“Bo lay tau, dao fu san, tiet kiu sau” is a very famous kuen kuit. It translates as “glass head, bean curd body, iron arm”. It is alternatively rendered as “bo lay tau, min fa to, tiet kiu sau” which translates as “glass head, cotton belly, iron arm”. Now, what does this mean?
“Glass head” implies we have to guard our head just as we would take care not to break glassware. We’re familiar with the English expression “glass jaw” which means a person is easy to knock out. This is the same idea. We have to ensure we aren’t hit in the head as if we are it will very likely so disorient us that we will be beaten. It might well simply knock us out. This section of the expression also implies that glass is clear and so must our mind be in combat. Glass is also reflective so this implies that we also must reflect the conditions around us and our opponent’s attacks in the same instant they are presented.
“Dao fu san” or “min fa to” refers to non-tension, give, flexibility, relaxation. This implies that we must understand not to employ excessive muscular force or tension in our Wing Chun. How can bean curd (tofu) or cotton be tense? If we have been properly taught to do it, we can impact with incredible power but we don’t need to tense up to do this. To be successful at genuine Wing Chun requires that we must master the use of what is commonly referred to as “soft force”. I often chuckle at this term as there is nothing “soft” about a “soft force” strike.
“Tiet kiu sau” refers to our forearms and striking surfaces impacting as if they were iron. Whilst our body is soft, relaxed, our arms and hands as they express jing into our attacker ought to feel as if they are made of iron. Yet they must not be tense either. We achieve this expression of power with appropriate relaxation, correct alignment, correct structures and optimal use of attack line, centreline and body unity. Sifu Sum Num had the nickname “iron arm” because of his ability to exemplify this aspect of Wing Chun so remarkably.
All of the above aspects must be understood and incorporated into our Wing Chun if we are to exemplify “bo lay tau, dao fu san, tiet kiu sau”.