The Bible of Ngo Cho Kun Kung Fu

Some martial arts have a key document, a reference, a bible; that students can always go back to and find ways to improve their performance and understanding of their art. The Gold Book of Wu Family Style of Taijiquan is a famous example. Also, a little more loosely defined, but extremely important are the Taijiquan Classics.

Another is Chinese Gentle Art Complete: The Bible of Ngo Cho Kun.

Ngo Cho Kun (Wuzuquan) is also known as Five Ancestors Fist. Ngo Cho Kun is a southern style of Kung Fu which through it’s various ancestor arts, reaches back to the Shaolin Temple.

Chinese Gentle Art Complete was first published in 1917, having been written by Yo Chiok Sam. The Bible of Ngo Cho Kun, as it is known, is the first known publication on this art. Yo Chiok Sam was a disciple of the modern founder of this art, Chua Giok Beng.

It looks to both an excellent reference for those who do study as well as glimpse into history which I personally find intriguing; a throwback to how martial arts was practiced years ago.

Ngo Cho Kun may well have been one of the inputs to Okinawan Karate; some similarities in technique are clear.

The book includes over 700 photographs depicting single and double short and long hand techniques, kneeling and evading techniques, “Nine Section Brocade,” “Nine Rotary,” and “18 Scholar” methods solo and partner drills and finally both empty hand and weapons forms.

The book has been translated by Alexander Lim Co and published by Tambuli Media.