"Kuk Sool Korean Martial Arts" by Kimm, He-Young

[Patrick.S]

Hello,

 

does anyone know this book?

 

"Kuk Sool Korean Martial Arts" by Kimm, He-Young

 

As far as I hear, it should be a very complete description of early Kuk Sool Won Syllabus (published 1985) from 10 Kup up to 5th Dan.

 

But is is quite expensive and a not so easy to buy.

 

So I would like to hear some oppinions or reviews if possible.

 

thanks,

 

patrick.

[DLopez]

I haven't read the book, as I already own the KSW textbooks , but here's a link regarding Dr. Kimm:

 

Han mu do

 

 

For almost the past ten years, Dr. Kimm has been compiling information and conducting scores of interviews for his next book, The History of Korean Martial Arts. The book will document the history of martial arts of ancient Korea and trace their evolution to the practice of Modern Korean Martial Arts throughout the world.

 

I would be very interested in reading this new book (whenever it's published)!

[SBN Doug]

I honestly haven't heard of it either.

 

My advice is not to buy it. It's 20 years old, and the curriculum has changed over that time. If you want it for reference, then maybe. But it will actually confuse you if you use it for your own training.

 

Stick with the text books. They are the most up to date.

[Patrick.S]

I honestly haven't heard of it either.

Yes I, googled for "Kuk Sool Won Book" or "Curriculum" and found

 

Kimm KJN Homepage

 

http://www.hanmudo.com/

 

And there is a quite detailed bio of him.

 

From Page 8 onward there are some informations about the relation of Kimm KJN and Kuk Sa Nim/Kuk Sool Won.

It's 20 years old, and the curriculum has changed over that time. If you want it for reference, then maybe.

Yes, for reference and for historical reasons. It seems that this has been written in cooperation/under the supervision of KSN. So I assume that this book contains a kind of "official" snapshot of the KSW curriculum from the late '70ties.

But it will actually confuse you if you use it for your own training. Stick with the text books. They are the most up to date.

Well, I stick with my Kwahn Jahng Nim for training. Books confuse me most of the time.

 

Thanks for Your comment.

 

patrick.

[ImaJayhawk]

I have a copy of the book. It is an interesting book and was the source of some controversy from a what I've been told. I would only buy it as a reference, since techniques now are practiced different than shown in the book. But if you've got the extra $75-$85 then pick up a copy. I think the easiest way to get one/cheapest is to call his school. Not sure what the number is, but it's been published in Taekwondo Times several times. But for true snapshot of the 80's you need to pick up In Sun Seo's book as well. It is a little tougher to find and out of print. Dr. He-Young Kimm helped Kuk Sool Won become better known in the US in the late 70's. You should read his bio, it's interesting.

 

--ImaJayhawk

[SBN Doug]

Well, I stick with my Kwahn Jahng Nim for training. Books confuse me most of the time.

 

Good. It bugs me when people try to learn from a book. None the less, they are good for reference. For helping remind you, not to teach you.

 

My problem with getting some of the older stuff is all the controversy that's hanging out there. Especially with things like the attempted merger with Hapkido, and the HRD ("Who was first") stuff. I've loved KSW and my KJN from the start, and that's all I care about.

 

I don't see an introduction post from you Pat S. Where do you train? (if you don't mind saying)

[Patrick.S]

I don't see an introduction post from you Pat S. Where do you train? (if you don't mind saying)

I'm from Kwon, Kea-Hong Kwahn Jahng Nim (Germany).

My problem with getting some of the older stuff is all the controversy that's hanging out there. Especially with things like the attempted merger with Hapkido, and the HRD ("Who was first") stuff.

Hmm, You are right, there seems to be a lot of quite confusing stuff related to korean martial arts and so this even holds for KSW.

 

Even more we have trained quite a long time with our KJN without being aware that there are other KSW practioneers (outside of Korea at least).

 

Funny but true, we have been in a "island like situation" in Germany (in terms for KSW) for quite a time.

[Patrick.S]

I have a copy of the book. It is an interesting book and was the source of some controversy from a what I've been told.

That sounds quite interesting...

 

Would You mind to explain (if You like)?

 

 

I would only buy it as a reference, since techniques now are practiced different than shown in the book.

Yes, thats my basic intention for this book.

 

Additionally my KJN starts in the early '70ties. And I hope to see the techniques in that book to be quite similar to his versions.

 

 

But if you've got the extra $75-$85 then pick up a copy. I think the easiest way to get one/cheapest is to call his school. Not sure what the number is, but it's been published in Taekwondo Times several times.

Yes, coincidently someone in a german MA forum just offers his version of that book (For a reasonable price of 80,- Eur). So I take this as a wink and buy the book.

 

 

But for true snapshot of the 80's you need to pick up In Sun Seo's book as well. It is a little tougher to find and out of print.

Very intersting, could You tell me some more informations about this?

 

Like...

 

- Title

 

- is it (has it been) availible in english or only korean?

 

 

Dr. He-Young Kimm helped Kuk Sool Won become better known in the US in the late 70's. You should read his bio, it's interesting.

Yes, I read the 12 paged bio on his website, or is there another one (written)?

 

thanks for Your comments

 

patrick

[wimcoltd93]

Patrick: I have read portions of Dr. Kimm's book and it is an excellent piece. I have had the benefit of studying Hapkido with Master Kimm from 1972 - 1976, while he was working on his Phd at LSU. As one of his students, he emphasised that although Hapkido was a specific style of Korean martial arts, he incorporated many different techniques from many disciplines into his teaching; an early introduction to Kuk Sool Won in the US. Dr. Kimm was an instructor for both Judo and Hapkido and was the faculty advisor for both the university's Judo and Hapkido teams. Having the opportunity of studying under Dr. Kimm and getting to know him in what was the early years for both of us, he is truly a gentleman of high integrity and great wisdom.

[ImaJayhawk]

Some of controversy resulted from In Sun Seo’s book. Other from the fact that there was a fear of other people taking techniques they saw in Dr. He-Young Kimm’s book and incorporating them into their martial art. Some were not happy that techniques were shown up to 5th degree, and still more controversy from people seeing differences in the way the techniques are show in Dr. Kimm’s book, In Sun Seo’s book, and the way they were taught…… I’m sure there was more to this, but most of the people who were around during that time are reluctant to talk, In fact some instructors do not even want you to own a copy of Dr. Kimm’s book……

Yes, thats my basic intention for this book.

 

Additionally my KJN starts in the early '70ties. And I hope to see the techniques in that book to be quite similar to his versions.

 

The techniques your KJN knows might be more closely related to In Sun Seo’s book since he trained in Korea, One thing to note is that Dr. Kimm’s book doesn’t show the forms in a step by step way. He only has a page describing the form. I think the intention was for the forms and kicking techniques to be in a second volume that was never printed. I wrote an email once to see if there was going to be a second book, but there was no plan at the time. His Kuk Sool book is like his other books, even without the forms detailed it is 760 pages.

Very intersting, could You tell me some more informations about this?

 

Like...

 

- Title

 

- is it (has it been) availible in english or only korean?

 

Originally published in 1978 (I think) In Sun Seo’s book started out with a lot of Korean, but every edition after that more English was used. By the 1987 edition all most all of the text is in English. The pictures of the techniques aren’t as good as the current textbooks or Dr. Kimm’s book, but the historical pictures in the front make this a good book to pick up for anyone involved in Kuk Sool Won. The title is Kuk Sool: Martial Arts Which Were Used to Defend the Korean Nation or more simply Kuk Sool. It’s getting tougher to find and if found you’ll most likely pay more than you did for Dr. Kimm’s book even tough it is only 250 pages +/- depending on the edition.

Yes, I read the 12 paged bio on his website, or is there another one (written)

 

The bio on his website is pretty complete, there have been others in magazines and some of his other books, but that one’s good.

Having the opportunity of studying under Dr. Kimm and getting to know him in what was the early years for both of us, he is truly a gentleman of high integrity and great wisdom.

 

Everyone I’ve ever heard talk about Dr. Kimm has the utmost respect for him.