Ching Annual Get Together

Ching Chow

Ching Joong Wah (formal name)

1877-1953

Recollections of Daughter Bernice and others

Ching Chow was born on May 3, 1877 in Hung Mee Hamlet, Nam Long Village, Chung Shan District, Kwangtung Province, China.

His grandfather, Ching Chaap Mun, was very wealthy with lichee farms and merchandise stores. He was conferred the title rank of “Assistant Official” to rule in the civil service system. He was blessed with nine children—eight sons and one daughter. Ching Lui Jeong, Ching Chow’s father, was his fourth son. This fourth son had four sons and a daughter.

Son No. 1 — Ching Hoy (Ching Gaam Wah) was adopted over to his father’s second

brother, Ching Wung Jeong. Ching Hoy arrived in Honolulu around 1880. He was the first Chinese plumber here. He returned to China for a few years then came back to Hawaii in 1901. His son, Ah Hin, came in 1918 and worked for Ching Chow until Wing Hong Yuen finally closed. Ah Hin was Ching Chow’s only nephew here. Ching Hoy was 60 years old when he finally returned to China to stay.

Son No. 2 — Ching Cheong (Ching Sut Wah) was never married. He fell in love with a

girl in On Nam but died of a broken heart at 27 years of age. Donald Bung Chock, Ching Chow’s third son was adopted over to this uncle who had no children to carry on his name. Donald was three or four years old and very ill at the time but he recovered.

Son No. 3 — Ching Kin (Ching Haang Wah) had two daughters. Hung Choy was

engaged to be married but died. Hung Lau was the younger. She married and had a son. Ping Quon (Ching Chow’s second son) was adopted by Ching Kin because he had no sons.

Son No. 4 — Ching Chow (Ching Joong Wah) had four sons and four daughters. The

story of his life follows.

Daughter — Hee Ching Shee married Hee Kwun Jeong from Pun Sah Village. They had

a son, Chung Jui, who was a spend thrift. He had four sons.

Note from “The Ching Family Chronicles” by H. Ching and D. Chong

It was common practice, where a man had no son, for a brother to give up a son for adoption.

Although the “Gwo Gai” practice was a legal form of adoption, the degree to which a child moved physically varied.

As in the case of Ching Chow’s sons, they were transferred in name only as recorded in the “Ching Family Ancestral Register.” They remained with their parents.

Ching Chow was only eleven when his father died. Since farming was the way of life, the Ching family continued to farm their land and later had a rice field and produced so much rice that a room was set aside to store the many bags of rice which was their staple and means of exchange. His mother, Ching Ing Shee, took in sewing to enhance their living.

Ching Chow grew restless in this restricted farming environment. He saw no future working on a farm. His pioneering spirit was set on fire and off he went on a crowded ship that sailed the Pacific Ocean for over 3 months before arriving in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 30, 1892.

Ching Chow was then only fourteen years old. Because he was the shortest and smallest on board the ship, he paid only half fare. With only two dollars in his pocket he roamed the streets of China Town in Honolulu. He parted with 25 cents to buy a book which was so important to him.

He met Mr. Young Hoong who hired him to work in his merchandise store on Aala Street. He did cooking, cleaning and sales work for five years. Because he was so honest and reliable, Young Hoong relied on Ching Chow to manage his store while he went to China to get married. Young Hoong married M. C. Lum’s sister and returned. Ching Chow continued working for him and saved as much as he could until 1902 when he opened a general merchandise store, Wing Hong Yuen. Later Young Hoong decided to return to China and relinquished his share. For many years Ching Chow insisted on sending him a bonus yearly.

In the meantime Ching Chow’s mother expected him to go home to the village to get married. When he mentioned the possibility of marrying a Chinese girl in Hawaii she threatened to disown him saying that only a well-to-do girl with bound feet would be acceptable.

As was customary, Ching Chow decided to go to China to get married in 1903. Arrangements had already been made for him to marry Lum Yuk Ip from Dai Chay village. Born on May 4, 1887, she was ten years younger than Ching Chow. Being from a wealthy family who spent much of their time in Shanghai, she dressed impeccably and her face was always well made up. As was the custom for well-brought up girls, her feet were bound at an early age and her “Golden Lotus Feet” made her life distinctive.

Soon Ching Lum Shee became pregnant and was left in Hung Mee hamlet under the care of Ching Chow’s mother while he returned to Hawaii in 1904. Their first child, a girl, was born the day before “The fifteenth day of the Eighth Moon” Festival in 1904. The name Ngit Chau (August Moon) was suggested but Ching Chow preferred the name Kwai Sim. Father’s mother was 61 years old when Bernice was born.

Actually Ching Chow’s mother delayed notifying Ching Chow about the birth of Bernice because she wanted to keep her in the village to insure that her son, Ching Chow, would return to Hung Mee. However, Ching Lum Shee adamantly refused to leave without Bernice. It was not until Bernice was four years old that she and her mother left Hung Mee on the long journey to Hawaii.

They were accompanied by Ching Haang Wah, Ching Chow’s third brother, as their escort all the way to Hong Kong. The trip was difficult enough and especially so because of Ching Lum Shee’s bound feet. They traveled on a sedan chair, an enclosed chair having poles front and rear and carried by two men.

Ching Haang Wah left them on board the ship in Hong Kong Harbor. Their journey to Hawaii began with stops at two ports before continuing on the journey which lasted a little longer than 80 days. They were seasick most of the time and arrived Feb. 9, 1909.

Finally, Ching Lum Shee and her daughter, Kwai Sim, came home to Hawaii to join Ching Chow and made their home in a cottage in Palama.

Wing Hong Yuen Co. was founded in 1905. The store prospered despite disagreements with M. C. Lum and became one of the most prominent merchandise stores in Chinatown dealing with goods from China, San Francisco, and island products. A large variety of Chinese goods and local groceries were available.

It became a meeting place for many well-known and active Chinese. For a short period Dr. Sun Yat-sen lived upstairs of the store. Ching Chow was a faithful follower of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s principles and was a Kuomingtang member for many years.

For Ching Chow idleness was almost a sin. He never took a day off. For many years the hired help also worked all day so a cook was hired to prepare meals for all. Some of this food also went home to the family. Cooking was discontinued during the war years.

In 1914 Ching Chow was able to send money home to his village in China to build a home for his mother. This home was still standing when Donald and his wife made a trip to check his roots in 1987. No close relatives were living there but Ching Chow’s sons were the registered owners. Some photos of his family were still hanging on the walls.

Ching Chow, Li Mui Sung and Mr. Ho, Chinn Ho’s father were three partners in an export business in Hong Kong in 1914. Some years later the business was dissolved because of some problems with Mr. Li. Ching Chow had sent the profits from this business to his mother.

Problems with M. C. Lum persisted for many years until a lawyer was called to intervene. As a result Ching Chow finally had full control of Wing Hong Yuen. In 1934 Ching Chow became president and general manager upon the incorporation of the Wing Hong Yuen Co.

Wing Hong Yuen Co. thrived for many years at a location near the fish market on King Street close to River Street. Ching Chow’s nephew, Bung Hin Ching, continued working there. Ping Quon and later Bernice were also employed at Wing Hong Yuen Co. for many years.

Ching Chow passed away in 1953. A year after his death the store was moved to Nuuanu Street because of leasing problems and continued for a few years until it finally closed in 1956.

In addition to managing his store, Ching Chow became involved in numerous business and civic affairs and succeeded in becoming president of Liberty Bank of Honolulu in June 1935.

His accomplishments were many and varied as noted in the following article from the 1936 publication of “The Chinese of Hawaii.”

Judging from this article one can not help but marvel at his many achievements. This rare individual also kept his family well provided for and managed to purchase whatever was needed for dinner everyday since he was so close to the market. Thus he practically planned the dinner menu and often found time to assist with the cooking. His morals were impeccable and he expected the same of his children. He was a man of integrity whose high standards of conduct and honesty were ingrained in his family. He was also a true philanthropist, giving to all worthy causes.

Meanwhile he and Mrs. Ching Lum Shee had four sons and four daughters. In September 1924 their eldest daughter, Bernice, married Tai Chun Lum and a gala wedding and reception was held. Since Ching Chow’s mother was still living in the family home in Hung Mee, Ching Chow and Tai Chun Lum both sent her money to purchase traditional Chinese wedding cakes to distribute to the whole village. Ching Chow’s mother was proud indeed. She died at 80 years of age.

In 1929 a large two story dwelling was constructed at 1428 Piikoi Street. The Ching family moved from Palama to Makiki and enjoyed the luxury of this large home.

The following is a list of the four sons and four daughters of Ching Chow and Ching Lum Shee. Their Spouses are included.

The 29^th Generation

Birthdate

9-22-1904 Bernice Kwai Sim Ching

Married to Tai Chun Lum

12-24-1909 Thomas Bung Hee Ching

Married Hazel Sau Mee Yee

2^nd wife Iris Wong

12-2-1912 Dorothy Kwai Pung Ching

Married Walter Wong

5-1-1914 Ping Quon Ching

Married Blanche Sau Sim Yee

9-1-1916 Donald Wah Chock Ching

Married Beatrice Yuen Oi Liu

8-3-1919 Francis Ping Yuk Ching

Married Cynthia Kui Yin Chun

2-9-1922 Sadie Kwai Mung Ching

Married Dr. Donald I-Chung Sun

4-5-1924 Lillian Kwai Yung Ching

Married Edward Tim Ching

Note: More information about the 29^th Generation may be found in the Ching Genealogy—29^th Generation Plus – compiled by Blanche and Ping Quon Ching.

Ching Chow passed away on May 22, 1953 and because of his prominence the funeral was quite impressive with many dignitaries attending. An abundance of beautiful floral wreaths and baskets of flowers filled the mortuary. Cloth funeral scrolls received from relatives and friends and organizations decorated the walls of the mortuary. A Taoist priest conducted the ceremonies. Traditional Chinese Taoist customs prevailed with family mourners in sackcloth robes. Women, in addition, wore sackcloth hoods over their heads. Men tied white cotton sashes around their heads and around their waists.

At the mortuary and cemetery incense sticks, candles and paper money offerings were burned. There were paper replicas of a house, an automobile, two servants, and a mountain of gold and one of silver. These were burned at the cemetery in the belief that they would accompany the deceased. Food offerings included a boiled chicken, boiled pork, duck eggs, rice as well as tea and wine. The Taoist priest supervised whatever needed to be done and there was much.

Note: For more details of a traditional Chinese funeral such as Ching Chow’s refer to K. S. Tom’s “Echoes from Old China” pp. 88-93.

Reminiscing With Son P.Q.

Ching Chow was the youngest of four brothers. He had one sister. He was educated in the village school—learning to read and write Chinese. During one festive occasion in the village he was elected the most handsome and a gal the most beautiful (Could beauty pageants have originated in China?)

At age 14 he left his native village to come to the land of opportunity—Hawaii. (Maybe at the prodding of his brother Ching Hoy, the first Chinese plumber in Hawaii who came here in 1880.) Some years later he went back to China to marry, then returned to Hawaii leaving his wife and son, Bung Hin, in China.

It took 105 days for Ching Chow to arrive in Honolulu and he was seasick all the time except for the few days the sailing vessel took on supplies presumably at Shanghai, Kobe, and Yokohama. After a tortuous voyage for him, the ship finally landed in Honolulu. Land Ahoy!

He came ashore with the big sum of TWO_DOLLARS in his pocket and a letter of introduction to an owner of a Chinese grocery store (Hung Kee) located at the junction of Beretania and North King Streets—across Oahu Railway and Land Company. He was still wearing the famous queue (a long braid of hair worn hanging down the back of the neck, the usual hairdo for Chinese men at that time). He was given a job at this store. In the meantime, he attended St. Elizabeth’s Mission in Palama to learn to read and write English. Most likely it was during this period that his queue came tumbling off.

During his employment he probably resided at the store as all Chinese stores had an upper story for family or friends who stop-over for a day or two, sometimes longer. After five years of employment, the owner decided to return to China and later sold the business to Ching Chow. Payment was made by monthly remittance to the owner in China. After five years Ching Chow finally made the last payment and he decided to move the business to177 North King Street. He took in a helper, M.C. Lum, who later became a partner.

In the meantime his mother in China wanted him to return to the village to be married. He delayed her wish and put it off for a short time. Meanwhile he met a local girl who spoke both English and Chinese. The girl was very receptive to Ching Chow’s attention but as fate would have it—it was not to be. Being an obedient son he braved the journey back to China to marry his mother’s choice.

Ching Chow returned to Hawaii before his first child was born and it was not until nearly five years later that he reunited with his wife and child. Ching Chow named his daughter Kwai Sim and her English name, Bernice, was added later. Bernice was four years old when she and her mother came to Hawaii. Ching Chow’s third brother accompanied them to Hong Kong.

The family’s first residence was at Austin Lane off Kukui St. then Dowsett Lane. Later Ching Chow was able to purchase a piece of property on Banyan Street which he subdivided into lots keeping the front lot for himself. Here Ping Quon and the rest of the family were born.

Ching Chow was a most generous and honest person. People from the outside islands would stopover and stay upstairs for a day or two before resuming their travel. Sun Yat Sen also stayed there for a longer period. One party even had his dresser and Chinese futon kept there and would stay for days.

As in all the Chinese establishments, there is always a kitchen where food is prepared for the employees. After the use before and after meals the dining table would sometimes be cleared and acquaintances would come in to play Chinese dominoes (Tin Kau) a form of gambling. Games were also played upstairs.

One day Ching Chow saw Tommy, PQ, Ah Chew (MC Lum’s son) and another friend engaged in the game. Without a word he gathered the cards, chips, and the whole shebang, crossed the street and threw the lot into the river. That was the last of games at Wing Hong Yuen. At home he found them playing checkers and thought it was a form of gambling and that was also forbidden. Strict eh!

Wing Hong Yuen dealt with produce from the outer islands such as avocados, cooking bananas, rice, eggs, and other produce. They even dealt with livestock such as chickens, pigs, frogs, and mountain turtles. Dried opelu fish from Kona was also available. As most of the farmers were Chinese and by word of mouth heard that Ching Chow was an honest man, goods were sent to be sold by him and money for payment was forwarded. Payment was made in cash or by purchase of Chinese merchandise. It is believed that it was through this business contact that Ching Chow met Sun Yat Sen whose brother in Maui had dealings with Ching Chow. Sun Yat Sen asked Ching Chow to join him in the revolution movement. Ching Chow declined because of his family responsibilities. However he was a very staunch supporter of the movement and kept up correspondence with Sun Yat Sen when he was in London. Sun Yat Sen told how he dressed as a woman to escape his enemies in one letter sent to Ching Chow. As there were many here who were against the revolution Ching Chow destroyed all correspondence received from Sun Yat Sen. The only articles kept was a huge safe next to the one belonging to Wing Hong Yuen, a small koa table and a koa bench. These last two items were given to Bung Hin when he was married and moved to the Banyan Street house which incidentally was given to him when the Ching Chow family moved to Piikoi Street.

In 1941 Wing Hong Yuen had an abundant supply of long grain rice on hand. After stores were allowed to open for business, Goong Goong had all the rice packaged in five pound bags in order that all would be given an opportunity to purchase rice. Before the war rice was sold in 100 pound bags. Rice was sold to all comers at the prevailing price before the war. No prices were raised on any of the merchandise on hand. Store hours during this period was 9 to 5 as compared to 6 to 6.

During World War II it was decreed that all island produced food products must be sent to the Oahu Farmers Co-op to be distributed. Before that time, Wing Hong Yuen was the biggest receiver of island produce which was distributed to other stores and companies here. Island produce was sent to San Francisco, Seattle, and Los Angeles as well as products from Love’s Bakery and Diamond Bakery. Products included ginger, lily root, Chinese yams, poi, shoyu, slippers, watercress and swamp cabbage (ong choi). All this exportation was cut short during WWII. All shipment of consumer goods were under the control of the Food Control Commission established by the Government. This Commission allocated the goods on a percentage basis. A liquor license was obtained to supplement dwindling imports. Sale of liquor was under allocation and limited to the purchase of one quart per week. After the war Ching Chow made contacts in Hongkong and Chinese products were sent. Also dried abalone, dried salt fish and other merchandise came from San Francisco.

Because of disagreement between the Board of Directors of Liberty Bank and certain individuals who wanted to take the power of managing the Bank, the Board of Directors came to an agreement that a mutual party must be elected to offset any disagreement. The party chosen was Ching Chow because he was well known in the Chinese community for his integrity and honesty and he was asked to take over the presidency.

Goong Goong was very active until he tripped and fell at the store. Because of his age, his health deteriorated and never fully recovered.

Ching Chow (Goong Goong) never returned to China after his marriage. He never saw the house he had built for his mother although his wife and two daughters had visited. Goong Goong’s Hung Mee house was a truly magnificent one as far as the village was concerned. It had a living room that could be divided into two bedrooms with ample space left for entertaining and dining. This room was furnished with teak wood furniture, chairs, and dining table.

The kitchen was very spacious. A wood burning stove was on the left side near the wall facing the village street. This house boasted of the only private water well in the village. This well was situated to the right side of the stove with a walking space in between. There was no need to draw water from the public well. On the other side of the walkway stood the screened food cabinet.

The master bedroom was situated just before entering the living room on the left side. There was something like a foyer between the master bedroom and the front door. This room had a canopy bed and there was also a ladder leading to the attic above. In the rear of the kitchen there was a huge shed like room. Part of this room was partitioned off as a bathroom. The other open area was not in full use until harvest season. The villagers would all gather together during harvest season to thresh the rice and take their portion leaving a portion for the owner of the land which they tilled. After threshing the stalks were used as firewood. Goong Goong’s portion of the harvest was stored in this room.

There was no electricity. After dark the use of candles and oil lit lanterns were the means. During Popo’s visit, the house was always aglow with lanterns. It was quite a sight for the villagers for lantern oil was very expensive.

During the uprising the house was commandeered and used as a headquarter. It is said that the house is now divided into two homes and at this writing it is not known who the occupants are.

Ching Lum Shee

From Shanghai to Hawaii

with "Golden Lotus" Feet

1887-1968

Recollections of Daughter Bernice Ching Lum

Ching Lum Shee, Ching Chow's wife, whose maiden name was Lum Yuk Ip, was born in Namlong Village, Dai Chay Hamlet in Kwangtung Province, China on June 4, 1887. Her father, Lum Tai Gung, had a steel factory in Shanghai and was a prosperous ship merchant.

He had three wives.

1. The first wife had no children and died young.
2. The second wife had two sons and four daughters, the fourth being Lum Yuk Ip (Ching Lum Shee).
3. He married a third wife to take care of his mother when his father died. She had two boys.

The family lived in Shanghai but her mother commuted to the village in Namlong whenever she gave birth so that she would have adequate help. Additionally, new mothers were placed on a strict diet of chicken soup cooked with wood fungus, ginger root, and rice wine and sweet-sour pigs' feet with sweet black vinegar and ginger root. With this she had rice but absolutely no vegetables for one month.

Ching Lum Shee's mother was the second wife of her father. Ching Lum Shee was conceived in Shanghai as were her siblings. She was born in Dai Chay Hamlet and later mother and baby returned to Shanghai to rejoin the rest of the family who had many servants and cooks to care for them.

Ching Lum Shee grew up in Shanghai and as was customary in well-to-do families had her feet bound resulting in "golden-lotus" feet. Her feet were bound when she was about eight years old.

Although binding the feet normally began when the girls were about six years old, the binding of Ching Lum Shee's feet was delayed because of the death of her father.

The extremely painful process began with long narrow strips of cloth wrapped tightly around the heel and four smaller toes which were folded under the sole. The bandages were tightened almost daily. The pressure of the bandages pulled the big toe and heel of the foot close together resulting in a very high arch.

Although Ching Lum Shee's bound feet measured about three and one half inches each, her two older sisters had smaller feet. For them the binding began when they were only six years old resulting in feet that were barely two or three inches. When her eldest sister married her feet were the smallest of all the brides at that time. Having the smallest feet was an honor so her shoes were hung on display at the market place.

Specially made shoes were needed for these tiny feet. Colorful cotton and brocade material were used and beads and embroidery adorned the shoes. The girls themselves learned how to make these little shoes with intricate patterns and fancy designs. As they had ladies-in-waiting to care for them, the girls spent most of the day making shoes and doing embroidery. Many patterns were passed around and the girls were also free to make their own designs. Beads and pearls were used for party shoes.

"Golden Lotus" feet were considered erotic, graceful, and feminine. Well-to-do and refined girls were expected to endure the pain and crippling effects. As the toes were bent under into the flesh of the soles, toenails had to be clipped regularly. As Ching Lum Shee grew into adulthood her feet were unbound and measured nearly six inches. Small black leather shoes with a buttoned strap at the top of each were ordered from Shanghai. Satin shoes were made for dress wear. Because of the disfigurement she walked around very daintily swaying from side to side.

In K. S. Tom's "Echoes from Old China", he theorizes that this custom of foot-binding probably began during the Tang dynasty around A.D. 900. It was not until the late 1800's and the emancipation of women in China that this painful practice began to disappear.

P. Q. and Blanche Ching noted that, amazingly, in Hawaii, some Chinese families continued the custom of binding their daughters’ feet. A prominent kamaaina matriarch noticed how painful the procedure was and considered this custom unnecessary cruelty. Through her efforts, a law was enacted making it illegal for Chinese families in Hawaii to bind their daughters’ feet.

Ching Lum Shee and her sisters remained in Shanghai until they became teenagers. Her eldest sister, Jade, had a private tutor to teach her to read, write, and use the abacus. At sixteen she returned to Dai Chay in Southern China where a Chinese herb doctor, Dr. K. C. Lee, who had spent 10 years in San Francisco had come back to the village and asked to marry her. The wealthy ship merchant provided a beautiful trousseau consisting of beautiful clothing of silk and brocade for eight seasons, elaborate cloaks and shoes decorated with beads and pearls for birds' eyes. Her hairdo made up by the hairdresser included in the dowry had pearls and jade ornaments dangling.

Ching Lum Shee nearly went with her sister as she left to make her home in San Francisco. Instead she remained in Shanghai. At about 15 years of age she returned to Dai Chay Hamlet in Southern China. She was soon matched to Ching Chow of Hung Mee Hamlet who had just returned from Hawaii in 1903. An elaborate wedding ceremony followed but her trousseau was not quite as great as that of her sister because her father had died.

Nevertheless her dowry included four seasons of elegant clothing made of silks, satin and brocade. The dangling pearls and jade ornaments for her hairdo were included as well as her private hairdresser. Of course there were shoes for her "golden-lotus" feet.

Ching Lum Shee was now a member of her husband's Hung Mee Hamlet in Namlong village. It was not long before Ching Chow's strict and practical mother sent the hairdresser back considering her an unnecessary luxury.

In 1904, the day before the August moon Festival their first child, a daughter was born. She was named Kwai Sim (Bernice) by her father who claimed that her birth brought prosperity to him.

Ching Chow had returned to Hawaii in early 1904. Ching Lum Shee and Bernice followed five years later.

Ching Lum Shee and her siblings were as follows:

1. Her eldest sister, Jade Yuk Sun Lum Lee married an herb-doctor, Dr. Gam Chin Lee, and made their home in San Francisco. They had nine children.

1. Chester Wah Kit Lee (dentist)

Wife—Grace

(one son)

2. Wah Ching Lee (actor)
3. Edwar Wah Jun Lee (minister)

Second wife—Moonbeam

(one daughter)

4. Wah King Lee
5. Agnes Lee

(three boys and one girl)

6. Horace Lee
7. Cora Ah Gin Lee Chan

Husband—William Chan

(children—Curtis and Laurie)

8. Marion Lee

Husband—Bill Eng

(two sons—Kingsley and Russell)

9. Elmer Wah Hon Lee

Wife—Gerry

2. Her second sister, Yuk Tong Lum Lee, married Mr. Ing, a merchant in Hankow. They had two children.

1. Son—Robert Ing
2. Daughter—Ah Gew Ing

3. Her third sister died as a very young child.
4. Lum Yuk Ip, Ching Lum Shee, was Lum Tai Gung’s fourth daughter. She was matched to Ching Chow at about fifteen years of age. Her marriage to Ching Chow and their journey to Hawaii is included in the story of Ching Chow’s life.
5. Her first brother was Hon Wah Lum who went to Peru after stopping off in Honolulu. He left his wife in China, returned later but married another woman and had seven children. He later was shot by a Japanese during World War II.
6. Her second brother, Hon Cheong Lum, married and went to Chile and was not heard from.

Ching Lum Shee with her golden-lotus feet was the capable matriarch of a growing family.

Her husband was the President and Director of Liberty Bank from 1935 to 1953 and President and general manager of Wing Hong Yuen Co. He was also involved in many civic affairs and organizations.

Ching Lum Shee devoted her time to the family. She supervised all birthdays and holiday celebrations and other events when the entire family gathered.

After Ching Chow passed away, Ching Ming became especially important for her. For many weeks before that day she began preparations. The date selected for Ching Ming could be any day within the month following April 5. Hundreds of gold and silver paper offerings had to be folded. An assortment of candles, incense and paper offerings called bau had to be purchased. These were to be burned at the grave site to insure an adequate supply for the year for the deceased. In addition a temporary alter was set up in front of Ching Chow’s grave where all the candles and incense were burned.

Five place settings were prepared with tea, liquor, rice and chopsticks. A whole roast pig was the main offering with five entrees—oysters, shrimps, salt eggs, fish and pork with tofu. Tong bau (black sugar buns), cookies, oranges, and other food were included.

Family members according to senoirity burned paper offerings, bowed and prayed and offered tea, liquor, and food. The paper money was burned and finally a pack of fire crackers was lit concluding the ceremony which honored the ancestors and assured them of sufficient food and money for the rest of the year.

Following these rites the family gathered for a luncheon of dim sum, roast pig, braised oysters with tofu, shrimps and much more.

Ching Lum Shee oversaw all Ching Ming activities and personally made certain that all sons and daughters were each given a package with a portion of that roast pig, oranges and tong bau to take home.

P.Q. Reminisces About His Mother

Ching Lum Shee (Popo) embraced the Taoist religion. An altar was built in the dining nook of her Piikoi Street home with drawers and cabinet to store her joss sticks, candles, paper money both small and large with gold and silver stamp and whatever she needed for her worship.

A wick placed in a stemmed glass filled with oil was used to light her candles and joss sticks, and offerings for her daily prayer. This light was never extinguished. She would burn her offerings in a container set outside the entrance near her altar after her prayer.

The 1^st and 15^th of the lunar calendar months, she would go to the Kwan Yin Temple on Vinyard Street to pray and make her offerings to Kwan Yin and the Gods. The priestess of the Temple would assist her in her prayers. She would also fast on some Taoist holidays. A trip to the Temple would also be made before the close of the year to give thanks for the blessings received and another after the New Year to ask for blessings for the year. As the years went by, the trips to the Temple were less frequent. After her death, her altar was dismantled and through prayers the Gods were thanked and returned to their respective places in Heaven.

During her lifetime, her daughters, sons, and grandchildren all made a trip to the Kwan Yin Temple on the day of the full month cycle of his or her birth, dressed in red pajamas, to be blessed by Kwan Yin and the Gods.

After this blessing, the baby was brought home and the baby’s hair trimmed the first haircut although this ritual was not always carried on. It was a very special day. A day of celebration. A piece of roast pork, two eggs dyed red, ginger, and two sweet buns were presented to relatives and friends to thank them for their good wishes and gifts. This gesture signified that the baby has reached his or her full month cycle. To close the festive day, a dinner was held for the family and close relatives.

Popo celebrated many festivals of the year. Ching Ming, Dragon Boat Festival, Festival of the Seven Sisters (on that date she would set out bottles of water to be purified - this water would keep in its pure state for years “Ho Kai Sui”) 15^th day of the seventh lunar month and, of course, New Year.

New Year’s eve was indeed a busy time in the Ching household. So many things to be done. She would oversee the preparation of the ingredients for the “jai”. She would oversee the filling of the candy box with sweetmeats purchased days ahead and that the Narcissus plant had the necessary red paper rings around the stalks, the house swept. She, standing on her tiny bound feet, coming and going here and there.

Popo made another trip to Hung Mee Village in 1937. This trip was made to pay respects to the ancestors and also to invite the villagers to a banquet because the house of Ching Chow had welcomed a new member, P.Q.’s bride, Blanche. Goong Goong by letter to the village elder, Mr. Hong Hung, instructed him to make all the necessary arrangements and preparation for this visit.

In later years, Popo was able to make a trip with daughter Bernice to San Francisco, Disneyland, and Arizona. Because of her tiny bound feet it was not easy for her to walk around. A wheelchair solved the problem. She was at first reluctant and self-conscious to be sitting in it. However, seeing that she was not alone being transported in this manner, she felt at ease. With this means of transportation and the helpful assistance of Jack Tang (Bernice’s son-in-law) she was able to take in many of the sights of Disneyland.

In 1964, she enjoyed the World Fair held in New York with Sadie, Donald and Bea and Grandsons Bob and Wes. Because of Popo on her wheelchair with her golden-lotus feet, they were all given 1^st class treatment and allowed to go first throughout the Fair. Wherever she went her bound feet attracted a great deal of attention.

Popo also possessed a sixth sense. She learned to write her name “Ching Lum Shee” after the death of her husband. It did not take her very long to master it – an accomplishment indeed. She passed away at the ripe age of eighty-one. As times have changed, although the funeral was similar to Goong Goong’s there was no need for the family to be clothed in sack cloth. At the Memorial Park where she was laid to rest beside her husband, the family’s mourning period for her ended.

Her grandchildren (the gang) will remember in their memoirs of their childhood of the fun days at Piikoi Street. Her call from the back porch of “Ah Sun nee – loy” (Sandee – come) meant it was shave ice time. Play would stop immediately and a bee line made to her side. She would hand Sandee the money and off the gang would go trooping to the corner store for shave ice. Many a cup of shave ice have her grandchildren eaten.

Time marches on.