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Jidokwan Taekwondo |
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Chun Sang Sup
The foundations of what was to eventually become Jidokwan were laid down by Chun Sang Sup, who was one of the earliest Koreans to bring Japanese karate back to his homeland. When he was seventeen years old, Chun relocated to Japan to attend College at Takushoku University in Japan, where he took up Shotokan under Funakoshi Gichin, the founder of that system and one of the first to bring karate (originally an Okinawan martial art) to Japan.
Upon Chun's return to his native Korea, he began teaching this fighting art, which he referred to as Kong Soo Do, at the Chosun Yun Moo Kwan school of Judo, one of the few martial arts schools the Japanese occupying forces allowed to remain open during the period of their military occupation of that country.
Upon Chun's return to his native Korea, he began teaching this fighting art, which he referred to as Kong Soo Do, at the Chosun Yun Moo Kwan school of Judo, one of the few martial arts schools the Japanese occupying forces allowed to remain open during the period of their military occupation of that country.
Yoon Byung-In
At this time, Chun became very close with another Korean practitioner of the Karate-Do, Yoon Byung In, who was said to have also studied Ch'uan-fa (Kempo) in Manchuria. Yoon eventually became a Shudokan Karate "shihan" (Sabum or teacher) under Toyama Kanken while studying in Japan.
Chun and Yoon traveled extensively together to train with other martial artists in Manchuria. They trained with each other so much that they came to be thought of as brothers. Yoon taught at Chun's Choson Yun Moo Kwan for about six months before opening his own club, which he called the YMCA Kwon Bop Bu. Yoon's YMCA club later became the Chang Moo Kwan, which was founded by his most senior students, including Lee Nam Suk. For a brief time, Yoon was also affiliated with the Moo Duk Kwan under Hwang Kee.
During the Korean War, all schools of martial arts were closed in Korea, including the Chosun Yun Moo Kwan. Chun Sang Sup and Yoon Byung In both vanished during the Korean War and Chun was never heard from again. Yoon died of lung cancer on April 3, 1983 in Chongjin, North Hamgyong Province.
Chun and Yoon traveled extensively together to train with other martial artists in Manchuria. They trained with each other so much that they came to be thought of as brothers. Yoon taught at Chun's Choson Yun Moo Kwan for about six months before opening his own club, which he called the YMCA Kwon Bop Bu. Yoon's YMCA club later became the Chang Moo Kwan, which was founded by his most senior students, including Lee Nam Suk. For a brief time, Yoon was also affiliated with the Moo Duk Kwan under Hwang Kee.
During the Korean War, all schools of martial arts were closed in Korea, including the Chosun Yun Moo Kwan. Chun Sang Sup and Yoon Byung In both vanished during the Korean War and Chun was never heard from again. Yoon died of lung cancer on April 3, 1983 in Chongjin, North Hamgyong Province.
After the Korean War, the Chosun Yun Moo Kwan was restarted with new teachers and a new name, Jidokwan meaning "the Way of Wisdom School." The older name, "Yun Moo Kwan," roughly translates as "the Hall of Martial Study."
During the forced Kwan unification, the Jidokwan was subsequently absorbed into the newly codified Korean system of Taekwondo. However, the Jidokwan has maintained its identity. While it endorses the Kukkiwon and supports competition under the World Taekwondo Federation, the Jidokwan is still very much in charge of its own training and curriculum, often going above and beyond Kukkiwon's base requirements. The current President of Jidokwan is Sung Wan Lee.
This was in fact the original intent of the Kukkiwon. When the Kukkiwon was established, it was intended to be the international governing body providing a standard for Dan (Black Belt) certification but the Kwans were still very much in control of the training. However, over the last several decades the Kukkiwon has tried (successfully for the most part) to suppress the influence of the Kwans to become the sole source of Taekwondo, leading many to believe in their extinction or that they only exist as fraternal organizations.
During the forced Kwan unification, the Jidokwan was subsequently absorbed into the newly codified Korean system of Taekwondo. However, the Jidokwan has maintained its identity. While it endorses the Kukkiwon and supports competition under the World Taekwondo Federation, the Jidokwan is still very much in charge of its own training and curriculum, often going above and beyond Kukkiwon's base requirements. The current President of Jidokwan is Sung Wan Lee.
This was in fact the original intent of the Kukkiwon. When the Kukkiwon was established, it was intended to be the international governing body providing a standard for Dan (Black Belt) certification but the Kwans were still very much in control of the training. However, over the last several decades the Kukkiwon has tried (successfully for the most part) to suppress the influence of the Kwans to become the sole source of Taekwondo, leading many to believe in their extinction or that they only exist as fraternal organizations.
Steven Hatfield
In 1999, Steven Hatfield moved to Ohio and began studying Jidokwan Taekwondo with Choon Mo Yang, after having prior experience in the American Jidokwan system with William Sirbaugh (click here) as well as other styles with various instructors. Yang studied Jidokwan Kong Soo Do under Chong Gil Hong, earning his 1st Dan in 1952, until 1970 when he moved to the United States. Hatfield would study with Yang off and on, eventually earning his 3rd Dan in traditional Jidokwan before focusing on his training in other arts. He returned to American Jidokwan under Sirbaugh, eventually inheriting the system upon Sirbaugh's passing on April 21, 2009.
Bret Gordon
On October 3, 2017, Bret Gordon was appointed as the new head of the American Jidokwan Association. Gordon began his training in Kukkiwon Taekwondo under Dong Soo Kwak and Mark Bivens, earning his black belt in 2000. After taking several years off to train in other arts, he returned to Kukkiwon and tested for 2nd Dan under Bart Pontecorvo (another student of Kwak). Shortly after, he became affiliated with the American Jidokwan Association. In recognition of his previous training, after a formal exam he was elevated to the rank of 4th Dan in Jidokwan Taekwondo in 2014 (and over the years has since earned his 6th). As President of the AJA, he has helped the organization grow into a national community of Taekwondoin.
In August of 2018, the American Jidokwan Association reconnected with its Korean roots when our organization leadership became certified from the Korean Jidokwan Headquarters, approved by Jidokwan President Sung Wan Lee. As such, the AJA became an official avenue for certification from Korea, although as an organization we remain independent with our own curriculum, requirement and standards.
KJN Hatfield, 7th Dan from Korea
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HJN Gordon, 6th Dan from Korea
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Further solidifying our relationship with the World Headquarters in Korea, KJN Steven Hatfield was officially appointed a Branch President by Jidokwan Korea in April of 2020!
This appointment establishes the American Jidokwan Association as an official branch organization of the World Taekwondo Jidokwan Federation! While there are several organizations that call themselves "American Jidokwan," no other group as of this writing has this distinction. |
