Sifu Leo Imamura Edition: Issue 57

Wing Chun Illustrated Issue 57 featuring Sifu Leo Imamura

"Always excellently done, always thought-provoking, always interesting content, very well balanced, and always presented with grace and respect for all. I wish that all our Wing Chun brothers and sisters were as mindful in their day-to-day interactions with each other."

LARRY BUTLER

United States

The simple and profound truth about Wing Chun Illustrated is that it delivers! In a world where bias is omnipresent, hagiography widespread, and superficiality the norm, Wing Chun Illustrated truly does provide a forum for many perspectives and approaches, always with depth and content—meaning that it’s impossible to pick up an issue without gaining new, worthwhile insight into our beloved art. Truly, if one is serious about understanding Wing Chun, regardless of spelling tradition, Wing Chun Illustrated is de rigueur. Consequently, never settle for “just” present and future issues, but do get the full package, including all the back issues!

CHRISTIAN A. STEWART-FERRER

Denmark

This is an impressive magazine and I am set back with each issue by its quality of appearance and content. Clearly, this has the potential to overshadow many other national martial arts publications. Stay the course and always protect the line. Excellent job. As always, thanks and continued success.

MOSES McCLENDON

United States

I have purchased Wing Chun Illustrated in printed format and I have to say that it is simply the highest quality magazine I have ever owned! Beyond the quality paper and printing techniques utilised, the articles themselves are thorough and true to the Wing Chun system. I really appreciate owning a piece of history and I look forward to future issues!

JAMES BUMPAS

United States

I have looked forward to this magazine for months and was not at all disappointed. The articles are well written, nonbiased, and most importantly very informative. This is the first magazine that I have ever read from cover to cover. I’m encouraging all of my Wing Chun brothers and students to subscribe. I’m very much looking forward to the next issue!

WIZE SHABAZZ

United States

I have been practising Wing Chun for the best part of 30 years. In my time, I have read a huge amount of material on the art; however, I can honestly say that your magazine is by a long, long way the finest collection of articles I have come across. The fact that all views (and you and I both know there are so many) on the art of Wing Chun are made readily available in one place, without prejudice, is really inspirational and will hopefully serve as a guiding light and a template for dialogue within the art itself.

CHRIS HARVEY

United Kingdom

Sifu Leo Imamura Cover Feature

LEO IMAMURA
Looking to the Future of Wing Chun
By Wayne Belonoha
At age 16, Grandmaster Leo Imamura started to learn Wing Chun from his first Sifu, Li Hon Ki, who learnt from Ho Kam Ming, Koo Sang and Ng Chan. A trip to New York introduced him to Patriarch Moy Yat, who accepted him as his student.

For several decades, Grandmaster Imamura has dedicated his professional career to refining Wing Chun programmes and curricula for different communities. He was the first Professor of Martial Arts in Brazil and has organised courses for universities, public and private companies, as well as for Special Forces and Peacekeeping Operations.

Columns

SECOND NATURE
The Teaching Paradox Intentionally
Making Mistakes
By Wayne Belonoha
A person cannot learn to swim while drowning. It’s essential for a teacher to create the right conditions for a student to learn, which includes making the right type of mistakes.

EMBRACE THE JOURNEY
Muk Yan Jong
The Tireless Teacher
By Alton Miller
Sifu Miller concludes his column with an examination of the importance of the Wooden Dummy form in the Yuen Kay San/Sum Nung lineage of Wing Chun.

UNDERSTANDING WING CHUN
Relaxing the Bicep in Siu Lim Tau
By Colin Ward
We all know Siu Lim Tau, and we all know how to train energy. But are we really as focussed on this as we could be?

THE INNER CIRCLE
Virtual Gulao Wing Chun
Tips for Learning in 2020
By Jim Roselando Jr
As a result of the lockdowns, virtual training has exploded. Those who may never have thought of trying virtual sessions are now participating. Are virtual sessions here to stay?

THE STRAIGHT LEAD
The True “No Way as Way”
By Jason Korol
Self-defence is no place for complexity and confusion. That’s what Jeet Kune Do is at its core: a no-nonsense self-defence method designed to get you through the worst. Simple. So, why is there so much confusion?

Features

LEUNG JAN SENG
Feeling is Believing
By Kleber Battaglia
Sifu Leung started training in Yuen Kay San Wing Chun at a young age, and he is now its most senior living teacher, keeping the tradition alive in Foshan, China. Having an incredibly odd structure and motion, he is one of those masters that you have to feel to believe.

FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE
Missing the Point of Biu Ji
By Glenn Landers
Win or lose, street fighting can be a chaotic mess. With collateral damage and unforeseen circumstances as standard, victory is never guaranteed. WSLVT’s Biu Ji form “dares to stare” at this (usually) painful truth.

JEET KUNE DO
The Art of Becoming
By Harinder Singh
Jeet Kune Do is an Internal art of self-discovery, a mirror in which we see ourselves. But as long as the philosophy and martial art exist as a duality, the world can never appreciate the totality of JKD.

YUEN CHAI WAN WING CHUN LUK SAU
Main Points and Training Method
By Chen Heng Guan
Luk Sau is a common feature of most Wing Chun styles. In this article, Master Chen Heng Guan shares some essential details of this practice in Yuen Chai Wan Wing Chun.

THE ART OF WING CHUN
What Makes Wing Chun a Martial Art?
By Carina Cirrincione & Jim Dees
Wing Chun is a martial art—an art to develop skills of self-defence. But what makes it a martial art? The “Martial” aspect is obvious, but what makes the system an “Art” may not be as easy to see.

Departments

STRUCTURE AND APPLICATION
Private Lessons: Part Two
By Dr Robert Chu
Wing Chun requires hands-on pressure in order to have a trainee replicate power to the anatomical weapon. Too many have been taught in group classes without hands-on experience.

THE KUNG FU GENIUS
A Tale of Two Knife Forms
By Alex Richter
Sifu Richter compares two versions of the Wing Chun Knives and dives into what this might say about their development.

MY MARTIAL ARTS JOURNEY
You are What You Train
By David Lampert
How do you get really good at Wing Chun? Such a common question with a straightforward answer, but it’s a path few are prepared to take.

Reviews

IN PRINT
Lafayette Harris reviews the following books: Bruce Lee: The Life of a Legend by Fiaz Rafiq and The Broken Rice Bowl: Avoiding the Mistakes Martial Art Instructors Make That Hinder Success by Jeffrey D. Webb.

SCREEN FIGHTING
David Peterson reviews the following movies: The Master, Dragon Lord, and Fearless Hyena.

SCREEN EDUCATIONAL
Dwight Hennings reviews the following educational DVDs: Todd Taganashi: Wing Chun Wooden Dummy Vol. 2 Ip Man Lineage Form and Stephen Joffe: Wing Chun Vs Knife Attack.