Chapter 14: Early Masters
Hwang Kee
Hwang, Kee was born November 9, 1914 in Jang Dan- Kyong Ki province, where the DMZ is now. Hwang held true to his original name, Taenam, which meant “starboy,” as he rose to being a famous martial arts instructor. Hwang’s first exposure to martial arts took place in May 1921 at age seven during the Dan-O festival, which is the national May festival, where he saw a fight between a man and eight opponents. The man defeated the opponents using various kicks. Some in the crowd said the man used "Taekkyon", while others said he used "ship pal ki.” Hwang was so impressed by the fight that he followed the man from a distance and discovered where he lived. Hwang often visited the man's house and, from a distance, watched him train. Hwang asked the man for formal lessons but he refused due to Hwang’s young age. Hwang continued to watch the man train from a distance and imitated what he saw.
In May 1935, Hwang traveled to China where he worked for the Manchurian railroad. During the previous 20 years, Hwang had practiced and trained himself in the martial arts but he never had any formal training. In 1936, Hwang had his first formal martial arts lesson from a local well renowned martial artist, master Yang, Kuk Jin. Yang trained Hwang in the arts of Seh-bop (method of postures, Bo-bop (method of steps), and Ryun-bop (method of conditioning). He also trained him in “Dham-toi-dip-e-ro” and “Tae-kuk-kwon,” which were disciplines of form and its combat applications. Hwang trained with Yang until August 1937 when he had to return to Korea for personal reasons. He returned to China in 1941 to visit and practice with Yang, but, as China became a communist country, all communications between Yang and Hwang ceased.
In 1939, Hwang began working for the Choson Railway Bureau. During this time he visited the library and read books on Okinawan karate. Through this study, he developed the forms for Soo-bahk-do Moo-duk-kwan. Pyung Ahn hyungs, Bassai hyungs, and Kong Sang Kun hyungs may be practiced a little differently from the original Okinawan Pinan forms, but their origins stem from the influence of Okinawin karate.