KUKSOOLWONTM

What is KUKSOOLWON?

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The origins of Kuk Sool date back to the very beginning of Korea starting with "Sah Doh Mu Sool" which means family or tribal martial art. The next martial art to develop was "Koong Joong Mu Sool", or "Royal Court Martial Art." Shortly afterwards came "Bull Kyo Mu Sool", which refers to the martial arts practiced in the Buddhist temples during ancient times. These are the three segments of Korean martial arts history from which the techniques of Kuk Sool are derived.

Although it can be traced back to antiquity, the present Kuk Sool system was formally devised only recently. Grandmaster In Hyuk Suh spent his entire life in single minded practice and research in order to learn, compile, master and organize the vast collection of techniques which comprise Kuk Sool. He officially founded the Kuk Sool Won™ in 1961 and brought it to the United States in 1974.

The World Kuk Sool Association, Inc. now has its headquarters in Tomball , Texas (on the outskirts of Houston ), and has grown to include more than 800 schools stretched all across the globe. It continues to steadily increase it's membership on a daily basis.

So it can be said that Kuk Sool Won™ is a comprehensive martial arts system that is derived from the rich and varied martial art techniques and traditions that have arisen in Korea throughout the ages. Be aware that Kuk Sool is not considered a sport, nor is it simply another oriental self defense method, it is a comprehensive martial art that is dedicated to the cultivation of mental and physical well-being and to the preservation of traditional Korean Martial Arts.

For self defense, Kuk Sool is unsurpassed. It combines kicking, punching, throwing, falling, choking, joint-locking and a myriad of weapons techniques into a beautiful and dynamic style that emphasizes speed and fluidity. In conjunction with the physical training, meditation, special breathing, acupressure and acupuncture techniques are employed to improve and maintain health, develop internal power and retard the aging process.

Philosophically, Kuk Sool stresses humility, self discipline, loyalty and respect for others. Together, all of these aspects allow Kuk Sool to provide the means for attaining a long and healthy life.

As a martial arts system, Kuk Sool Won™ covers the entire spectrum of the established Asian fighting arts and body conditioning techniques, as well as mental development and traditional weapons training. 

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As you can see, Kuk Sool Won™ covers an extensive variety of martial art techniques. But it is not merely concerned with methods of attack and defense. Kuk Sool Won™ also includes the study of healing techniques and the development of internal power, in addition to the physical training. Mental development is of equal importance in Kuk Sool and helps to instill confidence and self-discipline, a calm self-assurance, and the ethical and philosophic values, which are traditionally associated with the character of a martial artist.

Although Kuk Sool Won™ as it is practiced today is relatively new, its roots stretch far and deep to the very beginnings of the Korean people. This early history and the ancient traditions upon which this art is founded should be viewed as important as the physical techniques themselves, for it is only from the understanding and appreciation of these classical roots that one is truly able to grow as a student of the martial arts.

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Sah Doh Mu Sool

 

The earliest martial arts developed in Korea are referred to as SahDoh MuSool; meaning tribal, clan, or family martial arts, as this type of martial art was mainly passed down from one generation to the next through family lines.

SahDoh MuSool was popular among the ancient tribes, city-states and smaller kingdoms that formed in the Korean Peninsula and parts of what is now China. This was evident well before the first unified Korean kingdom of Ko-Cho Sun which was founded in 2333 BC by the legendary king, DahnGoon WahngGuhm. Later, SahDoh MuSool was further developed and made widespread by voluntary militias comprised of the common people, who often fought in battles to defend their villages.

Traditional athletic activities such as Taekkyon, and Ssireum are considered to have originated from SahDoh MuSool. In fact, many techniques found in the popular Olympic sport of TaeKwonDo can also be traced back to SahDoh MuSoo.

 

Bool Kyo Mu Sool

Since Buddhism was first introduced to the kingdom of Koguryo in the year 347, a rather unique form of martial arts was developed by both Buddhist monks as well as martial artists, known as BoolKyo MuSool.

Buddhist monks originally developed and then practiced BoolKyo MuSool to improve their health while meditating and to defend themselves while traveling.

As a result, Buddhist martial arts include both internal training, with emphasis on special breathing and meditation methods, as well as external training, with emphasis on extremely effective self-defense techniques. Many Buddhist monks were so accomplished as martial artists that they were occasionally called upon during national emergencies to fight in battles by forming unprecedented armies of warrior monks.

To this day, BoolKyo MuSool plays a significant role for Korean martial artists by providing them with philosophies of non-violence and compassion as well as ethical codes of conduct, such as the famous Five Precepts of the HwaRang warriors.

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Koong Joong Mu Sool

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Kings, royal families and government officials had private armies and bodyguards who practiced a type of martial art known as KoongJoong MuSool.

These royal court martial arts gave rise to esoteric techniques of easily portable weapons such as short swords and folding fans. Also developed were unique weaponless techniques of joint-locking and pressure point striking. 

Existing records in Japan suggest that many KoongJoong MuSool techniques found their way there and gave birth to the Japanese art of Jujitsu. King JinHung of the Kingdom of Silla encouraged the HwaRang warriors to practice KoongJoong MuSool in addition to their other martial arts training. But later during the Koryo Dynasty and Chosun Dynasty, Korean kings enforced policies to discourage the practice of martial arts and to forbid the possession of weapons, in order to protect themselves from military rebellion or any other political uprising.

However, Korean martial arts have continued to develop both within and without the royal courts, thanks to the efforts of many dedicated Korean martial artists to practice, record, and compile these precious martial art techniques.

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