Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do - Historical Account and Lineage

In this review of Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do the author Len Losik presents a focused historical account that will interest martial arts historians and serious practitioners curious about the roots of modern Korean systems. The book's single biggest strength is its tracing of Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee's role in creating and evolving the first Korean kwan into what later became Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do, offering a narrative that connects prewar training in Japan, the use of the Tang Soo Do name, and postwar political shifts. Readers looking for lineage and context will find this work particularly useful.

Key Features

• Founding history: Documents Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee's early education in Japan and his influence on the formation of the first Korean kwan, which helps readers understand the origins of the art.
• Evolution of names: Explains the transition from Tang Soo Do to Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do, clarifying how terminology and national developments shaped the art.
• Political context: Describes the interaction between the kwan and the occupying forces, and how postwar government actions impacted the kwan's direction and leadership.
• Personal narrative: Covers Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee's travels and eventual invitation to immigrate to the United States, giving a human dimension to the historical account.
• Influence on others: Details how Won Kuk Lee taught many future Korean kwan founders, useful for readers tracing teacher-student lineages across schools.

Who It's For

This book is aimed at martial arts historians, instructors, and dedicated students who want a well-documented lineage of one of Korea's earliest kwans and the role of Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee in shaping postwar martial arts. It is also useful for those researching how political and cultural shifts influenced martial arts nomenclature and institutional development.

Readers seeking a technical training manual, step-by-step instruction, or a modern training curriculum should look elsewhere; this is a historical and biographical account rather than a how-to guide for techniques or classes.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a focused historical narrative that clarifies the kwan's evolution and naming conventions.
• Places Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee in clear context, including his education in Japan and influence on other kwan founders.
• Explores the political backdrop, including relationships with occupying forces and postwar government actions that affected the kwan.

Cons

• The book is historical and descriptive, so it lacks practical training instruction for students seeking techniques or drills.

Specifications

Title	Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do
Author	Len Losik
Subject	History of the Chung Do Kwan and Won Kuk Lee
Focus	Creation, evolution and lineage of the first Korean kwan
Historical scope	Prewar education in Japan through postwar Korean developments
Includes	Founders history, travels, and immigration context

Our Verdict

Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do is a solid choice for anyone researching the origins and lineage of Korean martial arts; it provides clear historical context and personal detail about Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee that add real value. For historians and instructors tracing teacher-student connections, this book is worth acquiring, though students seeking technical instruction should pair it with a training manual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book cover Won Kuk Lee's time in Japan?
Yes, it discusses his education in Japan and how that background influenced the founding of the kwan.

Is this a training manual with techniques?
No, the work is historical and biographical rather than a how-to manual for techniques or curriculum.

Does it explain the name change to Tae Kwon Do?
Yes, it traces the evolution from Tang Soo Do to Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do within the postwar political context.