The Legacy
The Black Tiger System
Fu Jow Pai, also known as the Black Tiger System, traces its origins to the martial traditions associated with the Shaolin Temple in Fukien Province during the late seventeenth century. Following the destruction of the Shaolin Temple during the Qing dynasty, surviving monks and revolutionary societies preserved their martial knowledge in secrecy.
Among the arts passed down during this period was Hark Fu Moon — the Black Tiger system. Through generations of dedicated practitioners, this tradition survived and was carefully carried forward until it reached the world stage under the leadership of Grandmaster Wai Hong.
A History Passed Generation to Generation
From the mountains of Fukien Province to the streets of New York City and beyond — the story of Fu Jow Pai is one of survival, dedication, and an unbroken chain of authentic transmission.
Hark Fu Moon — The Black Tiger System
Fu Jow Pai's martial traditions trace back to the Shaolin Temple in Fukien Province. When the temple was destroyed during the Qing dynasty, monks and revolutionary societies preserved the art in secrecy, passing it down through trusted disciples to keep the system alive.
The Art Preserved & Named
Master Wong Bil Hong inherited the teachings from a monk at the Hoy Hong Temple. Before his passing in 1934, he entrusted the future of the system to his nephew and disciple Wong Moon Toy, formally renaming the art Fu Jow Pai of Hoy Hong Temple.
Fu Jow Pai Comes to America
Wong Moon Toy brought the system to the United States, quietly teaching martial arts in New York City's Chinatown. In 1957, he established the Chinese Youth Athletic Club, where he trained a small group of disciples while carefully preserving the teachings of Fu Jow Pai.
Leadership Passes to Grandmaster Wai Hong
After Wong Moon Toy's passing in 1960, leadership of the system was carried forward by his disciple Grandmaster Wai Hong — the third-generation successor of the Fu Jow Pai system. Through decades of dedication to researching, preserving, promoting, and teaching the art, he brought Fu Jow Pai from a closely guarded tradition into the public while maintaining its strict standards.
A Living Tradition
Practitioners and schools around the world carry forward the teachings of Fu Jow Pai while maintaining the discipline, structure, and principles that define the system. Grandmaster Wai Hong is recognized as the father of modern-day Fu Jow Pai — his efforts having spread the Tiger Claw system throughout the United States and internationally.
The Tradition Continues
Wai Hong's Fu Jow Pai Tiger Claw Kung Fu continues to preserve this powerful martial tradition through three pillars of ongoing commitment.
Authentic Transmission
The methods, principles, and standards established by Grandmaster Wai Hong remain the measure of authentic Fu Jow Pai training — never diluted, never commercialized, passed on exactly as received.
Global Community
Certified affiliate schools on multiple continents maintain the teachings of Fu Jow Pai, uniting practitioners worldwide under a shared lineage and a common commitment to the system.
The Next Generation
Through in-person instruction, online learning, and community gatherings, the Tiger Claw system is actively being passed to the next generation of dedicated practitioners.
Be Part of the Legacy
Train in the authentic Tiger Claw system as taught by Grandmaster Wai Hong.