History of Tang Soo Do
It is widely agreed that most of the Asian martial arts that employ striking techniques (hand blows and kicks) share common roots in ancient China. These physical techniques were carried by various means from China to Okinawa, Japan, Korea and other countries. Consequently, the physical techniques of the countless styles that have come to be generically known as "karate" are in many ways similar and sometimes indistinguishable. There may be subtle differences. For example, a Tae Kwon Do practitioner may employ more kicking techniques than a Shotokan stylist, or one style may execute hand blocks in a unique manner. But in the end, the differences are often not apparent. The true distinction of the various martial arts styles is found in the philosophies and cultures that were imposed upon the physical techniques in each country where they were developed. Thus, to know the history of Tang Soo Do, it is necessary to know the history of the unique Korean philosophy and culture that have become integrated with a set of blocks, hand strikes, kicks and forms that are an amalgamation of physical techniques practiced throughout Asia.
If the history of Tang Soo Do is measured by the origins of its philosophy, the art was born during Korea's Silla Dynasty, which lasted from 668 to 935 A.D. The guiding philosophy of Tang Soo Do is based on a five-element code that was followed by an elite group of Silla's scholars and warriors called the Hwa Rang Do (flowering youth). The code, which is a blend of Confucian and Buddhist principles, required that the Hwa Rang Do: 1. remain loyal to the sovereign; 2. demonstrate filial piety; 3. honor relationships with friends and comrades; 4. never retreat in battle; and 5. honor and protect life by refraining from killing unless there is no alternative. Modern Tang Soo Do codes are derived from these principles, each of which have considerable implications for how a practitioner must approach not only his/her practice of Tang Soo Do, but life in general.
Modern Tang Soo Do came into existence in the wake of a long period in Korea's history when martial arts were banned, first because of the dominance of Confucian opposition to physical combat, and later because of restrictions imposed during a protracted occupation of the Korean peninsula by the Japanese. As martial arts practice re-emerged after the occupation, a Korean man named Hwang Kee established a martial arts school called the Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan in 1945. There he provided instruction in a fighting system he devised that incorporated physical techniques he learned while in exile in China, and a set of pre-arranged simulated defensive and offensive movements called forms (or "hyungs") that were employed in karate styles, and that had their origins in China and Okinawa. His style was nevertheless uniquely Korean because of his adoption of the philosophy of the Hwa Rang Do and the influence of an ancient Korean kicking method called Tae Kyun on the execution of kicks. He later discovered an ancient Korean military manual called the Moo Yei Dobo Tong Ji that contained techniques that he incorporated into his art.
The Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan was one of many martial arts institutions that developed in Korea after World War II. At the strong urging of the Korean government, a movement to merge the different schools into a single official Korean martial art began during the 1950s. Hwang Kee resisted all calls to merge because of his commitment to maintaining a fully traditional martial art. He sensed that the new art that was to emerge would become more of a sport, and place an unacceptable emphasis on competition. With the ultimate emergence of Tae Kwon Do as the recognized Korean martial art, Hwang Kee began to teach his art in other countries.
Hwang Kee's school name (Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan) loosely translated means "The Way of the Tang Hand Virtuous Martial Arts Institute." Questions have been raised about the true reason for the apparent reference to China's Tang Dynasty. However, for many Tang Soo Do practitioners, it is regarded as an acknowledgment of China's contribution to not only Tang Soo Do, but Asia's empty hand fighting arts generally.
Today, Tang Soo Do is widely practiced on most continents, and it remains a fully traditional Korean martial art. The Moo Duk Martial Arts Institute is committed to maintaining the highest standards of Tang Soo Do and providing a traditional martial arts experience for its members.
- Master Mark P. Fancher