Nosing Around Yau Ma Tei

Last night I went to Yau Ma Tei to meet an appointment. As I was concerned about not getting into the local scene enough I called up a
Wing Chun Kung Fu school that was somewhat related to the family that I learned under.

So anyways I was invited to attend the class and so I went out to Yau Ma Tei. It had been five years since I last practiced Wing Chun and I was realy more interested in seeing the local version of it.

Just to give some background knowledge, this art was brought to Hong Kong in the 50's by a master named Yip Man. Here it flourished and then reached world wide fame as Bruce Lee was one of Yip Man's later students. The school I visited traced itself through Yip Man, to Chow Tse Chuen, to Donald Mak.

Mak Sifu is a management executive by day, but a Wing Chun Sifu by night. Very pleasant man who is extraordinarily enthusiastic about his art. He was very friendly and welcoming.

His school is a very nondescript shop located on the fifth floor above a pawn shop. The neighborhood itself is rather dodgy as it had a sort of seedy "Wan Chai" feel about it, but for locals instead of westerners.

We chatted and compared notes and I was impressed with how much Sifu Mak had researched other branches and styles of Wing Chun. Well I joined the class and saw just how rusty I was. My reflexes were still good, but my technique had become dull and sloppy.

I sparred a little with the master (chi sau) and I became very aware of everyone's eyes on us. I thought I was doing rather well and got a few shots in. Then I realized that this fellow who was half a foot shorter than me was just controlling the fight. I realized this when he launched a blinding torrent of traps and attacks that ended with a nice shot right up my nose. He held back of course because he should have broke my nose with that punch. But he is a sifu and sifu must take care of their students.

So today I have a slightly sore nose and a humble feeling. I never would have dreamed that I might taste authentic Hong Kong Wing Chun in the city of its birth. I hope I don't wind up getting a shnoz like Jackie Chan's though.