Tang Soo Do

Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan is one of the most popular of Korean martial arts. Hundreds of thousands of martial artists practice the art around the world. The following is a brief history of Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan. We compiled this information from the many writings of the Grand Master of Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan.

The modern martial art of Tang Soo Do is more than 50 years old. It began when Grand Master Hwang Kee began teaching it in Seoul, Korea in the fall of 1945. He mastered Soo Bahk Do and Tae Kyun by the age of 22. In 1936, Master Kee traveled to northern China where he encountered a Chinese variation of martial artistry called the Tang Method. He studied the Tang Method of Kung Fu from 1936-1945 and combined it with Soo Bahk Do to develop what he would call Tang Soo Do. Grand Master Hwang Kee has been the driving force behind the spread of Tang Soo Do throughout the world. He continues to head the Moo Duk Kwan from his headquarters in Seoul, Korea.

The Moo Duk Kwan was one of the main schools of martial arts at the end of the Japanese occupation of Korea in August of 1945. Hwang Kee was the founder. Other major Korean martial arts schools in 1945 were Yon Moo Kwan, YMCA Kwon Pup, Chung Do Kwan and Song Moo Kwan. Member styles of the original schools expanded to many in Korea by 1950. They included Mook Duk Kwan, Ji Do Kwan, Yon Moo Kwan, Han Moo Kwan, Kang Duk Won, Kang Moo Kwan, Cheong Moo Kwan, Chong Do Kwan, Chong Kyong Kwan, Kuk Moo Kwan, O Do Kwan and Song Moo Kwan.

Tang Soo Do (also called Soo Bahk Do) is the name Hwang Kee uses for the original form of weaponless fighting. The Grand Master wrote, "The history of Tang Soo Do is perpetual. It is difficult to indicate where it was started or who was the first person who originally practiced it." Tang Soo Do was practiced during the Kokuryo Dynasty (37-668 A.D.), the Silla Dynasty (668-935 A.D.), the Koryo Dynasty (935-1392 A.D.) and Yi Dynasty (1392-1907 A.D.) The Japanese occupied Korea from 1907-1945 and did not allow the open practice of Korean martial arts. Tang Soo Do was practiced in private during the Japanese occupation. Hwang Kee introduced a modern version of ancient Tang Soo Do in 1945. Modern Tang Soo Do derives its hardness from Soo Bahk Do and its softness from northern Chinese Kung Fu. Grand Master Kee said his art is 60% Soo Bahk Do, 30% northern Chinese Kung Fu and 10% southern Chinese Kung Fu.

Hwang Kee also incorporated some of the foot techniques of Tae Kyun in modern Tang Soo Do. Tae Kyun was a style of fighting that developed toward the end of the Yi Dyansty. It employed only foot techniques. Hwang Kee wrote that Tae Kyun was a form of street fighting and lacked mental discipline.

Other martial arts practiced at the end of the Yi Dynasty included Sip Pal Ki, Sam Sip Yuk Ki, Sip Pal Ban, Sip Pal Jip, Sam Sip Yuk Jip, Sip Pal Jong, Sam Sip Yuk Jong and Tang Soo Do. The martial art of Sip Pal Ki included 18 military weapons which included the staff, sword and spear.

Ancient Tang Soo Do was practiced in China as well as Korea. It was widespread during the age of Chun Chu (about 2,700 years ago). The ancient document "Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji" called the martial art of China "Soo Bahk Ki." Chun Chu preceded the Han Dynasty. Soo Bahk Ki expanded during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.), the Yang Dynasty (220-618 A.D.), the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), and the Song Dynasty (907-1126 A.D.).

Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan means "a brotherhood and school of stopping inner and outer conflict and developing virtue according to the way of the worthy hand." Some have shortened the definition to "Art of the knife hand." Here is what Grand Master Kee said about his art: "It is not a sport. Though it is not essentially competitive, it has great combat applications. It is a classical martial art, and its purpose is to develop every aspect of the self, in order to create a mature personality who totally integrates his intellect, body, emotions, and spirit. This total integration helps to create a person who is free from inner conflict and who can deal with the outside world in a mature, intelligent, forthright, and virtuous manner."

A brief History of Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan

The martial art of TANG SOO DO is relatively modern. However, its basis, the Korean art of Soo Bahk Do, dates back many centuries. Tang Soo Do is a composite style, being 60% Soo Bahk Do, 30% northern Chinese, and 10% southern Chinese. Our kicking techniques, for which Tang Soo Do is unsurpassed, are based on Soo Bahk. Soo Bahk was first developed during the Silla Dynasty (618-935 A.D.), but enjoyed its flowering during the Koryo Dynasty (935-1392 A.D.).

Tang Soo Do is both a hard and soft style, deriving its hardness in part from Soo Bahk and its soft flowing movements from the northern Chinese systems.

The man who developed Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan, Grandmaster Hwang Kee, is a Martial arts prodigy, having mastered Tae Kyun (another Korean system not related to Tae Kwan Do ) and Soo Bahk Do at the age of 22. At that time, (1936) He traveled to northern China. There he encountered a Chinese variation of martial artistry called the Tang Method. From 1936 to 1945 he combined Soo Bahk Do with the Tang Method and developed what was to be known as Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan.

Anyone who has studied with the Grandmaster knows how demanding he is. (He Was once heard to have said: "If you want to do front and reverse punches right, you must spend ten hours a day, six days a week for three years doing nothing else.")

History of Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do

Tang Soo Do's roots date back to 6th century Korea during the rule of the SillaDynasty. This kingdom was protected by an order of warriors called the Hwarang (loosely translated meaning "flower of manhood). The Hwarang warriors were trained in several skills including archery, weapons fighting, horse-back riding, and unarmed combat. This system of armed and unarmed combat (commonly called Hwarang-do, but not necessarily the same as present-day Hwarang-do practice) influenced all martial art systems on the Korean continent.

Subsequently, a martial artist named Hwang Kee studied a traditional Korean martial art called Soo Bakh Do. He also studied other martial arts including Northern and Southern Shaolin Kung Fu. From his studies of these martial arts, Hwang Kee (now a Grandmaster) synthesized these systems into one. Grandmaster Hwang Kee named his style of martial art Moo Duk Kwan (meaning "Institute of Martial Virtue") Tang Soo Do (meaning "Way of the China hand.").

In 1945, Grandmaster Hwang Kee formed the Korean Tang Soo Do Association in Seoul, Korea. However, in 1960, Grandmaster Kee changed the name of this association to the Korean Soo Bahk Do Association. However, Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do remained through other organizations. Today, through the work of many pioneers, Tang Soo Do has spread throughout the world.

Meaning & History of Tang Soo Do

Meaning of Tang Soo Do

Literally translated, the word "Tang" means T'ang Dynasty of China, which reflects the shared cultural background between China and Korea (617 - 907 AD). "Soo" means hand, but it implies fist, punch, strike, or defense, etc. "Do" means way of life or art. Thus "Tang Soo Do" means the Korean classical martial art which legendarily was influenced by the T'ang method of martial art.

Origin

The exact origin of Tang Soo Do, as well as any martial art in general, is obscure, although there are a number of historical theories. However, the most credible and traditional view is that martial arts originated not in any one country but in almost all parts of the globe, as they were needed by primitive people.

Development in Early Ages

The ancestral art of Korean Tang Soo Do can be traced back to the period of the three kingdoms. At that time, Korea was divided into three kingdoms. Koguryo was founded 37 BC in northern Korea. The Silla Dynasty was founded in 57 BC in the southeast peninsula, and Paekche was founded in 18 BC. After a long series of wars, the Silla Dynasty united the three kingdoms in 668 AD. During this period of time, the primitive martial arts were very popular in warfare. This is evident by mural paintings, ruins, and remains which depicted Tang Soo Do in those days. Among the three kingdoms, the Silla Dynasty was most famous for its development of martial arts. A corps formed by young aristocrats, called "Hwa Rang Dan," was the major group who developed those arts. These warriors were instrumental in unifying the peninsula as the new Silla Dynasty (668 AD - 935 AD) and furnished many of the early leaders of the dynasty. Most Korean martial arts trace their spiritual and technical heritage to this group. The names of some groups and arts reflect this, such as Hwa Rang Do or Hwa Doo Do.

Medieval Development

The Unified Silla Kingdom was overthrown by a warlord, Wang Kun, in 918 AD, and a new kingdom called "Koryo" lasted for 475 years. In 1392 AD, the new kingdom, Yi Dynasty, succeeded and lasted about 500 years. Approximately a thousand year period elapsed between the two dynasties. Tang Soo Do became very popular with the general public. In those days it was called Kwon Bop, Tae Kyun, Soo Bahk, Tang Soo, etc. The very first complete martial art book was written at this time. This most important book is called "Moie Dobo Tongji." It was written in 1790 AD and contained illustrations that substantiate the theory that "Soo Bahk Ki," the formal name for Tang Soo Do, had quickly developed into a sophisticated art of combat techniques.

Modern History

The subsequent occupation of Korea by the Japanese military regime took place from 1909 to 1945. During this period, practicing and teaching of martial arts was restricted. After World War II, 1945, this restriction was lifted. Several martial arts training schools were erected at that time as follows:

O    Moo Duk Kwan,   by Hwang Kee
o     Chi Do Kwan,       by Kwai Byung, Yun
o     Chung Do Kwan,   by Duk Sung, Son
o     Song Moo Kwan,   by Byung Jik, No
o     Chang Moo Kwan, by Nam Suk, Lee
o     Yun Moo Kwan,    by Sang Sup, Chun

The founders started to organize their own organizations respectively, and Master Hwang Kee organized the "Korean Soo Bahk Do Association" on November 9, 1945. Besides the Soo Bahk Do Association's existence in Korea, there were various types of other martial arts called "Kong Soo" or "Tae Soo." In 1965 all of these various systems were united into one organization called the "Korean Tae Kwon Do Association," and the art was called "Tae Kwon Do" uniformly. As a Korean national sport, Tae Kwon Do initiated a new era and instructors were dispatched throughout the world, and international tournaments were held. In those days, Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do were divided with Tang Soo Do striving to remain as a traditional martial art while Tae Kwon Do held its world games and sports.

History of Tang Soo Do
Early traces: Three Kingdoms Period

The rich history surrounding the martial arts is deeply imbedded in the early development of the nation of Korea. Speculation is, that in its earliest form, Tang Soo Do was practiced by unarmed peasant farmers for defense against attacking marauders, both man... and beast.

The Koguryo Kingdom. The first documented evidence that the martial arts were practiced in Korea dates from the Three Kingdoms period. A wall painting in a tomb which dates to the kingdom of Koguryo (37 B.C. - 66 A.D.) located in North Korea, shows two figures engaged in sparring. The hand and foot positions of these figures resembles elements of Tang Soo Do hyungs practiced today.

The Paekje & The Silla Kingdoms. Literature from the Kingdom of Paekje (18 B.C. - 600 A.D.) provides evidence that unarmed combat skills were practiced by commoners as well as military personnel. It was, however, in the Kingdom of Silla, (57 B.C. - 936 A.D.) located in the extreme southeastern Korean peninsula, that the martial art of Tang Soo Do had its genesis. Silla held control of the three kingdoms for over 300 years.

The Hwa Rang Do

A military, educational and social organization founded by King Jin Heung (Silla Dynasty) and called the Hwa Rang Do was very instrumental in the unification of the three kingdoms. Members of the Hwa Rang Do followed a Well Honor Code pledging loyalty to friends, parents and nation. The code also delineated that members would exercise courage in battle, but prudence in violence against another. This code of honor remains the philisophical backbone of Tang Soo Do today. The Hwa Rang Do trained in all forms of military combat and personal defense. Weaponless fighting, or Soo Bahk Do, was refined, developed and standardized as a part of physical and military training within the Hwa Rang Do.

The Koryo Dynasty. During the Koryo Dynasty (935 A.D. - 1392 A.D.) the study of Soo Bahk Do (the precursor of Tang Soo Do) reached widespread popularity and the martial arts matured to become a robust element of the Korean military and social infrastructure. Techniques were studied as a science. Standardized patterns of moves were framed into a systematized taxonomy and nomenclature by the leading masters at that time. Military men and Soo Bahk Do masters were invited by the royal family to give public demonstrations to illustrate the level of national support given to the martial arts at this time.

The Yi Dynasty: The Muye Dobu Tongji. The Yi Dynasty established its rule in 1392. Confucianism was introduced as the state religion, replacing Buddhism. The strong emphasis on military training and fitness was abandoned in favor of a sedentary lifestyle. The ruling class, led by King Taejo, adopted Confucian guidelines in their political and cultural outlook as well as their personal lives. These guidelines placed emphasis on the pursuit of literature, music, and the arts in contrast to physical activity. Military leaders and martial arts masters were reduced in social stature and were not given support to continue the development of combat skills. This lasted for almost four centuries, until the rule of King Chongjo.

King Chongjo revived the dormant martial arts institution and in 1790, ordered the military general, Lee Duk Mu, to prepare an official text on all martial arts forms which were being practiced in Korea. This volume, known as Muye Dobu Tangji, is considered the classic reference text among Korean martial artists. The Muye Dobu Tongji employed codified illustrations and narrative which helped to promote and create benchmark criteria for the execution of various striking and blocking techniques.

The silent years. The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were unremarkable as far as the martial arts were concerned. There was no organized framework to promote the martial arts. Training in Soo Bahk Do was decentralized. Techniques were handed from father to son or master to student in family settings and in secrecy. The Yi Dynasty came to a close in 1909, with the Japanese occupation of Korea. The practice of military techniques was banned as the Japanese attempted to destroy those institutions which gave Korea its national and cultural identity. The early 1900s were extremely trying for students and teachers of Soo Bahk Do. They were forced to go underground to continue practicing their skills and the survival of Soo Bahk Do as a combat system is a monument to the perseverence of the many masters and students who lived through this difficult and turbulent era.

The birth of modern Tang Soo Do. The liberation of Korea in 1945, created the climate for development of the Korean martial arts as we know them today. The modern martial art of Tang Soo Do originated in the fall of 1945, under the leadership of Grand Master, Hwang Kee. Master Kee had traveled into northern China (1936 - 1945) where he was introduced to the Tang Method of Kung Fu. Grand Master Kee incorporated elements of the ancient Tang method into traditional Soo Bahk Do routines. Korean Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan was then instituted and continues to this day, under Grand Master Hwang Kee, who is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. www.bluelightning.com

Tang Soo Do

Tang Soo Do, "The way of the Chinese hand", is a Korean martial art which incorporates mostly open hand and foot self defense techniques. It was originally developed out of the post W.W.II era when many different Korean styles came back into existence after having been suppressed by the Japanese during their occupation of Korean. In 1965, these styles were unified by the Korean government and renamed "The Korean Tae Kwon Do Association". Tae Kwon Do became very popular and was soon adopted by the Korean Government as it's national sport. Tae Kwon Do became an officially recognized Olympic sport in 1962. Some Korean traditionalists wanted to preserve the original self defense aspects of Tae Kwon do without having any sport influence. They decided to name their new style Tang Soo Do which continues to flourish today. Copyright 1998 www.MartialArts.Net

A Brief History of Soo Bahk (Do) {Hee/Ki} and its
Traditional Value to the Moo Duk Kwan Practitioners

According to the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji, the name "Bahk" originated in the age of Chun Chu (2700 years ago) and the name "Soo Bahk" originated during the Jon Han Dynasty in China (2200 years ago). This is the oldest reference to any martial art name in Korea, based on the historical documentation available at the present time. Numerous descriptions of the name "Soo Bahk" were recorded in the historical documentation and wall painting of tombs since the Han Dynasty (2000 years ago) and through the Koku Ryo, Silla, and Ko Ryo Dynasties and down to the Yi Dynasty (600 years ago).

As we discussed earlier, the name "Soo Bahk" was first used about 2200-2700 years ago in the age of Chun Chu in China; however, "Soo Bahk Ki" seems to have been more actively known and practiced in the Ko Ku Ryo Dynasty (2000 years ago), Ko Ryo Dynasty (1000 years ago), and Yi Dynasty (600 years ago) of Korea. It is hard to conclude where Soo Bahk Do originated, considering the historical information to support the fact that at one time Manchuria, San Dong Song, and Hwang Hae Ahn of China were Korean territories. This was during the Eun Dynasty, which is even before the age of Chun Chu. Because of these interrelationships, these areas of China have customs similar to Korea, even at this time. When we consider these factors, Soo Bahk influence may have spread from Korea to China during that time. Although available research and historical documentation have not clarified the specific origination of Soo Bahk, we understand that Soo Bahk is a truly Korean traditional art. Soo Bahk has the only bare hand and foot martial techniques that were handed down from the Ko Ku Ryo Dynasty (2000 years ago) to today.

There was a period of 36 years (1910-1945) when all dimensions of Korean traditional culture expression were prohibited due to the Japanese occupation. No one knew about the existence of Soo Bahk for nearly a half century during the Japanese occupation. Korea finally became an independent country as World War II ended on August 15, 1945. Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee discovered Soo Bahk in the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji in 1957. This was the rebirth of Soo Bahk as a Korean traditional martial art. He spent long and arduous hours of study in order to make possible the rebirth of Soo Bahk for the martial art practitioners of the world. He developed the Soo Bahk Do System for us to study through the Moo Duk Kwan as a living art, and he has helped us to become connected with our long and proud heritage.

The Kwan Jang Nim realized the importance and value of "Soo Bahk" and he named it "Soo Bahk Do" and started its promotion in 1957. In November 1959, he applied to the Ministry of Education in Korea for incorporation under the name of the "Korean Soo Bahk Do Association." The Korean Soo Bahk Do Association was formally registered as a corporation with the Korean Government on June 30, 1960 and has continuously fulfilled its mission.

A brief History of Moo Duk Kwan Soo Bahk Do
(Korean Martial Art)

First it is important to understand that Soo Bahk Do is the Art you are now studying, and Moo Duk Kwan is the style. Soo Bahk Do is the technical side; the Moo Duk Kwan is the philosophical side of "Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan". The name "Bahk" originated in the age of Chun Chu (2700 years ago) according to the Moo Yei Dobo Tong Ji (One of the oldest records of Korea's martial arts) Soo Bahk Do (combat with bare hands and feet) is the only Korean martial art handed down from the Ko Ku Ryo Dynasty, thereby making it the oldest Korean martial art (aprox. 2,000 years old)

What is Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan?

Translated literally, Moo Duk Kwan means "Institute of Martial Virtue". It is the scientific use of the body in methods of self-defense, combined with a strict philosophy guiding the practitioner towards discovering their full potential. Soo Bahk Do forges a body towards gaining ultimate use of its faculties through intensive physical and mental training. It is an art of self-defense and philosophy that's secrets cannot be bought at any price other than serious and rigorous training. It is an art tempered on the lawns of Buddhist monasteries, against the steel of wandering bandits and on the fields of combat, its history is a long and honorable one, and you are now part of it.

What are the origins of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan?

In Korea the indigenous arts of self defense (Soo Bahk Ki and Tae Kyun) we combined with other fighting principles (Northern and Southern Chinese Kung Fu) and moral guidelines such as the philosophy of Do (Tao), No Ja (Lao Tzu) and Lee Do Ja (Confucius)by Grandmaster Hwang Kee into what is now known as Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan. This combination of techniques and philosophy resulted in the development of a form of self-defense and mental conditioning unrivaled in the modern world. The founder of the Moo Duk Kwan, Grandmaster created the Moo Duk Kwan on November 9th 1945. Grand Master Hwang Kee was first inspired to study the Martial arts in 1921 when he was about seven years old. At a traditional Festival called "Dan O" he was visiting a nearby village, where they had archery, wrestling and many other festivities. As Grand Master was enjoying the festival a group of seven or eight men had a dispute with another man. Suddenly the group of men attacked the lone man, who began evading and counter attacking with his feet, eventually defeating the group of men. This ability to defend oneself against several attackers so impressed Grand Master that at that moment he knew he wanted to learn the martial arts. Several years Grand Master Hwang Kee studied and researched every available source, and at the age of 22 he was recognized as a Master among other martial artists. In May of 1935 Grand Master began working for the Korean Railroad Company which allowed him to travel. In May of 1936 he met a Chinese Kung Fu master named Yang, Kuk Jin. Grand Master trained with Master Yang until 1946, at that time China became a communist country. The training consisted of Seh Bop (postures), Bo Bop (steps), Ryun Bop (conditioning) and Hyung (Forms) with their applications. November 9th 1945 Grandmaster Hwang Kee founded the Moo Duk Kwan. The basic ideal of the Moo Duk Kwan is the development of its participants. Strong individuals in Spirit and Body make strong communities, strong communities make strong nations, and strong and peaceful nations make a strong and peaceful world.

What makes Soo Bahk Do different from other styles?

There are many fine styles of martial arts, two of the many things that separate your art (Soo Bahk Do) from all other arts and make it unique, are its versatility and philosophy. Because ancientKorea was constantly attacked by both Japan and China,Soo Bahk Dobecame versatile out of necessity, the result being an art which demands mastery of the whole body, not just kicking and punching. Challenging techniques ranging from quick and spontaneous movements to slow graceful flowing movements gives not only variety but also challenges everyone. Second, many styles teach effective self-defense and fighting principles but Soo Bahk Do offers much more than just that. Learning fighting techniques without a strong philosophy is to burden society with more dangerous people. We use Soo Bahk Do to realize our full potential and emphasize "Virtue in action" demonstrating courage, discipline, confidence and humility through our sincere efforts in training and our behavior towards others. You won't just hear our philosophy you'll see it in action. THIS is what makes Soo Bahk Do VERY DIFFERENT