Knowles Karate Academy

Kong Sang Koon - a beautiful form with a well documented history from Okinawa. During the trading time between the Okinawa Island and the Ming Dynasty a ship arrived from China carrying Ambassador Chin Kwei and Kong Sang Koon (Lord of Public Minister)

As a well known Master of Chinese Kwon Bop Kong Sang Koon remained in Okinawa for years teaching local students. Including his leading student Sakugawa Shungo. This student is credited with naming the form we now know today as Kong Sang Koon. So, its named origin leads to Okinawa the techniques being taught are believed to have been carried from the Henan province of China around the 1700s.

This complex and long form is amazing to train with. It will challenge any black belt. A source of continuous growth and focus. The Eagle 🦅 is often connected to the form, especially by Hwang Kee. Seeing the opening choon bee and the quick strikes, complicated jumps, plus the multiple strikes from above shows an obvious connection.

This form is a requirement for Sam Dans and great for training, competition, & demonstrations.

Ro Hai (Vision of a Crane) - as this is more of an obscure form and its origins are mostly legend. One common story is that this form was brought to the Okinawan village Tomari from China.

While the modern form is believed to be significantly different than its origins. It still carries movements that appear to be directly influenced by the Heron and/or the Crane. With its nimble movement, single leg techniques, and lunging attacks. All seem to point toward the animal association as a strong influence.

In practicing this form one must look inward in order to emulate the bird like movements. By doing this you must face yourself and move in very new ways. Causing a reflection of your own struggle till you tame the bird and copy its moves in synchronicity.

Sip Soo (Ten Hands) - This is a highly difficult form for WTSDA students to truly understand. In many organizations this form is for 3rd Dans & Masters. Yet Grandmaster Jae C. Shin moved this form down to our Cho Dan Bo, black belt preparation, rank (Blue Belt). This honors the difficulty of the form and gives students at least six months to work on this form before needing to display it. Since the creation of the Blue Belt was new it needed a form, and with the movements being somewhat similar to Bassai this form works well.

Sip Soo 🐾 is a Southern Chinese style form with many moves emulating Tai Chi, and sometimes known as Jion/Jitte. It teaches students the dynamic power through practice of dynamic tension & isometrics. Students learn to perform slow powerful movements fighting against themselves in power, balance, range of motion, and explosive power.

These motions in Sip Soo relate to its animal, the bear 🐻. Through these moves which are a bit slower yet carrying immense power you learn how to maintain balance while executing strength and grace. The hand and body positions are very open with limbs extended and utilizing palm strikes like bear claws. If students can relate to the spirit of this form to the spirit of a bear it can unlock a new perspective on how to perform both this form and all other forms.

Jin Do is a beautiful and complex form with an even more complex history. This Okinawan form with Chinese origins is just the beginning to the history. The surviving legends tells of a sailor (Chinto) from China who washed up on the shores of Okinawa and stunned the locals with his skills as well as a famous martial artist, Master Bushi Matsumura.

Other theories link Jin Do to the Shaolin Boxing systems Weh Ka Ryu & So Rim Sa Kwon Bop. These systems flourished in the Henan Province , 1600-1700s and earlier.

While those stories and historical connections are helpful. Master Hwang Kee insisted on its connection to the Five Principal Moves, specifically dynamic forward moves (jin) & nimble retreat (do or toi).

Practice of Jin Do requires the student to be stable yet agile, ready to kick or strike high with fast retreats. It teaches strong forward attacks as well as quick attacks. Perfect for a 2nd Degree Black Belt since it requires the perfection of the single leg stances as well as fast weight shifting while striking. It applies many techniques in more difficult combinations and movements.