Karate & Kung Fu

Karate and most Kung Fu styles focus on standing strikes. Some kung fu styles incorporate standing grappling. There are literally hundreds of Karate and Kung Fu styles, however, many of the strikes, kicks, and movements are quite similar. Shinbudo incorporates only those techniques and training systems that prove to be useful in realistic self-defense situations or self-development training. Some of the major contributions come from Wing Chun Kung Fu, Chin Na, Tang Soo Do and Chi Kung.

History of Kung Fu

Fighting movements have been traced back to the Chinese Chou Dynasty (800 B.C.). In 39-92 A.D. Pan Kuo wrote six chapters of hand fighting in the Han Book of Arms. In the 5th century, the Shaolin (small forest) temple (Sil Lum in Cantonese) at Honan was built. In approximately 540 A.D. an Indian Buddhist Priest named Bodhidharma (Ta Mo in Chinese) introduced strength and energy exercises (modified yoga) to the Shaolin monks. 

The Shaolin temple was very secluded. It is hard to say when or how Ta Mo's methods became "martial arts" or if they existed in the temple prior to his arrival. It is known that the monks eventually developed fighting skills that were legendary. In fact, regional and imperial leaders would eventually fear the martial abilities of the Shaolin! 

In 698 A.D. the army of Emperor T'ai Tsung of the Tang dynasty was attacked by the troops of General Wang-Shih-Chung numbering in the thousands. The General had captured the Emperor's son in battle, and seemed to be winning the war, when the Emperor sent a request for help to the Shaolin temple. Approximately 100 monks joined the battle. Eventually, the General's troops were beaten back and the Emporer's son was saved. Other Shaolin temples were established (Fukien, Wu-Tang, O Mei Shan, and later Kwangtung). The Shaolin order continued through the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Song Dynasty (960-1279) and Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). During this time, (approximately 1000 years) the martial arts of Shaolin spread throughout Asia.

The Shaolin monks were eventually killed or scattered by government soldiers during their resistance of the Manchurian (Ching Dynasty) overthrow of the Ming dynasty. 

History of Japanese Karate

Okinawa is a small island of the group that comprises modern day Japan. It is the main island in the chain of Ryuku Islands which spans from Japan to Taiwan. Conveniently located, it developed as a trade center for southeastern Asia, trading with Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo and the Philippines. This was a perfect environment for the exchange of various sources of martial arts knowledge.

In its earliest stages, the martial art known as "karate" was an indigenous form of fighting which was developed in Okinawa called Te, or 'hand'. Further refinement came with the influence of other martial arts brought by trade to the island. Te continued to develop over the years, primarily in three Okinawan cities: Shuri, Naha and Tomari. Different forms of self-defense developed within each city, and subsequently became known as Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te. Collectively they were called Okinawa-Te or Tode, 'Chinese hand'. 

Gradually, karate was divided into two main groups:  Shorin-ryu was quick and linear with natural breathing while Shorei-ryu emphasized steady, rooted movements with breathing in synchrony with each movement. This concept of two basic styles also exist in kung-fu with a similar division of characteristics.

The Chinese character used to write Tode could also be pronounced 'kara' thus the name Te was replaced with kara te - jutsu or 'Chinese hand art' by the Okinawan Masters. This was later changed to karate-do by Gichin Funakoshi who adopted an alternate meaning for the Chinese character for kara, 'empty'. From this point on the term karate came to mean 'empty hand'. The Do in karate-do means 'way' or 'path', and is indicative of the discipline and philosophy of karate with moral and spiritual connotations.

History of Korean Karate

The ancestry of Korean karate can be traced back to the period of the Three Kingdoms founded more than two thousand years ago. It should be noted that martial art training in Korea has never been called  "karate." It has gone by such names as Kwon Bop, Tang Soo Do, and Tae Kyun.

The Chinese martial art systems are the basis of Korean karate. Not long after its development in China, the early version of the art showed up in the Korean peninsula. In those days the art was called Kwon Bop, a name which lasted until recent times The Koreans subtly modified the techniques, even in those early days, a process that has continued until our own time. 

The use of foot techniques, which later came to be the distinguishing feature of Korean karate, was first developed in the southern provinces in a system called Tae Kyun. 

The development of Kwon Bop in Korea bears two striking parallels to the history of the martial arts in China and Japan. Similar to what happened in China, the Buddhist monks were to be extremely important in the early growth of Kwon Bop in Korea. The Buddhist monks were quick to adopt the Kwon Bop fighting styles. As in China, the art flourished in temple grounds. The monks saw in it a way to train both their body and spirit. The monks also had the time to train in the art and they perfected and refined many techniques. Living by themselves alone in the mountains, they could train quietly with intense concentration. The monks also needed to protect themselves from bandits because they did a great deal of traveling.

During the Silla dynasty there was the establishment of the Hwarang-do. The requirements for entering the Hwarang-do were strict. One had to be of noble birth, learned, and pure in mind and spirit. The organization did much to shape the future life of its members and set the moral tone of the age. They trained their bodies and emphasized the spirit of knighthood. They considered their life to be as nothing and were prepared to give it on the battlefield in an instant. Kwon Bop became part of the official training of the Hwarang-do

In 1910 a victorious Japan took over rule of the country. Japan instituted an occupation of the country and tried to stamp out all vestiges of national distinction in Korea. As part of this policy, it forbade the practice of Kwon Bop. Kwon Bop styles were practiced to a small extent by common people in rural areas. During the years of Japanese rule, many young Koreans left home and went to Japan and China to study and work. Once in these countries, the young Koreans became exposed to different forms of martial arts. When World War II ended, many Koreans abroad flocked home and brought with them the results of their martial arts studies. Kwon Bop was revived once again. But this time it was infused with some of the new methods learned in Japan and China. 

One of these Koreans was Hwang Kee, who would later combine Chinese methods with Tae Kyun to create a new style. He adopted the ancient name of Tang Soo Do (Way of the Chinese Hand) for his new style. The famous, Chuck Norris, would later learn this art at the Osan Air Force Base in Korea during his service in the military. Many other styles were also established by other masters during this time.

With the takeover of the military government in 1961, orders came down to band all martial art groups in one organization.  The organization that was founded was eventually called the Tae Kwan Do, the group officially recognized by the Korean government, and the name by which Korean karate is now most known throughout the world.

However, shortly after its inception, there was a split in the ranks. Hwang Kee, the founder of Tang Soo Do, was able to maintain his art's independence from the Tae Kwon Do consolidation. 

   Click Here For More Shinbudo Information  

Click Here For Price & Payment Options
  

If you are interested in taking one or more classes at the Warrior's Cove, we suggest you visit during the class you are interested in. We have a seating area for visitors. You may stop by as many times as you like to watch classes. You may also participate in one free class in each program that we offer.  You will find both our instructors and the other members to be friendly, informative, and supportive.

If you have any questions that are not answered at this website, please call or email the office nearest you.

     Click Here For Contact Information    

     Main Warrior's Cove Page