Soo Bahk Do is the name of the art we study and its direct translation is Soo (hand), Bahk (strike) and Do (art or way).
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 early 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.
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 Ko Ku Ryo, Silla, and Ko Ryo Dynasties and down to the Yi Dynasty (600 years ago).
As 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” (Soo Bahk Technique) or “Soo Bahk Hee" (Soo Bahk Dance) 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. This shows that Soo Bahk Ki (or Hee) was practiced by Korean people traditionally since the Ko Ku Ryo Dynasty (2000 years ago).
No one knew about the existence of Soo Bahk for nearly a half century during the Japanese occupation. Korea 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" as an art form and he named it “Soo Bahk Do” and started its promotion in 1957.
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.
A Brief History Of Soo Bahk Do and The United States Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation, Inc.
Soo Bahk Do is a Korean traditional martial art who's history dates back many centuries. Our kicking techniques, for which Soo Bahk Do is recognized are based on the Moo Duk Kwan style as developed by Grandmaster Hwang Kee.
Soo Bahk Do is both a hard and soft style.
The founder of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan, Grandmaster Hwang Kee, was a martial arts prodigy, having mastered Tae Kyun (another Korean system not related to Tae Kwon Do) at the age of 22. At that time, (1936) he traveled to Northern China where he encountered a Chinese variation of martial artistry. From 1936 to 1945 he combined Eastern wisdom and developed what is now known as Soo Bahk Do.
Soo Bahk Do is not a sport. Though it is not essentially competitive, it has great combat applications. As a classical martial art, its purpose is to develop every aspect of the self, in order to create a mature person who totally integrates his/her intellect, body, emotions, and spirit. This integration helps to create a person who is free from inner conflict and who can deal with the outside world in a mature, intelligent, forthright, and virtuous manner.
Because of the aforementioned qualities of Soo Bahk Do; Grandmaster Hwang Kee established and founded his first Soo Bahk Do school under the name 'Moo Duk Kwan'. This school developed into a force which most influenced the martial art styles in modern times. A brief meaning of the words 'Moo Duk Kwan' is a 'Brotherhood and school of stopping inner and outer conflict and developing virtue through Soo Bahk Do training'. The Moo Duk Kwan name gives us direction and focus in our mental training. Soo Bahk Do is the technique, Moo Duk Kwan is the philosophy. Soo Bahk Do technique requires the mental discipline that Moo Duk Kwan offers. The two combined produces a total development which increases the benefits of both. From their harmony is created an awareness of being that makes Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan training a valuable art form. Over the past twenty years, thousands of Americans have studied Soo Bahk Do in Korea. Korean instructors have been sent around the world and there are now major Soo Bahk Do organizations worldwide. There are roughly 200,000 Soo Bahk Do students with over 30,000 Dan holders. Anyone who has studied with the Grandmaster knows how demanding he is. (He was once heard to have said: 'If you want to do front and reverse punches correctly, you must spend ten hours a day, six days a week for three years doing nothing else'.) Prior to 1974 there were many Americans holding degrees, teaching and promoting without standardization, regulation, communication or leadership. The Grandmaster decided that a United States organization must be established to unify and standardize the art.
As a result of this decision, the United States Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation, Inc. Was formned in 1975, guided by an elected and appointed Board of Directors, and originally operated by volunteer members. The Federation is devoted to the growth and continuation of Soo Bahk Do in the United States, and to the maintenance of standards of excellence set by Grandmaster Hwang Kee.
It is testimony to the Grandmaster and his teachings that he commands such respect, devoted effort from many mature, intelligent, independent individuals and Charter Members who worked to create the Federation and those who were elected to the Board of Directors. There are certain qualities that characterize the Grandmaster, the members of the Board, and Soo Bahk Do practitioners in general - openness, personal closeness, independence, rock-hard determination, maturity, and unshakable solidarity. These qualities bind us together as kinsmen. This, more than anything else, assures future generations that they will inherit the way of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan.
