“Tang (Tahng)” means punch, strike, or defense, “Soo” means hand. “Do (Doh)” means way of life, or art. Tang Soo Do is depicted as an Eternal Triangle in which the Body, Mind, and Spirit are interrelated. Is Tang Soo Do offensive? Conceptually, it is a defensive martial art, and should never be used violently or excessively.
Full Answer
What is Tang Soo do in Korean?
Tang Soo Do (Hangul: 당수도, Hanja: 唐手道 pronounced [taŋ.su.do]) refers to a Korean martial art based on Karate and may include fighting principles from subak (as described in the Kwon Bup Chong Do), as well as northern Chinese martial arts.
Is Tang Soo do regulated by the government?
There is no large umbrella organization regulating its practice. Tang Soo Do could be described as a Korean version of karate. It is a striking style of martial arts in that practitioners utilize hand strikes, kicks, and blocks to defend themselves. In addition, jiu-jitsu or aikido style wrist grabs are also practiced (known as self-defense moves).
What is Tang Soo do free-sparring?
Though variation is extensive, Tang Soo Do free-sparring is similar to competitive matches in other traditional Okinawan, Japanese and Korean striking systems and may include elements of American freestyle point karate.
Why did Tang Soo do break up?
Due to political in-fighting and splintering, Tang Soo Do has had several members break off, although the Moo Duk Kwan as founded by Hwang Kee continues to represent Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do) worldwide, and is headed by Hwang Kee's son, Hwang Hyun-chul.
What does tang soo mean in Korean?
Tang Soo Do is a relatively modern martial art based on the Korean art of Soo Bahk Do, which has existed for many centuries. Soo Bahk originated during the Silla Dynasty (618 to 935 A.D.) “Tang Soo Do” translates to mean “Way of the China hand”. “Tang” represents the Tang Dynasty of China.
What does the words Tang Soo Do mean?
The Way of the Tang Hand"Tang Soo Do" (당수도) is the Korean pronunciation of the Hanja 唐手道 (pronounced Táng shǒu dào in Chinese), and translates literally to "The Way of the Tang Hand." The same characters can be pronounced "karate-dō" in Japanese.
What is the formal name of Tang Soo Do?
Soo Bahk KiThis 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.
What does red belt mean in Tang Soo Do?
The student has new knowledge to grow and a sense of Tang Soo Do direction is developed. Green: Green represents the speedy development of youth as summer arrives, a sense of pride has come over the student. Red: Red represents power, stability, agility, weight and wisdom.
Who wrote the 5 codes of Tang Soo Do?
Wong KwangThe five codes of Tang Soo Do were written by a monk named Wong Kwang approximately 1800 years ago when war was very prevalent.
Is Miyagi-Do karate real?
Miyagi-Do doesn't exist in the real world. Neither does Cobra Kai for that matter, but there is some legitimacy to the franchise's fight choreography, parts of the Miyagi-Do training method, and the history surrounding the martial art.
What is the highest rank in Tang Soo Do?
Tang Soo Do has 10 colour belts/student grades (10th to 1st Gup), 1 black belt candidate (Cho Dan Bo), 4 Dan grades (1st – 4th Dan), 2 Master Dan grades (4th and 5th Dan), 2 Senior Master grades (6th and 7th Dan) and 2 Grandmaster grades (8th and 9th Dan).
What makes Tang Soo Do unique?
However, Tang So Doo is unique in the sense that it doesn't involve head contact. Rather, practitioners are only allowed to strike their opponent's body. There are organized Tang Soo Do matches available for practitioners looking to compete in this martial art.
What is a Tang Soo Do uniform called?
Dobok is the uniform worn by practitioners of Korean martial arts. Do means "way" and bok means "clothing." The dobok is related to the Japanese keikogi/dōgi, used in Japanese martial arts, such as judo. Dobok.
What does green belt mean in Tang Soo Do?
The Green Belt rank signifies that you are an intermediate level student. As an intermediate level student you will be expected to begin taking on additional responsibilities within the dojang.
How long does it take to get a green belt in Tang Soo Do?
It takes approximately six months of training for most students to advance to the next belt level.
How long does it take to get an orange belt in Tang Soo Do?
All students begin with a white belt (10th gup). Upon the instructor's recommendation, the student's ability and regular class attendance, the student tests for yellow belt (9th gup). After approximately 1-2 additional months the student tests for orange belt (8th gup).
How do you pronounce Tang Soo Do terms?
In Korea, Tang Soo Do is pronounced “dang soo do” and actually written. Interestingly enough, the Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, is a phonetic alphabet like ours, in that each symbol has a sound.
What does tae kwon do translate to?
"Tae" means "foot," "leg," or "to step on"; "Kwon" means "fist," or "fight"; and "Do" means the "way" or "discipline." If we put these three parts together, we can see two important concepts behind "Tae Kwon Do".
What does Ki Cho mean?
Kichō (きちょう，貴重) = precious, valuable, priceless, invaluable.
How do you say bow in Tang Soo Do?
Tang Soo Do Words & CommandsAttention – Charyut (“Chari-yut”)Begin – Sijak.Block – Maggi.Bow – Kyungnet.Continue – Kaesok.Fist – Joomock.Foot – Baal.Forms – Hyung.More items...
How many forms are there in Tang Soo Do?
Traditionally, nine forms are included in the curriculum of most Tang Soo Do schools, which are required study to earn the midnight blue belt. These hyung are:
Who promoted Tang Soo Do?
Outside of the Far East, the term "Tang Soo Do" has primarily become synonymous with the Korean martial art promoted by grandmaster Hwang Kee .
What was the name of the group that tried to unify the Korean Tae Kwon Do movement?
Because of its political influence, the Tae Kwon Do group, led by its second president, General Choi Hong Hi, tried to unify it with the Korean Soo Bahk Do Association . Kwanjangnim's organization was the largest martial arts system in Korea at the time. Grandmaster Hwang Kee agreed to discuss unification but, when it became clear that he would not be in charge of the new organization, he ultimately refused. The result was a weakening of the Moo Duk Kwan as the Tae Kwon Do movement grew in strength, absorbing many Moo Duk Kwan members in the process.
How is karate pronounced in Japanese?
The same characters can be pronounced "karate-dō" in Japanese. In the early 1930s, approximately 55 years after Japan's annexation of Okinawa, Gichin Funakoshi in coordination with others changed the first character, 唐, which referred to the Chinese Tang Dynasty, to 空, signifying "empty"; both characters can be pronounced "kara" in Japanese, though 唐 is more commonly rendered as "Tou". Funakoshi ostensibly wanted to avoid confusion with Chinese Kenpō. Funakoshi claimed Okinawan Karate could "now be considered a Japanese martial art" and found the China reference "inappropriate" and "in a sense degrading". The Chinese pronunciation of 空手道 is kōng-shǒu-dào, and the Korean is pronounced [koŋsʰudo] (공수도).
Why did Tang Soo Do break off?
Due to political in-fighting and splintering, Tang Soo Do has had several members break off, although the Moo Duk Kwan as founded by Hwang Kee continues to represent Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do) worldwide, and is headed by Hwang Kee's son, Hwang Hyun-chul. The Amateur Athletic Union Taekwondo recognizes Tang Soo Do ranks, permits Tang Soo Do hyeong in competition and hosts non-Olympic-style point-sparring to accommodate the various traditional Korean stylists.
How long is a bong?
Bong is a weapon used in Tang Soo Do. This one is 160 cm long.
Is there a Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo school?
There are still a multitude of contemporary Taekwondo schools in the United States that teach what is known as " Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo ". This nomenclature reflects this government-ordered kwan merger. In 1964, the Korean Tae Soo Do Association was formed which, in 1965, became the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association.
What is the meaning of "tang soo do"?
The term "Tang Soo Do/ Dang Soo Do" was initially a Korean pronunciation of "The Way of the Chinese Hand.".
What is tang soo do?
Tang Soo Do could be described as a Korean version of karate. It is a striking style of martial arts in that practitioners utilize hand strikes, kicks, and blocks to defend themselves. In addition, jiu-jitsu or aikido style wrist grabs are also practiced (known as self-defense moves). Tang Soo Do is a style that emphasizes breathing in its forms ...
What is the history of Tang Soo Do?
The History of Tang Soo Do. Tang Soo Do started with the early Korean fighting arts, which paintings and murals tell us were utilized during the time of the three kingdoms in Korea. Eventually, these kingdoms were united under the Silla Dynasty, where evidence of the fighting arts in Korea became even greater. ...
When did Tang Soo Do change its name?
In the late 1950s, he changed the name of his organization to Korean Soo Bahk Do Association, Moo Duk Kwan. Today, Tang Soo Do continues to flourish under numerous federations and organizations. There is no large umbrella organization regulating its practice.
Who is the founder of Tang Soo Do?
Hwang Kee: Kee was the founder of the Moo Duk Kwan Soo Bahk Do (Tang Soo Do) organization. Most Tang Soo Do schools trace their lineage to him. Chuck Norris: Norris, one of the most famous martial arts movie actors of all-time, began training in Tang Soo Do after joining the Air Force as an Air Policeman in 1958.
What martial arts did Kee learn?
Throughout his life, sometimes on his own due to circumstances, Kee studied Tae Kyon (indigenous and ancient Korean fighting art), Okinawan karate styles including Shotokan, and Chinese martial arts styles like tai chi and kung fu. It is from these styles that Tang Soo Do was born.
Overview
Tang Soo Do refers to a Korean martial art based on Karate and may include fighting principles from subak (as described in the Kwon Bup Chong Do), as well as northern Chinese martial arts. Before the Nine Kwans united and formed the martial art Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do was used by select Kwans to identify their Karate-derived martial arts style.
Etymology
"Tang Soo Do" (당수도) is the Korean pronunciation of the Hanja 唐手道 (pronounced Táng shǒu dào in Chinese), and translates literally to "The Way of the Tang Hand."
The same characters can be pronounced "karate-dō" in Japanese. In the early 1930s, approximately 55 years after Japan's annexation of Okinawa, Gichin Funakoshi in coordination with others changed the first character, 唐, which referred to the Chinese Tang Dynasty, to 空, signifyi…
History
During the late 1930s, Hwang Kee had mastered the native Korean martial arts of Subak and Taekkyon. It was during this time that the Japanese occupied Korea, and the resident general, in an attempt to control the population, banned the practice of native martial arts, setting the penalty at imprisonment. In 1936, Hwang Kee attracted the attention of the Japanese secret police, forcing him to pack his bags and set out on foot for Manchuria, where he experienced scenes of …
Ranking systems
Tang Soo Do uses the colored belt system that was instituted by Judo's founder Jigoro Kano and popularized in Karate-do by Gichin Funakoshi. However, minor deviations according to organization and/or individual school are commonplace. One differentiating characteristic of the Moo Duk Kwan style is that the black belt, or dan rank, is frequently represented by a midnight blue belt (some Chun…
Techniques and patterns
Forms (hyung) vary depending upon the founder or head of the different federations of Tang Soo Do. Tang Soo Do forms are a set of moves demonstrating a defensive or aggressive action for every movement taken mainly from Japanese shotokan karate kata. They are based on an offender attacking and one demonstrating the form reacting to their attack. They are generally memorized and demonstrated at a test for ranking up or a tournament.
Notable Practitioners
• Won-kuk Lee (founder Chung Do Kwan)
• Hwang Kee(founder Moo Duk Kwan)
• Hwang Hyun-chul
• Shin Jae-chul
Major organizations
• World Tang Soo Do Association [1]
• World Dang Soo Do Union [2]
• World Tang Soo Do General Federation [3]
• World Moo Duk Kwan [4]
Further reading
• Tang Soo Do: Student Handbook of History, Etiquette and Promotional Requirements - Volume 1 ISBN 978-1-716-41335-3 Ross, Steve (2020)
• Complete Tang Soo Do Manual: From White Belt to Black Belt ISBN 0-9718609-6-3 Pak, Ho Sik
• Complete Tang Soo Do Manual: From 2nd Dan to 6th Dan - Volume 2 ISBN 0-9718609-1-2 Pak, Ho Sik and Pistella, Jack