Kyeok Sul Do

Kuk Sul Do® is a traditional Korean martial arts style founded and trademarked by Grandmaster Choon Sik Yang (양, 춘식). The name "Kuk Sul Do" translates to "National Korean Martial Art." Kuk Sul Do® is rooted in numerous aspects of traditional Korean martial arts and is based upon of several historical Korean martial art styles. Kuk Sul Do® and the Yang's Kuk Sul Do Federation® were founded by Grandmaster Yang to preserve traditions and movements that are thousands of years old. Because of Kuk Sul Do's beginning, it is a well-rounded traditional style that doesn't necessarily have any specific weaknesses and encompasses a large amount of material and tradition. There are many other styles of Korean martial arts, such as Taekwondo, and Hapkido. Kuk Sol Do® is unique in its combination of practical skills and limited number of practitioners: only schools and instructors personally endorsed by Grandmaster Yang are permitted to bear the name of Kuk Sul Do®.

History of Korean martial arts

Early history

Most of what is modern day Kuk Sul developed from three main places: Korean tribesman out of instinct, guards and members of the Royal Court, and traveling monks that journeyed into, out of and through Korea. Lifestyles of various types emerged from all over the country, many of which persevered up until Japan's attack and eventual annexation of Korea in 1910. Some of these skills include, but are not limited to:

• Kung Sa/궁사 – Archery
• Kum Sul bub/검술법 – Swordsmanship
• KukKi HapKiDo/국기 합기도 – Korean hapkido (versus Japanese aikido, as both use the same Asian characters: 合氣道)
• HoSinSool/호신술 – Body protection techniques (not just self defense but skills such as breakfalls, etc.)
• TangSooDo/당수도 – Unarmed combat
• HwaRangKumSul/화랑검술 – Sword techniques of the Hwarang warriors of Silla
• Ji leu ki bub/지르기법 – Strikes and Kicks
• Su young bub/수영법 – Swimming and combat in water
• Jung chi, ko jun/정치, 고전 – Politics and Classical Literature
• Tu ho/투호 – Throws
• Tae Kyun/태껸 – Kicks
• Mok bong/목봉 – Wooden pole fighting
• Su Sul/수술 – Hand to hand fighting
• Jong da bub/종다법 – Defense against attack from multiple attackers
• Bul bub/불법 – Buddhist sutra

After the Japanese annexation, many of Korean's traditions were banned and replaced with those of Japan's, martial arts included. Masters of many different Korean styles convened to keep the heart of her martial traditions alive, and put together what they determined to be the best representation of what could be called a "National Korean Martial Art" (Hankuk Musul/한국무술, or KukSul/국술 for short).

Modern History

In the late 1970s, Grandmaster Yang and other Korean masters came to the United States as part of a demonstration team. During this time period, additional Korean masters also migrated to the United States, and also began teaching their own traditional martial arts. As a specific martial arts style, Kuk Sul Do® was founded by Grandmaster Yang, although the traditional arts taught within Kuk Sul Do® are, in some extent, shared with other traditional disciplines. As a martial arts style, Kuk Sul Do® is trademarked within the United States, and very few schools are personally endorsed by Grandmaster Yang. For many years, Kuk Sul Do® was concentrated in California; however, there are also endorsed schools in Ohio. Grandmaster Yang has spent over fifty over years training and instructing, and still holds seminars within Kuk Sul Do® schools all over the nation and in Korea, as well as the rest of the world.

External links

• Grandmaster Yang's Federation Page - Official Kuk Sul Do Website
• Chagrin Falls Kuk Sul Do Academy
• Chico Kuk Sul Do Academy
• Centerville Kuk Sul Do Academy