Chayon-Ryu: A Treasure in Today’s World By Grandmaster Kim Soo and Sabom Alberto Borjas January 16th, 1968, Kim Pyung-Soo, a young who studied abroad and reached different levels third-generation master, in Chuan Fa (Kung Fu) and (mainly arrived in the U.S.A. He had a dream: to pass , Shito- Ryu and Shudokan styles). One on the knowledge of his predecessors and help of these masters was Yoon Byung-In, who learned people all over the world to get the benefit of Chuan Fa in , where he was born and martial arts training. In 2017 Grandmaster Kim raised. He later attended Nihon University in Soo, as he came to be known, celebrates the 49th Tokyo, Japan, and he was recognized as a 4th anniversary of his creation in America: Chayon- in Shudokan Karate under the founder of this Ryu, “The Natural Way“ martial arts system. style Toyama Kanken. Grandmaster Yoon Byung- In founded the Kwon-Beop Bu in the Central YMCA in in 1946, teaching a combination of Chuan Fa and Karate (the only school in with a background in ). This school was known initially as “the YMCA Kwon-Beop Bu,” but later at the end of 1948 GM Yoon Byung-In named it the “Chang-Moo Grandmaster Kim Soo with friends and ” (House of Bright students before his departure to U.S. in 1968. Martial Arts). During this Grandmaster time there was a branch Yoon Byung-in Before Grandmaster Kim Soo decided to come Chang-Moo Kwan at a young age to America, he was making a living in Korea as run by Lee Nam-Sok at the a full-time martial arts instructor and Black Belt Communications Department in Seoul, where Magazine correspondent. So why did he decide he was an employee. This dojang was known to leave his wife and young son behind and as the “Chae-Shin Bu Dojang” come to America? To understand his decision, (Communications Department Dojang). it is necessary to know some of the history of The most relevant schools (kwans) established the Korean martial arts. We are not attempting in Seoul during this period were: to make an in-depth exploration of this topic. Name Founder However, because of its significance for this 1. Chung-Do Kwan–Tang Soo story, we will try to summarize chronologically Do Lee Won-Kuk the most important events in the history of the Korean martial arts after World War II. 2. Song-Moo Kwan-Kong Soo Do Roh Byung-Jik The First Generation of Korean Masters 3. Moo-Duk Kwan– After World War II several Korean masters who had emigrated to or Japan during 4. Yun-Moo Kwan–Kwon-Beop Bu the Japanese rule returned to Korea and started Chun Sang-Sub and Yoon Byung–In teaching their arts to the civilian population, 5. YMCA Kwon-Beop Bu (Chang- mostly adult males. This first generation of Moo Kwan) Yoon Byung-In Korean masters were highly educated individuals

46 May 2017 / taekwondotimes.com This first generation of masters had only about 4. Ji-Do Kwan Kong Soo Do Yoon four years to pass on their knowledge because Kwe-Byung and Lee Chong-Woo the started on June 25,1950, 5. Chang-Moo Kwan Kong Soo and all schools stopped their activities. Do Lee Nam-Seok The Second Generation of Masters 6. Han-Moo Kwan Kong Soo After the temporary stoppage during the Do Lee Gyo-Yoon Korean War, classes started again in the latter 7. Oh-Do Kwan part of 1952. Several black belts who had Choi Hong-Hi and Nam Tae-Hee received instruction from the first generation 8. Kang-Duk Won/Kwon-Beop Mudo of masters reopened their schools, becoming Park later the second generation of Korean masters. Chul-Hee and Hong Jong–Pyo. Kim Pyung-Soo opened a dojang in Seoul in 1964 Some of the original masters disappeared during under this organization (Kang-Duk Won), the war, including Grandmaster Yoon Byung-In, named Korean Taekwon-Karate Academy. the founder of the Kwon-Beop Bu (YMCA)(later 9. 9.Jung-Do Kwan Tang Soo Chang-Moo Kwan). The Central YMCA building Do Lee Yong-Woo was completely destroyed by bombing during the war. In 1952 Lee Nam-Sok reopened the Chae- The Third Generation of Korean Masters. Shin Bu Dojang at a vacated building damaged The third generation of masters became by the war that belonged to the Communications the foundation of Tae Kwon Do. One of Department, where he was an employee. With these masters is Grandmaster Kim Soo. GM Yoon Byung-In missing and the YMCA Grandmaster Kim Soo began his martial arts building destroyed, many of the YMCA students, training in 1951. In late 1952 he started training including Park Chull-Hee and Hong Jong-Pyo, under Lee Nam-Sok in the Chae-Shin Bu (later started training at the Chae-Shin Bu. Initially Chang-Moo Kwan,) earning his black belt two the school was known as the “Chae-Shin Bu” years later. In 1957 he transferred to the Kang- (Communications Department Dojang) and Duk Won, receiving instruction from Park later adopted the name “Chang-Moo Kwan” Chull-Hee and Hong Jong-Pyo. In late 1957 he (House of Bright Martial Arts). In 1956, Park became an assistant instructor to Park Chull- Chull-Hee and Hong Jong-Pyo, feeling that Lee Hee. In 1962 Grandmaster Kim Soo received Nam-Sok was never appointed to use the Chang- a 5th dan in the first promotion test carried by Moo Kwan name and that it didn’t represent the Korea Taesoo-do Association. In November Grandmaster Yoon Byung-In anymore, decided to 1964 Grandmaster Kim Soo became a full-time leave the school, and created the Kang-Duk Won martial arts instructor, founding his Korean (Institute of Teaching Morality). Many members Taekwon Karate Academy in Seoul. He was also of the Chang-Moo Kwan supported the new teaching at the US Army compound (I-Corps school and transferred to the Kang-Duk Won. Headquarters) and at the 8th US Army base. In During the early sixties there were several December 1967 he received his 6th dan from schools in Korea, the most prominent being: the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA). Name Leader Grandmaster Kim Soo is black belt 1. Chung-Do Kwan Tang Soo Do Son #44 in the KTA and # 24 in the Duk–Sung and Uhm Woon-Kyu Chang-Moo Kwan in all Korea. 2. Song-Moo Kwan Kong Soo Grandmaster Kim Soo also served as a Black Belt Do Roh Byung-Jik Magazine correspondent in the 1960s, helping 3. Moo-Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do Hwang Kee introduce Korean martial arts to the world.

taekwondotimes.com / May 2017 47 During this period, the Korean government 2. Techniques was pressing for the unification of all schools 3. Self-defense (kwans) under the Tae Kwon Do umbrella with the objective to promote Tae Kwon Do as 4. One-step (formal and practical) and an Olympic sport. The KTA asked the kwans three steps (formal) exercises to drop their forms and concentrate only in 5. Tightening ways . (The KTA later developed the Yudanja 6. Hapki-Yusul series of forms). Grandmaster Kim Soo’s dream 7. Breaking was to preserve the legacy of Grandmaster Yoon Byung-In; he refused to abandon the teachings 8. Sparring of his predecessors by joining the Tae Kwon Do 9. Written test movement and decided to come to America in All candidates for black belt must submit January 1968 to follow his dream. His decision a written thesis to receive their dan. led him to the creation of his martial arts system: Chayon-Ryu (The Natural Way), synthesizing Even though Grandmaster Kim Soo didn’t join all the teachings of his masters and preserving the sport Tae Kwon Do movement he contributed the legacy of Grandmaster Yoon Byung-In. to its early development by writing several books in English (published by O’Hara in 1973) and Chayon-Ryu, “the Natural Way,” is a unique in Russian (Published by The of Moscow State style of martial art. It combines the influences University in 2000) about of the original forms of all major Asian martial arts from China, of KTA/WTF (Palgue series). Grandmaster Kim Korea, Okinawa and Japan in a contemporary Soo also was the first instructor who taught system that emphasizes natural body motions ( the recently created Tae Kwon Do black belt hence its name ) and basic principles discovered forms outside of Korea (Houston, TX. 1968). by Grandmaster Kim Soo through many years of training and teaching. The foundation of the Grandmaster Kim Soo was promoted to 10th dan system is the traditional Karate, Tae Kwon Do, black belt by his senior Grandmaster Hong Jong- and at the advanced level the students learn Pyo in 1994. At that time GM Hong was the Chuan Fa forms and self-defense strategies that Chief instructor at the Central YMCA in Seoul. combine and / Jiu-Jitsu and Kendo Recently, Grandmaster Kim Soo was invited principles. Many of the forms practiced by the to the Taekwondo Hall of Fame ceremony in original Korean grandmasters, nowadays almost Korea and was asked to teach the lost, are preserved in the system, especially demonstration team. He taught them those of Chuan Fa origin (including partner some forms and techniques from his GM forms). It also incorporates the original Tae Yoon Byung-In background. Grandmaster Kwon Do (KTA/WTF) forms (Palgue series Kim Soo has been teaching the legacy of and original Koryo, Taebaek and Ji tae) and Bong Sul (long staff forms). The system also includes bayonet forms created by Grandmaster Kim Soo for the Korean Army (ROK). Chayon- Ryu offers a very rich and diverse curriculum to its students. The list of forms for rank advancement in Chayon-Ryu includes a large group from the Yoon Byung-In legacy (Chang- Moo Kwan / curriculum): ShudoKan Karate and Chuan Fa forms. Grandmaster Kim soo teaching Kwon Beop Chayon-Ryu test requirements include: techniques to the Kukkiwon demonstration 1. Forms team at the Kukkiwon(Korea)14 last year.

48 May 2017 / taekwondotimes.com Grandmaster Yoon Byung-In continuously for over 60 years! Thanks to his teaching,s If you want to learn more about Chayon- Grandmaster Yoon Byung-In’s legacy is alive. Ryu please go to www.kimsookarate.com. Grandmaster Kim Soo could have become a Sabom Alberto Borjas has more than 40 years of high-ranking Tae Kwon Do official and traveled training and teaching martial arts. He is a Tae the world; he was even asked by General Choi Kwon Do master instructor (Kukkiwon) and also Hong-Hi to join the International Taekwondo holds black belts in Karate and Chayon-Ryu, which Federation (ITF) and work for him, on several he has been training since 2013 under its founder, occasions in Korea and later in Houston, TX, Grandmaster Kim Soo. Originally from Cuba, he but he chose to share his knowledge and preserve was one of the first Tae Kwon Do black belts and his system (Chang-Moo Kwan/Kang-Duk Won) WTF international referees from that country. for future generations. That decision led him to He was a martial arts instructor for the Chuck the creation of his own system: Chayon-Ryu. Norris Kickstart Kids Foundation for over ten Chayon-Ryu is not a competitive style. t is years in Houston, TX, where he currently resides. a lifestyle martial arts system. Grandmaster Kim Soo states that “the real competition in life takes place from within.” Chayon-Ryu is a martial arts system like no other in the contemporary world of martial arts, a real treasure for modern-day martial art students.

Grandmaster Kim Soo leading a class at the Chayon-Ryu world headquarters in Houston,TX

Houston Major, Kate Whitmire proclaimed Grandmaster Kim Soo Day in 1988. Since then this proclamation is been ratified by every Houston major.

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