Gao Wu Dao Guan
Ko Mu Do Kwan
"High-level Martial Method School"
"Open Martial Way School"
Ko Mu Do Kwan or Gao Wu Dao Guan is not a new martial art
system, but an institution that adheres to traditional martial training methods
and philosophies.
This "Kwan" or "Guan" is patterned after
the famous Jing Wu (Chin Woo) Athletic Association and its vast Gymnasium in
Shanghai, China established in 1919. This famous Jing Wu School is still
maintained in Shanghai today with a branch in old Futshan, now called Foshan in
Mandarin (Guangdong Province) which was established in 1921 and currently
maintains a large training hall today. There are other branches of the Jing Wu
throughout Mainland China and other asian countries. Dr. Ko (Gao Jia Yuan) and
his son, Mr. Coconis (Gao Jun Long) are both certified instructors of the
Futshan Jing Wu Hall authorized to teach to the world the true Futshan Bak Mei
Pai Gung Fu.
So what does the name, Ko Mu Do Kwan literally translate to?
Ko (Korean meaning is heaven, sky, ever-expanding, open-mind),
(Chinese meaning (Gao) is tall or very high up. Another Chinese meaning is
old, ancient, traditional, or classic); Mu or Moo (Korean meaning
is martial art or military-like), (Chinese equivalent is Wu or Woo
which again means martial art); Do (Korean meaning is way, art,
method or path), (Chinese equivalent is Dao or Tao which also
means way, path, art, or method); Kwan (Korean meaning is school
or institution), Chinese equivalent is Guan which means school or
training gym).
So our school name, Ko Mu Do Kwan is the same as saying in Korean, "Open Martial Way School." The Chinese equivalent is Gao Wu Dao Guan and means "High-level Martial Way School."
The founder, Master Dr. Gar Won Ko (Jia Yuan Gao), expands upon this
basic notion and further explains that Ko Mu Do Kwan or Gao Wu Dao
Guan means to have a very well-equipped, open-conscious, high-level,
traditional training hall-like atmosphere with minimal politics and no overly
inflated egos among the training ranks and Dan's. Further, the founder believes
that every student must be taught to cultivate him or herself and not become
dependent upon the master or teacher.
One of the most favorite quotes by Master Dr. Ko is, "When my
students are hungry, I don't just give them a small piece of fish every time,
but I teach them how to fish for themselves. I do this, by precisely instructing
them on the essential basics and foundations, e.g., selecting a proper pole type
(like natural bamboo or rattan), the type of line to use, the right kind of bait
or lure, the right fishing conditions like water type and temperature,
atmospheric barometric pressure and the effects of climatological (weather)
conditions."
The preceeding quote and teaching philosophy of Master Dr. Ko was openly
influenced by the direct ancient philosophy of a very wise man and natural
scholar of China:
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime", Lao-Tzu (604 - 531 B.C., Chinese Philosopher, Founder of Daoism, Author: Dao de Ching)
An academic approach is utilized in presenting and teaching the traditional martial arts of the Ko Mu Do Kwan (Gao Wu Dao Guan). Equal emphasis is placed on the body (physical), mind (mental), and spirit (mind and body) aspects of each culture represented by the six (6) disciplines traditionally taught at the Ko Mu Do Kwan (Gao Wu Dao Guan).
Three (3) oriental cultures represented at the Ko Mu Do Kwan (Gao Wu Dao Guan) are: South China, the Central Philippine Islands, and South Korea.
Under the Chinese National Flag, the traditional and true Futshan Bak Mei Pai Gung Fu is taught. This system has direct lineage back to its founder in China and very deep roots at the Futshan Jing Wu Hall in Foshan (Mandarin) or Futshan (Cantonese), Guangdong Province, P.R. China. The original name of this martial city (Futshan) means: Buddha's Mountain.
Under the Pilipino National Flag, the following arts are traditionally taught: Tacosa Cadena Eskrima from the Pacific Eskrima Academy which encompasses Sinawallis, Largo Mano, Cinco Teros, Classical Unarmed, Abaniko, Espada y Daga, Doblete, Redonda, Serrada, Block and Lock, Free-Flow, Sikaran (Sipa), Cadena De Mano, De Cuerdas and other unique art forms of the Central Philippine Islands (Visayas) that cannot be revealed to the public. For the advanced and long-time dedicated student, the ancient weapons of the Moros are selectively taught.
Under the Korean National Flag, the following are separately taught: Traditional Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan, Traditional Hapkido, Traditional Hosinsul, Traditional Korean Weapons, Modern (Kukkiwon, WTF, Olympic) Tae Kwon Do Han Moo Kwan.
Each cultured art form or system taught is done so separately under its own
'strict' curriculum, with its own traditional uniform requirement, and at its
own designated time slot. No traditional system is taught mixed with another.
All examinations and rankings are held separate and are special to each cultured
art form and discipline taught. The founder and his son, give credit to all those Founders, Grandmasters,
Eskrimadors, Masters, Sifus, and Guros who have taught them and have entrusted
their descended knowledge with them. Master Dr. Ko says most often, "We
are truly standing on the shoulders of giants in these arts that are represented
here at Ko Mu Do Kwan (Gao Wu Dao Guan)." May GOD Bless
AMERICA
:
Dr. Gar Won Ko (Gao Jia Yuan)
Mr. J. Michael Coconis
Send E-mail to: komudokwan@southwind.net