Kuk Sool Won

Summary

Kuk Sool Won is a comprehensive Korean martial arts system founded in 1961 by Suh In Hyuk. It was founded as a complete system and is not limited to a single discipline. The goal of Kuk Sool Won was to create an elaborate study of different traditional martial arts of Korea, including their fighting techniques, weapon training skills and mental development methods. Today, this discipline is taught around the world and its students cover a wide range of different fighting styles.

History / Origins

ETYMOLOGY

The name of this martial arts system consists of three words. ‘Kuk’ translates to nation or state. ‘Sool’ means martial arts technique. The word ‘sool,’ however, covers a wider range of meanings, including the spiritual and philosophical heritage of Korean martial arts. And finally, ‘won’ means institute or association.⁽¹⁾ Therefore, the name of this range of techniques could be translated as “National Martial Art Association”.

BEGINNINGS

The roots of Kuk Sool Won date back to early Korean history. The art relies on three old techniques - the Sah Doh Mu Sool, Book Kyo Mu Sool and Koong Joong Mu Sool. The precursors to many techniques used today can be found in the tribal martial arts of Sah Doh Mu Sool, which were widely practiced by many families in old times. Book Kyo Mu Sool dates from the time of the Kingdom of Koryo, when Buddhism was introduced to the Korean peninsula. Buddhist monks taught specific martial systems, paying more attention to self-defence, meditation and breathing. Finally, Koong Joon Mu Sool was the art of the Royal Court, used by the royal guards. Development and practice of Korean martial arts were in jeopardy after Japan occupied Korean in 1910. Many traditional customs of the peninsula were suppressed at the time, so martial arts were practiced only in small circles.

The present form of Kuk Sool Won was formed only recently, in 1961. Its creator, master In Hyuk Suh, spent more than fifty years practicing various forms of Korean martial arts. He collected and organized more than 3,600 techniques which comprise Kuk Sool today. Hyuk Suh started learning martial arts from his grandfather at the age of five and was later introduced to Buddhist techniques and methods of the Korean Royal Court. He was known for his eclectic approach and excellent knowledge of different styles which he included in Kuk Sool Won. After founding the “National Martial Arts Association” in Korea, Suh came to America and formed the World Kuk Sool Association in 1975.⁽²⁾

PRESENT DAY

Today Kuk Sool Won is Korea’s second largest martial art next to Tae Kwon Do. It is taught around the world to practitioners of all ages. The World Kuk Sool Association has its headquarters in Houston, Texas and has more than 1.3 million members. It also includes more than 800 member schools from 27 different countries. The Association hosts numerous tournaments every year, mainly in Korea, US and UK. These test different aspects of Kuk Sool Won techniques and often include demonstrations and belt promotions.

FOLKLORE

Sources on In Hyuk Suh sometimes include contradictory facts. Although it is accepted that Suh studied Royal Court Martial Arts techniques under his grandfather at a young age, he did not mention this in his first published book. He did mention this fact only in 1988 in his book Fighting Weapons of Korean Martial Arts.

He studied under many masters in different parts of Korea. Some state that he also studied under masters who practiced the Japanese Daito-ryu aikijujutsu system. It is also known that he had associations with the members of famous Hapkido Schools in Seoul.