Founder of the KUN TAO HOKKIAN SIAUW LIM from Indonesia

Kun Tao from Makassar

The fact that chinese fighting art tactics have had positive influences upon pencak silat in the makassar area has already been alluded to and specific evidences named. One of the best orginez kuntao systems in makassar is perhaps a synthesis form. Headed by master teacher Lie Tjhing Yan, the product is perhaps largely an extension of Lie’s ideas over the course of his more than seventy years. Lie is a visionary who approoaches modern day kuntao with a broadmindedness unbecoming to its tradition. The result has been, however, vitality and an ensured continuation of combative ideas strung on a network of modern needs. By interjecting his fine personality, Lie wins students. To begin with, Lie has named his obviously kuntao form as a type of pencak silat. Kebudajaan (means culture) ilmu (knowledge) silat indonesia is the name of the organization and the fighting form. Little has changed insofar as kuntao mechanics and scope are concerned. The system is largely one based on hand and arm tactics, kicking methods are minimal. Kicks are either preparatory to a turn or made immediately after one is completed. Parrying or blocking methods bring de defender into positions from which quick ripostes can be launched. The open hand is almost always used to effect the parries, it is also used to catch and cover. The blocking hand is usually supported by the free hand. Stances are midline and movements are made from semicrouch positions with feet that are slid over the terrain, lead foot turned slightly inward. The double weighting principle is used. Turning for evasion is always made in a counterclockwise direction. The usual weapons of kuntao are studied, and the long bladed, single edged sword is the core weapon. Additionally, the standard weapons of pencak silat have been mastered. Most skill is demonstrated with the stick (toya), the tjabang, and the parang.

Kun Tao in Surabaya

Grandmaster LIEM KHEE IEN

Founder of the KUN TAO HOKKIAN SIAUW LIM in Surabaya

In Surabaya was/is a Chinese enclave where several styles within Kun Tao was practised, among Hokkian Siauw Lim. One of these Chinese people which have spreads the Kun Tao was the late Mr. Lie Tjhing Yan. He had a student whom he trainded privately, named Mr. Liem Khee Ien who spread the Kun Tao in Surabaya. Under Mr. Liem Khee Ien has comed Mr. B.H. Tan. Now the Kun Tao in Surabaya are continued by the son of the late Mr. Liem Khe Ien, Mr. Liem Poo Kiong and his son.

Kun Tao in the Netherlands

Grandmaster BIAN HIEN TAN

Kun Tao was in the years 1950 mostly brought to the Netherlands with the many Indonesian-Chinese people, which emigrated after the turbulent years of sovereignty transfer of the Netherlands to Indonesia, to the Netherlands. One of these people whom started to give lessons in the Netherlands to friends and family was the late Mr. Bian Hien Tan from Dordrecht, the Netherlands.

Click on the photo to enlarge

Kun Tao in the Netherlands are respectively still the two original schools which probability still teach the authenticity of the style. Both schools are resulted from the many years of teaching by the grandmaster B.H. Tan. Although the names differ from the schools they can fluently carry out mutually the game/art with each other. On the photograph above you can see two separate Kun Tao schools. The original name is the Kun Tao - Hokkian - Siauw Lim and is the school from Papendrecht and is under the guidance of W.L. of Prehn. The Gerakan Tao Kun Shaolin Holland is the school from Dordrecht and is under the guidance of C. Petersen. Both schools instruct in principle the same style and techniques and recognise each other's existence. By the mutual cooperation which have been achieved they continue to guarantee the life work of grandmaster B.H. Tan and so to guarantee the art for in the future and entity to reach within the schools which has resulted of Mr. B.H. Tan.

History

Kun Tao Hokkian Siauw Lim comes from China and is originating from the province Hokkian. Siauw Lim stands for shaolin, the temples in which the old Kun Tao practices became. Partay Thay Kek Koen means according the chinese phylosophy; The art off the absolute, ultimate principles off the way off the fist/hands (Koen = fist). Tao means way/path, actually "The way off the fist". The Chinese word for street fighting is Chuan Tou, KunTao, KunTau or Cuntao, (HOK KIAN = KUN-TAO). It is very a practice specific form of self-defence which also the use of weapons.