The Ancient history of Soo Bahk Do

In man's history, there has always been the need for self defense, whether it's against other people, wild animals, or the elements. All over the world there are martial arts that developed to preserve live. Each art developed and adapted to the environment, lifestyle and various needs of the the participants. The fewer the variables, the more specific that art became.

Conversely, the larger the amount of variables effecting the art, the more versatile that art became. One of the many unique aspects of Korea's martial art Soo Bahk Do is its versatility.The history of Korean martial arts is more than 2,000 years old. The conditions and challenges effecting Korea and its people forged an art like no other in the world.

Records show the systemization of Korean martial arts predating the birth of Christ over 2,000 years ago. One of the earliest records is the tombs discovered in the Manchurian Province of Hwan Do. These tombs were built between 3 A.D. and 427 A.D. during the Koguryo Dynasty (37 B.C.). In the tombs are murals depicting Soo Bahk Do postures, and the huge towering statues of Soo Bahk Do practitioners facing each other, guarding the Pulkuk temple in Soo Bahk Do posture, created in the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. - 668 A.D.) and also more recently, during the Yi Dynasty (1392-1907) Korea's martial arts were compiled into a martial arts text called the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji (Moo Yeh Doe Bo Tong Jee)

In 1790, Master Lee Duk Moo appeared before King Jung Jo and was ordered to compile Korea's martial arts techniques that were popular at that time into a book called the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji and is the oldest and most valuable historical documentation of the Korean martial arts. Master Lee Duk Moo referenced many sources all of which are listed in the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji's contents. Most of the sources were either Korean, Chinese or Japanese. It was written in four parts or books. Book one was written about the spear (Chang), their various types and techniques. Book two dealt with the sword (Kum). Book three covered long blades and sword strategies and Book four is about empty hand combat (Kwon Bup).

Korea is a peninsula between China and Japan, and as such it was the recipient of the exchanges and conflicts between China and Japan and also within itself (ancient Korea was divided into three kingdoms: Silla, Paekche, and Koguryo). This demanded that the Korean people be very versatile in their military methods. The result is Soo Bahk Do , Korea's oldest martial art. (Originally Soo Bahk Do was known as Soo Bahk Ki or Soo Bahk the prefix Do was added by GrandMaster Hwang Kee to demonstrate this arts value as a vehicle for human development. Soo Bahk Do practitioners use their art as a vehicle for self development. "Do" means to "travel a path" or a "way".)

A brief History of Moo Duk Kwan Soo Bahk Do

First it is important to understand that Soo Bahk Do is the Art, and Moo Duk Kwan is the style. Soo Bahk Do is the technical side, the Moo Duk Kwan is the philosophical side of "Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan". The name "Bahk" originated in the age of Chun Chu (2700 years ago) according to the Moo Yei Dobo Tong Ji (One of the oldest records of Korea's martial arts) Soo Bahk Do (combat with bare hands and feet) is the only Korean martial art handed down from the Ko Ku Ryo Dynasty, thereby making it the oldest Korean martial art (aprox. 2,000 years old)

What is Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan?

Translated literally, Moo Duk Kwan means "Institute of Martial Virtue". It is the scientific use of the body in methods of self defense, combined with a strict philosophy guiding the practitioner towards discovering their full potential. Soo Bahk Do forges a body towards gaining ultimate use of its faculties through intensive physical and mental training. It is an art of self defense and philosophy that's secrets cannot be bought at any price other than serious and rigorous training. It is an art tempered on the lawns of Buddhist monasteries, against the steel of wandering bandits and on the fields of combat, its history is a long and honorable one.

What are the origins of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan?

In Korea the indigenous arts of self defense (Soo Bahk Ki and Tae Kyun) we combined with other fighting principles (Northern and Southern Chinese Kung Fu) and moral guidelines such as the philosophy of Do (Tao), No Ja (Lao Tzu) and Lee Do Ja (Confucius) by Grandmaster Hwang Kee into what is now known as Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan. This combination of techniques and philosophy resulted in the development of a form of self defense and mental conditioning.

The founder of the Moo Duk Kwan, Grandmaster created the Moo Duk Kwan on November 9th 1945. Grand Master Hwang Kee was first inspired to study the Martial arts in 1921 when he was about seven years old. At a traditional Festival called "Dan O" he was visiting a nearby village, where they had archery, wrestling and many other festivities. As Grand Master was enjoying the festival a group of seven or eight men had a dispute with another man. Suddenly the group of men attacked the lone man, who began evading and counter attacking with his feet, eventually defeating the group of men. This ability to defend oneself against several attackers so impressed Grand Master that at that moment he knew he wanted to learn the martial arts.

Several years Grand Master Hwang Kee studied and researched every available source, and at the age of 22 he was recognized as a Master among other martial artists. In May of 1935 Grand Master began working for the Korean railroad company which allowed him to travel. In May of 1936 he met a Chinese Kung Fu master named Yang, Kuk Jin. Grand Master trained with Master Yang until 1946, at that time China became a communist country. The training consisted of Seh Bop (postures), Bo Bop (steps), Ryun Bop (conditioning) and Hyung (Forms) with their applications. November 9th 1945 Grandmaster Hwang Kee founded the Moo Duk Kwan. The basic ideal of the Moo Duk Kwan is the development of its participants. Strong individuals in Spirit and Body make strong communities, strong communities make strong nations, Strong and peaceful nations make a strong and peaceful world.

What makes Soo Bahk Do different from other styles?

There are many styles of martial arts, two of the many things that separate (Soo Bahk Do) from other arts, are its versatility and philosophy. Because ancient Korea was constantly attacked by both Japan and China, Soo Bahk Do became versatile out of necessity, the result being an art which demands mastery of the whole body, not just kicking and punching. Challenging techniques ranging from quick and spontaneous movements to slow graceful flowing movements gives not only variety but also challenges everyone.