Origins

Although the origins of Tang Soo Do have been debated for several decades, it is generally accepted that that the art originated as a combination of three major styles: Soo Bahk Do, Northern China Kung Fu and Southern China Kung Fu, combined with the Okinawan discipline and modified katas of Karate by Grandmaster Hwang Kee (1914 - 2002).

After it was created, Tangsoodoo was originally called Hwasoodo or Moo duk kwan Tangsoodo. Today in Korea, the art is referred to as Soo Bahk Do.