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History of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan
The Three Kingdoms Period of the Korean Peninsula
The roots of style are intertwined with the history of the Korean peninsula. To know our history we need to understand the period of the three kingdoms - so called because the country had been all but severed into three separate kingdoms by feudal families;
The Goguryo 37 B.C.
Silla 57 B.C.
Baekche 18 B.C.
The Southern tip of of the Korean peninsular was known as Silla. It was here, in 540 AD that King Chinhung created the Hwa Rang Warriors. These young warriors were taught the art of warfare, archery, combat as well as dance, literature, arts, sciences and Buddhism. Their hand-to-hand combat techniques were designed to embody the Um Yang (opposites); hard, soft, linear and circular attacks. Stories of the Hwa Rang warriors became legendary and influenced Korean history for many centuries to come. The kingdom of Silla dispatched the Hwa Rang to study Moo Do (martial way). With help from China, the Silla defeated her rival kingdoms and was able to unify Korea (668 a.d.). Due to this action and her patronisation of the arts, monasteries and learning, the Tang dynasty became known as “the worthy ones”.
For this reason, Tang Soo Do is sometimes translated as “the way of the worthy hand” rather than “the way of the China hand”. Many Korean arts trace their cultural lineage to this period. Few however follow the teaching of the Moo Yae Dobo Tong Ji.
Modern History
Grand Master Hwang Kee (the Founder of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan) was first inspired to study the Martial arts in 1921 when he was about seven years old. At a traditional Festival called “Dan O” he was visiting a nearby village, where they had archery, wrestling and many other festivities. As Grand Master was enjoying the festival a group of seven or eight men had a dispute with another man. Suddenly the group of men attacked the lone man, who began evading and counter attacking with his feet, eventually defeating the group of men. This ability to defend oneself against several attackers so impressed Grand Master that at that moment he knew he wanted to learn the martial arts. Several years Grand Master Hwang Kee studied and researched every available source, and at the age of 22 he was recognised as a Master among other martial artists. In May of 1935 Grand Master began working for the Korean railroad company which allowed him to travel. In May of 1936 he met a Chinese Kung Fu master named Yang, Kuk Jin. Grand Master trained with Master Yang until 1946, at that time China became a communist country.
Grand Master Hwang Kee opened his first martial arts school, the “Moo Duk Kwan” on the 9th November 1945. He initially received six students teaching “Hwa Soo Do” the way of the flowering hand. This name paid tribute to Korea’s warrior history with reference to the “Hwa Rang” knights (flowering youth). The Grand Master’s teaching was basic and intense, losing him those first students within three months. After some deliberation he reopened the “Moo Duk Kwan” under the banner “Tang Soo Do, Moo Duk Kwan”. At that time in Korea the term “Tang Soo Do” had become generic meaning Chinese Martial Arts. From that day to this, the Moo Duk Kwan has grown into one of the most scientific and influential martial arts in the world.
In 1947 the Grand Master introduced the Ki Cho Hyung (basic forms) in order to help students progress from basic technique onto more complex hyung. By the mid 1950’s the Moo Duk Kwan had become the largest Federation in Korea. Growth had been so successful that Tang Soo Do had been initiated into the secondary school curriculum.
In 1957 the Grand Master discovered a copy of the Muye Dobo Jonji in the Seoul Central Library. What was amazing about this find was that all Korean historical texts had been destroyed by the Japanese during the occupation of Korea between 1909-1945. The discovery started Grand Master’s journey of research into this military writing, which lead to the introduction of the Chil Sung and Yuk Ro Hyung.
Although by far the largest, the Moo Duk Kwan was not the only school in Korea - eight other Kwans (schools) had emerged by the mid 1950s. In April 1961 the Korean Government ordered the various schools to unify under a single system, now called Taekwondo. This caused a split in the Moo Duk Kwan. One group stayed loyal to Grand Master Hwang Kee, and still follow the official Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan curriculum, controlled by the World Moo Duk Kwan Inc. The second group merged with the other eight other Kwans to form Taekwondo and follow the Kukkiwon curriculum. Taekwondo is now a competitive Olympic sport controlled by the World Taekwando Federation.
The art was renamed Soo Bahk Do in 1994 at the Grand Master’s request. The latter name paying stronger homage to Korea’s own martial past, reflecting the higher indigenous portion of the curriculum after the introduction of both the “Chil Sung” and “Yuk Ro” Hyung sets.
Remember “Tang Soo Do” is a generic Korean phrase equivalent to “Karate”, so anyone is free to use it. However, Soo Bahk Do, Moo Duk Kwan and the Moo Duk Kwan “fist” logo are registered trademarks of the World Moo Duk Kwan. Only federations officially recognised by the World Moo Duk Kwan have the right to claim they teach Soo Bahk Do and use the fist logo. These organisations are listed under “member organisations” on the official World Moo Duk Kwan website.
What is Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan?
Translated literally, Moo Duk Kwan means “Institute of Martial Virtue”. At length, the name “Moo Duk Kwan” translates as: A brotherhood and school of stopping inner and outer conflict and developing virtue through training. In essence, Moo Duk Kwan is the philosophical framework supporting the technique of Soo Bahk Do. It is the scientific use of the body in methods of self defence, combined with a strict philosophy guiding the practitioner towards discovering their full potential. Soo Bahk Do forges a body towards gaining ultimate use of its faculties through intensive physical and mental training. It is an art of self defence and philosophy that’s secrets cannot be bought at any price other than serious and rigorous training. It is an art tempered on the lawns of Buddhist monasteries, against the steel of wandering bandits and on the fields of combat, its history is a long and honourable one.
What makes Soo Bahk Do different from other styles?
There are many fine styles of martial arts, two of the many things that separate Soo Bahk Do from all other arts and make it unique, are its versatility and philosophy. Because ancient Korea was constantly attacked by both Japan and China, Soo Bahk Do became versatile out of necessity, the result being an art which demands mastery of the whole body, not just kicking and punching. Challenging techniques ranging from quick and spontaneous movements to slow graceful flowing movements gives not only variety but also challenges everyone. Second, many styles teach effective self defence and fighting principles but Soo Bahk Do offers much more than just that. Learning fighting techniques without a strong philosophy is to burden society with more dangerous people. We use Soo Bahk Do to realise our full potential and emphasis on “Virtue in action” demonstrating courage, discipline, confidence and humility through our sincere efforts in training and our behavior towards others. You won’t just hear our philosophy you’ll see it in action. THIS is what makes Soo Bahk Do very different.