| Fong Sai-yuk | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Other Names |
Fang Shiyu |
|
First Appearance |
Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) Wuxia Stories |
|
Original Publisher |
Chinese Folklore |
|
Created by |
Unknown |
Origin[]
Fong Sai-yuk (Mandarin: Fang Shiyu) was a (possibly fictional) Chinese martial artist and folk hero from Zhaoqing, Guangdong province.
He was first mentioned in wuxia stories dating from the Qing dynasty (1644–1912), such as Shaolin Xiao Yingxiong (少林小英雄; Young Hero of Shaolin), Wan Nian Qing (萬年青, The Evergreen of the Flourishing Dynasty) and Qianlong You Jiangnan (乾隆游江南; The Qianlong Emperor Visits Jiangnan).
His father, Fong Tak (Mandarin: Fang De), was a wealthy merchant, while his mother, Miu Tsui-fa (Mandarin: Miao Cuihua), was a martial arts expert.
When he was still 10 years old, Sai-yuk was challenged by Lei Lao Ho to a duel and accidentally killed him in a battle. Following the fight, the local authorities were ordered to find Sai-yuk and beat him to death. To escape those who pursued him over the killing of the aforementioned master, Sai-yuk ran to Fujian Shaolin Temple to hide from pursuers. There, he was accepted by the temple occupants and trained with them in martial arts.
Fong Sai-yuk was also associated with Hung Hei-gun (Mandarin: Hong Xiguan) and the Five Elders of the Southern Shaolin Monastery.
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of Fong Sai-yuk from before January 1, 1930 are public domain in the US.
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- The Evergreen of the Flourishing Dynasty Volumes I-IV
- Young Hero of Shaolin
- The Qianlong Emperor Visits Jiangnan
Public Domain Film Appearances[]
- New Shaolin Temple: Fong Sai-yuk Fights in the Ring (1928)
- Fong Sai-yuk Fights in the Ring (1928)
Notes[]
- Stories about Fong Sai-yuk have been adapted into films and television series since the 1920s. The most notable ones are the 1993 Hong Kong film Fong Sai-yuk and its sequel, which starred Jet Li.