MANY STYLES ONE SEED?
Difficult to tell...
One thing for sure though is that modern times [70's and onwards] have had a strong influence and at times an interfering one in what lies at the heart of Wing Chun.
Some claim to be Yip Man but have so many odd expressions in them they surely can't be.
Here I am gathering branches so that it is a lot easier to examine the differences.
Experience the Art of Kung Fu at Wing Chun
ORIGINS
Dr. Leung Jan, often hailed as the "King of Wing Chun" (詠春拳王), was a renowned martial artist and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner from Foshan, Guangdong, China. Born Leung Tak-wing (梁德榮) in 1826, he gained fame for his exceptional skill in Wing Chun and his numerous victories in martial arts bouts. [Wikipedia]
Leung Jan learned Wing Chun from Leung Yee-tai and Wong Wah-bo, both associated with the Red Boat Opera troupe. He operated a pharmacy called Jan Sang Tong (贊生堂) on Fai Jee Street in Foshan, where he taught Wing Chun to select students. [Wikipedia]
At the age of 73, Leung Jan retired to his native village of Gulao (Koo Lo) in Heshan County. There, he met Wong Wah-sum, a local farmer who diligently practiced martial arts. Impressed by Wong's dedication, Leung Jan decided to teach him. Recognizing the need for a simplified yet effective teaching method due to his advanced age, Leung Jan developed a system known as Pin Sun Wing Chun (Side Body Wing Chun). [Wikipedia]
This system consisted of 36 core San Sik (separate forms), divided into 12 sections of fighting methods. Each section contained three actions or cycles, reflecting movements from Leung Jan's original Wing Chun practice. The training emphasized repetitive practice to internalize the movements, making them a natural expression of the practitioner's body. [combatkalisilat.com]
Leung Jan accepted a few disciples in Gulao, including Wong Wah-sum, Yik Ying, and Leung Bak-chung. Wong Wah-sum became the most prominent, passing the art to the Fung family in Gulao, who have preserved it for generations. [Wikipedia]
Leung Jan explained the distinction between his Pin Sun Wing Chun and other styles by noting that while traditional Wing Chun is the Jing Sun (Straight Body) "Facing" style, divided into three parts—Siu Lin Tau, Chum Kiu, and Biu Jee—his village's Wing Chun is the Pin Sun (Side Body) style, taught in one part but differing very little, essentially belonging to the same family. ([Wikipedia]
After teaching for three years in Gulao, Leung Jan passed away at the age of 76. His legacy continued through his disciples, particularly Wong Wah-sum, who taught the Fung family. Today, the Fung family, including members like Fung Chun, Fung Min, and Fung Lim, continue to practice and teach Pin Sun Wing Chun in Gulao. [Wikipedia]
For a visual overview of Leung Jan's contributions to Wing Chun, you might find this video informative:
