HISTORY

 

MODERN HISTORY

After World War II and the Japanese occupation there was a new resurgence of martial arts in Korea. This saw the emergence of various schools of martial arts or kwans. Styles were varied with each teacher teaching their own versions of martial arts. The major kwans during that time were:

Chung Do Kwan - established by Master Lee Won Kuk. He was teaching Tang Soo Do ( the art of the Tang Dynasty )

Moo Do Kwan - established by Master Hwang Ki . He was also teaching his own version of Tang Soo Do

Yon Moo Kwan - established by Master Chon San Sop. He taught his art called Kong Soo Do (the art of empty hand). The name was changed to Ji Do Kwan after his disappearance during the Korean War.

Song Moo Kwan -established by Master Ro Byong Jik, a student of karate who learnt the art with Lee Won Kuk in Japan

Chang Moo Kwan -established by Master Yun Byong In who taught karate with a mixture of Chinese Chin-ah

Oh Do Kwan - established by General Choi Hong Hi.

All the kwans were teaching their own form of martial arts. All the Masters received karate training . Although the masters were training martial arts under different names what they taught had a very strong Japanese and Chinese influence, as can be seen by the names and techniques.The first five schools were established in 1946 except Oh Do Kwan which was established only in 1953 but it was with the establishment of Oh Do Kwan that martial arts in Korea revolutionised.