The Kwanmukan Master George E. Anderson, who learned the style of Korean Karate known as the Song Moo Kwan (derived from Japanese Shotokan), founded the Kwanmukan as we know it today. Based on the Shotokan, but with kobudo, aikido, judo and jujitsu considered, the Kwanmukan is the synthesis of these various martial arts.
Comprising all the excellent qualities of Mr. Anderson’s prior learnings, without attaching undue importance to any particular one, he has made Kwanmudo accessible to any person by a method of training suited for today’s times. First, he has continued with that which is traditional in the methods of the old schools, but he has refreshed it with a modern understanding. Secondly, the teachings of the various schools were systematized after having been examined scientifically, and from the principles underlying the techniques of the various schools were concluded the principles upon which a new system of training was established. It is not too much to say that Kwanmudo combines the highly spiritual phase of the martial arts with the excellent technical aspects of the discipline. Philosophical Insights IntoKwanmudo IA Commentary on the Philosophical Foundation of Kwan Mu Karate is moving zen. Enlightenment or Satori is the dynamic spirit of zen. It is not Zen itself, but the result of Zen training. Koans (kung an) epitomize the single path (do) or way followed by the enlightened man. They are his recorded principles and awake in man the unique spiritual qualities of enlightenment. In karate, and Kwan Mu specifically, the three efforts (kata) permit the experience of kensho – seeing into one’s own true nature – in the fundamental practice (effort) of the kata. In this sense the translation of kata is an attempt to demonstrate clear understanding.
George Anderson started his karate trianing with Il Joo Kim, a Korean, who was a student of both Park ChullHee and Ro ByungJik. Ro trained directly with Gichen Funakoshi when he was a student in Japan. Hanshi Anderson tested directly under Ro. Ro called his dojo Songmookwan. Park trained with ByungIn Yoon who is on the list of Shihan recognized by Kanken Toyama the founder of Shudokan. So Kwanmukan has both Shotokan and Shudokan influence.
When Kwanmukan became involved in the old WUKO, now WKF, competition we followed the Shotokan kata exclusively. Later we also began teaching and learning the other style Shitei Kata as required by WKF.Hanshi Anderson did serve a term on the United States Olympic Committee.