Meaning & History of Soo Bahk Do

The exact origin of Soo Bahk Do, as well as any martial art in general, is obscure, although there are a number of historical theories. However, the most credible and traditional view is that martial arts originated not in any one country but in almost all parts of the globe, as they were needed by primitive people. Development in Early Ages The ancestral art of Korean Soo Bahk Do can be traced back to the period of the three kingdoms. At that time, Korea was divided into three kingdoms. Koguryo was founded 37 BC in northern Korea. The Silla Dynasty was founded in 57 BC in the southeast peninsula, and Paekche was founded in 18 BC. 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 mural paintings, ruins, and remains which depicted Tang Soo Do in those days. Among the three kingdoms, the Silla Dynasty was most famous for its development of martial arts. A corps formed by young aristocrats, 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 the dynasty. Most Korean martial arts trace their spiritual and technical heritage to this group. The names of some groups and arts reflect this, such as Hwa Rang Do or Hwa Doo Do. Medieval Development The Unified Silla Kingdom was overthrown by a warlord, Wang Kun, in 918 AD, and a new kingdom called "Koryo" 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. Tang Soo Do became very popular with the general public. In those days it was called Kwon Bop, Tae Kyun, Soo Bahk, Tang Soo, etc. The very first complete martial art book was written at this time. This most important book is called "Moie 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.

Modern History

The subsequent occupation of Korea by the Japanese military regime took place from 1909 to 1945. During this period, practicing and teaching of martial arts was restricted. After World War II, 1945, this restriction was lifted. Several martial arts training schools were erected at that time as follows:

# 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

The founders started to organize their own organizations respectively, and Master Hwang Kee organized the "Korean Tang Soo Do Association" on November 9, 1945. Besides the Soo Bahk Do Association's existence in Korea, there were various types of other martial arts called "Kong Soo" or "Tae Soo." In 1965 all of these various systems were united into one organization called the "Korean Tae Kwon Do Association," and the art was called "Tae Kwon Do" uniformly. As a Korean national sport, Tae Kwon Do initiated a new era and instructors were dispatched throughout the world, and international tournaments were held. In those days, Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do were divided with Tang Soo Do striving to remain as a traditional martial art while Tae Kwon Do held its world games and sports.

Early traces: Three Kingdoms Period

The rich history surrounding the martial arts is deeply imbedded in the early development of the nation of Korea. Speculation is, that in its earliest form, Soo Bahk Do was practiced by unarmed peasant farmers for defense against attacking marauders, both man... and beast.

* The Koguryo Kingdom. The first documented evidence that the martial arts were practiced in Korea dates from the Three Kingdoms period. A wall painting in a tomb which dates to the kingdom of Koguryo (37 B.C. - 66 A.D.) located in North Korea, shows two figures engaged in sparring. The hand and foot positions of these figures resembles elements of Soo Bahk Do hyungs practiced today.
* The Paekje & The Silla Kingdoms. Literature from the Kingdom of Paekje (18 B.C. - 600 A.D.) provides evidence that unarmed combat skills were practiced by commoners as well as military personnel. It was, however, in the Kingdom of Silla, (57 B.C. - 936 A.D.) located in the extreme southeastern Korean peninsula, that the martial art of Tang Soo Do had its genesis. Silla held control of the three kingdoms for over 300 years.

The Hwa Rang Do

A military, educational and social organization founded by King Jin Heung (Silla Dynasty) and called the Hwa Rang Do was very instrumental in the unification of the three kingdoms. Members of the Hwa Rang Do followed a Well Honor Code pledging loyalty to friends, parents and nation. The code also delineated that members would exercise courage in battle, but prudence in violence against another. This code of honor remains the philisophical backbone of Soo Bahk Do today. The Hwa Rang Do trained in all forms of military combat and personal defense. Weaponless fighting, or Soo Bahk Do, was refined, developed and standardized as a part of physical and military training within the Hwa Rang Do. The Koryo Dynasty. During the Koryo Dynasty (935 A.D. - 1392 A.D.) the study of Soo Bahk Do (the precursor of Tang Soo Do) reached widespread popularity and the martial arts matured to become a robust element of the Korean military and social infrastructure. Techniques were studied as a science. Standardized patterns of moves were framed into a systematized taxonomy and nomenclature by the leading masters at that time. Military men and Soo Bahk Do masters were invited by the royal family to give public demonstrations to illustrate the level of national support given to the martial arts at this time. The Yi Dynasty: The Moo Yi Do bo Tong ji. The Yi Dynasty established its rule in 1392. Confucianism was introduced as the state religion, replacing Buddhism. The strong emphasis on military training and fitness was abandoned in favor of a sedentary lifestyle. The ruling class, led by King Taejo, adopted Confucian guidelines in their political and cultural outlook as well as their personal lives. These guidelines placed emphasis on the pursuit of literature, music, and the arts in contrast to physical activity. Military leaders and martial arts masters were reduced in social stature and were not given support to continue the development of combat skills. This lasted for almost four centuries, until the rule of King Chongjo. King Chongjo revived the dormant martial arts institution and in 1790, ordered the military general, Lee Duk Mu, to prepare an official text on all martial arts forms which were being practiced in Korea. This volume, known as Moo Yi Do Bo Tong Gi, is considered the classic reference text among Korean martial artists. The Moo Yi Do Bo Tong Gi employed codified illustrations and narrative which helped to promote and create benchmark criteria for the execution of various striking and blocking techniques.

The silent years

The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were unremarkable as far as the martial arts were concerned. There was no organized framework to promote the martial arts. Training in Soo Bahk Do was decentralized. Techniques were handed from father to son or master to student in family settings and in secrecy. The Yi Dynasty came to a close in 1909, with the Japanese occupation of Korea. The practice of military techniques was banned as the Japanese attempted to destroy those institutions which gave Korea its national and cultural identity. The early 1900s were extremely trying for students and teachers of Soo Bahk Do. They were forced to go underground to continue practicing their skills and the survival of Soo Bahk Do as a combat system is a monument to the perseverence of the many masters and students who lived through this difficult and turbulent era.

Soo Bahk Do and its Traditional Value to the Moo Duk Kwan Practitioners

According to the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji, the name "Bahk" originated in the age of Chun Chu (2700 years ago) and the name "Soo Bahk" originated during the Jon Han Dynasty in China (2200 years ago). This is the oldest reference to any martial art name in Korea, based on the historical documentation available at the present time. Numerous descriptions of the name "Soo Bahk" were recorded in the historical documentation and wall painting of tombs since the Han Dynasty (2000 years ago) and through the Koku Ryo, Silla, and Ko Ryo Dynasties and down to the Yi Dynasty (600 years ago). As we discussed earlier, the name "Soo Bahk" was first used about 2200-2700 years ago in the age of Chun Chu in China; however, "Soo Bahk Ki" seems to have been more actively known and practiced in the Ko Ku Ryo Dynasty (2000 years ago), Ko Ryo Dynasty (1000 years ago), and Yi Dynasty (600 years ago) of Korea. It is hard to conclude where Soo Bahk Do originated, considering the historical information to support the fact that at one time Manchuria, San Dong Song, and Hwang Hae Ahn of China were Korean territories. This was during the Eun Dynasty, which is even before the age of Chun Chu. Because of these interrelationships, these areas of China have customs similar to Korea, even at this time. When we consider these factors, Soo Bahk influence may have spread from Korea to China during that time. Although available research and historical documentation have not clarified the specific origination of Soo Bahk, we understand that Soo Bahk is a truly Korean traditional art. Soo Bahk has the only bare hand and foot martial techniques that were handed down from the Ko Ku Ryo Dynasty (2000 years ago) to today. There was a period of 36 years (1910-1945) when all dimensions of Korean traditional culture expression were prohibited due to the Japanese occupation. No one knew about the existence of Soo Bahk for nearly a half century during the Japanese occupation. Korea finally became an independent country as World War II ended on August 15, 1945. Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee discovered Soo Bahk in the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji in 1957. This was the rebirth of Soo Bahk as a Korean traditional martial art. He spent long and arduous hours of study in order to make possible the rebirth of Soo Bahk for the martial art practitioners of the world. He developed the Soo Bahk Do System for us to study through the Moo Duk Kwan as a living art, and he has helped us to become connected with our long and proud heritage. The Kwan Jang Nim realized the importance and value of "Soo Bahk" and he named it "Soo Bahk Do" and started its promotion in 1957. In November 1959, he applied to the Ministry of Education in Korea for incorporation under the name of the "Korean Soo Bahk Do Association." The Korean Soo Bahk Do Association was formally registered as a corporation with the Korean Government on June 30, 1960 and has continuously fulfilled its mission.