HISTORY

Although the Martial Art of TANG SOO DO is relatively modern, it's basis, the Korean art of Soo Bahk Do, dates back many centuries. The art of Soo Bahk Do was a Korean method of self defense as old as Korea itself. During the time of the Hwa Rang Dan, approximately 2000 years ago, the original primitive art of self defense called Soo Bahk, meaning foot fighting was popular among the common people. Through the inspiration of the Hwa Rang Dan warriors, Soo Bahk was combined with the Hwa Rang Dan principles to become Soo Bahk Do, forming the traditional martial art of Korea. During the Silla Dynasty, Soo Bahk Do flourished and developed with each new generation passing on their new techniques. The ancient art of Soo Bahk Do with it's high, powerful kicks and speed, was then fused and developed into a new martial art, Tae Kyun. This combination of the old and new resulted in the development of a form of mental conditioning and self defense unrivaled in the modern world.
In Korea, the people usually use the more common and familiar name for this art, TANG SOO DO. The man who developed TANG SOO DO, Grandmaster Hwang Kee, was himself a martial arts prodigy, having mastered the arts of Soo Bahk Do and Tae Kyun by the age of 22. At that time (circa 1936), Grandmaster Hwang Kee traveled to Northern China where he encountered Chinese martial arts. From 1936 to 1945, Grandmaster Hwang Kee combined Chinese martial arts, Northern Chinese (30%) and Southern Chinese (10%) with Soo Bahk Do (60%) and developed what is now known as TANG SOO DO. Thereby creating a composite style that is both hard and soft. Throughout the Korean War, this art was tested in actual combat across valleys of the Korean peninsula. These experiences gained new respect for the art, not only from the Korean people, but from the allies fighting there as well.
TANG SOO DO, literally translated means "Way of the China Hand" and is the equivalent of the word "Karate" in old Okinawan. The Chinese characters for "T'ang" and "Soo" are the same characters as "Kara" and "Te" used by the Okinawans. "Kara" although pronounced the same as the word "kara" meaning "empty" meant and stood for "China" (T'ang Dynasty, 600-900AD) with "Te" meaning "hand" or "hands". Consequently, the characters that Grandmaster Hwang Kee adopted for his art were the same characters that the Okinawans used to denote their arts which evolved from Chinese methods.
In Korea, the largest and strongest association within TANG SOO DO is the MOO DUK KWAN, "The Institute of Martial Virtue". MOO DUK KWAN TANG SOO DO, a brotherhood and school of stopping inner and outer conflict and developing virtue according to the way of Tang Soo. TANG SOO DO has great combat applications and is a scientific use of the body in methods of self defense that has no equal in power and technique. The mastery of it's secrets cannot be bought at any price other than serious and rigorous training. TANG SOO DO is a classical martial art who's purpose is to create a mature personality who can deal with the outside world in a mature, intelligent, forthright and virtuous manner.
Grandmaster Hwang Kee, as president of the Moo Duk Kwan and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Soo Bahk Do Association has attracted universal interest and is seeing a rapid international growth. This growth is due to the fact that TANG SOO DO not only possesses excellent technique, but also because of it's objective and ideals in it's learning; "The Development and Perfection of Human Character". TANG SOO DO students have been accorded a high regard because of the humility and modesty associated with them.

In 1958, Grand Master Mariano Estioko began his training in Tang Soo Do in Korea during his tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed at Osan Air base, Grand Master Estioko became interested in Tang Soo Do after he saw a group of young men practicing. Grand Master Estioko asked about what they were doing and asked if he could join in. He was told, "No" and to go away. But what Grand Master Estioko saw that day intrigued him and he returned day after day and was rebuffed day after day. His effort didn't go unnoticed as one of the Black Belts noticed that he always came back.
Grand Master Estioko was accepted as a student by Master Kim, Song Ki. Training was hard and rigorous. Mistakes were rewarded with a stinging whack from his teacher's bamboo stick. Mistakes soon became few and far between. After almost a year, Master Kim, Song Ki sent Grand Master Estioko to Seoul to begin his advanced training under Master Oh, Sae Joon at the Seoul YMCA. Grand Master Estioko completed his training there and in October, 1959 he was awarded his Black Belt. Grand Master Estioko was the second American to ever be awarded a Black Belt in Tang Soo Do.
Grand Master Estioko was also discharged in 1959 and returned to the United States, back to Sacramento, California. In December 1959, Grand Master Estioko began teaching Tang Soo Do to a select few. Grand Master Estioko has been teaching his art ever since. Because of the growth of his organization, in 1985 he founded the Western Pacific Tang Soo Do Association. At that same time his senior Black Belt students honored him by bestowing Grand Master Estioko with the recognition and title of Grand Master of the Western Pacific Tang Soo Do Association.

Western Pacific Tang Soo Do Association