What Is Jun Bao Wushu Kung Fu?
If you’ve looked around this site, you may have noticed a style of Kung Fu that looks a little different from what you’re used to seeing. This system is called Jun Bao Wushu Kung Fu.
“Jun Bao” refers to James Ibrao, the founder of the style. After years of studying Kenpo, he developed this system to focus on the forms he felt offered the greatest benefit to his training and athletic ability.
At its core, Jun Bao Wushu Kung Fu consists of just five forms, often referred to as the “Five Forms to Black Belt System.” Each of these forms has a distinct focus and provides a unique contribution to the practitioner’s skill set. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Gom Gong Kuen (Hard Diamond Form)
The first form, Gom Gong Kuen, means “Hard Diamond Form.” It was the very first Wushu form I (Sifu Kyle Russell) learned.
This form emphasizes hand techniques over footwork, making heavy use of punches and forearm strikes common in southern Chinese martial arts such as Hung Gar and Choy Li Fut. It also introduces several hand positions, including the fist and tiger claw. The primary stances are the horse stance, cat stance, and twisted stance.
Si Ping Kuen (Eight Bridges Form)
The second form, Si Ping Kuen, translates to “Eight Bridges.” In southern Kung Fu, a “bridge” usually refers to using the forearm to connect, block, or set up a strike.
While Gom Gong Kuen focuses on hard, forceful movements, Si Ping Kuen incorporates softer, more fluid techniques. Practitioners will notice an increased use of open-hand strikes, palm blocks, and snake-like movements. The form highlights parries, redirections, palm heel strikes, and ridge hands. It also introduces more dynamic footwork, including stepping in and out of the sitting cross stance.
Book Set (Depressing the Tiger)
Book Set, also known as Bung Gee or “Depressing the Tiger,” has an interesting history. Originally created during Ed Parker’s time in Kenpo, the form was started by Kung Fu instructor James Wing Woo. After a falling out, both men completed the second half of the form separately, resulting in multiple variations that are still practiced today.
This is the first form in the series that can take over three minutes to perform, making it an excellent workout when executed with full intensity. It introduces new hand positions, stances, and strikes, as well as crane-inspired movements and hidden applications.
Gung Gee (Taming the Tiger)
Gung Gee, meaning “Taming the Tiger,” is based on the famous Hung Gar form of the same name. While the Jun Bao version is shorter, it retains many of the signature movements.
Performed along an “I” shape (similar to the Heian/Pinan katas of Karate), this form emphasizes close-range combat skills. It teaches practitioners how to create space, execute throws, and apply evasive footwork. In Hung Gar, Gung Gee is considered the first of the system’s “Four Pillars” and forms the basis of the style.
Tiger and Crane (Fu Hok)
The final form, Tiger and Crane (Fu Hok), is one of the most iconic sets in Hung Gar. Jun Bao’s version differs slightly, incorporating more soft-style elements, but retains the essence of the original.
This form is rich in techniques, including ridge hands, one-finger Zen, golden bridge, eagle claw strikes, tiger claws, and crane beak parries. It also introduces redirections, throws, and more advanced kicks. Many consider Tiger and Crane a complete training system in itself — if you could only practice one form, this would be a strong choice.
Conclusion
The five forms of Jun Bao Wushu Kung Fu provide a solid foundation for anyone studying Chinese martial arts. Together, they teach stances, hand positions, striking methods, and practical self-defense applications. Strongly influenced by Hung Gar — a style historically used by the Chinese military for its effectiveness — these forms balance tradition, athletic development, and real-world fighting skills