I ask about fan manipulation classes. Master Chang simply hands me an unopened fan, shows me how to hold it at rest in my left hand, and instructs me to follow his movements. For 20 minutes we go over and over the first dozen or so moves, none of which involve the fan. "Point your right hand, arm level, palm downward. Stand like this. Bring your right arm across your face. Palm is now up. Feet change position. Head to the other side. Arm across again, slowly like pulling a rope. Palm down. Feet change again. Arm level. Hand position changes, thumb down, palm out, arm curved. etc."

 

I must have passed the audition, probably because I didn't insist on learning about the fan, per se, but took well to the discipline and the coaching. Master Chang surprised me by asking me to come to his house over the weekend.

 

Fellow juggler Ken Chen and I arranged to spend a day at the feet of the Master. He demonstrated the forms one by one, accompanied by a historical commentary.

 

Master Chang's grandfather was the Kung Fu Master to the Ching court. He trained Chang from age 6 in flexibility, strength and discipline, as well as in the precise steps and moves. Now at the age of 73, Chang's graceful, precise movements, and .his easy full split, give testimony to a life spent in respectful memory of his grandfather's spirit and instruction. His mentor, it should be noted, practiced his art until his death at age 98.

 

Master Chang studied the Peking Opera for 4 years, then Kung Fu and object manipulation for 3 years, and dance for 3 years. He combined these to create the forms he teaches. Master Chang agrees with the spirit of a quotation from Francis Brunn, "When you want to become a great juggler, don't look at other jugglers," but adds his own twist. "First you must learn your Master's form completely and perfectly. Take the time to learn it right. Only then can you innovate and go beyond his level of skill to create something new. To most practitioners, Kung Fu means 'force.' To me it means "time."

 

"The fan provides a good example," says Master Chang. "I have taught the basic form to over 1,000 students, but only a very few continue to practice, remain loyal to me, and truly understand this gentle art form. It is easy to start, but quite difficult to perfect. The young people in Taiwan are too busy with school or with getting a good job.

 

"Also the role of the acrobat or Kung Fu master is marginal in present day Taiwan. Status is low, and there is little money in it. Overseas Chinese in North America and other Americans are more interested in these arts than are young Taiwanese," he said.

 

Another problem is the mistaken notion that these skills are for fighting. They are a way of life which is intended to cultivate the mind, discipline the body, purify the heart, diminish passion, and cultivate peace and friendship among practitioners. All of these forms are defensive, not offensive. I have been disappointed more than once to find my students misrepresenting or misusing the skills I have taught them. Students must learn the discipline, the form, and to respect their teacher."

 

As illustration of the more "martial" of his arts, Master Chang demonstrated his skill with a heavy wooden-handled trident, about 5 feet in length, which rolled around his body, over his shoulders and back, and around his neck, arms, and legs. He also showed his skill with single and double cutlasses, and with twin double-headed spears.

 

However, to me these weapons held less fascination than the intricacies of the fan and the tasseled sword. This latter instrument is a heavy meal broadsword, with a 3-foot long ornate cord and an elaborate fringed tassel extending from the handle. It is apparent that combining the hard form of the sword with the soft form of the cord and tassel takes great skill and much practice.

 

We were joined in our discussion by Miss Li-Hwei Lin, Master Chang's best and most devoted pupil. Youthful at 50, she is a loyal practitioner. Together they have appeared on many programs and have won prizes in martial arts tour­naments throughout Taiwan.

 

I asked Master Chang about his future plans. After having resisted for years, and

having turned down numerous invitations and offers, he has finally decided to visit the United States, to give special instruction to American students. I took the opportunity to show him back issues of JUGGLER'S WORLD, and he indicated a willingness to come to a convention in the near future, possibly to Las Vegas in 1984 if we can help him make the trip.

 

Should we issue an invitation to Master Chang, Miss Lin and his daughter? If I were to arrange for a month of instruction here in the Seattle area prior to the convention, how many people would be willing to pay a fee equal to a proportionate share of the team's costs, which should be about $5,000 for the period from early June through the convention. That's $250 apiece for each of 20 students. Count me in! Any other takers? If so, please write:

 

Dave Finnigan - Edmonds, WA