| The History Of Tang Soo Do |
| Tang Soo Do is an ancient Korean martial art that dates back almost 2,000 years to the T’ang Dynasty in China. “Tang Soo Do” literally translated means “Way of the hand of Tang.” |
| The style of Tang So Do being taught is “Moo Duk Kwan.” Grandmaster Hwang Kee founded the Moo Duk Kwan style of Tang Soo Do in 1945. His intention was to spread, prosper and create a greater understanding of Soo Bahk Do (now called Tang Soo Do). |
| Japan occupied Korea in 1909 and the Korean people were forbidden to practice any form of martial art. In 1936; at age 23, Grandmaster Hwang Kee went to China to study their arts. At that time, he was a well-known Soo Bahk Do master. After 9 years in exile, Grandmaster Hwang Kee returned to Korea to spread the art of Tang Soo Do. |
| The American Tang Soo Do Association And Grandmaster Richard Byrne |
| Since the late 1950's, U.S. Servicemen who had earned Black Belts in Tang Soo Do while serving in Korea returned to the United States and Tang Soo Do began to expand to serve the interests and needs of the American public. Many American organizations were established in attempts to unify Tang Soo Do here in the United States. One such organization was the non-profit American Tang Soo Do Association chartered in Massachusetts in 1973 under the direction of Richard Byrne. Foreseeing the future popularity of Tang Soo Do in the U.S, the American Tang Soo Do Association was aimed at sponsoring tournaments, clinics, etc., with qualified directors and furthering the development of Tang Soo Do techniques through research. |
| On March 8th, 1997, after years of Tang Soo Do instructors across the country approaching Master Byrne to seek advice, leadership and instruction, the decision was made to make the American Tang Soo Do Association a national organization. It's goal is to bring high standards and ideals to it's members while charging reasonable rates and fees and to meet the needs of Tang Soo Do instructors across the country. |
