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Our Ji Do Kwan Heritage
Ji Do Kwan - The "Way of Wisdom School"
The name Ji Do Kwan (often written as one word - Jidokwan) is defined as "Ji" which means "Wisdom", Do which is interpreted as "The Way", how you do something or a path in life to be followed, and "Kwan" which means "School." Ji Do Kwan therefore, means "The Way of Wisdom School" of martial arts.
The Ji Do Kwan as we know it today was originally founded in Korea before the Japanese occupation prior to World War II by Chun, Sang Sup. Following the 2nd World War and the subsequent liberation of Korea from Japanese occupation, the Ji Do Kwan was re-organized under the leadership of Dr. Yun, Kwe Byung who was a pathologist and professor. The school was driven underground again during the Korean War and resurfaced afterwards under the leadership of (by then retired) Dr. Yun and Grandmaster Lee, Chong Woo (recently retired). The leadership (Kwan Jang) of the Ji Do Kwan evolved as follows: History of Jidokwan Kwan Jang: Founder: CHUN Sang Sup - Pre-WWII 1st Kwan Jang: YUN Kwe Byung - Post WWII 2nd Kwan Jang: LEE Chong Woo 3rd Kwan Jang: BAE Young Ki 4th Kwan Jang: LEE Chong Woo 5th Kwan Jang: LEE Seung Wan (current president)
Grandmaster Lee led the Jidokwan to prominence in tournament fighting during competitions with the other main Kwans (schools) - primarily the Chang Moo Kwan, Chung Do Kwan, Moo Duk Kwan and Oh Do Kwan - with Ji Do Kwan fighters winning on average more than 70% of all competitions. The name "Way of Wisdom School" or "Ji Do Kwan" meant just that. Techniques and practice weren’t based on fanciful theories but were instead grounded in "what actually works."
In 1974 Master Delavan arrived in Korea with a letter of introduction to Grandmaster Lee, Chong Woo. Grandmaster Lee directed Master Delavan to Grandmaster Yun, Nam Ku for further training. Along with his regular training, Grandmaster Yun has taken Master Delavan to Grandmaster Lee for meetings and advanced training sessions periodically over the past thirty years.
It is important to note that Grandmaster Yun was and is a senior and very special student of Grandmaster Lee, Chong Woo. When Master Delavan arranged for Grandmaster Yun and his family to emigrate to the United States, Grandmaster Yun went into a period of special advanced training under Grandmaster Lee, then continued this training and with Grandmaster Lee’s blessings passing it along to his protégé and senior student Master Delavan. Thus, The Way of the Jidokwan has been developed and passed directly from Grandmaster Chun, Sang Sup through Dr. Yun, Kwe Byung, on to Grandmaster Lee, Chong Woo and from him down to Grandmaster Yun, Nam Ku and now Grandmaster John Delavan.
Following the Keumgang/Jidokwan path can and should be a lifelong journey. The beauty and value isn’t found in the goal, but rather in the journey itself. Always learning, always exploring new horizons within ourselves, always seeking to improve. Even when the body fails - as it must eventually do with age and use - wisdom continues to grow. None of us will ever be perfect in this lifetime, but we should always strive to find ways to be better than we are.