Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat's video: Kwan Tao routine demonstrated by Chew Soon Chong

This is the famous Kwan Tao (Gwan Dao) or General Kwan's knife. Here it is demonstrated by the late Master Chew Soon Chong, chief instructor of Guo Chiong Pugilisitic Association, Singapore. Master Chew was a student of Master Ang Lian Huat at Nam Yang Pugilistic Association. Master Ang gave him permission to set up his own school, Guo Chiong. The routine he demonstrates here is one which he has modified himself. It contains a lot of spinning and generally showy moves. Master Ang disliked these type of moves nad did not include them in the routines which he taught. Hence this is not considered one of the 'Nam Yang' routines. This is taken form the old VHS video tape of Nam Yang Pugilistic Association’s 30th anniversary demonstration at the Fuchow building in Singapore in 1984. Grandmaster Tan Soh Tin can be seen in a white suit organising the performers. We appreciate that the quality of the footage is poor but this is the earliest footage that we have of Nam Yang’s kung fu so it is of historical significance. In 1984 Nam Yang had received almost no western influence. Not all of the performers at the demonstration were experts. This is a pretty representative example, though, of Hokkien (Minnan) kung fu as practised in Singapore in the late 20th century and as such is of interest.