

Wing Chun Kung Fu

[Jose]

Wonderful book actually practiced with Bruce and Jesse Glover in Madame Ruby chow's parking lot

[Kristofer Dubbels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nearly all of what is contained in here can be found in elsewhere (the explanation of Siu Nim Tau is roughly half the book), but there's still some interesting ideas in here. Of the handful of wing chun books I've read (as a non-practitioner of wing chun), this is probably the most interesting to non-practitioners who just want to know what wing chun is about. Of more general interest from the standpoint of the contemporary history of martial arts: the explanation of the "Immovable Elbow" is very illuminating for anyone interested in Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do stance.

Also of more general interest: this is the only wing chun book I've found so far that discusses "trapping" in any depth. As far as I know, trapping is the signature feature of wing chun to most non-wing chun practicing martial artists, so it is neat to see it explained with self-defense applications. I don't find the arguments about centerline theory particularly compelling (instead of creating angles of your own as in boxing or in some styles of karate, you move to directly face your opponent nose-to-nose. What?), but this is a good presentation of it either way. This book also has the merit of keeping the goofy mystical stuff that seems to pervade kung fu generally to a minimum.

As mentioned above, I'm not convinced either by wing chun's principles or by the specific techniques (although trapping looks fucking SIIICK on movies and the "Immovable Elbow" is used throughout the Matrix's best fight scenes), but this is a clear presentation of those principles and techniques. I'd also recommend to anyone fanatical about Bruce Lee - many of his non-Western boxing techniques are mostly on display here (the side kick, the penetrating front kick, trapping).