| The history of Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan is a complicated one. The system of Moo Duk Kwan was started by Grandmaster Hwang Kee in about 1945. The art of Tang Soo Do, which was originally termed Soo Bahk Do was mastered by Grandmaster Hwang by the time he was 23. The art of Tang Soo Do is both hard and soft, internal and external, Um and Yang. It derives its softness from Northern and Southern Chinese Kung Fu, and it develops its linear power from both Tae Kyun and Soo Bahk Ki. Tae Kyun and Soo Bahk Ki are both Korean Arts, which can be traced back to the early history of Korea, and the Silla, Koryo, and Kokuryo Dynasties. Practiced by the Hwa Rang, and the nobility of Korea, this practice continued for many years, allowing Soo Bahk Ki, and Tae Kyun to flourish. During this time period, Buddhist monks from China introduced Kung Fu to the Korean nobility, allowing the Koreans to incorporate Kung Fu into Soo Bahk Ki and Tae Kyun. During the Japanese occupation of Korea, Koreans were only allowed to practice Japanese martial arts, such as Shotokan and Ishin Ryu Karate. In secret, the Korean people incorporated many of the Japanese techniques into their own martial art, to give it the resemblance of Japanese arts in order to be able to practice in public. In 1945, Grandmaster Hwang Kee founded the Moo Duk Kwan, or School of Martial Virtue. Incorporating the techniques of Soo Bahk Do, Tae Kyun,, Chinese Kung Fu, Shotokan Karate, and Hapkido, Grandmaster Hwang then termed the art Tang Soo Do, and began teaching after the Japanese occupation. Under Grandmaster Jae Joon Kim, the art of Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan flourishes today. Grandmaster Kim teaches the art as he was taught by Grandmaster Hwang Kee, in keeping the tradition and honor that Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan merits and the values of the art in respecting your country, elders, parents and friends, and being loyal to your family. |
