What's Soo Bahk Do??

The Art of Soo Bahk (Korean "Hand Strike") is the oldest documented traditional Korean Martial Art with modern and ancient references. Hwang Kee, our founder, defines any weaponless fighting originating with man's earliest civilization as "Soo Bahk" in his Volume I. The collection of techniques that comprise modern Soo Bahk Do are derived from ancient Korean and Chinese roots and those roots as they evolved separately in more modern times in Okinawa. Okinawan and Japanese Karate evolved from ancient Chinese techniques brought over from ancient Chinese traders to the island of Okinawa but evolved, developed, and over time were taught in different ways of their own.

The term/name was historically placed by its mention in the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji (see below) with its earliest reference dated at about 200 B.C. in the Go Joseon (also sometimes written "Choson") era of ancient Korea which is believed to have lasted from 2333 B.C. to 108 B.C.. Unarmed fighting in Korea was greatly practiced and advanced by the Hwa Rang warriors during the Silla Dynasty which lasted in Korea between 57 B.C. and 935 A.D. Various names were used to describe different groups of movements and styles - all of which Hwang Kee would call forms of Soo Bahk. We all share the ancient legacy of our ancestors from all parts of the world. Regional and National styles developed from our common heritage - Martial Artists of all styles and organizations should embrace our common ancient heritage as it grew into the wide range of martial arts in the world today. Nobody owns any special segment of history - we can only seek to preserve techniques of the past and embrace the future.

During collaboration and alliance with the Chinese Tang Dynasty which ruled from 618 A.D. to 907 A.D., the HwaRang also trained in "Tangsu" - a different but similar ancient open hand fighting style of the Tang Dynasty. (Ancient source for name "Tang Soo Do" and "Kara Te Do" or Karate Do)

Knowledge and practice of ancient Korean Soo Bahk was lost during the period of Japanese occupation of Korea and was only rediscovered in the 1950s by Hwang Kee.

In a more modern reference, Soo Bahk Do is considered a specific style of "Tang Soo Do."

The first modern recorded usage of the term "Tang Soo Do" was by Chung Do Kwan founder, Won Kuk Lee in Korea after the end of the Japanese occupation in 1945. After this occupation ended, 5 main "Kwan" or Schools opened, and most of them called their art Tang Soo Do as this is the Korean translation of the Hanja Characters/symbols that in Japanese are promounced Kara Te-Do, or Karate, derived from ancient Tangsu. This name choice was made because it was most easily understandable by the Japanese Culture indoctrinated Koreans at this time. Soo Bahk Do, Tang Soo Do and even Tae Kwon Do are sometimes called forms of "Korean Karate."

Prior to the unification of the original "Kwans" established after Japanese rule under the Korea Taekwondo Association, most of the major Korean Kwans called their style Tang Soo Do. The Chung Do Kwan, along with the rest of the original Kwans ceased using the name Tang Soo Do when they unified under the name Taekwondo (and temporarily Tae Soo Do)

The Moo Duk Kwan and its 1945 Founder Hwang Kee, however, remained independent of this unification movement, and continued to call their style Tang Soo Do. This is why most if not all remaining modern TSD stylists claim/trace lineage to Hwang Kee and his original Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan. **** NOTE: TSD, Japanese Karate and SBD all share the same Ancient Korean/Chinese/Okinawan roots.

In 1960, the late Hwang Kee officially changed the name of the Moo Duk Kwan style to Soo Bahk Do after his discovery of the art and name "Soo Bahk" in the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji, the ancient Korean Martial Arts Text rediscovered in the 1950s.

The original Moo Duk Kwan has used and has been known by both Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan and Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan for many years well into the 1990s but must not be confused with certain Tang Soo Do associations that were started by students that departed from the teaching of Hwang Kee. (World TSD Fed., etc.)

*** TO THIS DAY - there remains an unbroken record of TSD/SBD MDK Dan Numbers "Bon" running from Dan 1 issued in 1949 to Kim, Un Chang. to current Dan Numbers ranging beyond the 43,000s.

See: www.SooBahkDo.com and www.Answers.com to cross-check or verify any historical facts presented above.

According to the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji, the name "Bahk" originated in the age of Chun Chu (2,700 years ago) and the name "Soo Bahk" originated during the Jon Han Dynasty in China (2,200 years ago).

THIS IS THE OLDEST REFERENCE TO ANY MARTIAL ART NAME IN KOREA, BASED ON THE HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE AT THE PRESENT TIME. p.1 - The History of Moo Duk Kwan(tm), Hwang Kee, Copyright 1995 /// This is why Grandmaster Hwang Kee changed the name of his style of Tang Soo Do to "Soo Bahk Do" - he also integrated techniques from the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji into his style - to reconnect with the ancient term "Soo Bahk" to revive, preserve and pass on the oldest authentic Korean martial art reference.

FOR MARTIAL ARTS CONTEXT: Ancient traditional martial arts worldwide and the Feudal traditions of the Samurai in Japan and the Hwa Rang Warriors during the Feudal Ko Choson era in Korea, emphasized 3 Dimensions - 1. Striking 2. Grappling (ground), and 3. Weapons - Soo Bahk Do, Tang Soo Do and Kara Te-Do are "Striking" Arts - Hand and Foot, No Weapons, No Grappling

Introduce Yourself Here!!
Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Links -organizations sanctioned by the original Moo Duk Kwan of Hwang Kee founded in 1945:
Australian Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation

Argentina Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation