Traditional TKD = Tang Soo Do?

[bushido_man96]

I was wondering if anyone thinks this is true. I have been asking in the Korean arts forum about what Tang Soo Do classes are like. Of the few descriptions I have thus far, it sounds close to my traditional TKD classes. By traditional I mean that we don't spend 75% of our time doing paddle drills and sparring drills. We do a lot of basics and forms work, and although we do compete in Olympic rule tourneys, our sparring isn't exactly the same.

Anything to offer, I am all ears!

[Jiffy]

You know, I never really thought about it, but now that you mention it, it kinda makes sence. I've never done either though, so I wouldn't be the best one to give a proper answer.

[bushido_man96]

When most people hear TKD, they almost always assume the Olympic stylists that just show up and do sparring drills all class long, and churn out black belts a la the McDojo. Not all schools are like this. Mine is a 'traditional' school, for what passes as traditional anymore.

[ninjanurse]

When most people hear TKD, they almost always assume the Olympic stylists that just show up and do sparring drills all class long, and churn out black belts a la the McDojo. Not all schools are like this. Mine is a 'traditional' school, for what passes as traditional anymore.

True! I too run a "traditional" program but "modern" ways are not necessarily bad. There is great value in some training methods that are not considered traditional....it all depends on the instructors approach and adherence to traditional elements of the style.

[parkerlineage]

My extensive (NOT!!) TKD knowledge says that yes, those two styles are very similar, if the TKD is traditional.

I base that on this conversation I had with a guy at a tournament who beat me for grand champion:

Me: That was a good form! Is it Tang Soo Do?

Him: It's traditional Tae Kwon Do, but they're very simliar.

So, there's my entire argument.

[bushido_man96]

My extensive (NOT!!) TKD knowledge says that yes, those two styles are very similar, if the TKD is traditional.

I base that on this conversation I had with a guy at a tournament who beat me for grand champion:

Me: That was a good form! Is it Tang Soo Do?

Him: It's traditional Tae Kwon Do, but they're very simliar.

So, there's my entire argument.

Just about sums this one up, doesn't it!

[elbows_and_knees]

TSD was the original style. Just like any other MA, the korean MA were riddled with politics. Also, as some of you may know, korea and japan don't have the best history with eachother, and TSD was heavily influenced by japanese karate. Some thought that TSD was "too japanese", and wanted a more korean flavored alternative. The result was TKD.

[parkerlineage]

Very interesting!

My next door neighbors are housing a Korean foreign exchange student that also happened to go to my high school last year, and she hates Japanese with a passion; I can see where that argument may have come from.

[Zorbasan]

TSD was the original style. Just like any other MA, the korean MA were riddled with politics. Also, as some of you may know, korea and japan don't have the best history with eachother, and TSD was heavily influenced by japanese karate. Some thought that TSD was "too japanese", and wanted a more korean flavored alternative. The result was TKD.

from the reading i have done that looks kinda familiar. some pages ive seen have said something along the lines that TKD is actually a new name for stuff that has been developped in korea with influences from some karate styles.

[bushido_man96]

TSD was the original style. Just like any other MA, the korean MA were riddled with politics. Also, as some of you may know, korea and japan don't have the best history with eachother, and TSD was heavily influenced by japanese karate. Some thought that TSD was "too japanese", and wanted a more korean flavored alternative. The result was TKD.

I think you are right on here. I think I read somewhere that when TKD was being formed with Gen. Choi, Hong Hi as the head, the government was forcing all of the kwans to unify. I think TSD is the kwan that remained the most independent, and kept its name.

Most of the Korean masters learned their arts in Japan, where they got some of their education. Then, they brought it home, and decided to alter it a little, kick more than punch, create a "3000 year history" for the art, and called it their own. Very much political, but Funakoshi made political changes when he took Karate to Japan as well.