Hu Zhao
虎爪
Literally: tiger claw
Tiger claw of southern Chinese styles such as Fu Jow Pai and Hung Gar: a hand shape imitating a paw, used for tearing, clawing and gripping.
Quick Facts
About
Hu Zhao (虎爪), literally tiger claw, is a hand shape imitating a tiger's paw, documented in southern Chinese styles such as Fu Jow Pai and Hung Gar. It is used for tearing, clawing and gripping the opponent. The style Fu Jow Pai, also known as Hark Fu Moon, the black tiger system, trains the tiger claw so it can grip the opponent's limb without injuring one's own hand. It was founded in 1934 by Wong Bil Hong after he studied Hung Gar under Wong Kei-Ying and Wong Fei-Hung; the style's roots are placed at the Hoy Hong temple in Guangdong during the Qing dynasty. The hands are specifically conditioned for the tiger claw, because an untrained hand can suffer tendon and joint injuries when gripping or delivering a tearing strike. We have not been able to document who introduced the technique or exactly how it is performed in each style.