Tang Soo Do
What is American Tang Soo Do?
Tang Soo Do is a “hard style” martial art developed in Korea in the early and mid 1900’s. Primary emphasis is on stand-up fighting-striking with a variety of hand techniques and kicks with knees and elbows used also. Less emphasis is placed on grappling. Its roots are primarily traditional Korean martial arts with influence from Northern China and Okinawa. Grandmaster James Cummings studied Tang Soo Do under the founder of Tang Soo Do, Grandmaster Hwang Kee, and received his first degree Black Belt from him in Korea and then started teaching in the United States. As Grandmaster Cummings and other TKA black belts have adapted techniques from other styles, our style has evolved into what we now call American Tang Soo Do.