The three branches of traditional Korean martial arts: Sah
Doh Mu Sool, Koong Joong Mu Sool, and Bull Gyo Mu Sool,
known as Kuk Sool in 1958 by In Hyuk Suh, the founder and Grandmaster
of Kuk Sool Won™.
Kuk Sool Won™ has been actively promoted worldwide by the World
Kuk Sool Association, Inc.
and it is also recognized in the martial arts community as one of the most
effective and comprehensive systems of traditional Korean martial arts in
existence today.
Kuk·Sool has countless techniques purportedly taken from the three branches of historical
Korean martial arts: Sah Doh Mu Sool, Koong Joong Mu Sool, and Bull Gyo Mu Sool. But the joint-locks and
other grappling aspects are identical to those found in Hapkido, which is historically proven to be drawn from a Japanese
art known as Daito Ryu Aiki-Jujitsu, while the forms of patterned movements and palm-striking can be linked to a Chinese art known as
Tang Lang Chuan (i.e. praying mantis kung-fu).
Kuk·Sool has countless techniques purportedly taken from the three branches of historical Korean martial arts: Sah Doh Mu SoolTribal Clan Martial Arts, Koong Joong Mu SoolRoyal Palace Martial Arts, and Bull Gyo Mu Sool.Buddhist Temple Martial Arts But the joint-locks and other grappling aspects are identical to those found in Hapkido, which is historically proven to be drawn from a Japanese
art known as Daito Ryu Aiki-Jujitsu, while the forms of patterned movements and palm-striking can be linked to a Chinese art known as Tang Lang Chuan (i.e. praying mantis kung-fu).
Kuk·Sool has countless techniques purportedly taken from the three branches of historical Korean martial arts: Sah Doh Mu Sool, Koong Joong Mu Sool, and Bull Gyo Mu Sool. But the joint-locks and other grappling aspects are identical to those found in Hapkido, which is historically proven to be drawn from a Japanese
art known as Daito Ryu Aiki-Jujitsu, while the forms of patterned movements and palm-striking can be linked to a Chinese art known as Tang Lang Chuan (i.e. praying mantis kung-fu).
However, the curriculum does have a uniquely designed structure that successfully combines all of these elements, along with other skills and training methods which are of Korean origin, and thus can take a practitioner in a logical progression from the beginning all the way up to Master level.
All of these various components, whether derived from the aforementioned historical Korean martial arts or not, were brought together and organized to form a single system in the late 1950’s to early 1960’s, by many masters with diverse backgrounds. Unfortunately, this collaborative effort was short-lived and all the people involved eventually went their separate ways. However, a few of the leading masters, namely, Woo-tak Kim, In-hyuk Suh, Han-chul Lee, and Joo-bang Lee, continued their pursuits individually and are responsible for the formation of the following martial art systems
(in respective order): Kuk Sool Kwan, Kuk Sool Won, Bul Mu Do, and Hwa Rang Do.
In the last 50 years, perhaps the most influential figure active in promoting the martial art of
Kuk Sool (under that name), has been In-hyuk Suh along with his oganization, the World
Kuk Sool Association, Inc. But there are many other institutions not affiliated with him or his
organization which have also helped acknowledge the remarkableness of Kuk·Sool
and thus it is often recognized in the martial arts community as one of the most
effective and comprehensive traditional Korean martial arts in existence today.
However, the curriculum does have a uniquely designed structure that successfully combines all of these elements, along with other skills and training methods which are of Korean origin, and thus can take a practitioner in a logical progression from the beginning all the way up to Master level.
All of these various components, whether derived from the aforementioned historical Korean martial arts or not, were brought together and organized to form a single system in the late 1950’s to early 1960’s, under a group known as the Kuk Sool Hwe (short for: Han Kuk Mu Sool Hyup Hwe, or “Korean Martial Arts Association”). Several renowned martial art masters were responsible for this accomplishment, including Woo-tak Kim, In-hyuk Suh, Joo-bang Lee, and Han-chul Lee, to name a few. Unfortunately this collaborative effort was short-lived and as a result, this epic organization subsequently disbanded, with the 4 masters listed eventually going their separate ways. Nonetheless, they each continued to pursue such efforts individually and are responsible for forming the following martial art systems, all built on the contents of this unique conglomeration of various martial skills, now identified as Kuk Sool:Kuk Sool Kwan(國術館 – f. Woo-tak Kim), Kuk Sool Won(國術院 – f. In-hyuk Suh), Hwa Rang Do(花郎道 – f. Joo-bang Lee), and Bul Mu Do(佛武道 – f. Han-chul Lee).
In the last 50 years, perhaps the most influential figure who has been actively promoting the martial art of Kuk Sool (under that name), is In-hyuk Suh along with his organization, the World Kuk Sool Association, Inc., which proclaims to have an extensive following throughout the world. But there are many other institutions not affiliated with him or his organization which have also helped acknowledge the remarkableness of Kuk⋅Sool and thus it is often recognized in the martial arts community as one of the most effective and comprehensive traditional Korean martial arts in existence today.