by Moy Yat
Published in 1974
It is the first book in English to show the entire wooden dummy form, and written by an authentic first generation student of Yip Man. This probably has the coolest book cover as well, with the front cover's top flaps opening up to reveal a "key" to the Wooden Dummy form, while the first cover page has you looking through a keyhole to see Yip Man and Moy Yat.
This book starts with a preface by Moy Yat, followed by a one page brief history of Wing Chun (Ving Tsun), Yim Ving Tsun, Yip Man and Moy Yat.
The Author at 24 became the youngest Wing Chun sifu.
The rest of the book is the actual dummy form, in black and white photos, performed by Lee Sai Jow.
There is almost no text in the book. What there is of it, is in a one-line format across the bottom of the page. It covers what the dummy is used for, why it's called Muk Yan Jong.
There are 3 main categories
1. neutralization
2. confrontations and
3. counters and attacks.
Moy Yat says you move around the dummy because the dummy doesn't move or respond like a real "live" person, so you have to. He then discusses why other people's forms and dummy is different-irregular teachings by Yip Man, yet according to him, the correct sequence isn't important. Only that you have mastered and understood what you've learned.
The end of the book gives a layout and measurements on how to build a Wooden Dummy from 3 views as well as measurements for the arms and leg. The last 3 pages show 3 ink carvings of the history of Wing Chun done by Moy Yat.
-Dr. John Crescione
