羅 漢 門 孫 玉 峰
羅 漢 門 孫 玉 峰
Lohan Mern Great Grand Master Sun Yu-feng
Lohan Mern (羅漢門) or Northern Lohan, as it is sometimes popularly called in Southern Chinese kung fu circles, is one of the oldest and most original sub-styles of Shaolin Temple kung fu. Its specialty included long-hand techniques and chin na (擒拿) techniques.
Lohan, which is the Chinese term for Arahat or Arahant, in Buddhism, is an ancient term for someone who has attained the first stages of enlightenment. In the ancient Palinese language, it literally means “destroyer of evil”. The concept of the Lohan pre-dates the later Mahayana concept of the Bodhisattva.
As a destroyer of evil, the concept of Lohan is often associated in Chinese martial arts, particularly those with a Buddhist heritage. The Indian monk Bodhidharma (called Ta Mo by the Chinese, and Daruma by the Japanese), the 28th Zen patriarch was popularly credited for creating the original set of exercises which became the foundation of Shaolin Temple kung fu. In the pantheon of Buddhist saints, Bodhidharma was considered as one of the Eighteen Lohans.
Great Grand Master Sun Yu-feng (孫 玉 峰), a native Shantung Province, also well known as the “Broadsword King of Five Provinces” (五省刀王) was the Keeper of The Lohan Style in the decades prior to the Second World War. He was one of the original Four Northern Tigers who established Northern style kung fu in the southern provinces of China. The other grand masters were Chen Zi-zeng of Eagle Claw , Luo Guang-yu of Praying Mantis and Yan Yuan-shan of the Six Harmonies Fist.
Great Grand Master Sun Yu-feng was Grand Master Li Iu Ling’s (李耀齡) second kung fu mentor. At the Chin Woo Athletic Association Canton Branch, Grand Master Li Iu Ling learnt Tam Tui, Gung Lic Kuen, other Chin Woo forms, and Lohan kung fu as well as Great Grand Master Sun Yu-feng’s exquisite broadsword style.
Some of the famous students of Great Grand Master Sun Yu-feng and junior kung fu brothers of Grand Master Li Iu Ling just prior to the outbreak of the Second World War included the veteran kung fu actor, Shek Kin (popularly known as Mr Han in Bruce Lee’s movie Enter The Dragon), Siu Hon San (who taught Bruce Lee some Chin Woo forms), and Ma Kin Fung who later became chairman of the Hong Kong Chin Woo Athletic Association and brought Lohan kung fu to Canada in the 1980’s.
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