In order to understand the full meaning behind Tang Soo Do, Soo Bahk Do, and the Moo Duk Kwan Federation, we will have to look more closely into rich history of East Asia and the region that we today call Korea.

THE KOGURYO DYNASTY

In the first century B.C. Korea was actually three separate kingdoms known as Koguryo (est. 37 BC) and Paekche (est. 18 BC) in the North and the Silla Dynasty (est. 57 BC) to the south. These are commonly referred to in historical and cultural texts as "the three kingdoms". Open hand fighting styles were already popular at this time as evidenced by the art and writings of the era. "Bahk" was a fighting style alluded to in a text known as Joa Jun as early as the Chun Chu dynasty some 2700 years ago. In the 2nd century BC, some 500 years later and just prior to the establishment of the three kingdoms, a text known as Han Seo refers to a fighting style known as Soo Bahk. According to this text, Soo Bahk was used extensively during the examination of military officers.

The first 6 centuries of Korean history were filled with war and turmoil. The Silla Dynasty was re-knowned for its prowess in the martial arts, and developed a corps of young aristocrats called the "Hwa Rang Dan" which proved to be instrumental to the unification of the Korean Peninsula in the 7th century.

The next three centuries were still far from peaceful. Although the period is often referred to as the period of Unified Silla, the peninsula was still divided (more or less) by the North and South - the Palhae and the Silla. The Tang Dynasty (China) even recognized the Palhae as a separate state, so the unification was a tenuous one at best.

THE KOR-YO DYNASTY

In the 10th century, the Silla Dynasty was overthrown by the warlord Wang Kon (918-935 AD). The new kingdom was called Kor-yo and it spanned the next 4 centuries. There are many historical and cultural texts available from that era which allude to the popularity of Soo Bahk Ki technique.

THE YI (CHOSON) DYNASTY

1392 marked the beginning of the Yi Dynasty, which lasted until 1907 AD. During this period several important developments occurred. The Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji (Military Arts Manual) was written about 1790 AD. This book, now a national Korean treasure, was "the culmination of several earlier publications or scrolls where an original description of six techniques was added to until its final content of 24 techniques was published." (Tang Soo Do / Soo Bahk Do, by Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee, 1978)

Martial art training in the Yi Dynasty varied with the tastes of the current ruling family. Archery was popular during the reign of King Se Jo, for example, while Stick Art was popular during the reign of King Sun Jo. A book called "Hyun Rung Ji" described Sip Pal Ki (18 techniques) for the long spear. Sip Pal Ki later encompassed the arts of horsemanship. Near the end of the Yi Dynasty an open handed fighting technique known as Tae Kyun developed among street fighters. Tae Kyun incorporated many effective kicking techniques.

JAPANESE OCCUPATION

1907 marked the end of the Yi Dynasty and the beginning of the Japanese occupation which was to last until 1945. During this period all dimensions of Korean traditional cultural expression were prohibited. Much of the Korean culture was supplanted by the occupying forces, and the martial arts were no exception. Near the end of the occupation, the only widely known martial arts were Gum-Do (Kendo) and Yu-Do (judo).

Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee, the founder of our organization, was born in 1914. He began his study of the Tae Kyun at the age of 7. After High school, he studied Chinese Kung Fu under Master Yang in Manchuria, (specifically Seh Bop, the method of postures, Bo Bop, the method of steps, Ryun Bop, the method of conditioning, Dham Toi Sip E Ro and Tae Kuk Kwon - disciplines of form and its combat applications). He was later influenced by Okinawan Karate.

THE FOUNDING OF THE MOO DUK KWAN

At the end of the Japanese occupation, Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee was finally able to dedicate himself to teaching the martial arts, his lifelong dream. On November 19th, 1945, Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee established the Moo Duk Kwan Federation.

In the beginning, Kwan Jang Nim named his art "Hwa Soo Do", art of the flower hand. He had meditated long and hard on this name, as there was no Korean historical documentation or any other visible evidence that would guide him into a proper name at the time. "Hwa Soo Do" referred to the celebration of flowering independence of the newly re-established state of Korea.

Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee tried very hard to perpetuate his teaching of Hwa Soo Do, but the general public refused to accept the new art, opting for the more popular Gum Do and Yu Do. One day Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee met two gentlemen in Seoul, both prominent martial arts instructors. One was the founder of Yeon Moo Kwan (later changed to Ji Do Kwan), and taught an art known as Kong Soo Do. The other gentleman founded the Chung Do Kwan and called his art Tang Soo Do (An open handed style heavily influenced by Okinawan Karate).

"After he met with these gentlemen, the Kwan Jang Nim meditated and re-evaluated the future of the Moo Duk Kwan." (History of the Moo Duk Kwan, 1995) It was here where Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee discerned that the natural flow of the thoughts of the Korean people was centred on Japanese influenced martial arts. Although Tang Soo Do was not as popular as Gum Do or Yu Do, it was at least recognizable to the public as a whole. "Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee humbly accepted and followed the law of the great nature", and Tang Soo Do was then integrated into the teaching of the Hwa Soo Do discipline. (History of the Moo Duk Kwan, 1995)

Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee accepted his next group of students and taught them Tang Soo Do. Aspects unique to Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee's teachings were integrated, such as the proper use of the hip in all techniques. After years of intensive training, Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee produced his first four Dan students. It was here that the Dan Bon system began, and is still in use today after over one hundred Dan testing.

When Kwan Jang Nim later discovered the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji, he had at long last uncovered the true Korean roots of the art. Recently we have begun to call our art "Soo Bahk Do", deferring to the rich culture and history it has evolved from.

Soo Bahk Do is a traditional Korean martial art whose roots dig deep into the centuries past. Its nature is both hard and soft, offensive and defensive, passive and active. Although steeped in tradition and the military spirit (Moo Do), Soo Bahk Do is a living art that is not afraid to change, to improve, to explore. Much of our technique is based on a clinical, scientific study of the principles involved and unique only to our style.

Soo Bahk Do is not a sport. It is a classical martial art, and as such has different aspirations than some of the more popular "sport styles". The object is not for one person to become a champion over a herd of people who could not "make the grade". "It's purpose is to enrich one's life by developing every aspect of the self in order to create a mature person who totally integrates his/her intellect, body, emotions, and spirit. This integration helps to create a person who is free from inner conflict and who can deal with the outside world in a mature, intelligent, forthright and virtuous manner."

We are incredibly fortunate to be blessed with some of the best leadership found in the world today, including the founder of the Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan, Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee.

Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee's book, The History of the Moo Duk Kwan, gives us some more insight into the purpose of our organization.

"The Moo Duk Kwan was established on the basic principle of philosophy in order to contribute to human development in Weh Gong (external power), Neh Gong (internal power) and Shim Gong (spiritual power). The Moo Duk Kwan philosophy is based on Do (Tao), the philosophy of Lao Tzu."

Founded by Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee in 1945, the Moo Duk Kwan Federation has promoted world peace via the practice of its own philosophies for over 50 years. Through the improvement of our physical, emotional and spiritual lives - as well as those lives that we touch, we continue to work toward that goal.

There are Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation members in several countries and hundreds of certified studios.