The Lineage of Swai Jiao
Great-Grandmaster Ch'ang Fong Yen
Ch'ang Fong Yen (also known as Zhang Fen Yen) the top student of the Shuai Chiao expert Ping Ching I. It was Ch'ang Fong Yen's daughter whom Ch'ang, Tung-sheng would eventually marry, attesting to the high regard his master had for him.
General Ma-liang, commander of the security force of the capital of Shantung and Ch'ang, Fong-yen were both disciples of Ping, Ching-I who was the most renowned master of Shuai-chiao in the late Ch'ing Dynasty.
Great-Grandmaster Chang, Tung-Sheng
Great-Grandmaster Chang, Tung-Sheng arose as one of the greatest Shuai Jiao experts of the 20th century. His teacher, Chang, Fong-Yen, taught him the Bao-Ting style of fast hands wrestling. After learning all he could, Chang, Tung-Sheng traveled throughout parts of China learning different styles of kung fu and Shuai Jiao. By beating many masters in practice, or combat, Chang would learn what he felt was useful and add that to his fighting style/concepts. In his fighting career, Chang went undefeated. Due to his graceful yet devastating techniques, he earned the name "Iron Butterfly" Hua hu die.
Kuoshu - the beginning
In 1928, the Nationalist government banned the old traditions of private duels and lei tai contest. In order to revitalize the Chinese traditions, three famous armed forces generals, Zhang Zi Jiang, Li Jing Lin and Fung Zu Ziang organized the first national Chinese full contact competition in Nanjing. The contest, in lei tai format with no protective gear, was an open contest but many masters did not compete. Following some martial art tradition, they did not prove themselves in "sporting"contests - only in serious duels. However, the event did gather together at one time some of the great martial artists. The contest was extremely competitive, resulting in many injuries and two deaths. The final 12 contestants were not permitted to fight beause of the high rate of injury. The winner was utimately decided by a committee of their peers. In the end, some styles and individuals established a good reputation - for example, "the Divine Crushing Fist" Gu Ruzhang (Ku Yu Cheung) ranked among the top ten and many Hsing Yi practitioners also placed highly. Another tournament was organized in 1933 and winners in this event include Li Kun Shan (Preying Mantis), Wang Yu Shan (Praying Mantis) and Ch'ang Tung Sheng (Shuai Chiao).
Great-grandmaster Jiang, Hao-quan
Great-grandmaster Jiang, Hao-quan was a classmate of Great-grandmaster Ch'ang, Tung-sheng in the early 1930s at the Central Martial Arts Academy in Nanking. In December 1927 the Chinese government opened the Martial Arts Research Facility in Nanking. By March 1928, they had acquired sufficient funds to get the school on its feet and changed the name to Chung Yang Kuo Shu Kuan (Central Martial Arts Academy). Both Jiang and Ch'ang studied traditional Chinese Swai Jiao kung fu from the pre-eminent Ma, Hsin-yun (Pao Ting Swai Jiao). Jiang became known as the "Chinese boxing champion" and the "Living Yuan-Jia Huo" based upon his diligent training and reputation as a martial arts champion.
Great-grandmaster Jiang, Hao-quan presided over the formal rank promotion ceremonies for the 1st generation of instructors trained by Grandmaster Jeng, Hsing-ping in the USA. Sifu James Man Chin was honored to receive his Black Belt from Great-grandmaster Jiang, Hao-quan at the formal ceremony in NYC, New York.
Grandmaster Jeng, Hsing-ping
Grandmaster Jeng, Hsing-ping has been a Swai Jiao practitioner since 1950. He is the highest-ranking Chinese Swai Jiao Master living and teaching today. His initial training began with the Bao Ding style under the guidance of the late Grandmaster Chang, Tung-Sheng. Subsequently, Grandmaster Jeng studied the Shanghai style of Swai Jiao with Master Han, Ching-Tan. Afterwards, he studied the Nan king style under masters Cheng, Jin-Tao; Yao , Chang-Min; Wu Bee-Chune; and Wah, Duh-Jung. Additionally, Grandmaster Jeng studied the Tang Lang (praying mantis) style under Master Wei, Shao-Tang. From 1954 to 1967, under the direction of the late grandmaster Chang, Tung-Sheng, Grandmaster Jeng was the assistant Chief Swai Jiao Instructor at the Taiwan Police College . During this time, Grandmaster Jeng, Hsing-Ping held the title of Taiwan National Swai Jiao Champion three times. From 1968 to 1970, Grandmaster Jeng served on assignment for the Taiwan Army Special Forces Combat Team. Afterwards, in 1971, Grandmaster Jeng emigrated to the United States of America and began teaching Swai Jiao in New York City.
In the beginning of the new millennium, Grandmaster Jeng, Hsing-ping decided to come out of retirement and will resume teaching again later this year. He will train and develop another generation of instructors. Grandmaster Jeng, Hsing-ping continues to be a model of the strength and spirit of Chinese Swai Jiao, and at the age of 75, humbles us all.
Sifu James Man Chin
Sifu James Man Chin has been a Martial Artist since 1973. He is privileged to be one of only eight Swai Jiao Kung Fu Instructors personally trained and Certified by Grand Master Jeng, Hsing Ping in the complete Chinese Swai Jiao system. In 1984, Sifu Chin began training with Grandmaster Jeng. He taught Sifu James Man Chin the complete system of Chinese Swai Jiao Kung Fu as martial arts that encompass Throwing (Swai), Joint Locking (Chin-Na), Striking Techniques (Da), and Kicking Techniques (Ti). The primary emphasis is close quarter combat for Self-Defense (Dze Hwei Shu) and Police Tactics (Dai Bu Shu).
Grandmaster Jeng, Hsing-Ping has personally trained and Certified seven (7) Instructors in NYC, NY and one (1) Instructor in Austin , TX . His 1st Generation of Swai Jiao Instructors was Gonzalo Hernandez, Jr.; James Man Chin; Alfredo "Freddie" Po ; Patrice Jones; William Jew; Franklyn Salters; Tal Eyal; and David Pickens.
Next Generation
During 1990's the next Instructors (Black Belt level): Francisco Javier Gomez; Joseph Sing Cheung; Matthew Gelfand; Tony Yin, Chen-dao; and Lenny Wang, Liang-tsai were trained at Chin's Martial Arts Academy (Chin shr Wu Kuang). They were all certified to teach Swai Jiao, Chin-Na, Zi Wei Shu, and Dai Bu Shu. Plus, they have accomplished a significant record of success in local, regional and national martial arts competitions. Sifu James Man Chin also trained several Adjunct Instructors (Brown Belt level): Howard Michael Lau; Patricia Lee Chu; Kathleen Marie Carty; and Stanley McDonald Weeks. Stanley is completing his 2nd tour of military duty overseas, and will resume his training for Black Belt level when he returns. Rudy Rivera, Charles "Karl" Francisco, and Louis Olan are other students whose training is in hiatus while completing their military tours of duty.
Sifu James Man Chin also received specialized training in close quarter combat from Sifu Franklyn Salters. These eclectic self-defense methods combined techniques are from the 7 Star Praying Mantis, Wing Chun, and Swai Jiao systems of Kung Fu.
Towards the late 90's, Sifu James Man Chin relocated from New York to California. His students continue to practice and teach in NYC while Sifu Chin instructs the next generation in California. His disciples Francisco Javier Gomez and Matthew Gelfand continue to teach in NYC and they also practice privately with Grand Master Jeng, Hsing-ping while Sifu Chin instructs the next generation in California. Sifu Chin is the Martial Arts Instructor for the Contra Costa Chinese School at Diablo Valley College in Concord, CA since August 2000. He was formally appointed as the Martial Arts Instructor and Advisor for the Buddha Gate Monastery in Lafayette, CA. Additionally, Sifu James Man Chin has a core group of students at the Modern Defense Institute in Concord, CA where he teaches both Northern Shao-Lin Long Fist and Traditional Chinese Swai Jiao Kung Fu.
Moreover, Sifu James Man Chin has started training the third generation of instructors: Pak Fong, Tom Parrish and Rosalyn Boles.
The primary emphasis is close quarter combat for Self-Defense (Dze Hwei Shu). Sifu James Man Chin's goal is to select and train people of good martial character to perpetuate traditional martial arts self-defense principles for modern times.
