New Martial Hero Magazine:

July 1974, Taipei

American Karate School CEO

A Journey In Search of Chinese Martial Arts Teachers and Friends

Mr. Richard Lee, the founder of five reputable karate schools in America was visiting Taipei for two weeks in June of 1972. The main purpose of his trip was to visit famous teachers in the Republic of China. He hoped to visit several leaders in the various Kung-fu styles and to welcome them into his East-West Karate organization. Additionally, he very much wanted to experience the real face of Eastern Kung-fu culture. As a world traveling scholar, Mr. Richard Lee made the Republic of China his first destination. It was his first time experiencing the ancient culture of Chinese martial arts so everything was new and exciting to him.

Mr. Lee has studied White Tiger fist, Judo, and Karate. Ten years ago, he opened his first East-West school in California, U.S.A. and it was one of the largest schools in America. In subsequent years, he opened other East-West branches with his highest level students. His first three schools were located in Castro Valley, Dublin, and Walnut Creek. His total student body numbered more than 5000. All of the students were learning kenpo as the main discipline. Mr. Lee’s main objective is to develop his schools in an aggressive manner, quickly spreading from America, to Asia, and around the world in hopes of developing a martial arts education network.

Every school’s main emphasis is on kenpo but his goal is to begin another class based on Chinese kung-fu as an additional curriculum. It will be the student’s choice to learn what they wish, whatever fits them better. In the mean time, East West has already implemented departments for Chinese kung-fu material. The first consists of many different types of written material on wushu history, activity, and photographs. It is arranged into different categories and systematic groupings and analysis. The second consists of classes teaching students Tai Ji. Later it will include other aspects of Chinese martial arts.

His school hosts a Chinese kung-fu teacher. He is a very short and muscular man named Li Kuo Wang. He is a young and good looking man superior in skill. He accompanied Mr. Richard Lee on his trip to Taipei. He is very adept at researching the Chinese culture. When Mr. Richard Lee and Li Kuo Wang arrived at the Taipei International Airport, they received an overwhelming welcome. The Taipei Physical Education Association and Tai Ji Committee informed them of the Republic of China’s current state of affairs in Kuoshu.

Next, Mr. Lee and Li Kuo Wang searched out various kung-fu masters and Kuoshu leaders. Because there are so many good masters in Chinese kuoshu, Mr. Lee and Li Kuo knew they could not possibly see them all. Not wishing to offend anyone, they sought to simplify matters by seeking out only those disciplines they were really interested in.

They started by visiting the very famous Suai Jiao (Chinese grappling) King, Chang, Dong-Shen. Chang, Dong-Shen was busy directing the wrestling activities for the summer time youth. His schedule was so busy that they traveled on to Bei Tou. There they visited Qi Gong master Liu, Mu-Shen. Master Liu is the head of the International division of Qi Gong and is well known all over the world.

Mr. Lee was very sincere in expressing his goals to Liu, Mu-Shen. He wanted to show him that American people are open and sincere and possess high character. Master Liu was so touched by Mr. Lee’s words that he immediately began sharing some of his Qi Gong knowledge. Master Liu shared with Mr. Lee Chinese martial arts never shown to outsiders. Mr. Lee clapped his hands in admiration and respect for Master Liu’s demonstration. Master Liu remained very humble and said, “These are only simple skills and represent only a few parts of real Chinese wushu. There are many more (masters) in this country that are much better than I. There are countless numbers of them.”

Mr. Lee wished to show his appreciation by showing Master Liu his White Tiger fist style in return. Mr. Lee showed that he understood the customs of the Chinese culture by wearing a traditional Chinese uniform. His uniform was very neat and demonstrated how dedicated and sincere Mr. Lee was to learn. His spirit earned him great respect from the hearts of the Chinese people.

White Tiger fist belongs to one of the five fists of Shaolin. Being a huge, muscular foreigner his demonstration of White Tiger fist made the style lively and strong. He had a powerful back and waist and huge thighs. His horse stance demonstrated the proper characteristics and proved that he really understands the flavor of wushu. His performance was outstanding, beyond normal standards.

Picture 4- Waving Palm Produces Wind: Mr. Lee extends his left arm while Master Liu’s hand moves up and down Mr. Lee’s arm without touching. His hand is approximately 10 cm from Mr. Lee’s arm but Mr. Lee feels like he is being electrically shocked.

Picture 5- Transmitting Qi Gong: Li Kuo Wang extends his left arm while Master Liu holds a closed fan over Li Kuo’s arm. Producing energy from his tan qian (3.3 inches below naval) Master Liu makes the fan move. Li Kuo can feel the wind instantly.

Picture 6- Transmitting Qi Gong: Mr. Lee also extends his arms to see for himself. Closing his eyes, Mr. Lee eventually feels the qi, proving Master Liu’s skills. Mr. Lee says that it feels like being bitten by ants.

Picture 7A&B- Master Liu places one hand on Li Kuo’s back. His other hand touches Li Kuo’s wrist to feel his pulse. Master Liu demonstrates his mastery of Qi Gong by controlling the pace of Li Kuo’s pulse. First Master Liu slows the pulse then accelerates it. Mr. Lee then places his hands on Li Kuo’s wrist and feels the deceleration and acceleration of the pulse, proving Master Liu’s skill.

Picture 8A&B- Master Liu politely explains the Feng and Fa, two important elements of the spirit of Tai Ji Quan.

Picture 9A&B- Master Liu explains how to attack lower and upper vulnerable spots on the body. In this action the most important part is to attack the opening.

Picture 10- Famous Qi Gong Master Liu (middle), East West Headmaster Richard Lee (left), and Chinese Kung-fu teacher Li Kuo Wang (right).