Kung FU San Soo History

History of Legend? Myth? How was this art developed? Who is the Chin family?

These are some of the questions that come to mind when people hear the history of our art. Our knowledge of the art comes from our Grandmaster Jimmy H. Woo. Our history states that Kung Fu San Soo was originally taught and studied in the Kwan Yin Monastery in southern China. The art was honed and developed within the walls of this monastery.

How the art started here has caused some speculation. At one point in China's history, it was divided into many different warring factions. Each faction produced different types of fighting styles. During these times it is speculated, by some, that soldiers may have entered the monastery as monks. The ex-soldiers may have taught the other monks different skills from each region as a way to protect themselves.

This could explain the combination of various styles in our art. History has been blurred due to the constant conflict and strife in the country. We do know that throughout China's history skilled fighters have been forced to either fight for the emperors or against them.

The emperors generally outlawed arts that were deemed to effective. The temples are one of the main reasons the arts are alive today. One of the monks that trained at the Kwan Yin Monastery was Chin Leoung Kick. He studied at the monastery for close to twenty years before leaving. When he left he took with him two training manuals and the skills and experience he had gained. Chin Leoung Kick was the great, great, great grandfather of Chin Sui Dek.....aka Jimmy H. Woo.

The art was passed down to the Chin family. Three generations later Chin Sui Hung became a well-known fighter and San Soo teacher. He was nicknamed Neow Gee "Crazy Devil" because of his physical appearance. He became involed in LeTi matches. These were competitions between Northern and Southern China martial artists. These events were classified as "death matches" because they were fought until their opponent submittted and often ended in death. Hung became famous for issuing a general challenge to anyone. Hung's style was known for its crippling ability and few would ever dare challenge him.

He died undefeated in these events. Chin Sui Dek, Jimmy H. Woo, came to live with his great uncle Chin Sui Hung and learn the family art. Dek became Hung's prized student, while enjoying the hard grueling workouts and learning quickly.

In his teens Dek became a traveling teacher of the art. He was also developing a reputation as a formidable fighter in a time known for fights ending in crippling and death. Chin Sui Dek left China to come to America under the name Jimmy H. Woo.

It is a blesssing he came here and he and the Chin family art were not lost forever. He worked a variety of different jobs while becoming familiar with China Town. In 1959 Jimmy opened his first martial arts studio in El Monte, California.

He became the first master to open his studio to non-Asian students in the area. The true name of his art is Tsoi Li Ho Fut Hung. Jimmy decided to use the term San Soo to emphasize the combat style of his art. He also decided not to emphasize the spiritual or healing aspects used in other arts.

In January of 1984, Jimmy became known as LoSiFu or Grandmaster when his Grandson J. P. King earned his blackbelt. In 1993 J.P. King achieved master level recognition. J. P. King is the seventh generation of San Soo practitioners in Jimmy's family.