The History of Tang Soo Do

Tang Soo Do is a relatively modern Korean martial art based upon the ancient Korean art of Soo Bahk Do, which dates back to the 6th Century. However, the exact origin of Tang Soo Do is obscure. Some Japanese Karate experts insist that the art is of Japanese origin; some say it came from Okinawa; others say it began in China with Bodhidarma and spread from there.

It was during the Silla Dynasty (618 - 935 AD) that the martial arts expanded rapidly in Korea. The Kingdom of Silla was one of the three kingdoms in Korea and was notable for the military prowess of its young warrior class, the Hwa Rang. The five basic principles of Tang Soo Do are derived from the principles of these elite warriors. However, Tang Soo Do gained most of its popularity during the Koryo Dynasty (935 - 1392 AD).

At the beginning of the Yi Dynasty (1392-1910), the National Martial Arts Manual was published, and the term Soo Bahk Do became widely used. During the occupation of Korea by Japan (1907 - 1945) the practice of native martial arts was prohibited. This prohibition forced many Korean Soo Bahk Do Masters to emigrate, or to practice secretly. Tang Soo Do was developed by Grand Master Hwang Kee. He mastered Tae Kyun and Soo Bahk Do at the age of 22. Upon his travels to Northern China in 1936, he encountered a Chinese variation of martial artistry called the Tang Method. From 1936 to 1945 he combined Soo Bahk Do with the Tang Method and developed what was to be known as Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do, even though it was officially registered in Korea on November 9, 1945 as the Korean Soo Bahk Do Association.

At the beginning of the modern era of the Korean martial arts, Tang Soo Do was the most popular term for the merged martial arts, however, at that time, the Korean political leader was concerned about establishing Korean value based on Korean nationalism. The political leaders recognized the popularity of Korean martial arts around the world, but were opposed to the use of the name Tang Soo Do for the art, as it sounded like a Chinese martial art. In 1964, a government sponsored small group created a new name for the Korean martial arts: Taekwondo. The World Tang Soo Do Association still respects the original term, Tang Soo Do, and intends to preserve its heritage and value as a traditional way or path. So Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do are divided principally, with Tang Soo Do striving to remain as a traditional martial art, while Taekwondo held its world games and sport.

The International Tang Soo Do Federation (ITSDF) was formed in 1989. The United Kingdom Tang Soo Do Federation currently serves as its administrative and technical headquarters. Tang Soo Do has since spread throughout the world. Practiced by champions like Chuck Norris, it is a proven method of fighting with a long and proud tradition of victories.

American Tang Soo Do

Branching off from Hwang Kee's organization, Mr. Chuck Norris altered traditional Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan to strengthen the weaknesses he perceived to exist in the style. Upon his return to the U.S. from South Korea as a new black belt in tang soo do, Norris began his tournament sparring career with a series of losses to skilled hand technicians. Tang Soo Do had taught him a variety of kicks, but the style was deficient in effective hand techniques. To reverse this losing tournament trend and to improve his hand skills, Norris began training with Japanese stylists to learn their punching techniques. The result is tournament karate history. While establishing himself in tournament competition, movies and television, he opened more studios. He eventually dropped the name "Tang Soo Do"completely, and entitled his evolved style the Chuck Norris System. Meanwhile, as Chuck Norris was heading in one direction, black belts who had trained under him were also branching off and opening karate studios of their own. Among those instructors was Dennis Ichikawa, who was over the last two decades, fortified the weaknesses he perceived to exist in the system he learned. Now he teaches what he believes to be a complete and well-balanced system. He has combined the aesthetics which constitute our style as an art form, with the strong and practical techniques which enable practitioners to defend themselves efficiently. As did Hwang Kee, Mr. Ichikawa recognizes the spiritual and mental disciplines to be equal in importance to the physical ones. Through example, and sometimes fierce, sometimes gentle leading, instills courage and a sense of honor and respect in his students. Maintaining the traditional tang soo do working techinques and manners of conduct, and expressing appreciation of our country's opportunities, and patriotic loyalty, Mr. Dennis Ichikawa and his instructors below him now proudly carry on "AMERICAN TANG SOO DO". Among these instructors dedicated to further the well- rounded art of American Tang Soo Do, are Master Instructor Mark Cox and his protege, our Chief Instructor, Mr. Clay Pierson.