Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art and literally means "the art of the Chinese hand". It originates from various martial arts from Korea, China and Okinawa, among other places.
These roots began in Korean Tae Kyon , Chinese Shaolin, and Japanese Shotokan. According to the World Tang Soo Do Association, it resembles a Chinese martial art because the first word, TANG, can be interpreted as a reference to the Chinese Tang Dynasty.
Before the unification of the Kwans under the Korean Taekwondo Association, the majority 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 was by Won Kik Lee, founder of the Chung Do Kwan . His Kwan and the other Kwans stopped using the name Tang Soo Do after they merged under the name Taekwondo .
The Moo Duk Kwan, which was loyal to Hwang Kee, did not participate in this unification and remained independent, continuing to use the name Tang Soo Do.
Founders of Tang Soo Do
The origins of Tang Soo Do cannot be attributed to a single person. Lee Won Kuk is considered one of the first teachers of Tang Soo Do in Korea. He established a dojang in Korea during the Japanese occupation .
This school was named Chung Do Kwan. He claimed to have learned Taekkyon on the streets of Seoul and Kung Fu in China. Kee claimed that he learned the philosophy of Okinawan karate from Funakoshi's books.
The history of the Moo Duk Kwan, very important for modern Tang Soo Do, can be attributed to Hwang Kee. He claims to have learned Chinese martial arts in Manchuria. He was also influenced by the Korean Taekkyon and Subak.
Belts in Tang Soo Do
Tang Soo Do uses the colored belt system introduced by Jigoro Kano and first used in Karate-Do. A notable difference is that the traditional black belt has been replaced by a dark blue belt for students who achieve their first dan.
The reason for this is that black represents "death" in Korea. Practitioners consider achieving the next dan a different step and receive a dark blue belt with red stripes for it.
Upon achieving the fourth dan , one holds the title of Master Instructor. To become a grandmaster, one must perform an international act connected to the sport.
The original belt colors, as conceived by Hwang Kee, are: 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.
Kata or Hyeong
There are several Tang Soo Do organizations in the world, but they all follow the same kata or hyeong.
- Gicho/Kicho heyong
- Hyong Il Bu
- Hyung Ee Bu
- Hyung Sam Bu
Taikyoku
The Kicho Hyung are strikingly similar to the Taikyoku kata developed by Gichin Funakoshi. The starting positions are the same, as are the movements, blocks, and strikes. There are many reasons to believe that Hwang Kee adapted his Korean Kicho Hyung from the Japanese kata.
Sae Gae Hyung
The World Tang Soo DO Association has modified Kicho Hyung and added kicks to it.
- Sae Gae Hyung Il Bu
- Sae Gae Hyung Ee Bu
- Sae Gae Hyung Sam Bu
Pyong Ahn Hyung
The Pyong Ahn/Pyung Ahn Hyeong are a series of five forms that are in many ways reminiscent of the Pinan kata series in karate. They were developed by Itosu, a mentor of Funakoshi Gichin. These forms were developed as a training method for Kong Sang Koon.
- Pyung Ahn Cho Dan
- Pyung Ahn E Dan
- Pyung Ahn Sam Dan
- Pyung Ahn Sah Dan
- Pyunh Ahn Oh Dan
Materials
In Tang Soo Do, the authentic dobok , the name of the uniform, is used. The standard dobok is entirely white. For those holding a dan, traditional stripes are added.
Furthermore, so-called safety equipment is used, consisting of a pair of gloves and foot protectors . Head protectors are also worn.
Shin guards are also sometimes used. A mouthguard is recommended, and a crotch protector is mandatory for men.
