The recent book signing and seminar with Grandmaster Kim Bok Man and Grandmaster Brad Shipp of the World Chun Kuhn Do Federation was successful beyond our expectations. Grandmaster Kim, one of the pioneering masters of Tae Kwon Do in the 1950s who worked with General Choi to develop techniques and patterns for the new Korean martial art, says that Chun Kuhn Do Tae Kwon Do is “advanced” Tae Kwon Do. Chun Kuhn Do Tae Kwon Do is designed to be practical and useful with natural stances and movements in relation to one’s body. Chun Kuhn Do Tae Kwon Do also incorporates weapons. Chun Kuhn Do translates from Korean to English to mean “Complete Wellness Art.” The techniques developed by Grandmaster Kim Bok Man are a result of his combat experience during the Korean War.
Grandmaster Kim Bok Man’s book signing and demonstration took place at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Wichita, Kansas. Grandmaster Kim’s latest book, Taekwondo: Defense Against Weapons, was released in 2012 by YMAA Publications and was a finalist for a Best Book of the Year Award from USA Book News. Taekwondo: Defense Against Weapons is the only book of its kind about Tae Kwon Do. Believe it or not, this was Grandmaster Kim Bok Man’s first book signing! Barnes & Noble management reports that Grandmaster Kim’s book signing was the most successful book signing they have had at the store for as long as they can remember.
Attendees of the recent seminar got a taste of the challenging yet rewarding techniques of Chun Kuhn Do Tae Kwon Do on the first day of the seminar. After a rewarding warm-up, Grandmaster Kim and Grandmaster Shipp lead the students through hand and kicking drill combinations. One thing about Chun Kuhn Do is that it promotes multiple techniques, often 3 or more. After the drills, Grandmaster Shipp and other World Chun Kuhn Do Federation members demonstrated a sword, a baton and pole patterns to whet an appetite for the second day. Attendees also received a complimentary copy of Grandmaster Kim’s Taekwondo: Defense Against Weapons, which Grandmaster Kim graciously signed for attendees. Another first occurred during the signing of the books. Mr. Mike Swope asked Grandmaster Kim to sign in Korean; after a moment, Grandmaster Kim inscribed his name in Korean, the first time he had done so in more than 50 years!
