Tang Soo Do Katas/Patterns

[TSDforChrist]

Many of the traditional forms are found in several different styles of martial arts. Tae Kwon Do, when done as the kwan system, is perfectly fine. The preponderance of sport TKD schools, however, tends to leave a bad taste in the mouths of many. These are the school that teach you to respond to a kick by crossing your arms over your chest to avoid a point score...Tang Soo Do is unique among other arts for its emphasis on defensive and offensive hip movement, its increased use but not reliance on legs, and a tendancy to move circularly in a linear fashion ( i.e. sidesteps, angled steps, but not circling.). Minor differences in technique also differentiate it, though those become fewer when compared to other Korean arts.

[Keumgang]

Here's something that may be interesting to you --

 

The last and final form in Tang Soo Do is called, "Tae Guk Kwon" which translates to "Tai Chi Chuan" in Chinese, which is a Yang style Tai Chi form.

[TSDforChrist]

Actually, I think the "highest" hyung in Tang Soo Do would be So Rim Jang Kwon, the "lost hyung". It is a Northern Long Fist form.

[Keumgang]

Quoted from Black Belt magazine - June, 1998

 

The article is called, "Hard Meets Soft" Refering to the Tang Soo Do and Tai Chi connection.

 

"However, something that is unknown to many Tang Soo Do practioners is that the final form in Tang Soo Do is a traditional style yang-style tai chi form. The Korean name is Tae Guk Kwan." Grandmaster D.A. Giacobbe

 

 

 

My source could be inaccurate.

 

[TSDforChrist]

The Tae Guk Kwan is probably the highest form you will get taught...and it could be called the highest form in the system, I suppose. You see, the So Rim Jang Kwon was known by Hwang Kee, who is now dead, and I beleive it is currently known by his son (possibly another individual, I'm not sure) - and neither of them are talking. Hwang Kee simply would not teach the form. Neither will the one person who is alive and currently knows it. Rumor does, however, say that his version, when performed, is somewhat different than Hwang Kee's version (though I'm not sure how this comparison is acheived...?). There are quite a few people in the traditional Tang Soo Do world that would dearly love to rediscover the form. The current most popular opinion is that it contains 47 (I think) movements, and could be discovered by analyzing Northern Shaolin Long Fist forms. Honestly, it is likely that it is one of those forms, or is a minor-modified version of one (such as the Korean Pyeong'Ans are the Pinan/Heian forms). Hopefully someone will either reveal it or figure it out, so I can learn it

[rmclain]

I don't know if it is the same form, but the Chang Moo Kwan and Kang Duk Won line preserved the Chang Kwon (Long Fist) form as well. This version has both an offensive and defensive side, that may be practiced alone or as a two-man form. This version of the form came from a Korean man named ByungIn Yoon, who grew up near Shanghai during the Japanese occupation of Korea. After WWII he returned to Korea to found the Chang Moo Kwan.

 

R. McLain

[TSDforChrist]

You know, I don't know if it is the same form or not. I would think with all the effort from some to find it, someone might have noticed it by now. I would love to know more about the Chang Kwon. Do you know the hyung, or some way I might see it, or even a listing of the movements in it?

[rmclain]

Yes, I know both the defensive and offensive part of Chang Kwon - as taught by the Chang Moo Kwan and Kang Duk Won.

 

This form is very difficult to describe by text, because my terminology may not be the same as you use for describing it. I can tell you that both sides of the form (def. & off.) move in a linear pattern throughout the form.

 

I've only seen 1 person outside of The Chayon-Ryu System practice this form. It was Mr. Hong, reporter for the Korean YTN television when he visited in 2003. He was a student of Grandmaster JongPyo Hong in Korea(Kang Duk Won).

 

Chayon-Ryu was founded in 1968 by Grandmaster Kim Pyung Soo who was a Chang Moo Kwan student in Korea 1951-57, then Kang Duk Won 1957-1968. Grandmaster Kim is still a student of Grandmaster Hong.

 

R. McLain

[TSDforChrist]

Hm, I wish there was some way I could learn it, or observe someone performing both halves of the form. As for describing it, I would appreciate it if you are willing to give it a shot, but that's up to you.