history

The History of the Black Dragon Association Shaolin Kung-Fu System starts back in the Fukien
Temple in China. Su Kong Tai Djin (1849-1929)“ The Dog Faced Monk,” was born with the rare skin
disorder that caused him to grow hair over his entire body which led his parents to think they had
given birth to a demon. So they dropped him off on the steps of the temple where he was raised as
a Buddhist Monk from birth. After years of training and becoming a Grand Master of the Martial Arts
he took on a disciple named Ie Ching Ming (1880-1976) who eventually became the Grand Master of
the Temple. After a deadly run in with numerous sentries at a supposed abandon military camp he
defected to Indonesia to avoid persecution and certain death. In order for Grand Master Ming to
pass on his knowledge and to keep his art and culture alive he had to alter how he advertised his
school.

Since there was so much animosity towards China, Grand Master Ming changed the school name to
Shaolin-Do. This gave the new school a Japanese sounding name and he and his students wore
The Japanese style GI instead of the traditional dress of the temples of China.
He was very successful and eventually took on a disciple named Sin Kwan The’ (1943-Present). Sin
Kwan The’ was a phenomenal student and by the age of 25 years old he was given the title of Grand
Master and eventually learned all 900 plus Shaolin Forms a feat only accomplished by two other
people in the history of the Shaolin Arts.

Grand Master The’ migrated to the U.S. with the aide of Grand Master Don Madden and opened his
first school in Lexington, Kentucky, In this unlikely location Grand Master The’ built a very reputable
school and this is where our Grand Master, Lawrence Day started his Kung Fu training. After
working himself through the ranks He earned his 4th Degree Black belt in Kung Fu.

In the early 1980's Grand Master Day started training under Grand Master Don Madden directly. He
achieved the rank of 8th Degree Black belt in Seiei Kan Karate. He continued to teach his Kung Fu
at the same time. Grand Master Day started a school called The Silent Dragon School of Martial Arts
in the mid 1990's. He held rank and taught both Kung Fu and Shotokan Karate. In November 2000
after Grand Master Day was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame Grand Master Madden
decided to put Grand Master Day’s Systems underneath his Organization; Ko Sutemi Seiei Kan All-
American Karate Do Union. The Silent Dragon school was broken into two separate branches under
the Seiei Kan Organization; Seiei Kan Shaolin Kung Fu System and the Seiei Kan Tai Chi Chuan.

In 2005, Grand Master Day went through another change in his affiliations. Dr. Ernie Reynolds who
is the head of the Black Dragon Association promoted Grand Master Day to the rank of 10th Dan.
This was rather unusual since traditionally there is only one 10th Dan per Organization. However,
since Grand Master Day knowledge in certain areas, mainly Dim Mak, and Tai Chi Dr. Reynolds
strongly felt that he had no right to try and dictate anything to Grand Master Day.

Here is a little background on Dr. Reynolds, he holds the following ranks; 10th Dan in Karate, 10th
Dan in Jujitsu, 7th Dan in Ninjitsu, 7th Dan in Kendo, and a 5th Dan in Iaido, the Art of drawing a live
blade. Dr. Reynolds is one of the most respected martial artists in the world. Being a member of
this Association is an elite honor. The organization was started in America in 1971. However it ties
itself further back to Japan were Dr. Reynolds received most of his training.

In 1997 I started my training under one of Grand Master Day’s students and am now 1 of 8 students
that Grand Master Day still teaches.