Our founder studied Shotokan Karate early in his martial arts career and was also a member of a U.S. Chung Do Kwan school. Eventually, many of the USCD schools in the area decided to break with USCD and form their own accrediting body. In the process they modernized their taekwondo curriculum. The reason I bring this up is because our school’s founder would always say that our lineage is Chung Do Kwan. This particular style of taekwondo is the oldest and at its creation (late 1940s and early 50s) it was essentially a combination of Japanese Shotokan Karate and Korean Taekkyon. (I will refer to this style as “traditional Chung Do Kwan” from here on out) Other schools can trace their lineage to the other Korean kwans (eight in total) and it is through this diversity that you get different styles of taekwondo and combat philosophy.
- Chung Do Kwan (loosely translated to “blue wave school”)
- Moo Duk Kwan
- Yun Moo Kwan
- Chang Moo Kwan
- Oh Do Kwan
- Ji Do Kwan
- Chi Do Kwan
- Song Moo Kwan
During class Sabum might mention certain fundamentals from Shotokan (usually stances or in relation to power generation) and he might also talk about USCD (usually expressing his displeasure with the organization). In fact, I really think he respected Shotokan’s influence on taekwondo’s history and he certainly taught us things that he learned in Shotokan and Chung Do Kwan (most notably DEEP stances!). However, it was very apparent that at the end of the day he thought taekwondo was superior. Considering that he won a gold medal in the Junior Olympics I cannot argue that point.
Interestingly, my current instructor’s boyfriend practices Shotokan. However, they tend to avoid discussing each other’s art because it often leads to “disagreements”.
My knowledge of Shotkan amounts to this: 1) Deeper stances, 2) Punching 70%/kicking 30%, 3) Katas which are somewhat longer than ours, 4) Sparring without gear, and 5) A much greater emphasis on tradition.
Apparently my knowledge is flawed.
Last night I’m perusing Half Price Books and come a across Chung Do Kwan: The Power of Taekwondo by Simpkins. The taekwondo that this book presents IS traditional Chung Do Kwan as practiced in the late 40s and 50s. After perusing the book and the internet it appears that there as still schools out there that teach taekwondo like this. Comparing it to the style that I am learning was very interesting. The first thing I noticed is a greater emphasis on hand techiques. The second thing was the fact that there are far fewer kicks and they are not as complex; same for the footowork. I’m pretty sure that the forms (aka katas) presented in the book are slight variations on Shotokan katas. I also noticed some familiar stances including a deep front stance, a deep horse stance, cat stance, and x-stance. In fact, they illustrate x-stance with the double uppercut which is part of my newest form.
However, what shocked me is the concept of “no-contact sparring”! After a little research I discovered that traditional Chung Do Kwan and Shotokan practice no-contact sparring. This means you train to stop your punch or kick an inch before hitting your target. Moreover, the punches and kicks are at full power and speed and no protective gear is worn. This explains how my instructor’s boyfriend got a bruise on the tip of his nose without a broken nose: Apparently he was victim of a Shotokan punch gone slightly wild.
Free contact sparring (i.e. put on protective pads and go at it) is generally more prevalent in TKD clubs; sparring in Shotokan is “no contact”-each technique is arrested a few millimeters from contact. Further, Shotokan students are introduced to sparring systematically over a period of 2-3 years, and free sparring is not emphasized until black belt level.
Contrast this to our training: During one-steps we train to pull our punch or kick (i.e., “no contact”). However, we develop power, speed, and technique on padded targets, shields, and the heavy bag through full-contact. We also break at every test and we practice full-contact sparring (belt level to head with protective gear) with the rule in practice being never hit your opponent harder than you are willing to be hit. Finally, we start teaching free-sparring (point sparring at first) after the student gains their first belt rank, not at black belt. We then gradually expose them to continuous free-sparring.
I’ve heard some criticize taekwondo as Shotokan Karate with more kicks. However, it really is incorrect to make that statement. Traditional Chung Do Kwan might be. However, given the eight original kwans with different approaches, two main governing bodies (WTF and ITF both with different philosophies), “modernization” of the art by some schools, different forms, and you really don’t know what style of taekwondo someone is studying until you either 1) Talk to them or 2) Visit their school.
Regardless, I recommend the above book for any tko practitioner because it is a short read which does a good job of covering certain historical aspects of taekwondo.
~BCP
[tags]taekwondo, Chung Do Kwan, Shotokan Karate, karate, Taekkyon, martial arts[/tags]
Chung Do Kwan Training
Osan Airforce Base, 1963 – 1964 on The Blue Wave Taekwondo School’s blog.
Regards,
Colin
While out doing some searching for the “traditional TKD forms, I ran across your post and I found it rather interesting. I started my TKD training in October of 1985 (Colstrip, MT) and that was an interesting time to do so. The club I joined fell under the Dae Myung Tendokan TKD that was (at the time) teaching the traditional forms as well as the Palgues. By the time I graduated high school in 1989, they had moved away from the Chungi and Chulgi series to the Palgues and Taeguks. I love the historical approach that you have placed in this article and wish that more people new this part of the history of TKD.
Thank you for reminding us of our roots;
Mike
AKA: Loki
I like to think that Taekwondoists should not be ashamed of their Shotokan heritage. Then again, I’m a bit of an idealist. I’ve been in a situation with Shotokan folks who indirectly berated taekwondo in front of me. I’ve seen that happen in the taekwondo camp to.
Bottom line: “Korean Karate” has a strong historical link to Shotokan. Bracket out the animosity between the Japanese and Korean cultures and you get to the historical truth.
I think that by realizing and accepting this heritage you become better at taekwondo.
Then again, I’ve been kicked in the head once or twice so maybe I’m off-base.
-B
I agree that we all should take a strong grasp on the history and accept that they are related historically. The politics of who-is-who need to stop. After all, how can we live the tenants if we belittle one-another. I also agree strongly that it is the history that helps us to understand the meanings of some of the forms and moves so much better.
The politics should be dropped and the art should be continued.
As for being kicked in the head once or twice, well, if that is a factor, then we are all in trouble…LOL
Mike
You hit the proverbial nail on the head. Both karate and taekwondo have codes. If you are disrespectful to other arts you do them a disservice. You also do yourself a disservice.
There’s a fine line between constructive criticism and outright bias. It’s too bad that some from both camps cannot see this!
I have been taking traditional Tae Kwon Do for the last two years. In that time, I have researching more about the art. Just this evening, I believe I am learning the Oh Do Kwan style. But, what you find out, or whether practitioners want to believe it or not. Shotokan is definitely influence Tae Kwon Do. No one should care. Its all in what you take out of it.
Wes. I agree!
“However, what shocked me is the concept of “no-contact sparring”! After a little research I discovered that traditional Chung Do Kwan and Shotokan practice no-contact sparring. This means you train to stop your punch or kick an inch before hitting your target.”
I come from a Chung Do Kwan school – I currently have a Brown Belt and my Master explains it this way. Hands and feet are in control at all times. If you can not control where and how you strike – you are out of control. No Contact sparring is about control and being able to “try concepts” without hurting yourself or your opponent. The benefit is you control your speed, power and technique at all times – additionally you get a feel for how an opponent would block your striking without damage to either participant. I have seen many discussions where others do not understand non contact or believe this reduces your power to fight. I find the opposite – it takes more skill to close the gap and not strike your opponent than to throw a technique and make contact.
It is a worthy discussion point and I welcome opposing views. However it works for me and I see the benefit of non contact.
Hi BCP, I am a 3rd Dan Black Belt in traditional Chung Do Kwan. It is very much alive and well in the world, I can assure you! Our founder was Grandmaster Lee (Won Kuk) and he was a student of Shotokan founder Sensei Funakoshi (Gichen). He earned a 3rd Dan (some sources say 4th) and then travels to Southern China to learn the source forms (Chang Nan Sho and Chang Nan Dai) and then returned to Korea and created Chung Do Kwan. Many say the name Blue Wave is a reference to the ocean and being powerful but I believe that it was in honor of Funakoshi’s pen name Shoto which means “Waving Pines”. Asian pine trees are often bluish in color like our blue spruce so the Blue Wave could refer to the bluish pine trees waving in the wind. Anyway, the forms we practice are the ones Lee developed from Funakoshi’s Heinan and Tekki series, Bassai Dai, Jitte, Empi and Jion which he named Pyong Ahn and Chul Gi series, Pal Sek, Ship Su and Jaon. The second head master of the Chung Do Kwan was Son (Duk Sung) who was not happy with the change to the newr style taekwondo and after being replaced by a more compliant headmaster, came to the United States and founded the World Tae Kwon Do Association in New York City. He added 2 new forms while teaching army officers in Korea which he called the Kuk Mu series. One of his students created 3 more and Son allowed them to practice them but never accepted them as part of the curriculum. Several of Son’s master students broke out on their own and added these forms and a few others for a total of 26 Hyungs and some even added 3 Taeguk forms as “pre-white belt” forms. Having studied the Shotokan forms Lee seems to have removed many of the grabbing techniques and he also emphasized doing the forms at combat speed rather them slowing down the complex sections the way Shotokan does. As a result, our forms take less than a minute each to complete and practitioner is breathing heavy when done. As far as the no contct issue – it is much easier to get insurance, to open a new school (less overhead) and kids, men and women can all practice together so it’s a real plus.
Thanks for weighing in on an old post. My criticisms aside I do have a lot of respect for traditional Chung Do Kwon and I’m glad to here that it is alive and well!