Grandmaster
THE LAST MASTER
The Family Concept is one basis for traditional martial arts structure. Some martial arts utilize a Religious Concept, and some arts are strictly focused on the Sport Aspect of development. The title “Master” is a special title in traditional martial arts traditions. In traditional martial arts, Master is equivalent to “Father”. Master is the example and guide in traditional martial arts. Master serves as the father figure for the martial arts family. Historically, another significant aspect is that great Masters were also great Doctors. Chun Seung Won utilizes the Family Concept in addition to the great Chun Seung Won Masters being both well respected Grandmasters as well as skilled Doctors.
Chun Seung Won’s Grandmasters of the Song Family dedicated their lives to the practice, preservation, and teaching of their traditions. The dedication, practice and the discipline put into Chun Seung Won is a way of life. Grandmaster Song immigrated to the United States in 1981 bringing with him the family legacy and reputation. This lifelong dedication by Grandmaster will not be duplicated. We respect Grandmaster’s dedication and sacrifice toward his family’s traditions and the traditions of all the great Masters before him. There are possibly only a handful of practitioners on planet earth of the same level skill and dedication. Therefore, we show our respect and recognize Grandmaster Song as “The Last Master.”
Grandmaster
THE JOURNEY
China and Korea both have mountain ranges such as Baekdu (Paektu), Gwanak, and Jiri. Baekdu Mountain is located on the border between North Korea and China, while the Gwanak and Jiri Mountain ranges are in South Korea. These landscapes provided an ideal environment for the development and teachings of the Song family traditions.
Under the guidance of his grandfather, Grandmaster Song Keum Sool, Kyong Sik learned to gather traditional herbs, studied the applications of nature, and trained in his family's martial arts traditions. These teachings continued to evolve and are preserved to this day.
Kyong Sik began his training at the age of five under the tutelage of his father, Grandmaster Song Jung Soo, and his grandfather, Grandmaster Song Keum Sool. Much of Kyong Sik's skills were directly acquired from his grandfather. Due to the reputation of the Song family's martial arts and eastern medical traditions, Kyong Sik had the opportunity to study with other great masters throughout Asia.
In addition to fulfilling his formal educational requirements as a student, Grandmaster Song, Kyong Sik completed studies on the Song family. He dedicated his life to the development and study of his family's educational system with great dedication and honor. Grandmaster Song also completed formal training in eastern medicine in Korea and obtained a Doctor's Degree in Eastern Medicine. Alongside his college training, he acquired many of his medical skills through direct observation and teachings from his grandfather. In traditional martial arts, a great master was also a great doctor, and a great doctor possessed excellent martial arts skills. Grandmaster Song carried on this family and martial arts tradition.
Before coming to the United States, Grandmaster Song served and fulfilled his military duty in Korea. He trained both the Korean and American Special Forces stationed in Korea. In 1981, Grandmaster Song relocated from Korea to the United States, initially residing in Washington, D.C. As the leader of the Song family martial arts system known as "Chun Seung" in the United States, Grandmaster Song began teaching the "right way" of martial arts to the public. This decision to teach the Song family's martial arts traditions to the public was significant, as these traditions were previously passed strictly to family members and selected disciples. In the United States, Grandmaster Song is known by his American name, Edward Song.
The official organizational name, Chun Seung, was established by Grandmaster Song, Duk Soon, a member of the Song family, in 1851. Grandmaster Song, Duk Soon was responsible for integrating the Song family's Shaolin and Tai Chi traditions with the Korean traditions rooted in the Subak martial traditions of the ancient Silla Kingdom. In the United States, Grandmaster Song, Kyong Sik aimed to create a Korean to English translation that would encompass the traditions of the Song family. The initial translation used was "Oriental Heritage Total Concepts" or "OHTC". However, due to the sensitive connotation associated with the term "Oriental," the name was later changed to "Optimal Health Total Concepts."
