Early Development
The ancestral art of Korean Tang Soo Do can be traced back approximately 2,000 years. At that time, Korea was divided into three kingdoms.
Paekche was founded in 18 BC in southwest Korea, Koguryo in 37 BC, and northern area of Korea, Silla in 57 BC in the Korean peninsula.
After a long series of wars, the Silla Dynasty united the three kingdoms in 668 AD. During this period of time, the primitive martial arts were very
popular in warfare. This is evident by murals, ruins, and remains, which depicted the martial arts in those days.
Among the three kingdoms, the Silla Dynasty was the most famous for development of the martial arts. A corps formed by young aristocrats who were
called "Hwa Rang Dan" was the major group who developed those arts. These warriors were instrumental in unifying the peninsula as the new Silla
Dynasty (668 AD - 935 AD), and furnished many of the early leaders of that time. Most Korean martial arts trace their roots to this group. Our five
codes of Tang Soo Do were originated by a monk "Won Kwang", is a part our martial heritage.
The unified Silla kingdom was overthrown by a warlord, Wang Kun, in 918 AD and a new kingdom called "Koryo" lasted 475 years. In 1392 AD the New
Kingdom, Yi Dynasty, succeeded and lasted about 500 years. Approximately a thousand year period elapsed between the two dynasties. Tang Soo
Do became very popular among the military. However, more importantly, this art also became very popular with the general public.
The very first complete martial arts book was written at this time. It was the "Mooyae Dobo Tongi". It was written in 1790 AD and contained illustrations
that substantiate the theory that "Soo Bahk Ki" the formal name of Tang Soo Do, had quickly developed into a sophisticated art of combat.
Modern History
The subsequent occupation of Korea by the Japanese military regime took place from 1909-1945. During this period, practicing and teaching martial
arts was forbidden.
After World War II, this restriction was lifted and several martial arts training schools began to emerge.
Moo Duk Kwan by Hwang Kee
Chi Do Kwan by Kwai Byung, Yun
Chung Do Kwan by Duk Sung, Son
Song Moo Kwan by Byung Jik, No
Chang Moo Kwan by Nam Suk, Lee
Yun Moo Kwan by San Sup,Chun
These "Kwan"s formed their own organizations respectively and Master Hwang Kee organized the "Korean Soo Bahk Do Federation" on November 9th
1945.
In addition to the Soo Bahk Do Federation, there were various types of other martial arts called "Kong Soo" or "Tae Soo" existing in Korea. In 1965,
the leaders of these various systems were called together by the Korean Government for the purpose of uniting them into one organization. During
this conference, the structure, techniques and physical requirements of this new organization were being formed. Some of these leaders wanted to
keep many of the traditional forms and techniques that were long established throughout past generations. Others wanted a more modern style to be
created. As a result, two of the leaders (one of them was Hwang Kee) resigned from this process and vowed to keep the traditional art as it had been
for nearly 2 thousand years. Once this conference was concluded, the new organization was called the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association and the art
was called "Tae Kwon Do" uniformly. Tae Kwon Do was later sanctioned by the Korean Government as its national sport.
Beginning in the late 1960's, a few Soo Bahk Do Federation masters were dispatched to various countries for the purpose of establishing this more
traditional art around the world. The principle master that was sent by Hwang Kee to the United States was Jae Chul Shin. He established the United
States Tang Soo Do Federation. During the 1970's, dozens of training studios (known as Dojangs) were started through his persistence and
commitment. In November of 1982 this federation was reorganized into what is now known as the World Tang Soo Do Association. In the ensuing 25
years, Tang Soo Do has grown enormously throughout the world. From this large, mostly North American Tang Soo Do organization, several more
Tang Soo Do associations and federations have been created.
Among these was The Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation. It was developed principally to return to traditional forms or hyungs. Grandmaster
John St. James is a 7th degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do and serves as the President and is the Founding Master of the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do
Federation headquartered just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Grandmaster St. James is also the Co-Chairman of the Asia Atlantic Alliance, a Tang Soo
Do alliance of like minded organizations with schools throughout the world.
The ancestral art of Korean Tang Soo Do can be traced back approximately 2,000 years. At that time, Korea was divided into three kingdoms.
Paekche was founded in 18 BC in southwest Korea, Koguryo in 37 BC, and northern area of Korea, Silla in 57 BC in the Korean peninsula.
After a long series of wars, the Silla Dynasty united the three kingdoms in 668 AD. During this period of time, the primitive martial arts were very
popular in warfare. This is evident by murals, ruins, and remains, which depicted the martial arts in those days.
Among the three kingdoms, the Silla Dynasty was the most famous for development of the martial arts. A corps formed by young aristocrats who were
called "Hwa Rang Dan" was the major group who developed those arts. These warriors were instrumental in unifying the peninsula as the new Silla
Dynasty (668 AD - 935 AD), and furnished many of the early leaders of that time. Most Korean martial arts trace their roots to this group. Our five
codes of Tang Soo Do were originated by a monk "Won Kwang", is a part our martial heritage.
The unified Silla kingdom was overthrown by a warlord, Wang Kun, in 918 AD and a new kingdom called "Koryo" lasted 475 years. In 1392 AD the New
Kingdom, Yi Dynasty, succeeded and lasted about 500 years. Approximately a thousand year period elapsed between the two dynasties. Tang Soo
Do became very popular among the military. However, more importantly, this art also became very popular with the general public.
The very first complete martial arts book was written at this time. It was the "Mooyae Dobo Tongi". It was written in 1790 AD and contained illustrations
that substantiate the theory that "Soo Bahk Ki" the formal name of Tang Soo Do, had quickly developed into a sophisticated art of combat.
Modern History
The subsequent occupation of Korea by the Japanese military regime took place from 1909-1945. During this period, practicing and teaching martial
arts was forbidden.
After World War II, this restriction was lifted and several martial arts training schools began to emerge.
Moo Duk Kwan by Hwang Kee
Chi Do Kwan by Kwai Byung, Yun
Chung Do Kwan by Duk Sung, Son
Song Moo Kwan by Byung Jik, No
Chang Moo Kwan by Nam Suk, Lee
Yun Moo Kwan by San Sup,Chun
These "Kwan"s formed their own organizations respectively and Master Hwang Kee organized the "Korean Soo Bahk Do Federation" on November 9th
1945.
In addition to the Soo Bahk Do Federation, there were various types of other martial arts called "Kong Soo" or "Tae Soo" existing in Korea. In 1965,
the leaders of these various systems were called together by the Korean Government for the purpose of uniting them into one organization. During
this conference, the structure, techniques and physical requirements of this new organization were being formed. Some of these leaders wanted to
keep many of the traditional forms and techniques that were long established throughout past generations. Others wanted a more modern style to be
created. As a result, two of the leaders (one of them was Hwang Kee) resigned from this process and vowed to keep the traditional art as it had been
for nearly 2 thousand years. Once this conference was concluded, the new organization was called the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association and the art
was called "Tae Kwon Do" uniformly. Tae Kwon Do was later sanctioned by the Korean Government as its national sport.
Beginning in the late 1960's, a few Soo Bahk Do Federation masters were dispatched to various countries for the purpose of establishing this more
traditional art around the world. The principle master that was sent by Hwang Kee to the United States was Jae Chul Shin. He established the United
States Tang Soo Do Federation. During the 1970's, dozens of training studios (known as Dojangs) were started through his persistence and
commitment. In November of 1982 this federation was reorganized into what is now known as the World Tang Soo Do Association. In the ensuing 25
years, Tang Soo Do has grown enormously throughout the world. From this large, mostly North American Tang Soo Do organization, several more
Tang Soo Do associations and federations have been created.
Among these was The Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation. It was developed principally to return to traditional forms or hyungs. Grandmaster
John St. James is a 7th degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do and serves as the President and is the Founding Master of the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do
Federation headquartered just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Grandmaster St. James is also the Co-Chairman of the Asia Atlantic Alliance, a Tang Soo
Do alliance of like minded organizations with schools throughout the world.
What is Tang Soo Do?
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