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History of Tang Soo Do
About the American Tang Soo Do Karate Institute
About the World Tang Soo Do Association
Tang Soo Do Facts
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What does Tang Soo Do mean?
The 5 Codes of Tang Soo Do
The 7 Tenets of Tang Soo Do
The 14 Attitude Requirements to master Tang Soo do
Important Dates
What is the belt system and what does it mean?
The American Tang Soo Do Code of Conduct


What Does Tang Soo Do mean?

Tang: The Tang refers to the T'ang Dynasty of China. It reflects the shared cultural background between China and Korea.
Soo: Means hand, but implies fist, punch, strike or defense.
Do: Means a way of life or art.

So Tang Soo Do means the Korean classical martial art which was influenced by the T'ang method of marial art.

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The 5 Codes of Tang Soo Do

1. Loyalty to Country
2. Obedience to Parents
3. Honor Friendships
4. No Retreat in Battle
5. In fighting, choose with sense and honor


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The 7 Tenets of Tang Soo Do

1. Integrity
2. Concentration
3. Perseverence
4. Respect and Obedience
5. Self-Control
6. Humility
7. Indomitable Spirit

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The 14 Attitude Requirements to master Tang Soo Do

1. The purpose of training should be for the enhancement of physical and mental betterment.
2. Serious approach.
3. All out effort.
4. Maintain regular and constant practice.
5. Practice basic techniques all the time.
6. Regularly space practice sessions.
7. Always listen to and follow th e direction of instructors or seniors.
8. Do not be overly ambitious.
9. Frequently inspect your own achievements.
10. Always follow a routine training schedule.
11. Repeatedly practice all techniques already learned.
12. When you learn new techniques, learn thoroughly the theory and philosophy as well.
13. When you begin to feel idle, try to overcome this.
14. Cleanliness is required after training. Keep yourself and your surroundings clean.

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Important Dates

57 BC - Silla Kingdom founded.

37 BC - Korguryo Kingdom founded.

18 BC - Paekche Kingdom founded.

668 AD - Silla Dynasty of Korea is founded after the three warring nations are united by
                the Silla Kingdom.

1790 AD - Mooyae Dobo Tongji, the first complete martial arts book, is written.

1870 - The Pyung Ahn forms are created.

1909 - 1945 - Japanese occupied Korea and restricted the practicing of martial arts.

1945 - Restrictions are lifted after Japan is defeated in WW II.

1945 - Grandmaster Hwang Kee organized the Korean Soo Bahk Do Association.

1947 - Grandmaster Hwang Kee developed the Geicho forms.

1965 - Many systems of martial arts united to form the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association,            which included the Korean Soo Bahk Do Association.

1968 - Master Jae Chul Shin came to the United States and formed the United States Tang            Soo Do Federation in Burlington, NJ.

1966 - Master David Schmitt began his training at Fort Sam Houston.

1970 - Master Schmitt founded the Dubuque and UW Platteville Karate Clubs.

1975 - Master Schmitt founded the American Tang Soo Do Karate Institute.

1982 - Master J.C. Shin was recognized as the Grandmaster of the World Tang Soo Do
           Association.

1989 - Mr. Maki began his training at the University of Wisconsin Platteville Karate Club            under Mr. Dressler.

1992 - Mr. Maki founded the UW Oshkosh Karate Club.

1995 - Mr. Maki founded the Oshkosh Karate Club.

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What is the belt system and what does it mean?

The Belt System

The Gup Belt System

10th Gup - White Belt

9th Gup - White Belt with 1 black stripe

8th Gup - Orange Belt

7th Gup - Orange Belt with 1 white stripe

6th Gup - Green Belt

5th Gup - Green Belt with 1 white stripe

4th Gup - Brown Belt

3rd Gup - Brown Belt with 1 white stripe

2nd Gup - Red Belt

1st Gup - Red Belt with 1 white stripe

Cho Dan Bo (Black Belt Candidate) - Dark Blue Belt

 

 

 

 








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Philosophy of the Belt System

The Tang Soo Do Gup belt system in its progress from white to black represents the cycle of the seasons. Each color stands for a specific stage of achievement.

   
White: Beginner's belt color. Represents a primitive stage of achievement. Thus, the seed as it lies dormant beneath the snows of winter.
   
Orange: Represents new growth which appears in spring. Our Tang Soo Do knowledge begins to reveal itself.
   
Green:

Represents the speedy development of youth as summer arrives.
   
Brown:

Represents power, stability, agility, weight and wisdom. This stabilizing stage, both mentally and physically, is analogous to the plants which curtail their growth and prepare to flower in late summer.
   
Red:

Represents blood, life, energy, attention and control. The student's power and techniques begin to bloom and ripen.
   
Dark Blue:

Represents maturity, respect, and honor. This belt is given to the Cho Dan Bo (Black Belt candidate). He must now prepare mind and body for the final step needed to attain Black Belt.
   
Black: Represents mastery, calmness, dignity and sincerity. Black Belt is the final stage of one life cycle and the beginning of the next. Thus we see that it is not only the end of one stage, but more importantly, the beginning of a path which leads up through the ranks of the higher blacks to true mastery.


The American Tang Soo Do Code of Conduct

I shall seek truth, develop my highest moral character, strive for humility, love my country, sacrafice myself for justice, contribute by example, to the acceptance of Tang Soo Do, as the most genuine of the martial arts. Develop my endurence, and value confidence, and peace of mind.

 

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