Wu Shu

Traditional Tai Chi Chuan                        Traditional Shaolin Chuan

The term Wu Shu is not a reference to a specific style of martial art.  Wu Shu is translated as "martial art", Moo Do or Moo Sool in Korean. 

The Nam Pa, Southern Group was called Gun Gon Pa, and this was the art passed down by Song, Won Kyo.  The Book Pa, Northern Group was taught and passed down by Jin, Gi Woo.  Jin (Chen) learned the art from one of the remaining disciples of Chang, Sam Bong.  Jin, Jang Heung (1771 – 1853) was the grandson of Jin, Gi Woo and continued to pass down the Northern Group, Book Pa art. 

 

The Song family of China continued the teachings of the Nam Pa Group’s Song, Won Kyo (1288A.D. – 1370A.D.) .  The eventual move of the Song family to Korea, led many to believe that this form had died off.  However, the art was maintained by the Song family and continues to be passed down in its pure form.  

 

In 1851, Grand Master Duk Soon Song had re-systemized Song's family martial arts into an Oriental Heritage Total Concept Martial Arts System with combining the Chinese martial arts of Shaolin Chuan, Tai Chi Chuan and the Korean martial arts of Tae Kwon Do, Hap Ki Do, Moo Sa Sool and Philosophy.  Shaolin is a "hard style" martial art and Tai Chi is considered to be a "soft style" form of martial arts.  "Shaolin" refers to the region of China in which the martial arts was developed.  "Chuan" may be translated as "fist" or "boxing."  Therefore the name Shaolin Chuan may be translated as "Shaolin Fist" or "Shaolin Boxing".  Tai Chi may be translated as "Grand Ultimate" or "Supreme Ultimate".  Combined with the word "Chuan" as mentioned above, could read as "Supreme Ultimate Fist (or Boxing)" or "Grand Ultimate Fist (or Boxing)."

OHTC does not mix these two styles of martial arts.  Each style is learned separately.  If a student achieves a black sash in both Shaolin Chuan and Tai Chi Chuan, the student is granted a Wu Shu Degree upon approval from Grand Master.  A Wu Shu Degree is a great accomplishment, as are all martial arts black belts or sashes.  These two arts are a great compliment to each other and bring the student closer to being a well balanced martial artist.  

Wu Shu includes: