Training in Tang Soo Do offers far more than physical fitness; it’s a pathway to personal transformation. Rooted in Korean martial traditions and enriched by Chinese and Japanese influences, Tang Soo Do blends technique with philosophy, discipline with compassion.
What is Tang Soo Do?
Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art based on Karate, which can include fighting principles from taekkyeon, subak, as well as northern Chinese martial arts. From its beginnings in 1944 to today, Tang Soo Do is used by some Kwans to identify the traditional Korean fusion of fighting styles.
Techniques:
- Hyeong (Forms)
- One-step sparring
- Self-defense Techniques
- Free sparring
The Founding of Tang Soo Do
Between 1944 and Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule in 1945, the original school or kwans of Tang Soo Do were founded in Korea by practitioners who studied Okinawan karate and had exposure to kung-fu. (“traditional Taekwondo”) At the time, there were five kwans, of which only Chung Do Kwan of Won-kuk Lee and Moo Duk Kwan of Hwang Kee identified their martial arts as Tang Soo do. Shortly after the Korean War and in 1953, four more offshoot schools formed. Of these second-generation kwans, Choi Hong-hi and Nam Tae-hi’s Oh Do Kwan and Lee Young-woo’s Jung Do Kwan splintered from the Chung Do Kwan style of Tang Soo Do.
In the 1960s, despite the Korean nationalist effort to combine kwans, some schools chose not to change their style and name of taekwondo during the effort led by Syngman Rhee to create a single organisation. These kwans still flourish and train, and other branches have since been developed.
Chung Do Kwan
Chung Do Kwan has survived in Korea as a fraternal friendship social club of Kukkiwon Taekwondo. Its organisation follows the Kukiwon curriculum and is no longer an individual Tang Soo Do style. Some of the older Chung Do Kwan schools practice the original Pyeongahn forms, which Lee Won-Kuk incorporated from Shotokan karate.
Moo Duk Kwan
Because of its political influence, the KTA, led by its second president, General Choi Hong-hi, tried to assimilate the Moo Duk Kwan. Kwanjangnim’s organisation 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 organisation, he ultimately refused.
Present Day
The world Tang Soo Do Association and the international Tang Soo Do Federation teach systems of Tang Soo Do that existed before the Taekwondo “merger” and before the development of modern Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan. These versions of Tang Soo Do are heavily influenced by Korean culture and also appear to be related to Okinawan Karate as initially taught in Japan by Gichin Funakoshi.
The Styles of Tang Soo Do
Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do
Founded by Hwang Kee in 1945, Moo Duk Kwan is the most widely recognised style of Tang Soo Do. It emphasises traditional forms (hyung), discipline, and character development. Moo Duk Kwan practitioners often wear a green belt system and focus on strong stances, linear techniques, and philosophical grounding.
American Tang Soo Do
Developed by Chuck Norris in the 1960s, American Tang Soo Do blends traditional Tang Soo Do with elements of Shotokan Karate, Judo, and, later, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It’s known for its practical approach to self-defence and its integration of Western training methods
World Tang Soo Do Association (WTSDA)
Founded by J.C. Shin in 1982 after separating from Moo Duk Kwan, the WTSDA promotes a standardised curriculum and global community. It emphasises respect, discipline, and the preservation of traditional Korean martial arts values.
International Tang Soo Do Federation
Established by C.S. Kim, this federation also stems from Moo Duk Kwan roots but operates independently. It maintains traditional forms and techniques while fostering international growth and instructor certification.
Benefits of Training In Tang Soo Do
Physical Fitness and Coordination
Tang Soo Do develops strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular health through structured drills, forms (Hyung), and sparring. Students improve their motor skills and body awareness while building endurance and agility.
Self-Defence Skills
With techniques drawn from striking, blocking, and evasion, Tang Soo Do equips practitioners with practical self-defence tools. The art emphasises control, awareness, and confidence, helping students feel safe and more prepared in everyday life.
Mental Discipline and Focus
Training in Tang Soo Do requires concentration, patience, and perseverance. Students learn to set goals, overcome challenges, and stay committed, skills that translate into school, work, and personal development.
Respect and Etiquette
Traditional Korean martial arts place strong emphasis on courtesy, humility, and respect for others. Tang Soo Do fosters a culture of mutual respect between students and instructors, reinforcing positive behaviour and emotional maturity.
Cultural Appreciation
Tang Soo Do introduces students to Korean terminology, customs, and philosophy. This cultural dimension deepens the experience, connecting practitioners to a global martial arts heritage and encouraging cross-cultural understanding.
Confidence and Personal Growth
As students progress through belt ranks and master new techniques, they build self-esteem and a sense of achievement. Tang Soo Do encourages reflection, self-awareness, and the courage to grow, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Tang Soo Do is more than a martial art; it’s a lifelong journey of self-discovery, resilience, and connection. Its benefits ripple outward, shaping how students carry themselves in daily life, how they relate to others, and how they rise to challenges.
