A History of Tang Soo Do
Extracts
taken from Mr. Jeff Enoch's Dan testing essay, abridged and reproduced with kind
permission.
Origins
Before
looking at the more modern aspects of Tang Soo Do it is important to look at the
history of
Korea
to find the origins of our art. The origins of oriental martial arts appear to
date back to their development in 6th century
China
, by Buddhist priests. These early beginnings spread to other countries
including
Korea
where they were developed into skilled versions of the earlier arts.
In
2333 B.C. on the 3rd day of the 10th month a nation called Chosun was
established on the
Korean
Peninsula
, and it is from this event that Korean history is traditionally dated. Since
Tan-Gun was the founder, this date is regarded as the beginning of the Tan-Gun
Era, or Tan-Gi as it is called for short in Korean. The year 2002 is therefore
year 4335 of the Tan-Gun Era. Koguryo
was founded 37 BC in northern
Korea
. The Silla Dynasty was founded in 57 BC in the southeast peninsula, and Paikche
was founded in 18 BC.
After
Ancient Chosun, the three kingdoms of Koguryo, Paikche, and Silla ruled the
Korean
Peninsula
. These three constantly warred until
668 a.d. Silla emerged victorious and united the three into one kingdom. The
main contributory factor in Sillas’ victory was an elite corps of young
warrior knights of noble birth called the Hwarang,
who banded together with an extremely high moral code of loyalty and respect.
These warriors were all experts in the practice of Hwa – Rang do, a sport involving foot fighting which later evolved
into Soo Bahk Do and their dedication
inspired others to adopt their code of honour and principles and will be dealt
with a little latter.
Medieval
Development
A warlord,
Wang Kun, overthrew the
Unified
Silla
Kingdom
in 918 AD, and a new kingdom called "Koroyo" lasted for 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. A
precursor of Tang Soo Do became very popular with the general public called Kwon
Bop and Tae Kyun. The very first complete martial art book was written at
this time. This most important book is called "Mooyae
Dobo Tongji." It was written in 1790 AD and contained illustrations
that substantiate the theory that "Soo Bahk Ki," the formal name for
Tang Soo Do, had quickly developed into a sophisticated art of combat
techniques.
The maps
below show stages in the process of Korean unification. The first stage is
traditionally called the "Three Kingdoms" period, though if we count
small southern Kaya (or Karak; Japanese Mimana), which was related by trade and
other factors to
Japan
, there were four entities involved. They come into the picture following the
retreat of Chinese colonial power in 313. Paikche, like Koguryo, was in the zone
of previous Chinese occupation and influence. Silla (or Shilla), on the eastern
coast, was outside that zone.
China
at this time was divided into northern and
southern sovereignties. Whereas Koguryo had continuing land contacts with north
China
, Paikche was in touch by sea with the southern Chinese states, from which
Buddhism was introduced in 384. Silla came under Chinese influence also, and in
503 adopted the Chinese title wang "king" for its ruler. A Chinese
style law code was created shortly afterward, and Buddhism was adopted in 528.
Silla and Paikche between them eliminated the Japanese enclave of Kaya by 562.
China
was reunified [under the brief Swei dynasty] in 589, and immediately attempted
to reassert control over
Korea
. Koguryo repulsed a large-scale attack in 592, and later attacks on an even
larger scale in 612-614 failed so badly as to hasten the end of the Swei. The
ensuing Tang dynasty launched attacks in 644, 646, 658, and 659, which also
failed. Finally a Chinese naval assault on Paikche in 660, together with
cooperation from Silla on the east, succeeded in destroying Paikche. A joint
Tang/Silla campaign subjugated Koguryo. Control of the resulting unified
peninsula was then disputed between Tang
China
and Silla, with the result that Tang China finally recognized Silla in the
south, and Parhae (Ch Pwohai, the Koguryo remnant plus neighbouring Tungusic
peoples, founded in 713) in the north, as "tributary" but independent
states.
Silla
prospered, and became extensively cynical with respect to Tang
China
. It weakened as Tang
China
weakened. The Silla elite became ineffective, and there were several revolts in
the 770's, followed by the killing of the Silla king in 780. This inaugurated a
long period of rival ruling lineages and constant coups and assassinations.
Banditry increased among the lower population. Commerce expanded in this time of
state breakdown, and Korean merchants established communities in northeast
China
. Peasant uprisings had broken out by 889, and over the next decades several
attempts were made to found new states. In 918 the state of Koroyo (shortened
from the old name Koguryo) was established, and soon was able to force the
submission of the Silla ruler in 935. It conquered its last rival, the Later
Paikche state, in 936. Thus began the Koroyo dynasty, whose span was 918-1392:
Silla Dynasty
618 - 935
King Chin
Hung unified the kingdoms of
Korea
to establish the Silla dynasty.
Koroyo
Dynasty 935 - 1392
In 935, the
Silla dynasty was peacefully overthrown by Wang Kon, who established the Koroyo
dynasty. (The name was selected as an abbreviated form of Koguryo).During this
time Soo Bahk Do flourished and great strides were made in its development.
Martial arts maintained its popularity in
Korea
through to the Koryo dynasty (935-1392). During this dynasty the practiced
martial arts were referred to as Subak (in more modern times this is still
referred to as Soo Bahk Do) and they were practiced by the military as a skill
to improve health, as a sports activity and as a martial art. During this time
Soo Bahk Do flourished and great strides were made in its development. History
shows that this was the first occurrence of martial arts contests being held for
spectator appreciation.
During the
Koroyo period, literature was cultivated, and although Buddhism remained the
state religion, Confucianism—introduced from
China
during the Silla years controlled the pattern of government. In 1231, Mongol
forces invaded from
China
, initiating a war that was waged intermittently for some 30 years. Peace came
when the Koroyo kings accepted Mongol rule, and a long period of Koryo-Mongol
alliance followed. In 1392, Yi Song-gye, with the aid of the Ming dynasty (which
had replaced the Mongols in
China
) seized the throne.
The Hwarang Do
Much of the
influence of the Hwarang tradition is due to the arrival of King Chinhung (540
AD), who was also a Hwarang. The Hwarang system existed before King Chinhung,
but he was the individual who greatly developed the power and strength of this
system within his administration and military. After his arrival followed a long
period of wars of expansion with the larger kingdom to the north, Koguryo.
However, before the northern kingdoms were engaged, King Chinhung took on the
task of driving out the Japanese colonies to the east, which were in alliance
with the Yamato clan of
Japan
. Ten years later, King Chinhung turned his armies onto the fertile valleys of
west and central
Korea
, between the Han and
Imjin
Rivers
. This was the Paikche kingdom, and the conquest of the Han-Imjin river area
brought great wealth to Silla through the acquisition of the richest
agricultural lands in the peninsula, additional military service, and the labour
of the peasantry. This conquest also opened an easier route to
China
through the capture of the ports on the
Yellow Sea
. Because of the Hwarang warriors of Silla, these three countries were unified
for the first time
These
warriors trained in the art of Taek Kyon. They initially established a military
academy for the young nobility of Silla. This later became a society called
Hwarang-do or translated into English, "the way of the flowering
manhood". This society adopted Taek Kyon as part of its basic training
regime. The students of Hwarang-do were all members of the young nobility. They
were trained in several different disciplines: History, Confucian philosophy,
ethics, Buddhist morality, riding, archery, swordplay, military tactics and Taek
Kyon. The guiding principles of this educational system were based on the five
codes of Human Conduct, as established by the Buddhist scholar Wonkang. These
codes are:
Be loyal to your country
Be obedient to your parents
Be trustworthy to your friends
Never retreat in battle
Never make an un just kill
These five
codes of moral behaviour and conduct are reflected in the ten articles of faith
in modern Tang Soo Do.
The
Ten Articles of Faith:
Be
loyal to your country.
Be
obedient to your parents.
Be
loving between husband and wife.
Be
cooperative between brothers.
Be
faithful between friends.
Be
respectful to your elders.
Be
faithful between teacher and student.
Know
the difference between good and evil.
Never
retreat in battle.
Always
finish what you start.
The Hwarang
traveled throughout the peninsula in order to learn more about the regions and
people. These traveling warriors were responsible for the spread of Taek Kyon
in
Korea
during the Silla dynasty. During this period of time, Taek Kyon remained
principally as a sport and recreational activity designed to improve physical
fitness, although it was an excellent self-defence system. It was not until the
Koroyo dynasty that the focus of the art was changed. During this time, Taek
Kyon became known as Subak and it changed from a fitness system to a fighting
art. During this period of time, the primitive martial arts were very popular in
warfare. This is evident by mural paintings, ruins, and remains, which depicted
Tang Soo Do in those days.
So
What, In Essence, is Tang Soo Do?
Tang Soo Do
is both a hard and soft style, deriving its hardness in part from Soo Bahk do
and its soft flowing movements from the northern Chinese systems.
Tang Soo Do
is a composite style, being 60% Soo Bahk Do, 30% northern Chinese and 10%
southern Chinese.
Tang Soo Do
Moo Duk Kwan (a brotherhood and school of stopping inner and outer conflict and
developing virtue according to the way of the worthy hand)
It is a
classical martial art, and its purpose is to develop every aspect of the self,
in order to create a mature personality who totally integrates his intellect,
body, emotions, and spirit. This total 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.
Modern
Day Beginnings
Grand
Master Hwang Kee
Japan
invaded and occupied
Korea
in 1909. Martial arts were forbidden and martial artists were forced to train
in secret. In November 1914, Grand Master Hwang Kee was born. A martial arts
prodigy, Hwang Kee spent his early years practicing and perfecting his skills in
Tae – Kyon and Soo Bahk Do through secret training and study of textbooks. He
was 7 years old when he first encountered martial arts and was so taken by what
he saw that he knew he wanted to train as a martial artist. Grand Master Hwang Kee’s many requests to be trained were turned down because it was felt that he
was too young, however, such was his determination he would watch and go into
the mountains around Jangdan and practice alone. By the age of 21 he had already
gained a reputation for expertise in Soo Bahk Do and Tee – Ryun.
In 1936
Grand Master Hwang Kee was arrested by the Japanese and imprisoned for violating
Japanese martial law. He was sentenced to death. Luckily he managed to escape
and fled to
Manchuria
. There he met masters of the Chinese Ghuan Fa. One such master was called
master Yang. Master Yang practiced the Tang method of martial artistry. After
initially having his requests to be trained turned down Hwang Kee finally got
his wish and was trained from 1936 – 1945. The experience and knowledge
learned from Master Yang combined with his concern for humanity and the
improvement of ones character began to shape the basis of Moo Duk Kwan (Martial
virtue institute) in G.M. Hwang Kee's mind. The town of
Manchuri
, near the Russian boarder is the unconfirmed location where Grand Master Hwang Kee
spent his hiatus in
Manchuria
.
Following
the liberation of
Korea
in 1945, Grand Master Hwang Kee returned to the country of his birth where he
set about teaching a combination of Chinese “Tang” arts and Soo Bahk Do.
On his 31st
birthday, Grand Master Hwang Kee opened his first
school
of
Moo Duk Kwan
in the Soeul Railway station (September 9 1945). This is classed as the
birthday of Moo Duk Kwan and is officially registered as
Dae – Han Soo Bahk Do association and known around the world as Tang
Soo Do. Unfortunately, due to Korean culture being repressed under Japanese
rule, the people were not ready for his new ideas and his school did not
succeed. Undeterred, Grand Master Hwang Kee looked for ways of continuing the
Moo Duk Kwan Style. He did this by changing the name to Tang Soo Do, which was
more acceptable to the Korean People due to the fact that it’s meaning was
similar to the karate taught by the Japanese. Only this was Korean. This worked
and as we know Tang Soo Do has flourished and spread to numerous countries
across the globe in the ensuing years.
