A short history on Kung Fu
The earliest form of Kung Fu, practised in China and Mongolia was based on instinctive reactions of self defence and relied on muscle power and was called `Go Ti` meaning `horn gore` as early practitioners tied horns to their heads and charged at each other. The Japanese interpretation for Go Ti is now the familiar form known as`SUMO`. The first recorded date for Go Ti is 2856BC.
In 625BC the philosopher Lao Tzu founded a Kung Fu system based on the movements of animals; the snake – twisting and darting, and the crane – thrusting. This developed into Tai Chi Chuan, currently the most practiced form worldwide, and does not use muscle power.
In 1552AD during the Ming Dynasty, the Shaolin - lit... `young forest` - Kung Fu system was developed in Northern China by monks who were then employed to protect the Emperors. It was based on animal styles. Since then, further animal movements have been incorporated – horse, tiger, eagle, bear, dragon, leopard, chicken, frog. The first form of Japanese Karate was based on this in Okinawa in 1916.
Our `TIGER` style of Ao Tai Tao (ATADO) was created in the 1950s by Malayan born Grand Master Leong Fu. He was the son of Chinese immigrants and he was becoming proficient in Kung Fu styles by the age of 12 through the guidance of local monks. He was later spotted by an American promoter who encouraged him to pursue a professional wrestling career which saw him tour internationally until he retired from the ring around 1963.
From his learning of diferent martial styles, Leong Fu developed a system for western servicemen stationed in the Far East after WW2 - a few of whom became instructors.
The local `Far Eastern Club` was founded in 1968 by the late Ernie DANKS who studied under the Grand Master and who was succeeded by Michael BAKER, and from 1984 by Peter SALCOMBE. The style has evolved comprehensively in the wealth of techniques practiced and lends itself towards Atemi Jutsu, and the club forms part of the English Ju Jitsu Federation, the Chief Instructor being Tony Hughes.
Our style incorporates techniques from other martial arts, e.g. judo, karate, aikido, kick boxing, escrima, wing chun, iaido and others, as well as the use of, and defences from numerous weapons. It lends itself very much towards street survival / self defence skills from early practice.