Wun Hop Kuen Do was founded by Sifu Al Dacascos and is one of the four branch styles of the Kajukenbo Martial Art System. Thus, Wun Hop Kuen Do techniques identify with and are based on the Kajukenbo system. You can find additional information about Wun Hop Kuen Do look here. The literal meaning of Wun Hop Kuen Do is combination fist art style. This is a translation of the Cantonese Chinese dialect. In the Mandarin dialect the style would be "Quan Hur Chuen Dao". This martial arts style incorporates techniques from many different styles including Northern and Southern Kung Fu systems, Aikido, Judo, Jujitsu, Eskrima and many different styles of Karate. Since this style is always being developed, it is not a fixed system. This means that we are always striving to improve the style by incorporation and improvement of useful methods or techniques. In addition, the philosophy of remaining "unfixed" also applies to our defense techniques in that there is no defined response to a given situation, we attempt to fit the situation as it arises. This idea leads to self defense that is creative and allows one to think about what is the best response. We have many drills to allow practice of this type of fluidity and creativity that lead to the ability to respond reflexively to any situation. To me this is one of the primary things that set this style apart from most others, it is a martial art that asks you to think for yourself and use your own common sense to actually see what you should do next. This is in contrast to many other training methods where one is supposed to mimic techniques which many times are not practical except under very defined circumstances.

Although Wun Hop Kuen Do is not a fixed style it is a written system of techniques, training methods and philosopy. These principles and training methods are born out of the Kajukenbo system and Ch'uan Fa style (one of the four branch styles of Kajukenbo). The result is a system of training methods and maneuvers that teaches one to be system-less.

You might say a system without a system. Because of its complex appearance one might feel that the study of Wun Hop Kuen Do might conflict with your present training system. However, we have a saying that "If it doesn't fit, then it is not Wun Hop Kuen Do". Thus, Wun Hop Kuen Do should have the ability to fit any situation at any time.

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Jeffrey D. Cirillo
jdcirillo@medicine.tamhsc.edu