Sometimes a story comes along that contains so many fanciful elements one must assume that it is the work of fiction. Such is the story of Su Kong Tai Djin.
Tai Djin was born in China in 1849. He was born unique, afflicted with hypertrichosis. Unlike Jo-Jo, who would be born a few decades later, Tai Djin was born into a highly superstitious family. As A result they saw his affliction as the work of demons and he was left in the forest to die.
A Shaolin monk traveling through the forest discovered the child and took him back to the Fukien Shaolin Temple. There Tai Djin was raised by the monks.
He was trained in martial arts and it quickly became apparent that he was exceptional in both appearance and ability. The boy must have been a sight practicing kung-fu with his face covered in fine fur. He quickly became a favorite of many of the Shaolin masters and, as a result, each master passed their knowledge on to Tai Djin.
He was a sponge and mastered every technique shown to him. He became the first to master over 200 different empty hand systems and over 140 weapon systems. His various specialties included the infamous Chi Ma, or ‘Death Touch’. After several years of extensive training he became the first Grandmaster of Shaolin-Do and one of the first to master all skills of the seven Shaolin temples.
He became known as Su Kong Tai Djin. Su Kong simply means, Grand Master.
Perhaps the most amazing part of that much the story is true. Su Kong Tai Djin was a real man, he really did have hypertrichosis and he was associated with Shaolin. Some have built and embellished upon his legend but the kernel of truth is there. Tai Djin was witnessed in the flesh by many, and revered by many more. He lived on for many years and passed away in 1928 after reaching a ripe old age and teaching others to be masters.
image: Su Kong Tai Djin, the Shaolin-Do Grandmaster.
Like it, interesting, will read you again
I am honored to meet you Su Kong Tai Djin. What an example to us all you were and still are.
Peace be with you, Master.
Interesting. Does anyone know the source of this article?
If anyone is interested in learning the art that Su Kong Tai Djin learned, it is still around. Send me an e-mail at Xynyx2001 at gmail and I will tell you where you might find it.
You mention in the podcast you came across a picture of Tai Djin wrestling with a bear.
Do you still have it? I would love to see it.
I am honored to read this…I’m a huge fan of martial arts and mixed martial arts…You have my respect
No disrespect intended to the memory of this amazing individual, but “Kung Fu Werewolf” sounds like a low-budget movie from the 1970s!
Awesome. Just discovered the website tonight. So interesting! Well documented, well written, done with intelligence and respect.
Blue Orb Radio who also has a savannah ghost tours did a segment on him.
That story made my happy.
Yes I know this story as he is my Great Great Grandmaster…. if you want to learn more or study the art he preserved for generations to come… the current Grand Master is Sin Kwang The’ just look him up and find his schools… there are many all over the country. I’m at the Denver/Boulder Colorado school. Come on in and play with us.
If one born, with hair; are they afflicted or they normal. We keep call the genius, the human afflicted, yet what is the affliction. Why do we call hair an affliction, I certainly keeps us warm, in the cold.
sorry, bad typing; If one is born, with hair beyound the passive norm, we may call it genius, yet is it an affliction, or a pure perfection; not an infliction. Is hair an affliction? it keeps us warm, protects the skin from wrinkles, and leather skin. We adorn it on our head, and not our animals, yet some call it an affliction.