History of the International Tang Soo Do Federation (ITF) and our Instructors
Grandmaster C.S. Kim- 9th Dan -President and founder of the ITF - Monroeville, PA
The International Tang Soo Do Federation was founded in the early spring of 1984 by Choong Jae Nim Chun Sik Kim. The goal of the ITF was to maintain the high standards of authentic Tang Soo Do.
Although the actual origins of Tang Soo Do are unknown, it is believed that it originated 2600 years ago during the Silla Dynasty (668-935 A.D.) It is believed that a group of five young aristocrats called "Hwa Rang Dan" developed this art.
From 1909-1945 Korea was occupied by the Japanese military and during this time, Korean people were forbidden to practice or teach the martial arts. During this time, many Koreans emigrated from their country to study and work in China and Japan, where they could spead their knowledge.
Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan was developed by Grandmaster Hwang Kee, who mastered Tae Kyun and Soo Bahk Do at the age of 22. In 1936, he traveled to northern China where he encountered a Chinese variation of martial arts called Tang Method. From 1936 to 1945, he combined Soo Bahk Do with the Tang Method and developed what was to be known as Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan (a brotherhood and school of stopping inner and outer conflict and developing virtue according to the way of the worthy hand).
With unending dedication, time and patience, Choong Jae Nim Chun Sik Kim has brought the peace and harmony of traditional TangSooDo into the lives of thousands of practicioners world wide.
As a young boy, 8 years of age, he stood quietly on the floor of a small Do Jang in Sang Tan, South Korea, guarded closely by the watchful eye of his Instructor, Master Song Ki Kim. Who would have guessed at such an early age that this small child would grow to become one the most respected men in the realm of traditional martial arts.
Choong Jae Nim Master Chun Sik Kim, President and Founder of the International Tang Soo Do Federation, is a man who truly deserves the respect of all martial arts practitioners. His passion and desire for excellence, long hours of hard work and sweat – often late into the night – and a deep heart felt belief in the way of Tang Soo Do, have given him the reputation among his peers as a man of strength and honor. The current headquarters for the ITF is located in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USA.
In 1972 Choong Jae Nim Master Chun Sik Kim arrived in the United States and has since dedicated his life to maintaining and teaching the Korean martial art of traditional Tang Soo Do. It has been his humble spirit, commitment to traditional values, and unending dedication to his students that has earned him many outstanding honors. One can recognize a true and dedicated leader by his accomplishments.
Instructor, U. S. Military - Osan, Korea – 1965
Instructor, Korean Army Tiger Division
Korean Tang Soo Do Champion – 1967 & 1968
Korean Team Captain – 5th Asian karate Tournament, Malaysia – 1969
World Heavyweight Champion, 1st World Karate Championship, Japan – 1970
8 major magazine covers & feature articles
1980 U. S. A. team coach
1988 All American Hall of Fame, Madison Square Garden, N.Y.
Former President of the United State Tang Soo Do Federation
President & Founder of the International Tang Soo Do Federation
1995 Man of the Year
Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame – 1998
Author of Authentic Tang Soo Do textbook
Producer of various videotapes of traditional Tang Soo Do forms and training methods
Cover and Feature Article Tae Kwon Do Times – May, 2001
Cover and Feature Article Martial Arts magazine – June, 2002
received from www.internationaltangsoodofederation.com
Grandmaster Joe Goss -8th Dan - Vice President of the ITF - Johnstown, PA
Master Goss began training in both Judo and Karate at the age of 14. After enlisting in the air force, he trained in Los Angeles, California under the world famous Karate Master Hidetaka Nishiyama. He then went to Germany where he was the chief instructor of both the judo and Karate clubs at Bitburg Air Base. Master Goss returned to Johnstown in 1969 and taught the martial arts classes at the Johnstown YMCA until he opened his school in 1974.
Master Goss has been studying Tang Soo Do and Hapkido under Tang Soo Do Grand Master C.S. Kim for over 25 years. Grand Master Kim is the President and Founder of the International Tang Soo Do Federation and conducts testing and special training sessions at Master Goss' school.
Master Goss is the Vice President of the International Tang Soo Do Federation and has served as a member of the board of directors, Secretary and Vice-Chairman of the U.S. Tang Soo Do Federation. His duties as Vice President take him to various member schools in the U.S. and Europe to conduct testings and clinics.
On May 20, 1995 Master Goss was awarded "Martial Artist of the Year" by the election committee of Korean Grand Masters. He is the first non-oriental to receive this award.
In 1998 the Martial Arts book "Authentic Tang Soo Do," by Chun Sik Kim and Joe Goss, was published. It is a comprehensive study of Traditional Tang Soo Do technique and philosophy.
Master Goss is also certified by the state of Pennsylvania to teach police officers defensive tactics, the use of chemical devices, baton and firearms.
Master Goss also serves as a Somerset County, PA Deputy Sheriff and is a member of the Logan Twp./Blair County S.W.A.T. team as a scout/sniper.
received from www.joegosskarate.com
History of Tang Soo Do and Grandmaster Hwang Kee:
Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee was born on November 9, 1914, in Jang Dan, Kyong Ki province where the DMZ is currently located. His father, Hwang, Yong Hwan, had a dream in which he saw the bright star (Sam Tae Song) before his son's birth. He named his son "Tae Nam", which means "star boy". Later his name was changed to "Kee". His father was a scholar who had achieved a high level of academic recognition from the last King of the Yi Dynasty, Ko Jong.
In May 1921, when young Hwang Kee was about seven years old, it was a time of a traditional holiday called "Dan O", which is the national May festival. During that time he happened to visit his neighboring village, where a variety of folk plays and festive activities were held. As he enjoyed seeing a variety of folk plays such as Ssirum (traditional wrestling), archery and roadraces around the village, he happened to see a group of people in a tavern making noise that caused him to believe that some trouble was developing. He saw a group of seven or eight young men arguing with one man, and this argument soon progressed to physical fighting. The group of young men began to attempt to beat the man. The man was avoiding their attacks and countering with various kicks to the group of young men. Soon the group of young men fell one by one as a result of the man's strange moves. After the attack ended, some onlookers said, "That is Tae Kyun", and some said, "That is Sip Pal Ki", as they were departing. The Kwan Jang Nim was so impressed by this man's performance that he decided to find out what his art was about. He followed the man at a distance and discovered where he lived.
Several days later, he approached the man's home and sat on a hill nearby and looked down at his house. He saw the man practicing some hand and foot movements with a partner. He watched their practice closely with great interest and he realized that these were the same techniques that the man had used facing the group of seven or eight young men at the May festival. After that, he often went near the man's home to watch him practice, and he imitated and practiced what he saw from the man's techniques.
One day he decided to learn these techniques and he asked the man to teach him. His request was refused because Hwang Kee was too young. Although disappointed, he would go to the man's home and watch him perform whenever he could and then practice by himself what he had seen. This was the "Tae Kyun" that had been handed down from the later part of the Yi Dynasty. This experience was a major influence leading him to become a Kwan Jang Nim, who would devote his entire life to Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan.
In the country of Korea some 70 years ago, the educational system differed significantly from the present. Few students became high school graduates. The Kwan Jang Nim entered elementary school at the age of 11 and graduated high school in March 1935. Following his graduation, he went to Manchuria to work for the railroad company (May 1935).
In May 1936 he had the opportunity to meet a Chinese master, Master Yang, Kuk Jin and to visit Master Yang's house with a friend, Park, Hyo Pil, who worked with him at the Jo Yang Station. During this visit, he learned that Master Yang was teaching a handful of private students practicing a Chinese martial art in his home.?e never lost his dream of learning the depth of the martial arts following his experience when he was seven years old. He had trained himself whenever the opportunity was offered and from whatever source was available during the past 20 years; however, he never had any organized or structured lessons, nor did he have access to formal instruction or any dependable literature on the subject.
Mr. Hwang Kee was overwhelmed with happiness as if he were dreaming, knowing that he was at the home of Master Yang, who was highly renowned as a martial arts Master. He was served tea by Mrs. Yang. His first impression of Master Yang was of a man with a very gentle and healthy appearance with good energy, who looked to be about 50 years old. Master Yang was taller than Mr. Hwang Kee and kept his body healthy. That same day, Mr. Hwang Kee humbly requested to be Master Yang's student. Master Yang refused his request gently, saying that "I am not good enough to teach you." Mr. Hwang Kee and his friend, Mr. Park, could not speak Chinese well enough to present their sincere wishes to study at that time. That evening they had a good dinner at Master Yang's house, thanked the couple, and returned to their home.
That night Mr. Hwang Kee could not get to sleep because of the excitement that he had experienced being with Master Yang. He considered this to be once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn the martial art from the Master, if he were accepted. He was also concerned about what he would do if Master Yang really would not accept him as a student. He tried to get to sleep that night with mixed emotions of happiness and concern.
The next morning, he discussed things with his friend, Mr. Park, and they decided to visit Master Yang again and again until they were accepted. On their third visit, Master Yang finally accepted them as his students. They were so happy to be accepted that they practiced whenever they had the opportunity. Because of their work schedule, they trained every other day. Mr. Hwang Kee never missed practice with Master Yang. He accepted Master Yang's instruction sincerely and his progress was exceptional due to his sincere dedication and prior martial arts experience during the previous 20 years.
Master Yang admired his dedication. Mr. Hwang Kee and four other students were training under Master Yang during this time. The training consisted of Seh Bop (method of postures), Bo Bop (method of steps) and Ryun Bod (method of conditioning) as their basic training. They also had trained in "Dham Toi Sip E Ro" and "Tae Kuk Kwon," which were disciplines of form and its combat applications.
In August of 1937, he had to leave Master Yang and return to Seoul for personal reasons. During 1941, he went back to Manchuria for a short time to visit Master Yang for instruction. This was the last time he was able to enjoy Master Yang's instruction. He could not communicate with or visit his Master again once China became a Communist country in 1946.
Upon his return to Seoul after leaving his instructor Master Yang, in 1937, the Kwan Jang Nim searched for an opportunity to continue his personal martial arts training and, possibly, teach. It was impossible at the time, for him to pursue his wishes in martial arts activity due to the strict Japanese influence on all facets of the Korean culture. (The country of Korea was occupied by the Japanese from 1910 to August 1945). Because of this situation, Gum Do (Ken Do) and Yu Do (Ju Do) were the only two martial arts known to the general public. People did not have any knowledge of Soo Bahk, Okinawan Karate, Chinese Wu Shu, or Kung Fu.
Because of this situation, it was impossible for Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee to make his long-time dream come true. He spent long hours of meditation and self-conditioning during this time.
He started work at the Survey department of the Cho Sun Railway Bureau in 1939. His working area was very peaceful and quiet because it was in a separate building a little distance from the main building. In this facility were located a lecture room, a library, and various exercise rooms.
In his employment, although he earned a low salary, he was very comfortable with the working conditions and especially his work environment. He spent most of his time reading books from the library. He particularly enjoyed reading about astronomy, philosophy, and Okinawan Karate. It was a very pleasant surprise for him to find karate books at the library, even though all the books were from Japan. (No other books were avaliable from any other country at that time and this was the first modern form of martial arts books he had seen).
This was his first encounter with Okinawan Karate and he found that he was able to study the art though books at that time. Later, this knowledge influenced the Moo Duk Kwan system when "Tang Soo Do" was adopted by Grand Master Hwang Kee during the early part of the Moo Duk Kwan history.
Although Pyung Ahn Hyungs, Passai Hyungs, and Kong Sang Kun Hyungs, etc., were practiced a little differently from the original Okinawan Karate (unique use of the application of offensive and defensive hip in all movements, and hip extension and thrust kicking techniques as well as its interpretation), these Hyungs were influenced by the Kwan Jang Nim's study of the books on Okinawan Karate, as indicated in the Soo Bahk Do Deh Kahm (1970).
During that period of time, he had developed his high maturity as a martial artist. Because he worked for the railroad, he was able to travel without cost to anyplace where the train could reach. He traveled to most of the famous mountains and to Manchuria, which added to his experience and maturity in the martial art discipline.
During the same period, there were a number of wars initiated by Japan, which led to World War II. It was a very unstable time.
Finally, Korea became an independent country on August 15, 1945, as World War II came to an end. At the time it became possible for Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee to fulfill his life-long dream to dedicate himself solely to the martial arts.
During the previous 25 years, his maturity as a martial artist had been conditioned through his hard and long self-taught training of Tae Kyun and his various experiences in both formal and informal martial arts training, as well as the significant influence by his master, Master Yang, while he was in China. It was not only Master Yang's technical influence but also his desire to improve human character, which proved an invaluable experience. The study of Okinawan Karate through the available books at the library while he was employed by the Cho Sun Railway Bureau in Seoul form 1939 to 1945 was also a great influence.
With these experiences in martial disciplines, he founded the Moo Duk Kwan and established its philosophy on November 9, 1945.
received from www.hwangkee.com/history.html