Shaolin Greeting in Gratitude to Generations of All Our Masters

To introduce students to a comprehensive experience of combat application in Shaolin Kungfu, Grandmaster Wong composed 4 combat sequences, with each sequence dealing with each category of attack, namely striking, kicking, felling and chin-na. These four combat sequences were linked to form a set.

This set was formerly called "Four-Sequence Four-Direction Set" (Siu Lam Sei Lou Sei Kheik Khuen), but is renamed "Lohan Tames Tiger Set", in line with the renaming of its corresponding Four-Sequence Four-Direct Set in Taijiquan to Old Eagle Catches Snake .

The new name, "Lohan Tames Tiger", which is taken from a pattern in the set, is very appropriate as it reminds us that the Eighteen Lohans Set was the prototype of Shaolin Kungfu. Many of the patterns in this "Lohan Tames Tiger Set" are also characteristic of the Lohan style and the Tiger style.

These four comprehensive combat sequences were first taught to students at the regional Introductory Shaolin Kungfu Course in Japan from 16th to 18th December 2007. They were then taught in Ireland, Portugal and Spain in 2008. At each of these courses, however, there were some slight differences in the sequences. For example, in the original Japanese version the kicking attack was performed by the responder, whereas in the Irish version it is performed by the initiator.

Although this set is short, it is very comprehensive. It contains all the four categories of attack - striking, kicking, felling and chin-na - and their counters. Its value is appreciated even more when we realize that many martial arts today are not comprehensive. A Boxer, for example, would have no counters from the repertoire of Boxing if an opponent kicks at him, nor a Karate exponent any counters from the repertoire of Karate if an opponent locks his arm.

This does not mean that an exponent who knows this set, which includes kicking and locking, would beat a Boxer or a Karate exponent. Amongst other factors, it depends on whether he has the skills to kick a Boxer or lock a Karate exponent effectively. Reversely, even if he knows the counters, if he does not have the required skills he would be unable to counter effectively when an opponent kicks at him or locks his arm.

Click here to see the individual four combat sequences that are combined to form the "Lohan Tames Tiger Set", formerly called "Four-Sequence Four-Direction Set".