In 1901, the allied foreign forces overthrew Beijing.
The Ching court was forced to cede much land,
as well as 400 million taels of silver.
This, along with internal strife, plunged all of China into turmoil.
During this period of great embarrassment,
a child was born with the name Huo Yuan Chia.
"The Huo family estate, West Gate, Tianjin."
"The Huo Mansion"
"No visitors!"
Stop!
Let me demonstrate our family style.
- The three of you watch closely. - Yes, sir.
"Kung fu is passed down through the generations."
- Who are you? - Master...
I'm the new cook, Little Tiger.
What's a cook doing in this school?
I just wanted to know what you'd like to eat.
Hasn't anyone informed you of our custom?
Only family is allowed to watch us practice.
Those caught peeking must tear out their own eyes!
I wasn't peeking, sir.
- Can you fight? - No, I can't.
- Then get out of here. - Yes, sir.
Watch out!
So, the tiger reacts?
- The tiger's pretending to be a pig? - I am a tiger!
And I've come to eat the pigs!
- You've got guts. - Hold it!
- What's your real name? - The Yellow Tiger of Shantung!
You've got a good reputation...
so go in peace.
Go? You want me to go?
I came all the way from Shantung to see the famous Huo family style.
If I leave now, even my wife will laugh at me!
- Are you that determined? - Absolutely!
Then I won't disappoint you.
Watch carefully, Mr. Cook.
Now you've seen it, so on your way!
Dad.
Yuan Chia, what are you doing here?
Dad, I want to learn kung fu.
- Learn kung fu? - Yes.
OK... fine.
If you can move my hand, I'll teach you.
Come on.
"We never teach strangers, cheats or weak men."
You're too weak to amount to anything.
Work hard academically if you want to succeed.
Your brothers can carry on our family style.
If I studied kung fu, I wouldn't be so weak.
If you don't succeed, it won't be just you who loses face
but our whole family!
- Dad! - Enough! Go to your room!
"We never teach strangers, cheats or weak men."
Why can't I learn kung fu? Why?
What's wrong with me?
The Huo family's style is so good, his hands are covered in blisters!
Bulondo, it's none of your business.
What's wrong with all you kung fu experts?
Can none of you match this hero from the famous Huo family?
His father is all talk - he couldn't kick through a wet tissue!
- Don't insult my father! - I'll not only insult him,
but I'll beat you to a pulp!
100 Yen for the one who beats him up!
I win 100 Yen!
I win 100 Yen as well!
Me, too!
Pay up, come on!
He's still standing, so that doesn't count.
Hey, kid, Huo fighting is only a waste of energy.
And old Huo is a bag of wind.
Our style is the best, but I never learnt it.
It's a load of rubbish!
If you eat your words, I'll let you go.
No way!
Enough! Let him go, or you'll kill him!
Let's go!
Are you a Huo?
None of your damned business!
Teacher, what's your name?
My name is Chiang Ho Shan.
- Chiang Ho Shan? - Yes.
Mr. Chiang...
I've asked you here to teach my son.
Custom dictates, no-one may watch us practice.
In the kung fu world, that's a big offence.
I understand.
I'm a fighter by profession and you're a teacher by profession.
Can you fight?
I can't stand the sight of blood. Kung fu is a complete mystery to me.
Yuan Chia, come here.
This is my fourth son - Yuan Chia.
- Meet your new teacher. - Glad to meet you, sir.
Yuan Chia? That's a fine name. A fine name...
This boy never liked studying.
- You'll have to watch him closely. - Of course.
I just met him in the village.
So, you're making trouble again?
No, no. I was just attacked by a group of hooligans.
Fortunately your son helped me out.
He can't fight.
Sometimes it's not necessary to use violence.
He just mentioned your name and fighting school...
He what?
And they all began to tremble with fear.
- That's nothing new. - Yes, of course.
- Take your teacher to his room. - Yes.
- Excuse me. - After you, teacher.
He really can't fight!
My glasses! Where are my glasses?
Lucky they didn't break.
Ah, my glasses! My glasses...
What were you trying to do?
I just wanted you to see my spear.
- Master Huo! - Beautiful, huh?
Didn't I just say I can't stand the sight of blood?
- Teacher... - Scared me to death.
- He really can't fight. - We'll employ him.
Teacher, thanks for not telling my father about today.
Everyone has their secrets.
- What about you? - Me, too.
Maybe you'll have to protect mine some day.
We'll keep each other's secrets, then.
Teacher, if my father teaches me, I'll teach you too.
Why don't I learn first, then teach you?
Impossible! They won't teach strangers.
"The Huo Mansion"
"Martial Arts Grandmaster"
Now, show me the six bold striking techniques!
Yes, sir!
Angry and embarrassed, I lean on this fence.
- The rain stops. - The rain stops.
- I look upwards into the distance. - I look upwards into the distance.
- And sigh deeply. - And sigh deeply.
- I'm overflowing with emotion. - I'm overflowing with emotion.
- 30 years' patriotism is all lost. - 30 years' patriotism is all lost.
- 8,000 miles of moon in the clouds. - 8,000 miles of moon in the clouds.
I'm wasting my years... waiting for old age.
I'm wasting my years, waiting for old age.
- Feeling the sorrow... - Feeling the sorrow...
- What are you doing? - What are you doing?
If you play with dolls, you'll become a doll.
If no-one holds the strings, you'll collapse.
Stand over there and think about what I've said.
Teacher!
- What's the matter? - You're not strict enough.
You animal! I told you so many times you're not to study fighting.
In one ear and out the other!
You're too weak to learn kung fu.
- Dad, I... - Hold your tongue!
I may be too weak to learn the family style, but I'm also your son.
- Is that my fault as well? - I'll beat you to death, you animal!
- Master, Master! - Keep back!
Animal!
- Forget it, Master. - Don't stop me! Get up!
Don't hit him, I wasn't paying attention. It wasn't his fault.
Fine! If you leave don't come back! I don't care anymore!
What are you doing here?
- Yuan Chia. - Go away! Leave me alone!
You young people give up at the first sign of trouble.
How do you expect to handle anything serious?
Teacher, you don't know how much I've suffered!
I am a son of Huo, and I can't even fight!
Everyone laughs at me and says I am a loser.
How can I handle anything serious?
Hold it!
Without confidence and willpower, no matter where you go,
people will make fun of you.
In my village, there was this boy who was known as "the wheezer".
He suffered far more than you.
Through confidence and willpower, he learned to fight.
He practiced hard until finally, he became a champion fighter.
I don't believe it.
Catch!
Confidence?
Catch!
That kid...
was me.
Teacher, can you teach me kung fu?
I won't teach you!
But, I can give you some tips.
Really?
Don't tell anyone else I can fight, OK?
OK!
Yuan Chia.
My students should walk tall
and keep their feet firmly planted on the ground.
Keep your head up, your ass in and your back straight!
Hold the brush vertical...
don't spill a drop!
Yuan Chia!
- Who is it? - It's me, Yuan Chia.
- Teacher. - Why are you here so late?
I brought some bird's nest soup for you.
- Why didn't you eat it yourself? - People say it's good for coughs.
So I brought it for you. Eat it while it's hot.
Come on!
Yuan Chia, good calligraphy is not achieved in one day.
You use arm, wrist and fingers, and let the power flow smoothly.
Arm, wrist, fingers and the power flows smoothly.
- Don't tear the paper. - I wouldn't dare.
- How do you hold the brush? - It's easy... like this?
Don't apply all your power.
Hold the brush tightly and drive it deep.
Keep your arm relaxed.
Dot, slash, tick, slope.
Hold it steady.
There are no fixed rules.
Dash...
drop, curve and twist.
Like this!
Since when does calligraphy sound like kung fu?
Master... can I be of help?
No, it's all right.
Master, didn't you say that while teaching, you don't allow spectators?
That's correct.
I don't like people watching me teach either.
It may interfere with a student's progress.
I suppose so.
Yuan Chia!
Always look a man in the eye.
A wandering eye is a sign of deception.
Yes, teacher.
- Yuan Chia, write a letter for me. - About what, teacher?
Ask your father to teach you kung fu.
Yes, teacher.
Dear Father...
- My dearest... - My dearest father...
Your son fights so badly, his ass gets kicked.
If I don't fight well, it's your fault,
because your name and fame is widespread.
Because I can't fight, your name is dirt.
I was beaten today, so our family style looks bad.
All this shame and pain is because you refuse to teach me.
Our family are renowned fighters.
You're still a young man with the strength of an ox.
If you don't teach me now and one day you fall ill,
with failing eyesight and stiff legs,
you'll never have the chance to teach me.
If this happens, I'll be very sad but I won't be able to change it.
I know you're too kind to reprimand me for what I've said.
Best regards, your son, Huo Yuan Chia.
Dear Master Sanaka,
Since my arrival in China,
I've discovered that the Huo style is the most renowned form of kung fu
It employs silent, evasive technique
with a hard and soft fluctuating form of power.
I've learned most of their theory.
When I return to Japan, we'll discuss it further.
Signed, Chiang Ho Shan.
Yuan Chia.
I'd like you to understand a theory.
Water is both the strongest and the weakest element.
The ultimate kung fu is like the ocean, both infinite and flexible.
For example, you cannot control the movements of the waves...
because each change includes both unlimited power and speed.
The same happens with kung fu, all styles flow into each other.
If that is so, then why are there so many kung fu styles?
Because the concept of style is so deeply rooted,
it is the greatest obstacle to development.
If you really wish to advocate something special in Chinese kung fu,
then relinquish all ideas of style and don't refuse to teach strangers.
I'll remember that.
What's the almighty kung fu king up to now?
It's that rich idiot, Bulondo.
His father's a general and he's a troublemaker.
What's up? Do you want to fight some more?
When facing an opponent, be cool, confident and think of victory.
If you don't fight back, I'll still hit you!
And what if I fight back?
Well?
- Do you want to fight back? - Enough!
Kill him!
Why are you attacking a young boy so viciously?
I'll kill you as well.
Teacher, why did you kill him?
Not killing an enemy is like committing suicide.
You should always remember this in the future.
Teacher, then we...
Go back and tell your father.
I must leave on business. Thank him for his hospitality.
Teacher, where are you going?
I'm going to go... back to where I came from.
I'll go with you.
Yuan Chia, don't be silly.
This was a present from my master. I'll give it to you as a keepsake.
There's a secret kung fu manual hidden in the closet.
Study it carefully
and afterwards your ability will exceed your father's. Goodbye.
Teacher!
This is for you.
When will I see you again?
If it's our destiny, we'll meet again.
Take care of yourself.
Teacher!
"Chiang Ho Shan, Martial Arts' Grandmaster."
"Martial Arts"
"Martial Arts' Grandmaster"
Avoid orthodox patterns.
Be observant and cautious, then make it your own.
As per your instructions,
I've studied my father's style in secret and I've progressed.
I've studied for 12 years and I've absorbed everything.
Now, I'm waiting to put my skills to use. Yuan Chia.
Who dares to make trouble here?
I'm the Eagle Claw School's representative.
Tell old man Huo to get out here!
He's ill, so you can talk to me instead.
You're not qualified!
Stop!
- You must be old Huo! - How dare you!
I don't like your sign proclaiming you as martial arts' grandmaster.
I came here to tear this sign down and burn it in my family fireplace.
I see you're trembling with fear.
First let me take care of this, and then I'll get you!
Who are you?
I'm the fourth son, Huo Yuan Chia.
Yuan Chia!
You're the useless one?
That's right, I'm the useless one.
If I don't leave with this sign, I'll break my own leg!
Do you want a short life?
Don't worry, Dad. When I'm finished, I'll go back to my room.
Well done, leg! You escaped being broken.
You can't even beat the weakest member of the family.
How could you expect to beat my father?
You're something else!
Hold on a minute!
Didn't you say if you lost, you'd break your own leg?
Winning and losing are both parts of life.
Why take it so seriously? Let's be friends.
Huo Yuan Chia, you're something else.
Good luck.
Yuan Chia.
Come with me.
Yuan Chia, kneel down.
When did you start learning our style?
- Speak! - 12 years ago.
I never knew.
Let's burn some incense!