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Tang Soo Do means "the art of the knife hand" or "the
way of the Chinese hand." It contains characteristics of Chinese
internal methods and Japanese striking styles. Tang Soo Do is a
modern martial art and it's purpose is to develop every aspect
of the 'self' in order to produce a mature person who can totally
integrate his intellect, emotions, body and spirit.
Tang Soo Do, is not a sport and its primary goal is not a competitive
one. However, it does lend itself well to combative situations.
Being a well-balanced style, Tang Soo Do offers a wide array of
kicks, hand strikes, and stances representative of hard styles
as well as softer stances and more fluid motions that are indicative
of the softer styles. It derives it's hardness from Soo Bahk Do
and its soft flowing movements from the Northern Chinese systems.
Its kicking techniques , for which Tang Soo Do is unsurpassed,
are based on Soo Bahk Do. Both of which can easily be recognized
in the forms that are practiced within the style.
Free sparring is an extremely important part of Tang Soo Do training.
There are two major types suitable for Tang Soo Do schools: Dojang
sparring and competition; or sport, sparring. Although the techniques
used in these types of sparring could be potentially dangerous
and could result in a knockout or serious injury if not properly
controlled, full contact sparring (kick boxing), traditionally
is not included in the Tang Soo Do venue.
Tang Soo Do competitions do not allow contact to face or groin,
or the back while allowing light moderate contact to the sides
and front of the body. When one looks at injuries occurring in
other contact sports it becomes clear that sport Tang Soo Do is
actually a very safe activity. Qualities like sportsmanship, mutual
respect for each other and personal discipline insures that practitioners
compete in the healthiest environment possible. After all, the
purpose of Tang Soo Do training is not for fighting, but to perfect
techniques that will enhance one's total self. If the occasion
arises when one must defend oneself, of equal importance is the
development of the proper spirit to supplement the physical skills
that are attained.
History
Tang Soo Do is a relatively modern Korean martial
art based upon the ancient Korean art of Soo Bahk Do, which dates
back to the 6th Century. However, the exact origin of Tang Soo
Do is obscure. Some Japanese Karate experts insist that the art
is of Japanese origin; some say it came from Okinawa; others say
it began in China with Bodhidarma and spread from there.
It was during the Silla Dynasty (618 - 935
AD) that the martial arts expanded rapidly in Korea. The Kingdom
of Silla was one of the three kingdoms in Korea and was notable
for the military prowess of its young warrior class, the Hwa
Rang. The five basic principles of Tang Soo Do are derived from
the principles of these elite warriors. However, Tang Soo Do
gained most of its popularity during the Koryo Dynasty (935 -
1392 AD).
At the beginning of the Yi Dynasty (1392-1910), the National Martial
Arts Manual was published, and the term Soo Bahk Do became widely
used. During the occupation of Korea by Japan (1907 - 1945) the
practice of native martial arts was prohibited. This prohibition
forced many Korean Soo Bahk Do Masters to emigrate, or to practice
secretly. Tang Soo Do was developed by Grand Master Hwang Kee.
He mastered Tae Kyun and Soo Bahk Do at the age of 22. Upon his
travels to Northern China in 1936, 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 Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do, even though it was officially
registered in Korea on November 9, 1945 as the Korean Soo Bahk
Do Association.
At the beginning of the modern era of the Korean martial arts,
Tang Soo Do was the most popular term for the merged martial arts,
however, at that time, the Korean political leader was concerned
about establishing Korean value based on Korean nationalism. The
political leaders recognized the popularity of Korean martial arts
around the world, but were opposed to the use of the name Tang
Soo Do for the art, as it sounded like a Chinese martial art. In
1964, a government sponsored small group created a new name for
the Korean martial arts: Taekwondo. The World Tang Soo Do Association
still respects the original term, Tang Soo Do, and intends to preserve
its heritage and value as a traditional way or path. So Tang Soo
Do and Tae Kwon Do are divided principally, with Tang Soo Do striving
to remain as a traditional martial art, while Taekwondo held its
world games and sport.
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