Shaolin Hung Méi (少林洪眉) is a traditional form of Chinese Martial Art with roots in the original Shaolin Temple (少林寺). Early on, there were five established leaders of Shaolin Kung Fu: Hung (洪), Liú (劉), Cai (蔡), Lĭ (李) and Mò (莫). Each of these was the head of a particular family. The Hung family was further divided into Hung Jiā (洪家), Hung Quán (洪拳), Hung Mén (洪門), and Hung Méi(洪眉). Our style descends from the northern branch, Hung Méi (eyebrow or face of Hung). Many years after this style was established, Zōng Shī (Grandmaster) Wú Shén Xĭ (宗師吳神禧), brought Hung Méi from China to Indonesia .

(宗師吳神禧)

Grandmaster Wú Shén Xĭ (吳神禧) started his kung fu training at a young age under the instruction of his mother. His mother had learned kung fu from Léi Bái Xíng, one of the great Grandmasters of the Hung Méi system. As soon as Wú Shén Xī was old enough, his mother sent him to train directly under Zōng Shī Léi Bái Xíng (宗師雷白行). Wú Shén Xĭ (吳神禧) trained under Zōng Shī for many years and learned the fundamental principles and techniques of Shaolin Temple Kung Fu.

Léi Bái Xíng (雷白行) was a traveling medicine man. He would bring his inventory of herbs and medicines down from his home in the mountains to the market in town. Wú Shén Xĭ (吳神禧) would carry all of the items on his back. Sometimes, after making the long journey and after letting Wú Shén Xĭ rest for only a short while, Léi Bái Xíng (雷白行) would simply say, “I don’t think that there is going to be any business today. Let’s go home.” Wú Shén Xĭ would voice a small protest, arguing that they might as well try to sell something since they had already made the tiring journey to town. Léi Bái Xíng (雷白行) would respond, “No, I don’t think there will be any business today. Let’s go.” With that said, Léi Bái Xíng (雷白行) would rise up from where he was sitting and head up the path toward home. Wú Shén Xĭ (吳神禧) packed up all of their belongings and followed his Master home for a day filled with kung fu instruction. Wú Shén Xĭ (吳神禧) had not realized that the journey itself was part of his training.

Later, Wú Shén Xĭ (吳神禧) also became a traveling medicine man. Many of the medicines and elixirs that he sold required various parts of poisonous snakes. He became quite proficient in the handling of different species of this reptile.

In order to sell his medicine, Zōng Shī Wú Shén Xĭ (宗師吳神禧) often performed kung fu in front of large crowds. Sometimes the spectators would get too close. To keep them at bay, he would perform his flaming rope dart, whipping and shooting it toward the edges of the crowd. He and his flaming rope dart quickly became quite famous. The townspeople started to call him by the name “Ho Feng” (火放), which translates to “throw fire”.

Wú Shén Xĭ (吳神禧) did not just perform his kung fu in front of the village market shoppers - he taught his skill to many of the townspeople. His wu kwon (school) became the strongest in the town of Pekolongan , Indonesia . Every Chinese New Year, Wú Shén Xĭ (吳神禧) and his students were chosen to perform the Lion Dance at the Temple located in the center of Pekolongan.

Zōng Shī Wú also demonstrated his kung fu at the National Kung Fu Tournament held in Indonesia . This tournament was considered to be very prestigious as it was held only every twenty-five years and martial artists from many countries traveled to Indonesia to participate. Wú Shén Xĭ (吳神禧) was among the most successful of all of the competitors.

During his years of teaching, Zōng Shī Wú Shén Xĭ (宗師吳神禧) successfully passed down the principles and values of Shaolin (少林) to many students. One of those students has been particularly diligent in continuing to teach these traditions, bringing the style of Hung Mei (洪眉派) to the United States . His name is Tonny Kho (許敬唐).

(太師父許敬唐)

Tai Shī Fù Tonny Kho (太師父許敬唐) began his martial arts training under the instruction of his grandfather, Huang Swe Xíng (黃水行). He spent his entire first year, at the early age of five, training only the basic stances of the Shaolin (少林) system. Several years later, Zōng Shī Huáng Shŭi Shíng (宗師黃水行) moved from their hometown. He asked his close friend, Wú Shén Xĭ (吳神禧), to continue his grandson’s martial education.

Shī Fù Kho (許太師父) practiced religiously under the direction of Wú Shén Xĭ (吳神禧). Over the years, he became proficient in the Shaolin (少林) style known as Hung Méi (洪眉). Eventually, he began to help train the younger students and received the title of “Shī Fù” (師父) in 1962.

Kung fu (功夫) was not a hobby or a sport for the Chinese population in Indonesia - it was a means of self-defense necessary in a place of political turmoil. Unlike the United States , a fight in the streets of Indonesia did not end in a court settlement.

The political instability of Indonesia was the driving force for Tai Shī Fù’s emigration. With his mother’s financial support, he came to the United States in 1968. When he arrived, his Chinese name, Xú Jìng Táng (許敬唐), was changed to Tonny Kho (許敬唐), and he started a new life in his new home. His aunt brought him to Long Island where he enrolled as a student at Stony Brook University .

To help pay for his education, Tai Shī Fù Kho (許太師父) worked part-time in a friend’s restaurant. During this time, he lived in a loft above the restaurant with seven other people. Despite these living conditions and the fact that he was miles from his home, Tai Shī Fù (太師父) was able to successfully earn a Linguistics degree from Stony Brook University .

Tai Shī Fù Kho (許太師父) continued his martial arts training, eventually opening his own kung fu school in Islip , New York . Since that time, he has received an MBA with Honors from Dowling College and established a successful lawn sprinkler business, both while working for the Suffolk County Water Authority. His kung fu organization has continued to grow and now boasts a branch of Hung Méi in Boulder , Colorado .

“Shī Fù” (師父) translates to knowledgeable father. With his caring, yet stern, nature and continued dedication, Tai Shī Fù Kho (許太師父) exemplifies the meaning of the words “Shī Fù” (師父).

When Tai Shī Fù Tonny Kho (太師父許敬唐) first arrived in the United States , he taught his kung fu to a few of his classmates at Stony Brook University in New York . However, during those undergraduate years, he needed a place where he could practice steadily.  He had visited a Karate school, Jerome Mackie’s, where he was allowed to continue to train. Impressed with his skill, the school’s Director soon recruited Tai Shī Fù Kho (許太師父). He was added to the staff as a teacher of Chinese Kung Fu.

In 1973, Tai Shī Fù (太師父) opened his own Wŭ Guăn (武館) (school) in Islip , Long Island . A strong base of dedicated students gathered. Shortly, several major purchases of equipment, including the area’s first eighty-five foot long Dragon, were made. In addition, the School became an active member of the Eastern United States Kung Fu Federation and gained recognition for sponsoring three major kung fu exhibitions at Hofstra University and Islip Town Hall . A branch organization was established at the Chinese Community Center in Hempstead , New York . Shaolin Hung Méi had gained the respect of the Chinese and martial arts communities and was recognized as a true school of traditional kung fu. By 1976, the School had relocated to Bayshore , New York . In February of that year, Tai Shī Fù Kho and his students began the annual tradition of “bai nián” (拜年) for the Chinese New Year. The members would perform Lion Dance for many of the local merchants and welcome the New Year with good luck and good fortune. The “hóng bāo” (紅包) (red envelope), or gifts of thanks given to the Lion dancers, enabled the School to purchase its needed supplies. More importantly, the performance of the Lion Dance provided the students important lessons in culture and enhanced the sense of “family” that had been developed by Tai Shī Fù Kho (許太師父).

Tai Shī Fù (太師父) soon realized that maintaining a martial arts school in the United States required making sacrifices to sustain the “business”. He became concerned with the dilution of what he had accomplished. As a result, he “closed the doors” of the School and began to train only his most dedicated students in the privacy of his home. Here, he was able to teach his art with no compromises. He kept the roster small and was able to tightly control the quality of Hung Méi’s members. Universal recognition of the martial and Lion Dancing skill as well as the School’s adherence to Chinese culture, history, philosophy and theory, followed.

Hung Méi (洪眉) started to receive frequent requests for Kung Fu, Lion Dance and Dragon performances. The small group was honored to have been asked to appear at such venues as the numerous Dragon Boat Festivals sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office of the British Consulate and the Trump Taj Mahal. In addition, the students successfully competed in both Chinese style and open martial arts tournaments. By 1991, Hung Méi had established strong ties with the community and had been appointed a permanent member of the Board of Directors of the United Kung Fu Federation of North America. Shī Fù Larry Sweeney and Shī Fù Frank Mattera, two of Tai Shī Fù’s most senior students, opened a branch of Hung Méi in Deer Park , New York . In early 1993, another senior student, Shī Fù H. Solow founded Hung Méi Colorado . In addition to these Shī Fù, the Organization has grown to include Shī Fù Jim Lantier, Shī Fù Jim Mascarelli, Shī Fù Rob Mascarelli, Shī Fù Rama Kho (Tai Shī Fù’s son), Shī Fù James Chan, Shī Fù Simon Chan, Shī Fù Thomas Clark, Shī Fù Scott Solow, Shī Fù Carolyn Chin and Shī Fù Gordon Yee.

The skills, knowledge and culture of Shaolin Hung Méi are very much alive. Following the example and leadership of Tai Shī Fù Kho, these Teachers continue to pass on this valuable art to new generations.


Shī Fù H. Solow (師父許好偉) started his martial arts career in 1970, studying Tae Kwon Do under Master Duk Sung Son. In 1971, he was elected President of the Cornell University Karate Club in upstate New York and in 1973, was granted the right to teach Tae Kwon Do at both Cornell University and Ithaca College .  By 1974, Mr. Solow earned his First Degree Black Belt.

Upon returning to Long Island in late 1974, Shī Fù Solow was introduced to Tai Shī Fù Tonny Kho from Shaolin Hung Méi. He was fascinated with the style of Kung Fu taught by Master Kho and asked to be recognized as a student. In those years, traditional Chinese martial arts were rarely taught to outsiders. Mr. Solow considered it quite an honor to be accepted by Tai Shī Fù Kho. He has studied with Master Kho exclusively ever since and, through Tai Shī Fù’s sponsorship, was accepted as a member of the Eastern United States Kung Fu Federation in 1977. In 1978, Tai Shī Fù Kho (許太師父) awarded Mr. Solow the title of “Shī Fù” (師父) – the first non-Chinese in the Hung Méi system to be granted such an honor.

In the late seventies and early eighties, Shī Fù Solow taught Hung Méi Kung Fu (洪眉功夫) at Stony Brook University and assisted at Tai Shī Fù’s Wŭ Guăn (太師父的武館). By the middle of the eighties, he decided to concentrate on helping his Shī Fù and on competing in local and national martial arts tournaments. He has always remained active in Federation activities and has appeared in many of its competitions and exhibitions.

In 1992, Shī Fù Solow (師父許好偉) relocated to Boulder , Colorado . There he continued to compete and, in his first year, won the Colorado State Championship in his forms division. In 1993, after having placed in the top three in over 150 tournament events, Shī Fù retired from competition and established a branch of the Shaolin Hung Méi organization. Later that year, he was nominated Colorado State Director of the newly formed United Kung Fu Federation of North America. Shī Fù Solow still resides in Boulder where he has continued to teach the Hung Méi system. Even with the long distances involved, he remains in constant communication with his Teacher, Tai Shī Fù Tonny Kho (太師父許敬唐), and has always been grateful for all that Tai Shī Fù (太師父) has taught him.


Early in 1992, Shī Fù H. Solow (師父許好偉) relocated from Long Island , New York to Boulder , Colorado . He had been living in Boulder for just less than one year when Lance Melting and Jason Lathrop, both of whom had frequently watched Shī Fù Solow practice, asked to become students. Finally, in February of 1993, the Colorado branch of Shaolin Hung Méi was founded.

Several others soon joined the group and arrangements were made with the East Boulder Community Center for workout space. In order to maintain the high standards of tradition, culture, history and technique taught to him by Tai Shī Fù Kho, Mr. Solow decided not to advertise but to hand select new students.

By the end of the first year, the Wŭ Guăn (武館) conducted its first “Test for Rank”, purchased a complete compliment of traditional weaponry, received its first Lion and performed Lion Dance and Kung Fu for the Chinese New Year, State Legislature and Organization of Chinese Americans. Because of the solid foundation taught to Shī Fù Solow by Tai Shī Fù Kho, the small School was very well received and it quickly established strong relationships with many of the greater Boulder/Denver area Chinese organizations.

The group of students developed a powerful sense of “family”. Everyone helped make the tools needed by the organization – 10 foot long, pennant style banners with hand cut and sewn characters, a portable drum stand used for parading when performing the Lion, a weapon rack and others. It was only through these efforts that the School was able to grow at the rate at which it did.

By Chinese New Year, 1996, Shaolin Hung Méi, Colorado had received its second Lion and was again celebrating with many of the Chinese organizations and restaurants in Denver/Boulder. In April, several of the students competed in open tournament for the first time. Their success was very motivating for the entire association. In November, the School was honored with the request to open the fabulous Imperial Tombs Exhibit sponsored by the Chinese government and presented at the Denver Museum of Natural History. The Governor of Colorado , Roy Romer; Denver Mayor, Wellington Webb; and the Chinese Ambassador to the United States , Ambassador Li, attended the event. Most importantly, Tai Shī Fù Kho (許師父) made his first trip to Colorado to visit the students.

Nineteen ninety-seven was a pivotal year for Shaolin Hung Méi Colorado . The School had its biggest Chinese New Year ever. The recognition and acceptance that it received was very exciting. By that time, the Organization’s New Year’s performances had become an annual event for many in the Chinese community. On February 16^th of that year, Hung Méi in Colorado opened its doors to six to twelve year old children. Almost all of these new students were Chinese. Shī Fù Solow felt very honored by the trust granted him by the parents of the children and gave credit to the way in which he was taught by Tai Shī Fù Kho (許太師父)

Many performances and tournaments followed. The students continued to demonstrate appreciable dedication in studying the many aspects of Shaolin Hung Méi. In July, Tai Shī Fù Kho’s, Rama, (師父許子誠) relocated to Boulder to help the Colorado branch grow. Another milestone was reached in September when the group received its nine man Dragon. They had the opportunity to perform the Dragon – the only one in the state of Colorado – twice that year.

By the beginning of 1998, Shaolin Hung Méi Colorado had grown to almost 50 members and had a dedicated following of the parents of the Chinese children. It had developed solid relationships with virtually every Chinese organization in the Denver/Boulder area, had performed up to six Lions and had competed very successfully in open tournament. Most importantly, the School had developed a strong core of committed students who have been willing to put forth the effort needed to build such an organization. Even with all of their success in these ancillary activities, they know that their core purpose is the learning and understanding of the teachings, history, philosophies, culture and techniques of the traditional art of Shaolin Hung Méi Kung Fu. The students would like to thank Tai Shī Fù Kho for passing on the knowledge of the Shaolin Martial Arts.