Grand Master Ark Yuey Wong

Grand Master Ark Y Wong (USA founding Father)

Grandmaster Wong Ark Yuey was born in Canton China in 1902. His great grandfather, because of a family dispute, had precipitated the rule that each male Wong member would start Kung Fu training at 7 years old. Numerous kung fu instructors were hired or invited to give private lessons to the Wong boys.  Some of them lived in the Wong house for a long period of time. Ark Wong (one of the Wong boys) had learned kung fu and herbal medicine from Sifu Lam Ark Fun. His uncle enhanced his Chinese medicinal knowledge when he arrived in the USA. Wong used this medical knowledge for the remainder of his life. Another teacher he learned a lot from was Ho Ark Yeng. Ark Wong earned his masters title in a tournament in Canton with his excellence in lion dance and kung fu competition in his 20’s.

When Ark Wong traveled to the city of Canton on an occasion, he met Pang, chief monk of Canton. It was then Pang demonstrated internal powers to him by blowing out candlelight at a distance. Because of their good bonding, Pang taught him Shaolin kung fu and internal cultivation during the time he stayed in the city.

In 1921 Wong arrived in the United States. He also learned acupuncture and herbs from his uncle there. He received his acupuncture certification in California in 1975. However, in addition to his latest endeavor into his acupuncture practice, servicing many patients with their medical needs, Sifu Wong had many years of teaching the Lion and Dragon dance art to the Chinese community in Oakland, San Francisco and Stockton. He also taught Ng Ga Kuen to the members of the different Chinese associations.  Finally, he ended up in Los Angeles in the 50’s, initially teaching his kung fu only to members of the Chinese associations such as the Wong Family Association and Hop Sing Tong. After he returned from Hong Kong in 1962 and under the encouragement of many people, he opened his Wah Que Kung Fu Studio at 302 Ord Street in Los Angeles Chinatown. He also decided to start teaching kung fu to all people at that time and became the first Sifu to offer kung fu outside of the Chinese community. In 1974 he relocated the school to Daly Street, a few miles from Chinatown and he opened a clinic alongside the school for his herbal and Chinese Dit Da practice.

Master Wong’s curriculum was large. He taught the Ng Ga Kuen System (5-Family System) composed from
CHOY (Stances)
FUT (Palm arts)
LEE (Strong, quick blocking)
HUNG (punching)
and MOK (Kicking).

He also taught numerous animal arts: Tiger, Dragon, Crane, Leopard, Snake, Lion, Elephant, Horse, Monkey, Bull, Tai Chi Chuan, 18 traditional weapons and Lion/Dragon dancing. 

Ark Yuey Wong unexpectedly passed away in 1987.  A great man that benevolently devoted himself and his Ng Ga Kuen Kung Fu to the Chinese community.  Although Ark Yuey Wong will be missed, the Ng Ga Kuen Kung Fu system established by him in the United States of America will be carried forward by his grandson – Seming Ma.