Read Time: 4 mins 51 secs

This is the biography of Ip Man, as written down in the Ip Man Memorial Hall in Foshan.

1893 – Ip Man was born in Foshan, Guangdong.

1898 – At the age of 5, Ip Man received traditional Confucius education in a private school.

1899-1905 – (Between 6 – 12 years old) Ip Man followed Master Chan Wah-Shun, the famous disciple of Leung Jan, to learn Wing Chun in the Ancestral Hall of Ip clan. He learnt together with his Seniors Ho Hong-Leui, Leui Yu-Zai, Ng Chung-So, Ng Siu-Lo.

1905 – (Aged 12 years old), Master Chan Wah-Shun died. Before Master Chan died, he reminded Ip’s Senior Ng Chung-So to continue teaching Ip Man Wing Chun. Master Chan Wah-Shun’s body was taken by his Kung Fu disciples and Ip Man to Chan’s hometown in Shun De for burial.

1905-1907 (Between 12 – 14 years old) Ip Man learnt Wing Chun from his Senior Ng Chung-So in Foshan together with Yuan Kai-San and You Choi. The three were later known as “The three Wing Chun Giants” in Foshan.

1908 – (Aged 15 years old) With the assistance of his affinity, Ip Man managed to study in Hong Kong St. Stephen’s College.

1909-1913 – (Between 16-20 years old) Ip Man made acquaintance with Leung Bik, the son of famous Wing Chun Master Leung Jan, by the referral of his classmate. He followed Leung Bik to enhance his skill for around four years.

1914 – (Aged 21 years old) Ip Man travelled frequently in between Hong Kong, Kobe and Foshan. He intended to study in Japan with his brother’s help, yet, he did not go due to some other issues.

1914-1937 – (Between 21-44 years old) Ip Man worked for the army and police work in Foshan and Guangzhou, his excellent Wing Chun skills were well known in the Kung Fu world in Southern China. He married Cheung Wing-Sing from Foshan. They had seven children, yet three died during pregnancy, and the remaining includes two sons: Yip Hok-Chun (Ip Chun) and Yip Hok-Ching (Ip Ching), and two daughters Yip Ya-Sam (Ip Sik-Ng) and Yip Ya-Wun (Ip Sik-Ng).

1937-1945 – (Between 44-52 age old) Japan invaded China, and Foshan fell. The Ip family went down and experienced hardship. Chau Ching-Chuen, the best friend of Ip Man, assisted Ip from time to time. To return the favour of Chau, Ip Man taught Wing Chun to the son of Chau, Chau Kwong-Yiu and at the same time with Lun Kai, Chan Chi-San, Leui Pak-Ying, Chau Sai-Keung; they were the first disciples of Ip Man.

1945-1949 – (Between 52-56 years old) Ip Man was active between Guangzhou and Foshan. Ip Man instructed Wing Chun by the referral of Pang Nam.

1949 – (Aged 56 years old) Ip Man temporarily lived in his friend’s bird shop in Macau for half a month then moved to Hong Kong.

1950 – (Aged 57 years old) By the introduction of his fellow villager Lee Man, Ip Man started his first Wing Chun class at the Restaurant Worker Association on Tai Nam Street in Sham Shui Po. Disciples included Leung Seung, Lok Yiu, Tsui Sheung-Tin, Yip Po-Ching, Chiu Wan, Lee Yan-Wing, Luo Ping, Man Siu-Hung and others.

1953-1954 – (Aged 60-61 years old) The class moved to Hoi Tan Street in Sham Shui Po. Disciples included Wong Shun-Leung, Wong Kiu, Wong Jok, Ng Chan and others. Ip Man also taught private lessons in Yu Chau Street, disciples included Lee Hon and others.

1954-1955 – (Between 61-62 years old) Class in the Restaurant Workers Association restored. Disciples included Lee Gam-Sing, Gan Wah-Jit, Lo Man-Kam and others.

1955-1957 – (Between 62-64 years old) The class changed to Yau Ma Tei. Disciples included Bruce Lee, Leung Shiu-Hung, Chan Sing, Cheung Hok-Kin, Siu Yuk-Man, Pan Kam-Fat and others.

1957-1962 (Between 64-69 years old) Ip Man set up his school in Sham Shui Po for five years, disciples included Mak Po, Yeung Hei, Mui Yat, Ho Kam-Ming and others. Ip Man was also being invited for private coaching, disciples included Wong Bak-Yi, Wong Wing, Yeung Chung-Hon, Chau Lok-Yi, Wong Kwok-Yau, Tong Jo-Chi, Lee Wai-Chi, Chan Tak-Chiu, Tam Lai, the brothers Chung Kam-Chun and Chung Wing-Hong and others.

1962-1963 – (Between 69-70 years old) The school moved to Tai Po. Disciples included Cheung Yiu-Wing, Ho Luen, Cheung Ching-On, Chan Wun-Lam, Chan Tai-Yim, Kwok Si-Yan and others. Private coaching class disciples included Cheng Peter and disciples who learned Wing Chun early in Tsim Sha Tsui.

1963-1965 – (Between 70-72 years old) The school was moved to the Tai Sang Restaurant in Tai Kok Tsui. Other than disciple from Tai Po, there were also Wat Yung-Sang, Lee Yan-Wing, Yau Hak-So and others. Ip Man gave also private coaching in San Po Kong, most disciples were policeman, including Tang Sang, Nam Yin-Fat, Yuen Chi-Kong, Lee Yiu-Fai, Wong Kwok and others.

1965 – (Aged 72 years old) With the advanced age, Ip Man stopped his teaching in Tai Kok Tsui, he sometimes taught in Sham Shui Po as he was partly retired. He also gave individual coaching at his home, disciples included Wong Chung-Wah, Wong Hei, Hon Chak-Chuen and others.

1967 – (Aged 74 years old) Ip Man hosted The Wing Chun Athletic Association which was the first martial arts organization recognized by the government and the first martial arts society to be officially registered with the government. It is located at 438 Nathan Road. The first Board of Directors included Yeung Chung-Hon, Hui Siu-Cheong, Miu Yin-Wai, Chan Tai-Yim, Chan Wun-Lam, Wat Yung-Sang, Ip Chun. The classes were in charge by Ip Man with the assistance of Cheung Ching-On, Fung Hon and Wong Hon-Chung.

1968-1969 – (Between 75-76 years old) Ip Man then taught in Tze Yau Road, Waterloo Road and Siu Fai Toi. Disciples included the brothers Chan Tai-Hong and Chan Kiu-Lung, Wong Tze-On, Chan Kam-Ming, Chung Yau, Lau Hon-Lam, Man Yin-Kwong, Wong Chi-Ming, female disciple Ng Yuet-Do, Yip Sing-Cheuk, the solicitor, and his friends from the legal field.

1972 – (Aged 79 years old) Under the support of disciples, Ip Man Martial Arts Athletic Association was set up with the goal to unite all Wing Chun clans and to teach and promote Wing Chun, hence, to spread the Kung Fu culture to the world. The founding directors include Ip Man, Ip Ching, Cheung Yiu-Wing, Chan Wai-Hong, Tam Lai, Ho Luen, Lau Hon-Lam; the first chairman of directors was Leung Chung-Wai. It is located at South Wall Road, Kowloon City.

1972, 1st December – Ip Man passed away at his home at the age of 79.