The History of Tang Soo Do
Goguryeo was founded in 37 BCE in northern Korea. The Silla Dynasty was founded in 57 BCE in the southeast peninsula. The third kingdom, Baekje (sometimes written “Paekche”) was founded in 18 BCE. After a long series of wars, the Silla Dynasty united the three kingdoms in 668 CE. During this period, the primitive martial arts (including an art known as Subak) were very popular as a method of self-defense in warfare. Among the three kingdoms, the Silla Dynasty was most famous for its development of martial arts. A corps composed of a group of young aristocrats who were called “Hwarang” (화랑) was the major force behind the development of the art. These warriors were instrumental in unifying the Korean peninsula under the new Silla Dynasty (668 – 935 CE). Many of the early leaders of that dynasty were originally members of the Hwarang. Most Korean martial arts trace their spiritual and technical heritage to this group.
The Moo Duk Kwan Story
The Japanese Occupation - 1910 to 1945
It was a difficult time when the only martial arts allowed in Korea were Kendo and Judo. The Grandmaster studied and trained on his own from 1921 until 1936. In 1936, while working with the railroad in Manchuria, he was introduced to a Chinese master, Master Yang with whom he trained until his return to Seoul in August of 1937.
In 1939, he began work with the Cho Sun Railway Bureau. There he had a library with many books on martial arts, particularly Okinawan Karate. Through the books, he studied this art which later influenced Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan and is evidenced in the Pyung Ahn forms as well as Bassai and Kong Sang Kun.
During the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910–1945), Korean culture, including military history and martial arts, were destroyed or heavily restricted, some Koreans were exposed to Okinawan martial arts such as Karate-Do. As the Japanese moved deeper into the continent, Karate was adopted and practiced from the philosophical perspective that reflected the traditional Korean martial arts such as taekkyeon and subak as well as traditional Chinese martial arts studied by Koreans in Manchuria and China.
The Development Period - 1945 – 1960
Around the time of the liberation of Korea in 1945, five martial arts schools called the Kwans were formed by men who were primarily trained in some form of karate, but also had exposure to taekkyeon and kungfu. The five prominent Kwans (and respective founders) were: Chung Do Kwan (Lee Won Kuk), Jidokwan (Chun Sang Sup), Chang Moo Kwan (Lee Nam Suk and Kim Soon Bae), Moo Duk Kwan (Hwang Kee), and Song Moo Kwan (Ro Byung Jik). These schools taught what most Americans know as “Korean Karate.” However, there were some philosophical differences in technique application and more of an emphasis on kicking in the Tang Soo Do Jido/Chung Do/Chang Moo/Moo Duk/Song Moo Kwan systems.
Around 1953, shortly after the Korean War, four more annex Kwans formed. These 2nd generation kwans and their principle founders were: Oh Do Kwan (Choi Hong Hi and Nam Tae Hi), Han Moo Kwan (Lee Kyo Yoon), Kang Duk Won (Park Chul Hee and Hong Jong Pyo) and Jung Do Kwan (Lee Young Woo). In 1955, these arts, at that time called various names by the different schools, were ordered to unify by South Korea’s President Syngman Rhee. A governmental body selected a naming committee’s submission of “Taekwondo” as the name. Both Sun Duk Song and Choi Hong Hi claim to have submitted the name.
With the end of Japan's occupation, the Grandmaster was free to pursue the development of his art according to his vision. On November 9, 1945 he founded the Moo Duk Kwan and named his art Hwa Soo Do (art of the flowering hand). Unfortunately, it was not immediately popular so it struggled to gain and keep students. He later met Won Kuk Lee, the founder of Chung Do Kwan, whose art was Tang Soo Do. Lee had trained in Karate in Japan, was very successful and had many more students than the Moo Duk Kwan. Because Tang Soo Do had a more recognizable name, it was better received by the public. The Grandmaster decided to combine it with his Hwa Soo Do and what he learned from the Okinawan books. In 1947 he began teaching his new art of Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan to the public.
At the start of the Korean War in 1950 the development of the art was again disrupted until the war's end in 1953, when the Kwan Jang Nim returned to Seoul to continue his work. He leased his first commercial space in 1955 and it grew to be known as the legendary "Joong Ang Do Jang".
As the Moo Duk Kwan's popularity grew, more dojangs sprang up. The Moo Duk Kwan system was taught in schools, to the police and the military, both at the Naval & Air Force Academy of Korea and the Republic Of Korea Air Force Academy where the Grandmaster taught personally.
In 1957, Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan was first introduced to U.S. servicemen. Classes were held at the U.S. 8th Army's Trent Gym in Yong San, Seoul. By 1960 it had spread to five other U.S. military bases which led to introduction of Tang Soo Do in the U.S. by returning servicemen.
1957 was a pivotal year in another respect. During his research, the Kwan Jang Nim discovered a 300 year-old Korean manuscript called the "Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji" that documented Korean martial techniques known as Soo Bahk. This was a fortunate find as his vision was to have a truly Korean martial art and a traditional Korean martial arts organization. In Korea at that time there were only five original Kwans - Moo Duk Kwan (Hwang Kee), Yeon Moo Kwan (Yun, Kwei Byong), YMCA Kwon Bup Bu (Lee, Nam Suk), Chung Do Kwan (Shon, Duk Song), Song Moo Kwan (No, Byong Jik).
Ji Do Kwan, an offshoot of the Yeon Moo Kwan merged with the Moo Duk Kwan and on June 30, 1960 they were officially registered as the Korean Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Association, with Grandmaster Hwang Kee as its head.
More Difficult Times - 1961 to 1966
1961 marked the beginning of another round of hardship for the Moo Duk Kwan. On May 16th, a military revolution led by Lt. General Chong Hee Park took place. The Grandmaster was removed as instructor for the ROK Air Force base and the national police, and was prohibited from publishing his monthly publication, Moo Yei Si Bo. Between 1961 and 1965, operation of the the Association became very difficult as the government exercised great political control over it.
In 1964 the Korean Tae Soo Do Association was formed, which in 1965 became the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association. Due to its political influences, the Tae Kwon Do group, led by its second President, General Choi, Hong Hee, tried to unify it with the Korean Soo Bahk Do Association. Kwan Jang Nim's organization was the largest of any martial arts system in Korea at the time. Grandmaster Hwang Kee agreed to discuss unification, but when it became clear that the move was designed to gain control over his organization, he ultimately refused. The result was a weakening of the Moo Duk Kwan as the Tae Kwon Do movement grew in strength, absorbing many Moo Duk Kwan members in the process.
In 1965 and again in 1966, the Kwan Jang Nim won two legal battles that would allow him to run his organization without interference and thereby work to rebuild his organization. As a testament to the Grandmaster's perseverance in the face of great adversity, Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do) is today practiced in 45 countries around the world.
Moo Do
Because it is a classical martial art, the goal of Tang Soo Do is the development and unification of three basic elements - body, mind and spirit. Our effectiveness as martial artists as well as our success in life comes from a deep understanding of each of these three aspects of our nature as human beings. Through serious, dedicated and honest training we come to recognize our strengths and weaknesses, learn to face our fears and eliminate the limiting obstacles from our lives. More important, we discover how to isolate and harness the limitless power of "Ki" or "Chi" that resides and flows within each of us.
Attaining this higher level of being is a lifelong task that requires single-minded dedication, perseverance and proper preparation through instruction. This is what separates Tang Soo Do from other activities or sports. It is a way of life. The concept of "Do" - literally meaning "the way" is the goal of each martial artist. It is not only the understanding of the right way to execute physical techniques, but the correct way to act and react in life's situations, and the strength of character and conscience to lead a virtuous, balanced life.
"Do" is the journey to create this better life for ourselves, and in so doing, create better families, communities and societies. In Tang Soo Do we have available to us valuable training guidelines such as the Eight Key Concepts and Ten Articles of Faith on Mental Training. These in turn revolve around the concept of "Moo Do", which translates to stopping inner and outer conflict, and is central to our art.
The actual processes that take place in us during training to effect these changes is complex, but here is an overly-simplified view of how Tang Soo Do affects the three basic human elements.
BODY
First, the body is trained to execute a variety of physical techniques such as correct stances, stepping, punching and kicking, with the complexity of each increasing over time. Techniques are then practiced as pre-set routines to develop good form, and as drills to develop speed, power, balance, and timing. As a result, the body begins to experience profound changes in flexibility, circulation, endurance, coordination and strength. Technical competence and increased physical health are gained at this level.
MIND
As the body acclimates to the physical movements, the mind is trained through increased mental focus for the proper execution and refinement of the techniques. Beginning students will notice improved concentration and awareness, while more advanced practitioners begin to channel this heightened awareness on controlling the body's metabolism and energy flow, particularly through proper breathing. The mind-set of proper training habits also becomes more apparent. Discipline and self-control are indicative of this level.
SPIRIT
The third element, development of the spirit, is perhaps the most difficult to quantify as it deals with more abstract personal qualities. It usually develops in later stages as the body and mind begin to exhibit greater unity. At this level, students display an increased sense of calm and mental balance characterized by self-confidence, self-respect, courage, humility and even compassion. Students become more aware of who they are, their accomplishments and the potential for continued growth and self-cultivation.
SUMMARY
Ultimately, we strive to merge body, mind and spirit so that struggle in our lives is replaced by an effortless flow which is evident in everything we do. This is the quality attributed to many Masters throughout history that have dedicated themselves to the "way" - that they moved as if they glided, that one felt their presence when they entered the room, or saw the kindness and compassion in their face, or that an opponent accepted defeat simply by looking into their eyes.
The Tang Soo Do Salute
The raised fist salute had its origin at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City as a symbol of unity and pride among African American athletes. There was widespread interpretation at that time as to the intended meaning but it is generally agreed that, in essence, it was a statement of solidarity - one that bound people together in a common cause.
During the late 60s and early 70s, with the influx of American servicemen at the Osan Air Base in South Korea, people from all walks of life from the U.S. and Korea were now thrust together in a new melting pot. This was especially evident among Tang Soo Do students at the base dojang. Naturally, this coming together of diverse individuals stimulated regular displays of ethnic or national pride and the raised fist was once again used for that purpose.
It was at one of those times at the Tang Soo Do training hall that Grandmaster Darryl Khalid, then a beginning student, recalls he spontaneously raised his fist amid the other salutes that were taking place and yelled out "Tang Soo." The year was 1970 and on that day, the Tang Soo salute or "cheer" was born.
The effect was immediate, long lasting and significant in that to this day, it is used by students all over the world, regardless of nationality or affiliation, as a passionate expression of what unites and galvanizes us all as practitioners of our Art.
We thank and salute you Kwan Jang Nim Khalid. Tang Soo!!
Other Tang Soo Do Knowledge
5 Honor Codes
1. Loyalty to country
2. Obedience to parents and elders
3. Honor Friendship
4. No retreat in battle
5. In conflict, choose with sense and honor
The 7 Tenants of Tang Soo Do
1. Integrity
2. concentration
3. perseverance
4. respect and obedience
5. self-control
6. humility
7. indomitable spirit.
For historical reference, the nine virtues of the Hwa Rang were:
1. Humanity
2. Justice
3. Courtesy
4. Wisdom
5. Trust
6. Goodness
7. Virtue
8. Loyalty
9. Courage
10 articles of faith
1. Loyalty to one's country
2. Loyalty to one's parents
3. Trust and brotherhood among friends
4. Courage never to retreat in the face of the enemy
5. Justice never to take a life without cause
6. Be loving between husband and wife
7. Be respectful to your elders
8. Be faithful between teacher and student
9. Be cooperative between brothers
10. Always finish what you start