Brief History Of Tang Soo Do

Korean history is traditionally dated starting at 2333 B.C. on
the Korean Peninsula with the nation of Chosun. This time frame is
called Tan-Gi. Over the years this Peninsula was broken into three
Kingdoms: 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 years fighting between the three the Silla
kingdom emerged victorious and united all into one kingdom.

This is the time the HwaRang Do warriors become prevalent. Their adopted code of honor
and principles helped shaped and bond the country side. These philosophies came from the monk
Won Kwang. From him and the HwaRang Do came the principles that our original Tang Soo Do is
based on. The combination of Soo Bahk Ki (the art of foot and body fighting) and Soo Bahk Do (the
way of the striking hand). Below are the codes that were adopted:

These five codes of moral behavior had three more added. Be loving to husband and wife,
Be faithful to your teacher and always finish what you start. These conducts are reflected in the ten
articles of faith in modern Tang Soo Do.

The Koryo Dynasty (935-1392) overthrew the Silla Kingdom peacefully. This militaristic society
promoted martial spirit and so it became a fruitful time in the development of the Korean arts. During this
time Soo Bahk Do flourished and great strides were made in its development. Soo Bahk Do was
practiced by the military as a skill to improve health, as a sports activity and as a martial art.

In 1392, Yi Song-gye, with the aid of the Ming
dynasty (based in present China) seized the throne and the
Yi Dynasty (1392-1910) followed. 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 "Mooye Dobo Tongi." 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.

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 Whang Kee was born. A martial arts
prodigy, Whang 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. By the age of 21 he had already gained a reputation for expertise in Soo Bahk Do and
Tee – Ryun.

In 1936 Grand Master Whang Kee was arrested by the Japanese and imprisoned for violating
Japanese martial law. He was sentenced to death. 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. Grand Master Whang Kee trained from 1936 – 1945
there. 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. Whang Kee's mind.

Following the liberation of Korea in 1945, Grand Master Whang Kee returned to Korea and
founded the Korean Soo Bahk Do Association on September 9, 1945. This association combined Tae
Kyun and Soo Bahk Do with the Chinese method of Tang. This is also known as Tang Soo Do.

In 1965, the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association was established in an attempt to unite Korean
martial arts under one name. However, the Tang Soo Do practioners chose to remain as traditionalist
rather than join a sport oriented Tae Kwon Do organization.