Chunseungwon
Tradition Continues
The Song Dynasty was the ruling dynasty in China between the years 960 - 1279. It was typical in the history of fallen societies for the conquered rulers and followers to be executed, enslaved, banished, or forced into exile. It is in the history of the Song Dynasty that the Song family of modern-day Korea is rooted. In ancient times, there were no hard boundaries between present day China and present-day Korea. During these times, the Song family would travel between China and Korea as the present-day events influenced. The Song family was well known and highly respected in regard to their moral integrity and values. These reputations lead to the influence of martial arts into the Song family traditions. Xu Xuanping or Hsu Hsuan-P'ing was a very well-known practitioner of martial arts in ancient China. Xu Xuanping and Hsu Hsuan-P'ing are the Chinese to English translations. The Korean to English translation of the name is Hur Sun Pyung. Hur Sun Pyung was a practitioner of the martial art referred to as Chang Quan or "Long Fist". The Korean to English translation of this art is Jang Gwon. Jang Gwon is rooted in the traditional martial arts of the Shaolin Temple. The reputation of the Song family was such that Hur Sun Pyung passed his knowledge exclusively to the Song family. These teachings were preserved and passed on from generation to generation within the Song family traditions.
Over the centuries, the teachings of Hur Sun Pyung were maintained within the Song family traditions. These teachings were passed down through Song family member Song, Yuanqiao. The Korean to English translation of this name is Song, Won Gyo and Song, Won Gyo's lifespan is recorded as 1288 - 1370. Song, Won Gyo continued to preserve the family teachings and traditions and became a disciple of another master. This master's name was Zhang Sanfeng, the Korean to English translation is Chang Sam Bong. Chang Sam Bong developed an art that is referred to today as Tai Chi Chuan. Song Won Gyo was one of seven disciples of Chang Sam Bong. The seven disciples of Chang, Sam Bong:
A traditional name for the founder of an art is translated from Korean to English as "Moon Joo Nim". Chang Sam Bong was the Moon Joo Nim of Tai Chi Chuan. The Korean to English pronunciation of the art is Tae Geuk Gwon. Traditionally, a founder of an art would select one disciple to pass down the art. This person is called the Jang Moon in Korean. The Jang Moon would possess the best knowledge, character, and skill to maintain the purity of the art. Chang Sam Bong chose one Jang Moon, and that person was Song Won Gyo.
As Tai Chi developed, the art form divided into two major groups. One group was called the Southern Group and the second group was called the Northern Group. Nam Pa is the Korean to English translation for the "Southern Group" or "Southern Family". The Southern Group's art was called Geon Gon Pa "Heaven Earth Style" and is the art passed down by Song, Won Gyo. The Song family continued to pass down the teachings of the Nam Pa's Song, Won Gyo. The Heaven Earth Style was maintained by the Song family and continues to be passed down in its pure form. Grandmaster Song, Won Gyo wrote a book of Tai Chi Chuan titled "The Origin and Branches of the Song Style Tai Chi Practice". Song Won Gyo's states in his book, "The respectful Song family carries the tradition of the authentic Tai Chi style of Song Won Gyo". This book was written to maintain and pass the traditions within the Song family traditions.