The “New Style” – An Unauthorized History of Wu Ying Mun Karate 1969-1974

Introduction

This book is coming from a couple of inspirations.  Several years ago, a buddy of mine and former classmate, Tip Hanzlik decided to have a gathering of some of the old guard of Wu Ying Mun practitioners. It was officially to get together to watch the latest UFC broadcast but it was something quite more.  It was the old gang getting back together after decades of disconnection – me, Randy Zank, Tip, Kurt Williams, Doug Zeal and Dennis Adair. We had a blast.  

We talked about the old days when we would beat the hell out of each other in sparring, the Black Belt Class that was every Sunday at noon, rain or shine, of fallen comrades, and much more.  One of the ties that bound us was that we were part of an elite group within the Oregon Karate Association.  We were at the vanguard of the development of something that was unheard of in the late 1960s-early 1970s – an American karate style, Wu Ying Mun, the Formless Gate. We are all in agreement about one thing – it was a magical time.

This is an unauthorized history of Wu Ying Mun. I say unauthorized because it has been 50 years since my last association with the group proper. Stories surrounding the formation of this style of karate have become legend in my neck of the woods, Oregon. The actual story has not been covered in print. Until now. Backed up with 50+ pages of notes and drawings which are themselves, 50 years old, the story is now told.

This history is from a Dan perspective, my personal recall. I was there and was an integral part of it.