Sun Hang Do-The New Martial Art

[ZR440]

Thanks, Tom.

 

I've read enough off topic discussion from both of you. You'll have to agree to disagree today or else this topic will be locked.

[Sasori_Te]

Uh Oh...Here we go. While I agree that taking up other styles to compliment your core style is a good idea, I think that most competent styles will give you all of these tools if you stick with them long enough to learn them. If you learn them in this way, chances are that you'll have a much deeper understanding of theeir possible uses than if you take a hodge podge style and have everything dumped on you on a superficial level.

[MichiganTKD]

And that's why I don't practice KSW. I recognize its right to exist, and I don't claim Tae Kwon Do as the best style. It works for me. But to me, Tae Kwon Do is defined as the various Heads, with similar backgrounds, putting aside their differences and working for Tae Kwon Do. KSW was formed by one man picking and choosing what techniques from Tae Kwon Do, aikido, jujitsiu etc. he wanted to use. This is combined with, to me, questionable claims as to how and where these techniques came about. Same with Joo Bang Lee, Hwa Rang Do Kwan Jang. Lee tried to tie his style to a history it had little if anything to do with. Hwa Rang Do did not exist until the 1960's. The Hwa Rang warriors certainly did not practice a martial art called Hwa Rang Do.

 

And for the record, I realize that Tae Kwon Do did not come directly from Tae Kyon, although in some aspects there are similarities. Some of the original Kwan heads did practice Tae Kyon (Lee, Choi, Hwang-maybe).

[DLopez]

KSW was formed by one man picking and choosing what techniques from Tae Kwon Do, aikido, jujitsiu etc. he wanted to use.

 

Nope. More disinformation.

 

Fortunately, there's easy access to the untwisted version of KSW's history:

 

Kuk Sool Won

 

Click on the 'History' link to learn about KSW's ancient roots and how Grand Master Suh founded KSW in 1961.

 

The notion that KSW is using techniques from TKD and other martial arts is silly once you realize that all Korean martial arts draw from the same pool of ancient martial arts. So in actuality, TKD is no different than KSW in that regard.

 

But probably the most glaring omission by Michigan regarding KSW, is that Kuk Sool Won is recognized by the Korean government as a governing body of martial arts in Korea, which is quite an honor for "one man picking and choosing what techniques from TKD" to rip off as Michigan alludes.

 

But, if your mind is already closed, all the facts in the world probably can't change your prejudices.

 

I particularly like this quote from the WKSA website:

Although Kuk Sool Won™ as it is practiced today is relatively new, its roots stretch far and deep to the very beginnings of the Korean people. This early history and the ancient traditions upon which this art is founded should be viewed as important as the physical techniques themselves, for it is only from the understanding and appreciation of these classical roots that one is able to grow as a student of the martial arts.

 

[Jazzstorm]

My take on this is: I don't care where the techniques came from,as long as they work for ME! But if one wants to educate themselves on the Kuk Sool Won History,I'm sure they will find it very interesting. I know I do!

 

BTW,I've been told I look quite sexy in my uniform LOL

[SBN Doug]

I call'em like I see'em. What exactly is the difference between KSW, Hapkido, and Hwa Rang Do. They all have questionable histories, they all wear silly looking uniforms (although, to be fair, Hapkido's uniform is a little less silly), and they all seem to use the same techniques. So I don't understand what separates them.

 

What seperates ITF from WTF? The organization's founder and/or Grandmaster. There were documented attempts to combine some (or all) way back, but the attempts failed. Personally, I don't care how valid any art's claim to ancient history is. It works, and I like it. Also, I'd prefer to study with an art like KSW, where they demand consistancy from all schools across the globe.

 

I assume the uniform you're referring to is our demo uniform, as our standard dobak is no differenct from TKD except for color. I wear a suit when attending a formal occation. So I appologize if our formal uniform displeases you, but we like to dress a little formal for special occations.

The definition of "Do", if you recall, is a Way or Path of Life. Since KSW does not have "Do" in it, it seems to imply that it is just a set of rather outdated fighting techniques, most of which were ripped off from other styles. Let's see: Tae Kwon Do kicking, aikido throwing, jujitsiu locking. Add in some weapons you're never going to use in real life and you have one original style.

 

I have been training in KSW for over 10 years and I can't remember it ever having a claim of being original. Besides, if memory serves me, most of the modern Korean MA organizations were formed all around the same time. So, who's to say who influenced whom. However, we all make it a point to not let any art on these forums be openly disrespected and insulted. Therefore, this topic has been off track far too long.

 

Closed