Chan Heung's Choy Li Fut: The Definitive Story of a Revolutionary Southern Chinese Martial Art: Uncovering the lost histories, founding masters, and cultural forces that shaped its creation

By: Xun Min Kuo

This book tells the story of a pivotal moment in the history of Chinese martial culture. It is the story of a system created during a period of great social upheaval, a system designed not for sport, but for survival, community, and cultural identity.
In the early 19th century, the villages of Southern China were places of tension and change. Political unrest and economic hardship created an environment where martial skill was a practical necessity. This is the world that gave birth to a new and revolutionary approach to the fighting arts. This work traces the origins of this system, not as a legend, but as a product of its time and place.

The narrative begins by exploring the landscape of Southern Chinese martial arts before this new system appeared. It details the distinct characteristics of the older, established styles that were prevalent in the region. One was renowned for its powerful, rooted stances and direct, overwhelming force. Another was known for its speed, agility, and efficient, linear attacks. The book examines the role of the Buddhist martial tradition, with its emphasis on circular movement and philosophical depth, which was preserved in temple communities and by wandering monks.

This book then chronicles the life of the system's founder. It follows his journey as a student, tracing his training under masters of these different arts. The narrative shows how his unique education exposed him to a wide range of principles and methods. It was this comprehensive exposure that allowed him to see the potential for a new synthesis. The book carefully documents the process by which these separate streams of knowledge were woven into a single, coherent whole. The name given to the new system itself serves as a lasting tribute to its diverse origins, honoring the primary influences that shaped it.
A significant portion of this work is dedicated to the historical context that shaped the art's development. It delves into the massive peasant uprising known as the Red Turban Rebellion, which swept through Guangdong province. The book provides evidence of the system's deep involvement in this conflict, explaining how it was used to train local militias for community defense. This period was not a minor event in the background; it was the crucible that tested and proven the system's effectiveness in real-world conditions. The political aftermath of the rebellion, including persecution and the need for dispersal, directly led to the first wave of the art's expansion beyond its place of origin.

The narrative continues by following this expansion. It charts the paths of the founder's son and his senior students as they carried the system to other parts of China, particularly to major urban centers. The book analyzes how the art began to adapt to these new environments, leading to the emergence of distinct branches, each emphasizing different aspects of the core system while maintaining its fundamental principles. This section demonstrates how the art evolved from a local practice into a regional institution.
Finally, the book examines the global journey of the system. It connects the social and economic migrations out of Southern China to the establishment of schools in Southeast Asia, North America, and beyond. The story explains how the art served as a cultural anchor for overseas communities, a living link to a homeland left behind. It concludes by reflecting on how this journey from a single village to a global presence was made possible by the system's robust and adaptable foundation, which allowed it to remain relevant across continents and generations.
This is a work of historical recovery. It pieces together the social forces, cultural traditions, and human choices that converged to create a lasting legacy. It is for the reader who seeks to understand not just what this martial art is, but where it came from, and why its story is an integral part of a larger Chinese and world history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FZ4FLZJY
• ISBN13: 9798272634993
• Release Date: November 2025
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 131 Pages
• Weight: 0.41 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.3" x 6.0"