Chung Do Kwan

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Chung Do Kwan
Hangul:
청도관
Hanja:
靑濤館
Revised Romanization: Cheong Do Gwan
McCune-Reischauer: Ch'ŏng Do Kwan

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, and Chung Do Kwan is one of the original nine schools of Taekwondo. Chung Do Kwan is also the oldest of the school, being the first school founded in 1944. At the end of World War II, several Kwans arose. They were: Chung Do Kwan, Moo Duk Kwan, Jidokwan(Yun Moo Kwan), Chang Moo Kwan, Han Moo Kwan, Oh Do Kwan, Jung Do Kwan, Kang Duk Won, and Song Moo Kwan.

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[edit] Founding

Chung Do Kwan (Pure Way or Blue Wave School) was founded by Great Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee in 1944. A Tae Kyon student as a young man, Lee earned a black belt in Shotokan karate training under Gichin Funakoshi at Chuo University in Japan, then traveled around the Orient studying martial arts technique, history, and philosophy. He returned to Korea and opened the Chung Do Kwan in 1944 after being refused permission by the Japanese government twice. His original name for what he taught was "Tang Soo Do", which is the Korean pronunciation of the Chinese characters pronouced Karate Do in the Japanese language.

[edit] Taekwondo

Although the name "Tae Kwon Do" was proposed in 1955 by Chung Do Kwan students, it was slow to catch on among other Kwan Heads (Kwan Jang). Most of the other Kwan Jang preferred the name "Kong Soo Do"-Way of the Empty Hand. It was felt by some that "Kong Soo Do" would be more understood by potential students. In the same way that many people are familiar with the term "Karate" This idea was quickly voted down in meetings with various Kwan Heads. As a result, a compromise name-Tae Soo Do-began to be used. A few years later, the name "Tae Kwon Do" was adopted by all Kwans for its similarity to Taekkyon (practiced by the Koguryo, Silla, Baekjae, and Koryo Dynasties). The evidence remains, however, that the name "Tae Kwon Do" was originally developed and used by the Chung Do Kwan, even if "Korean Karate" was used elsewhere.

Previously, Tae Kyon had developed a bad reputation as a street fighting style. The name "Tae Kwon Do" was chosen for several reasons. It was felt that a new, Korean-based name was needed that honored the legacy of Tae Kyon without being sullied by its association with gangsters and troublemakers. Previous names included: Tang Soo Do (Way of the Tang Hand), Kong Soo Do (Way of the Empty Hand), and Hwa Soo Do (Way of the Flowering Hand). As Great Grandmaster Lee explained, he named his art "Tang Soo Do" to reflect his belief that Oriental martial arts, Japanese karate included, derived from and/or were influenced by Chinese martial arts and philosophy. Hence, "Tang Soo Do" rather than "Kong Soo Do".

[edit] Development

A 1947 demonstration involving prominent Chung Do Kwan black belts and witnessed by then Korean President Syng Man Rhee resulted in Chung Do Kwan being required for all police and military training in Korea. The hardcore, almost brutal, training of that time was ideal for the needs of the police and military forces in Korea. Under the direction of army general Choi Hong Hi, all military personnel were members of Oh Do Kwan, a branch of Chung Do Kwan.

Unfortunately, due to conflicts with the Korean government, Won Kuk Lee was forced to leave South Korea as a political refugee. He settled first in Japan, and eventually in Virginia where he lived the remainder of his life.

The first Chung Do Kwan President was Founder Won Kuk Lee, followed by Duk Sung Son, Gen. Choi (temporarily), and finally Woon Kyu Uhm. Grand Master Uhm serves as Chung Do Kwan President to this day and is the current President of the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters) in South Korea.

[edit] Prominent students

Prominent Chung Do Kwan students included:

  • Duk Sung Son
  • Woon Kyu Uhm (current Kukkiwon/Chung Do Kwan President)
  • Tae Hi Nam (Special Assistant to Gen. Choi Hong Hi)
  • Cha Kyo Han (Special Military Instructor)
  • Hyun Ok Shin (Grandmaster, United Chung Do Kwan Association, headquartered in Floral Park, NY)
  • Jhoon Rhee (Father of American Tae Kwon Do)
  • Tae Zee Park (Grandmaster, President Tae Park Tae Kwon Do, Korean National Free Fighting Champion 1963-1968, 12 Gold Medals)
  • In Mook Kim (Grandmaster, President American ChungDoKwan TaeKwonDo Association ACTA)

[edit] Technique and Philosophy

Beginning in early times, Chung Do Kwan technique and philosophy centered around mastering basics, developing powerful technique, pinpoint accuracy in application, strong kicking, and deep appreciation for manners and etiquette. Its trademark techniques are the side kick, jumping side kick, and sliding side kick although it practices many other techniques as well-all in accordance with Chung Do Kwan principles. From the start, Won Kuk Lee wanted his students to be men of honor, only allowed upright individuals as his students, and encouraged them to live honorable lives as Chung Do Kwan students. All in an effort to restore the good reputation Korean martial arts once had.

Chung Do Kwan philosophy is that Taekwondo is a method of self-defense, self-improvement, and a Way of Life.

According to Park Hae Man, Vice-President of Chung Do Kwan (retired), today Chung Do Kwan is a social friendship club that endorses 100% the curriculum of the Kukkiwon system. Grandmaster Park states that Kukkiwon Taekwondo is Chung Do Kwan Taekwondo, and has been developed from the old systems of Chung Do Kwan and the other eight Kwans.

[edit] Chung Do Kwan Oath

We, as members, train our spirits and bodies according to the strict code.
We, as members, are united in mutual friendship.
We, as members, will comply with regulations and obey instructors.

[edit] The logo

The Chung Do Kwan logo is the Korean Um/Yang symbol containing a clenched fist (symbolizing physical power) holding a scroll (symbolizing scholarliness). The two ends of the scroll contain the Korean Hangul symbols for "Chung Do".

[edit] Today

The Chung Do Kwan Headquarters still exists in Korea, and with the eight other recognized Kwan formed the basis of the Korea Taekwondo Association, and the Kukkiwon.

[edit] Chung Do Kwan forms

  • Belt Ranks and Associated forms
  • Kukkiwon
White belt: 9th gup (moo gup)
  • Yellow belt-low:8th gup
  • Tae Geuk Il Chang
  • yellow belt-high: 7th gup
  • Tae Geuk EE Chang
  • Green belt-low: 6th gup
  • Tae Geuk Sam Chang
  • Green belt-high: 5th gup
  • Tae Geuk Sa Chang
  • Blue belt-low: 4th gup
  • Tae Geuk Oh Chang
  • Blue belt-high: 3rd gup
  • Tae Geuk Yook Chang
  • Red belt-low: 2nd gup
  • Tae Geuk Chil Chang
  • red belt-high: 1st gup
  • Tae Geuk Pal Chang
  • 1st Dan Black Belt
  • Koryo-Keumgang

Some of the older Chung Do Kwan based schools practice the original Pyong-Ahn forms which Great Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee incorporated from Shotokan karate. (The Pyong-Ahn forms originated in Okinawa, where they are called Pinan. In Japan, these forms are called Heian.)

Other older Chung do Kwan schools practice the Palgwe forms, a predecessor of the Taegeuk forms. After black belt, practitioners of the Kukkiwon system practice the Yudanja and Kodanja series of black belt Poomsae (Kumgang, Taebaek, Pyongwon, Sipjin, Jitae, Cheonkwon, Hansoo, Ilyo).

[edit] Jhoon Rhee

Jhoon Rhee was a Chung Do Kwan school graduate and one of the first Koreans to come to the U.S. and introduce Americans to Taekwondo. Thus, Chung Do Kwan is often associated with what Grandmaster Rhee originally taught Americans. Grandmaster Rhee introduced Americans to the next set of forms, Chang Hon, which were introduced by General Choi and NAM, Tae Hi and are still used by the late Choi's ITF today (Chon-Ji, Dan-Gun, Do-San, Won-Hyo, Yul-Gok, Chung-Gun, Toi-Gye, Hwa-Rang, Chung-Mu, Kwan-Gye). He did this at the urging of Gen. Choi, who wanted Tae Kwon Do to establish its own Korean identity, something it couldn't do with Japanese forms. Jhoon Rhee states that he learned the Chang Hon forms from the South Korean Army Field Manual sent to him by Gen. Choi Hong Hi. The Chang Hon set of forms are still taught by thousands of independent American Taekwondo intructors who came from the Jhoon Rhee lineage, which is undeniably one of the earliest and deepest Taekwondo lineages established in America. Grandmaster Rhee's 1970-1971 publication of the Chang Hon forms in a series of 5 separate books through Ohara Publications, further reinforces what many American's still consider to be "the original and official set of Taekwondo forms first introduced to Americans". Because of all this, many Americans that were the first lineage or two introduced to Taekwondo in the U.S., still associate American Taekwondo with Jhoon Rhee, Chung Do Kwan, and the Chang Hon forms he introduced here. Originally the ATA even used the Chang Hon forms until the 1980s, even today there are dozens of American Taekwondo organizations that trace what they teach, and the forms they use, to a Chung Do Kwan/Chang Hon influence. Such organizations include: ITF, United States TaekwonDo Federation (USTF), National Taekwondo Federation of America (NTFA), American Karate and Taekwondo Organization (AKATO), American Karate Black Belt Association (AKBBA), etc.

[edit] Woon Kyu Uhm

Woon Kyu Uhm was the third Chung Do Kwan Kwan Jang, after GGM Lee and Duk Sung Son. He is also the present leader of the Chung Do Kwan, as well as the current President of the Kukkiwon, succeeding longtime President Dr. Un Yong Kim. One of the first Chung Do Kwan black belts, GM Uhm was a student of Founder Won Kuk Lee. GM Uhm's nickname was "Sliding Side Kick God", due to his unmatched ability with that technique. Reportedly, he could could kick an opponent from ten feet away using it.

GM Uhm helped devise the current rules governing modern Tae Kwon Do free sparring, and is largely responsible for the formation of modern Tae Kwon Do. He was also Special Instructor for the South Korean Military. He also played a large part in the formation and development of the World Taekwondo Federation and the Kukkiwon.

As one of Great Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee's original and first students, GM Uhm remains a link to the earliest days of Taekwondo. He was also a well known competitor and coach in Taekwondo's early days. As Head of Chung Do Kwan and President of the Kukkiwon, he has spent decades ensuring that Kukkiwon Taekwondo retains the power, etiquette, high technique, manners, and Way that makes it one of the world's pre-eminent martial arts. He is one of the most important Taekwondo person in Korea, and one of the most important in the world today.

[edit] Tae Hi Nam

During a famous 1947 demonstration put on by Chung Do Kwan black belts, it was Tae Hi Nam's breaking of 13 roofing tiles that amazed the watching government officials, one of whom was Korean President Syng Man Rhee (Earl Weiss-September 2000 TKD Times). Upon inspection of Nam's hand, and finding no injury, they decided that Chung Do Kwan should be taught to Korea's military and police troops (ibid). This was a decision enthusiastically supported by Chung Do Kwan supporter Gen. Choi Hong Hi, who would later found his own military-based Kwan, the Oh Do Kwan (ibid).

If Choi was the guiding personality and "brains" behind Tae Kwon Do's early development, Tae Hi Nam was the physical manifestation, someone who was capable of physically showing the concepts that Choi wanted to get across (ibid). Long known as Choi's Right Hand Man (ibid) Nam was the physical demonstrator of the early ITF forms, performing them as the concepts were developed. It is also believed that Nam developed many of the techniques himself, using his Chung Do Kwan training and background (http://www.ohdokwan.ca/namtaehi.html)

Tae Hi Nam's career in Tae Kwon Do has spanned 50 years, and includes his assistance to Gen. Choi and longtime support of the ITF (September 2000 TKD Times)

[edit] See also

[edit] Suggested Readings

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