Tao pai

(Cantonese: Do Pai)

Tao Pai style is a mix of many styles like Jow Gar, Hung Gar, Choy Gar and Lama. Using fast strikes and long reach it is a style that when applied can seem like brawling. The late Grandmaster Paul Chan utilized these skills as a base for his students from the early 70’s to the mid 80’s at Hong Luck.

The photo above Chan Dau (Left) the founder of the Taoist school in Hong Kong is chatting with Yip Man (Wing Chun Right side) this photo was found in Fut San China at the Ip Man museum next to the Wong Fei Hung Memorial.

Chan Dau Tao Pai is a singular style with roots in Jow Lung, Hung Tow Choy May (Jow Gar Kuen). Chan Dau was instructed by and shared with several masters. These masters contributed from their own styles resulting in forms and applications that resemble Hung Gar, Choy Lee Fut, Hop Ga/ Lama and White Crane techniques.

Si Gung Jow Lung: founder of Jow Gar Kuen

Tao Pai’s beginning evolved in Hong Kong when a group of friends practiced and performed their various Kung fu styles together. This resulted in a novel movement known as the “New Hung Kuen” This New Hung Kuen combined agile footwork and long range bridges which united the older ways of many traditional southern styles. Tao Pai Kuen is recognized as a southern kung fu system or style, as well, in Hong Kong Tao Pai is also recognized as a Kung Fu Association. We believe a better description of Tao Pai is “The way of many styles” or “The way of people with varied styles”. Today Tao Pai Kuen is practiced by few Kwoons (Clubs) even though Jow Gar Kuen holds Chan Dau in high regard. Both Chan Dau and Jow Biu are second generation students of Jow Biu’s older brother Jow Lung the founder of Jow Gar Kuen (Chow Family Fist). The knowledge that Chan Dau received would eventually lead to the creation of Tao Pai. In the mid 1970’s Grandmaster Lee Ngau was teaching in Toronto at the Chinese Freemason/ Dart Coon Club. He was the person who informed Grandmaster Paul Chan that Jow Gar Kuen and Tao Pai Realigned.