Tang Soo Do

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Tang Soo Do
Founder Hwang Kee
Ancestor arts Chang Sam Bong, So Rim Temple, Soo Bahk Do, Tang, Soo Bahk Do
Descendant arts Chung Do Kwan, Oh Do Kwan, Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan, Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan
Tang Soo Do
Hangul 당수도
Hanja 唐手道
Revised Romanization Dangsudo
McCune-Reischauer Tangsudo

Tangsoodo or Tang Soo Do is an empty handed, Korean martial art of self defense. For other uses see Tang Soo Do (disambiguation).

Contents

[edit] Name

Tang Soo Do (Hangul: 당수도) is the Korean pronunciation of the Chinese characters 唐手道. In Japanese, these characters mean "karate-do", but in contemporary Japanese karate-do is written with different characters (空手道). The Japanese pronunciation of both sets of characters is the same, but the newer version means "Way of the Empty Hand" rather than "Way of the T'ang (China) Hand", although it could also be interpreted as "Way of the China Hand".

Prior to the unification of the Kwans under the Korea Taekwondo Association, most of the major Kwans called their style Tang Soo Do, Kong Soo Do, or Kwon Bup. The first recorded use of the term "Tang Soo Do" in contemporary history was by Chung Do Kwan founder, Won Kuk Lee. The Chung Do Kwan, along with the rest of the Kwans, stopped using the name 'Tang Soo Do' and 'Kong Soo Do' when they unified under the name Taekwondo (and temporarily Tae Soo Do). The Moo Duk Kwan, being loyal to Hwang Kee, pulled out of the Kwan unification and remained independent of this unification movement, continuing to use the name 'Tang Soo Do'. Some Moo Duk Kwan members followed Hwang's senior student, Chong Soo Hong, to become members of a unified Taekwondo. Their group still exists today and is known as Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan (Moo Duk Hae) with an office in Seoul, Korea.

The late Hwang Kee officially changed the name of the Moo Duk Kwan style to Soo Bahk Do as early as 1957, shortly after his discovery of Korea's indigenous open hand fighting style of Subak. This change was officially registered, and the Moo Duk Kwan refiled with the Korean Ministry of Education on June 30, 1960. The organization was officially reincorporated as the "Korean Soo Bahk Do Association, Moo Duk Kwan."

Most schools of Tang Soo Do use the transcription "Tang Soo Do". However, scientific texts apply the official transcription 'tangsudo', written as one word. Some authors write "Tang Soo Do" and give "tangsudo" or "dangsudo" in the parenthesis.

[edit] Founder

The origin of Tang Soo Do can not be definitively traced to any single person. However, Lee Won Kuk is credited as being one of the first, if not the first, instructor of Tang Soo Do (Chung Do Kwan) in Korea. Lee Won Kuk had an established Dojang in Korea before Korea was liberated from Japanese occupation. He was a student of Funakoshi Gichin and had achieved Dan ranking in what is likely Karate Do Shotokan. Additionally, the history of the Moo Duk Kwan (from which the majority of all modern Tang Soo Do stylists trace their lineage) can be traced to a single founder: Hwang Kee.[1] Hwang Kee claimed to have learned Chinese martial arts while in Manchuria.[2] He also was heavily influenced by Japanese (Okinawan) Karate, and the indigenous Korean arts of Taekkyon (택견) and Subak. Hwang Kee also was highly influenced by a 1790 Korean book about martial arts called the Muye Dobo Tongji (武藝圖譜通志 / 무예도보통지).[3]

[edit] Early history

Much like Tae Kwon Do, historians have described ancient connections to Korean history to legitimize the art. According to texts published by Hwang Kee, the ancestral art of Korean Soo Bahk Do can be traced back to the period when Korea was divided into three kingdoms: Silla, Baekje, and Goguryeo.

Goguryeo was founded in 37 BC in northern Korea. The Silla Dynasty was founded in 57 BC in the southeast peninsula. The third kingdom, Baekje (sometimes written "Paekche") was founded in 18 BC.

Finally, after a long series of wars, the Silla Dynasty united the three kingdoms in 668 AD. During this period, the primitive martial arts (including an art known as Soo Bakh) were very popular as a method of self-defense in warfare. This is evident in the many mural paintings, ruins, and remains, which depict Taek kyon in those days. 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 "Hwa Rang Dan" (화랑단) 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 AD - 935 AD). Many of the early leaders of that dynasty were originally members of the Hwa Rang Dan. Most Korean martial arts trace their spiritual and technical heritage to this group. In fact, the names of some martial arts such as Hwa Soo Do, still reflect this origination.

The united Silla Kingdom was ultimately overthrown by a warlord, Wang Kun, in 918 AD. The new kingdom, Goryeo(koryo eg. korea), lasted for 475 years (918 AD - 1392 AD). During the Wang Dynasty, the "Hwa Rang Dan" became "Gook Sun Dul" or "Poong Wal Dul." "Gook Sun" or "Poong Wal" is considered as modern army general, each could have several hundreds to several thousands private armies to protect the country and the region. This system was later adapted by the Japanese and became the Samurai (Hangul: 랑인, Hanja: 郞人) system. In 1392, the Yi Dynasty succeeded the Goryeo kingdom. The Yi Dynasty remained intact for 500 years. During the 1000 year period of the Goryeo Kingdom and the Yi Dynasty, what we today know as Taek kyon was increasingly popular with the military. More importantly however, the art also became very popular with the general public. During this period, Taek kyon was referred to as Kwon Bop, Tae Kyun, Soo Bahk, Tang Soo and other names. The first complete martial arts book was written at this time, the "Mooyae Dobo Tongji". It was written in 1790 and its illustrations show that Taek kyon had developed into a very sophisticated art of combat. Although it was popular among the public, it was eventually banned by the Yi Dynasty due to fear of rebels. Therefore, the Korean traditional martial arts were taught as one teacher has only one student throughout the teacher's life. Students were thus forced into training in secret. Hwang Kee left Korea at this time and ventured into China. There he came into contact with Tai Chi-like art. Hwang Kee eventually incorporated the flowing and graceful motions of the Chinese system with the linear, strong movements of Soo Bahk and Karate Do and the diverse kicking of Taekkyon. This blend resulted into what is currently known as Soo Bahk Do (see below).

[edit] Recent History and Contemporary Nomenclature

During the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945), many Koreans were exposed to Japanese versions of Okinawan martial arts such as Karate Do. As the Japanese moved deeper into the continent, Karate Do was adopted and practiced from the philosophical perspective that reflected the traditional Korean martial arts such as Taekkyon, as well as traditional Chinese martial arts studied by Koreans in Manchuria and China.

Around the time of the liberation of Korea in 1945, five martial arts schools were formed by men who were mostly trained in early Karate Do Shotokan in Japan. They taught an art they called Kong Soo Do or Tang Soo Do (which were Korean pronunciations of Karate Do; "China hand way" or "empty hand way," depending on the school) and their schools were called the Kwans. The Kwans and their founders were the Chung Do Kwan (Lee Won Kuk), Jidokwan (Chun Sang Sup), Chang Moo Kwan (Yoon Byung In), Moo Duk Kwan (Hwang Kee), and Song Moo Kwan (Roh Byung Jick). These schools taught what most Americans know as "Korean Karate." Most accounts of early training at the various Tang Soo Do Kwans seem to be analogous to Karate Do, Shotokan. However, there were some important 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 Kwan (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 both claim to have submitted the name.

In 1959, the Korean Taekwondo Association (KTA) was formed in an attempt to unify the dozens of the kwans as one standardized system of Taekwondo. The first international tour of Taekwondo, by General Choi Hong Hi and Nam Tae Hi (founders of the Oh Do Kwan) and 19 black belts, was held in 1959. In 1960, Jhoon Rhee was teaching what he called Korean Karate (or Tang Soo Do) in Texas, USA. After receiving the ROK Army Field Manual (which contained martial arts training curriculum under the new name of Taekwondo) from General Choi, Rhee began using the name Taekwondo. There are still a multitude of contemporary Taekwondo schools in the United States that teach what is known as "Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan". This nomenclature reflects this government ordered Kwan merger. Modern Taekwondo schools with the Moo Duk Kwan lineage often practice the early Tang Soo Do curriculum, a curriculum that was more closely associated with Karate Do Shotokan.

Despite this unification effort, the kwans continued to teach their individual styles. For instance, Hwang Kee and a large constituent of the Moo Duk Kwan continued to develop a version Tang Soo Do that eventually became what is now known as "Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan". This modified version of Tang Soo Do incorporates more fluid "soft" movements reminiscent of certain traditional Chinese martial arts. Soo Bahk Do also retains many traditional Hyung that are rooted in Karate Do Shotokan and kicking techniques rooted in Korean Taekkyon. Other modern Tang Soo Do systems teach what is essentially Korean Karate-Do in an early organized form. The World Tang Soo Do Association and the International Tang Soo Do federation, for instance, teach systems of Tang Soo Do that existed before the Taekwondo "merger" and before the development of Soo Bahk Do. These versions of Tang Soo Do are heavily influenced by Korean culture and also appear related to Okinawan Karate Do as initially taught in Japan by Funakoshi Gichin. As mentioned above, the term "Tang Soo Do/Dang Soo Do" was initially a Korean pronunciation of "Karate Do" as used by the Japanese. It initially reflected historical origins of the art. However, the term "Tang Soo Do" (mostly in the United States and Europe) has evolved to currently describe a form of Karate Do that is distinctly Korean, but is different than both Taekwondo and Soo Bahk Do.

To restore national identity after the protracted occupation of Korea by Japanese forces, the Korean government ordered a single organization be created. On September 16, 1961, most Kwans agreed to unify under the name 'Korean Tae Soo Do Association'. The name was changed back to the "Korean Taekwondo Association" when General Choi became its president in August 1965. It should be noted that the founders of the various Tang Soo Do Kwans demonstrated enormous fortitude to become skilled Tang Soo Do practitioners and teachers during periods of war, strife, genocide and chaos.

Tang Soo Do continues to expand and flourish under numerous federations and organizations that, for various reasons, separated from the Moo Duk Kwan. It can be argued that Tang Soo Do is one of the most widely practiced martial arts in the United States, although no official census of martial arts practitioners exists. Due to political in-fighting and splintering, Tang Soo Do is not as unified as Tae Kwon Do. This splintering is unfortunate. Larger-scale cooperation between the major organizations (such as the World Tang Soo Do Association, the International Tang Soo Do Federation and Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan) would likely result in a more distinctive and professional traditionally competitive forum and more knowledgeable and skilled practitioners. Though there is no large unbrella organization for Tang Soo do practitioners, the Amateur Athletic Union Taekwondo recognizes Tang Soo Do ranks, permits Tang Soo Do hyung in competition and also hosts non-Olympic style point-sparring to accommodate traditional Korean stylists with various backgrounds.

[edit] Belt System

By and large, Tang Soo Do uses the colored belt system that was instituted by Jigoro Kano and first used in Karate Do by Funakoshi Gichin. However, minor deviations according to organization and/or individual school are commonplace. One differentiating characteristic of the style however, is that the traditional black belt is frequently replaced by a Midnight Blue Belt for students who attain Dan rank, although many schools and organizations opt to use the black belt. The reason for the midnight blue belt is due to the belief in Korean culture, that black symbolizes "Death", or a finishing point. Practitioners of Tang Soo Do believe that receiving ones black belt is another step, rather than the highest level of your training. Furthermore, Tang Soo Do incorporates a red-striped midnight blue (or black) belt to denote individuals who have reached the rank of Sabeomnim (사범님/師範님), or Master Instructor (usually awarded at Fourth Dan). The original belt colors established by Kwan Jang Nim were: 9th gup, white belt; 6th gup, green belt; 5th gup, green belt; 4th gup, green belt; 3rd gup, red belt; 2nd gup, red belt; and 1st gup, red belt. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd dan are all midnight blue belts. 4th, 5th, and 6th dan (considered master ranking) are midnight blue belts with a red strip down the center. In some organizations, 7th, 8th, and 9th dan (considered grand masters) are midnight blue belts with a red strip down the top of the belt and a red strip down the bottom. The 7th-10th dan ranking is signified as alternating red and white blocks (as in Judo) in the World Tang Soo Do Association. To become a grandmaster, (7th, 8th, or 9th dan), one of the requirements is; you must make an international impact concerning Tang Soo Do.

[edit] Kata, Forms, or Hyeong

There are several different Tang Soo Do organizations around the world, but they generally follow a similar course with regard to kata or hyeong. Most TSD hyeong are related by borrowing from Japanese/Okinawan kata, with the names often directly translated from the Japanese.

[edit] Gicho/Kicho Hyung

Some schools teach new students the gicho/kicho, "basic," hyeong:

  • (Gicho) Hyung Il Bu
  • (Gicho) Hyung Ee Bu
  • (Gicho) Hyung Sam Bu

The Giecho Hyung were developed as a basic, simple form for beginner learning the art of Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan. The symbol for the Giecho Hyung is a human baby learning to walk. The pattern is used in the increasingly complex forms that follow. These forms were used by the Grandmaster to teach applications of the basic moves and techniques. These forms are influenced by the Wa Ka Ryu style of southern China. These and the Pyung Ahn forms to follow are characterized by speed, aggressiveness, dynamic action, and quick reaction

[edit] Pyong Ahn Hyung

The pyong ahn/pyung ahn hyeong are a series of five forms cognate in many ways to the pinan kata series of karate. Creator: Mr. Idos, Okinawan Master Date: 1870 approximately Place: Ha Nam area of China (southern)

They are:

  • [edit] Pyung Ahn Cho Dan

    The first of the pyong ahn series, much of this form is a combination of gicho hyeong il bu and ee bu.

  • [edit] Pyung Ahn Ee Dan

    This hyeong is typically one count/technique longer than the other low-rank forms, due to one of its techniques, a side kick, which is performed in two counts, the first to set up and the second to deliver. It is also one of the only low-level hyeong to have a yell on the last move. The most-often used technique in this hyeong is the middle knife-hand block.

  • [edit] Pyung Ahn Sahm Dan

    The third of the pyong ahn series, this is also the shortest. While the forms before it involve an I-structure for movement, this form instead goes along an inverted T-structure, cutting out several counts. Its series of outside-inside kicks to sideways elbow strikes and hammerfist strikes is its most recognizable feature. It also ends with a yell.

  • [edit] Pyung Ahn Sah Dan

    This form starts out much like Pyong Ahn Ee Dan, except that where Pyong Ahn Ee Dan has closed fists on its first blocks, Pyong Ahn Sa Dan has open hands. It is cognate to the Shotokan kata Pinan Yondan.

  • [edit] Pyung Ahn Oh Dan

    Cognate to Pinan Godan, this is the final hyeong of the series, as well as the most involved.

Pyung means well balanced, calm,and peaceful and Ahn means safe, confident, and comfortable. These forms were reorganized from their original style(called "Jae-Nam") in approximately 1870 to their present style. These forms show the influence of the southern China martial art style.

The Pyung Ahn Hyung are often refferred to as the "turtle forms". The turtle is well balanced, calm, and peaceful(pyung) and with its shell as its major means of defence, the turtle likely feels safe, confident, and comfortable (ahn).

[edit] Naihanchi/Naebojin/Keema hyeong

The Keema hyeong series are borrowed from the naihanchi series of karate, and in fact some schools use the name Naihanchi for these forms. The level at which they are taught varies, but their difficulty and technicality means that they are most often reserved for red/black belts, though not always directly after each other. Hwang Kee assigned the Horse to represent the form. They are:

  • Naihanchi Cho Dan
  • Naihanchi Ee Dan
  • Naihanchi Sam Dan

[edit] Bassai/Passai/Palche/Bal Sak hyeong

Creator: Unknown (taken from the So Rim Sah- a southern Chinese style) Date: Mid to late 16th century Place: Ha Nam (southern area of China)

The original name of this form was Pal Che. Pal means "the selection of the best choice". and can also mean "fast". Che means "collect". The symbol for Passai is the cobra (striking viciously). The movement of this form are selected from the most famous and effective movements of So Rim Sah ( a southern Chinese style temple). The fast, light and active characteristics of this form show the influence from the southern Chinese style of martial arts.

[edit] Kong Sang Koon hyeong

For Kong Sang Koon hyeong see: Kong Sang Koon

[edit] Sip Soo/Ship Soo hyeong

Meaning "Ten Hands," Ship Soo (or Sip Soo, depending on the Romanization) is cognate to the karate kata Jitte, though there are differences. Traditionally, this hyeong contains only hand techniques (it's name can be taken to mean "all hands"), but some styles of TSD do include kicking techniques. Its variations are many, and depend on the school, as with all hyeong. This form supposedly represents the bear.

[edit] Chinto/Jindo/Jinte hyeong

Jinte is a typically high-rank hyeong, whose hanja can be read as "Battle East". The hyeong requires balance with one legged techniques, and is often seen at tournament hyeong competitions. The one legged techniques relate to the animal representation of the form, the crane or stork.

ITF Tang Soo Do refers to the form as Jintae, instead of Chinto or Jindo.

[edit] Chil Sung and Yuk Ro hyeong

These two series of hyeong were created by Grandmaster Hwang Kee, who founded the Moo Duk Kwan organization.

[edit] Il Soo Sik

One Step sparring techniques that are best described as a chorographed pattern of defense against the single step of an attack.

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.soobahkdo.com/fed-web/art-history.htm History of Hwang Kee
  2. ^ Hwang 1995
  3. ^ Introduction of Tang Soo Do (Korean). 국제당수도연맹.
  • Complete Tang Soo Do Vol. 1 From White Belt to 1st Degree Black Belt GM. Ho Sik Pak, Jack Pistella, and designed by Ursula Escher
  • Complete Tang Soo Do Vol. 2 From 2nd Degree Black Belt to 6th Degree Black Belt GM H S Pak, Jack Pistella, and designed by Ursula Escher
  • Byrne, Richard and Mitchell, Penny. This Is Tang Soo Do. Malden, MA:American Tang Soo Do Association. 2001. Library of Congress Control Number 2001116262
  • Hwang, K. (1995). History of Moo Duk Kwan celebrating the 50th anniversary, 1945-1995. United States: s.n.]. ISBN 0963135872.

[edit] See also

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