Bai Feng Wen Wu

Bai Feng Wen Wu and its relationship to the IBS

Bai Feng Wen Wu (BFWW) is a combat system devoted to the scholarly study and application of combat methods both modern and ancient. This combat system was founded by Soke (Head Family) Richard Reynolds. It is a classical combat system in that it practices classic methods and traditions. Members hold Kyu and Dan rank and are recognized by international martial arts organizations.

Students of Bai Feng Wen Wu are invited on rare occasion by Soke Richard Reynolds to study, but in most cases the student must petition Soke Reynolds with a formal letter, which is usually followed by ancient traditional ways where the applicant is either accepted or denied.

Western Martial Arts are now more sport oriented and older styles of traditional arts are losing their historical perspective. The society was dedicated to preserving those legacies in a private, social environment. The society itself was not a combat style or system; but rather, it gathered rituals and values from all arts thought to be in danger of being lost in modern combat training.

The International Bushido Society, founded by Soke Richard Reynolds, was a secret social society based on the ancient samurai code of Bushido. It was not a combat system or style . Membership was by invitation only and sponsored by a member in good standing. Members not studying official martial arts were required to study some kind of martial art or other Asian art. Their art had to be approved by society in order to qualify.

The BFWW and IBS were brother and sister in that they share the same father and their beings are intertwined much the same as family members. Each organization operated independent of the other but also functions as a support group for the other.

A person could be a Bai Feng Wen Wu student without being a member of the society, but he was not automatically invited or accepted as a member. This student was simply studying martial arts and did not participate in social activities. Members of the society could learn martial arts of any style in order to become a member. It should also be noted that the Council of Senior Elders (Roju) for both organizations was the same.

It must be admitted that some time ago, the combat system had a different name, "White Wind Wen Wu". However, Soke Richard Reynolds commissioned Oleg Sheprut, President of the Roju and a famous linguist to conduct their own research to find out the true name in Chinese. Oleg San conducted the research and presented the results to Soke Reynolds. Based on the research, in July 2025, Soke Reynolds made the wise decision to change the name of the combat system, and now we can all use the correct name "Bai Feng Wen Wu", which means "White Wind Art of War".