Hong Hi Choi (–2002)

A synthesis of t'aekyon and karate Two-star general, ambassador, 1st prize won calligrapher, the author of 'military intelligence' and 'Taekwon-Do' in Korean now presents an English edition of Taekwon-do for English speaking students. Taekwon-do is a contemporary version of an ancient form of unarmed combat practiced for many centuries in the Orient. The master of both T'aekyon which mainly employs feet and Karate which chiefly employs hands synthesized the both and theroetically systematized in new intelligible terminology. Through his own experiences with the art for three decades and in teaching foreign students for twenty years, the author has originated logical new patterns or forms which will be found only in this edition. Taekwon-Do is a Mudo, a martial art, not a mere sport. Taekwon-Do is a lethal weapon like TNT, but not for a war. The author emphasizes it must be used for peace, for the justice and the weak. Through this book with more than 1,300 photos and illustrations, you will meet a good teacher who will lead you from the very beginning to the core of the art. General Choi was born in 1918. Little Choi's delicate constitution was a constant worry to his parents. HIs father sent him to Mr. Han, a noted calligrapher and also a verteran combat art. During his stay in Kyoto, Japan for study, he became a Karate expert which would give him chances to prove himself to be a mighty friend for the justice and the weak. As any brilliant and patriotic young Korean did, Choi joined variouis independence movements and led the resistance groups. In 1945, ambitious Choi came to Seoul and was commissioned to Leutenant of the Republic of Korea Army. Prospective young General Choi wrote 'Military Intelligence' in 1953. Wherever the master once visited or stationed or commanded, there was and is still a boom of Taekwon-Do. When Ambassador Choi was assigned to Malaysia, he was an ambassador of the art as well. Now his old students are spreading the art wherever they station, Asia, America, Europe, any part of the world. The father of Taekwon-Do sincerely hopes that the people of the world would learn this wornderful art of self-defence, longevity and peace and stand for the world justice and the weak. Regarding a reissue of a Classic on Modern Korean Martial Arts published by Masters Publications (305 pages) Review An absolute essential for every Tae Kwon Do practitioner in the world! --Risingsunproductions.net This master text is finally available for the first time in over 40 years! --Fightingspirit.com Product Description This is the original master text written by General Choi Hong Hi in 1965. The book is one of the most complete books ever written on this wonderful Korean art including chapters on all the kicking techniques as well as hand and throwing techniques of this the art the General named in 1955 including a brief history and just so much more.Out of print for more then 40 years it is now back in print for the first time. Featured in this text is one of the most skillful Tae Kwon Do Masters ever Master Jong Soo Park. History Preserved for all, YES! Written before the break-up between _Choi_ Hong-hi (sometimes called 'General Choi' in recognition of his status as a 2-star general in the S. Korean Army) and the South Korean government over his attempts to include North Korea as a part of the Taekwondo Association, it is interesting to note there is no reference yet in English to 'International Taekwon-Do Federation' here. In this early edition, the first translated into English from Korean, Choi is listed as 9th dan and 'President, the Taekwon-Do Association'(page 12). I don't recommend reading too much into that, as it simply suggests that at the time, there was only one Taekwondo Association in Korea outside the individual Kwan (schools) led by their various headmasters. But I digress. All of the photo models and Choi himself are clad in tradition white karate-type Do-bak (gi, or uniforms), no black trim. I actually prefer the layout of this first edition, it isn't as cluttered as the two editions that followed (1972, 1988-92). Choi himself is shown performing some of the techniques, notably breaking boards on page 13, and in a very youthful looking portrait on page 7. This is also the first time that the Chang-Hon Hyung (forms of combat, or patters) are referred to in English and described in total with complete written sentances documenting each move, often with some photographs (page 174-215). Chang Hon was Choi Hong-hi's penname, and means 'blue cottage'. These forms were devised through the efforts of Choi and his contemporaries to varying degrees, and reflect the influence of Japanese style Karate and Korean innovation. All of the Chang-hon names refer to historic Korean people, places, groups, or dates. The Twenty original Chang-Hon forms described are are: Chon-Ji, Tan-Gun, To-San, Won-Hyo, Yul-Gok, Chung-Gun, Toi-Gye, Hwa-Rang, Chung-Mu, Kwang-Gae, Po-Un, Kae-Baek, Yu-Sin, Chung-Jang, Ul-Ji, Sam-Il, Choi-Yong, Ko-Dang, Se-Jong, and Tong-Il. In the later 1972 edition, Eui-Am, Yon-Ge, Moon-Moo, and So-San had been devised and were also included. In the 1988-92 edition, Ko-Dang was replaced (not renamed) by Juche, a move which Choi in later interviews and his autobiography said was done to reflect good will and inclusion towards stand-offish closed North Korea. It was interpreted by South Korea as another proof that Choi was disloyal to the South. Today among Taekwondo practitioners there is still some debate about Choi's politics, etc. My advice would be to read his autobiography and later interviews and make your own decision. Also included, interestingly enough, are 15 Hyung of the 'Sho-rin and Sho-rei Schools', basically the 15 'orthodox' Kata or forms, of Funakoshi's original Shotokan (pg. 216-239). The fifteen forms may have been practiced by Choi when he learned Karate in Japan, and were/are also common to other Kwan such as the Chung Do Kwan, Moo Duk Kwan, Ji Do Kwan, etc. These also include complete written descriptions covering (in their Korean pronounciation): Heian (1-5), Batsai, Enpi, Rohai, Kouh-Shang-Houh, Tekki (1-3), Jitte, Hangetsu, and Jion... All in all, a good volume on early Taekwondo published before the worst of the political schisms occurred. The techniques are the same as one would find in most of the early kwan (schools), Moo Duk Kwan, Chung Do Kwan, Song Moo Kwan, Ji Do Kwan, etc. On another side note, the Kwan attributed to Choi was called the Oh Do Kwan, meaning 'My Way School'. Not to reflect that people had to do things _Choi's_ way, but so that each man, brough together by the military, often from different kwan background, would feel he had a school that was too, HIS own individual path (way). Reprinted from a 1968 English translation of 1965 Korean edition.-C.J. Hardman I bought this book when it first came out and only paid $29.95 for it. I noticed that the price has doubled. This was the first book about TKD in English and therefore is important for all of those that practice Ch'ang Hon Ryu. The only problem is the size of the book. The reprint is much smaller then the original and suffers because of it. The photos were not always the best to begin and suffer from the lost in size. It would have been nice if it was an exact reprint. I have since found an original and much prefer it. I thought this was great at thirty dollars but am not sure about sixty dollars. One can find the condensed ITF book for sixty. -W. McMillin As the title states, this is a reprint of General Choi's 1965 book. It was a good book for it's day. He later wrote better books with more detail. I bought this book just to add it to my collection. If you have always wanted a copy of General Choi's first book, now you can have the reprint.-Kevin Roberts Contents Preface Part I Introduction 1 The meaning of taekwon-do 2 Theory of power-reaction force; concentration; Equilibrium; Breath control 3 Moral culture 4 A brief history of taekwon-do 5 Structure of taekwon-do A. Striking and blocking points Hand parts (sangbansin) Foot parts (habansin) Miscellaneous parts B. Vital spots (kapso) 6 Stance (sogi) Parallel stance (narani sogi) Close stance (moa sogi) Open stance (p'alcha sogi) Forward stance (chon'gul sogi) Back stance (Hugul sogi) X-stance (kyoch'a sogi) One-leg stance (oebal sogi) Riding stance (kima sogi) Fixed stance (kojong sogi) Diagonal stance (sason sogi) Crouched stance (oguryo sogi) Low stance (natch'a sogi) Rear foot stance (twitpal sogi) Part II Essential techniques (chuyogi) 7 Hand techniques (sugi) A. Attack techniqeus (konggyokki) Punching techniques (chirugi) Thrusting techniques (Ttulki) Striking techniques (Ttaerigi) B. Defence techniques (pang'ogi) Blocking (Makki) Dodging (p'ihagi) 8 Foot techniques (chokki) A. Attack techniques Destroying kick (ch'a pusugi) Thrusting kick (ch'a chirugi) Pressing kick (ch'a nurugi) Consecutive kick (yonsok ch'agi) Flying kick (Ttwimyo ch'agi) B. Defence techniques Blocking Dodging Part III Training (taeryon) 9 Equipment (changbi) A Practice suit (tobok) B. Training aids (tallyon ku) C. Free training (tosu tallyon) Part IV Fundamental exercise (kibon suryon) 10 General guidance 11 Methods of exercise (suryon pop) Part V Patterns in taekwon-do (hyong) 12 The Ch'ang-hon School (ch'ang-hon yu) Chon-ji Tan-gun To-san Won-hyo Yul-kok Chung-gun T'oi-gye Hwa-rang Ch'ung-mu Kwang-gae P'o-un Kae-baek Yu-sin Ch'ung-jang Ul-ji Sam-il Kodang Ch'oi--yong Se-jong T'ong-il 13 The Sho-Rin and Sho-Rei Schools (sorim mit soryong yu) Hei-an Bat-sai En-bi Ro-hai Kouh-shang-kouh Tet-ki Jit-te Hang-getsu Ji-on Part VI Sparring (taeryon) System of sparring (Taeryon kusong) 14 Pre-arranged sparring (yaksok taeryon) A. 3-step sparring (sambo taeryon) B. 2-step sparring (ibo taeryon) C. 1-step sparring (ilbo taeryon) 15 Semi-free sparring (panjayu taeryon) A. Foot techniques sparring (chokki taeryon) B. 1-step free sparring (ilbo chayu taeryon) 16 Free sparring (chayu taeryon) Part VII Self-defence techniques (hosinsul) 17 How to release from grabbing (chap'yossulttae) A. When standing B. When kneeling C. When lying down 18 How to defende against sudden attack (puri konggyok ttae) A. When kneeling B. When sitting cross-legged C. When sitting on a chair D. When sitting on an armchair E. When sitting on a bench F. When lying down 19 How to throw the attacking opponent (tonjigi) A. When standing B. When kneeling C. When lying down 20 How to defend against an armed opponent (tae mugi) A. Against dagger (tae tando) B. Against bayonet (tae ch'onggom) C. Against club (tae konbong) D. Against pole attack (tae mongdung'i) E. Against pistol (tae kwonch'ong) Appendices Importance of taekwon-do System of rank Test Training schedule Match Match rules Note on the author Abbreviation table Romanization table (McCune-Reinschaure System) Glossary Index… (mere)

Review
A beautiful book for all people in all walks of life. --Fightingspirit.com

A wonderful book filled with wisdom and insight. --Risingsunproductions.net
Product Description
Moral Guide is a book created by General Choi Hong Hi the founder of TKD. It is his collection of famous sayings by the greatest Oriental minds of Philosophy ever names like Lao Zhu, Sun Tzu, Confusious and many others of Chinese Japanese and Korean decent. Quotes like: Power must never be lent. Real happiness comes out of a hard life People in general do not see the other side of the coin. and many many more.

Taekwon-do is a unique sport in that it puts equal emphasis on the importance of spiritual as well as physical training. Therefore, the only way one can truly achieve the status as a man of taekwon-do is to go beyond the technical aspect and establish a lifestyle based on a solid code of morality. In fact, all the years of hard training will be nothing but a waste of time if not accompanied by modesty & propriety which are the very essence of Oriental philosophy.

Contents

Foreword
Lao Tzu
Confucius
Mencius
Xun Tzu
Quan Tzu
Sun Tzu
Mo Tzu
Han Fei Tzu
Zhu Qe LIang
Zhuang Tzu
Chan Kuo Tse (Warring States)
Zuo Juan
Lieh Tzu
Da Xue, Jung Yung
Cai Qen Tan
Sung Ming Chen Yen Hsing Lu
Yi Jing
Tang Shih
Han Shin
Others… (mere)

The memoirs of Choi Hong-Hi, the founder of Taekwon-do.

The Little Giant, Chi Hong-Hi, created taekwon-do as a modern sport and developed it as the world-famous martial art in two decades of devotion. Being a founding member of the South Korean Armed Forces, and the foremost calligrapher of his time, he was at the front of the movment for Korean Unification. The panoramic memoir of his life is an epic drama.

General Choi was born on Nivember 9, 1918 in Hwae Dea, Hamkyung Buckdo, NOrth Korea.

After studed in the Ckhu-Oh University in Japan he graduated form the Military School in Seooul, Korea in 1946. Gen. Choi is one of he founding members of the Armed Forces of the Repblich of Korea.

As retired from the military service in 1961 he was appointed and seved as the first Ambassador of Korea to Malaysia in 1962.
Gen. Chi undertook incessant and devoted researches in the field of martial art from March of 1946. Eventually on April 11, 1955, he proclaimed the name, Taekwon-Do by assembling he naming boards for the martial art he developed.

In September of 1959, Gen. Choi founded the Korea Taekwon-Do Association.

In 1966, Gen. Choi founded the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), with associations of 9 countries. He, in 1972, sought political refuge in Canada and while in exile, he promoted taekwon-do throughout the entire wold.

On September 2, 1999, Gen. Choi founded the International Martial Games Committee (Martial Arts Games Committee) and was amoved to the president of it.

Literary works:
Military Intelligence
The Korean Art of Self-Defence
Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do
Moral Guidance

Review
A magnificent story of a man who changed the world. --Risingsunproductions.net

Finally the true story of the roots of Taekwon-Do. --Fightingspirit.com
Product Description
Tae Kwon Do and I Combined this is both volumes 1 and 2. It is placed inside a beautiful collectors box for postarity and safe keeping as there are only a few hundred of these books left in print.

General Choi Hong Hi created Taekwon-Do and developed it as the world-famous martial art in two decades of devotion. Being a founding member of the South Korean Armed Forces and the foremost calligrapher of his time he was at the front of the movement for Korean Unification. The panoramic memoir of his life is an epic drama in 2 volumes titled 'Taekwon-Do and I'. Also included in this set is 'The Moral Guide Book' - a collection of maxims and teachings by ancient wise men intended to aid in establishing a lifestyle based on a solid code of morality. This title was directly translated by General Choi Hong Hi This three book set includes: Taekwon-Do and I Vol 1: Motherland the Land in Turmoil (601 pages) Taekwon-Do and I Vol 2: The Vision of Exile: Any Place under Heaven is Do-Jang (562 pages).

Contents

Foreword
Part 1 Childhood
Prologue
Only a weakling survives
Stubborn as a donkey
Living at my step mother's
Bottom of the class, top in mischief
About dreams
Burgeoning anti-Japanese sentiment
Learning calligraphy from Master Han Il-Dong
Asking the dead for a wish
Writing epitaphs, a singer-to-be
Anything you have learned helps
My first love
Acquiring a certificate with at the tip of a brush
Part 2 School days
Karate that I learned in my school days
Naive competition
Success takes effort
Match that didn't take place
Honor saved by my fist
Never lose to the Japanese
Medical school or law school
Korean students and student soldiers
Part 3 The students riot in Pyong-Yang
'I will come back alive'
Military horses and soldiers
Organizing comrades in secret
Let's go to to Bak-Du Mountain
Part 4 Tragedy in the prison
Severe discipline
Karate teacher in a blue unifirm
Mother's heart
A way of correspondence
A secret plan
Pyong-Yang Prison
Emergency measure proclaimed
Jail within a jail
Liberation three days b efore the execution
Unforgetable welcome party
the advantage of poison-ivy
I come back alive
Part 5 After national liberation
Local organzation
The Hahk-Byung League in Sam-Chung-Dong
Right versus left in the league
Formation of a protogype of the National Army
A hoodlum buying drinks
Attending military language school
Part 6 My army life-the first part
Second Lieutenant in Korean Constabulary
The first posting, Kwang-Ju
Friendship from the fight
An army sword and the head of the police chief
Gangsters in Kwang-Ju
The ax turns in my hand
The local color
Thanks to my dullness
The unhappy promotoin
Negotiations with Taek-Shang Jang
'Korean Major, number one'
Tickets of the Soo-Do Theater
A drinking party with a communist
The best fighter in the Korean Army
The position claimed by my fist
Politics intervening in the army
Corruption in high positions
Four star Generral at eating cold noodles
Demotion to an unimportant post
Part 7 Army life-the second part
Unexpected leave to study in U.S.
An eventful tiip by train
The basic and advanced course
Advance course
Hot-pepper eating contest
News about 'The Korean War'
Commadning post at the front
The fundationof Army Ground General School
Conspiracy at the military shool
The poster scandal in Pusan
Meeting my master again in 17 years
sThe briefing appreciated by General MacArthur
Reconstrucctoin of the Mee-Shee Pass, and the Temple, Nak-Shan
Returning with regret to teh firts corps
Sacrificed for the cease fire conference
The foundation of 'IKC' Unit in 29th Division
The landing of 'IKC'
Founding taekwon-do
Upon the unveiling ceremony of Choong-Ryeoul Monument
Reconstructiong the Third Military Districk Command
The miserable National Art Exhibition
Docter Rhee and the first anniversary of the military district
Political swindlers
Part 8 Army days-the third part
The death of Ik-Hee Shin
Entering militray college
With time on my hands, I get a house
Accepting a new responsibility
Human nature shown in gambling
Taekwon-do intruduced abroad for the first time
An unexpected fortune
Acting for the ocmmander
Introducing taekwon-do in America
Never have a chance
Sweeping away the vicioius journalists
5.16 and I
Becoming commander of the 6th Army Corps
'I say what I have to say...'
I didn't expect things would turn out this way… (mere)

The memoirs of Choi Hong-Hi, the founder of Taekwon-do.

The Little Giant, Chi Hong-Hi, created taekwon-do as a modern sport and developed it as the world-famous martial art in two decades of devotion. Being a founding member of the South Korean Armed Forces, and the foremost calligrapher of his time, he was at the front of the movment for Korean Unification. The panoramic memoir of his life is an epic drama.

General Choi was born on Nivember 9, 1918 in Hwae Dea, Hamkyung Buckdo, NOrth Korea.

After studed in the Ckhu-Oh University in Japan he graduated form the Military School in Seooul, Korea in 1946. Gen. Choi is one of he founding members of the Armed Forces of the Repblich of Korea.

As retired from the military service in 1961 he was appointed and seved as the first Ambassador of Korea to Malaysia in 1962.
Gen. Chi undertook incessant and devoted researches in the field of martial art from March of 1946. Eventually on April 11, 1955, he proclaimed the name, Taekwon-Do by assembling he naming boards for the martial art he developed.

In September of 1959, Gen. Choi founded the Korea Taekwon-Do Association.

In 1966, Gen. Choi founded the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), with associations of 9 countries. He, in 1972, sought political refuge in Canada and while in exile, he promoted taekwon-do throughout the entire wold.

On September 2, 1999, Gen. Choi founded the International Martial Games Committee (Martial Arts Games Committee) and was amoved to the president of it.

Literary works:
Military Intelligence
The Korean Art of Self-Defence
Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do
Moral Guidance

Review
A magnificent story of a man who changed the world. --Risingsunproductions.net

Finally the true story of the roots of Taekwon-Do. --Fightingspirit.com
Product Description
Tae Kwon Do and I Combined this is both volumes 1 and 2. It is placed inside a beautiful collectors box for postarity and safe keeping as there are only a few hundred of these books left in print.

General Choi Hong Hi created Taekwon-Do and developed it as the world-famous martial art in two decades of devotion. Being a founding member of the South Korean Armed Forces and the foremost calligrapher of his time he was at the front of the movement for Korean Unification. The panoramic memoir of his life is an epic drama in 2 volumes titled 'Taekwon-Do and I'. Also included in this set is 'The Moral Guide Book' - a collection of maxims and teachings by ancient wise men intended to aid in establishing a lifestyle based on a solid code of morality. This title was directly translated by General Choi Hong Hi This three book set includes: Taekwon-Do and I Vol 1: Motherland the Land in Turmoil (601 pages) Taekwon-Do and I Vol 2: The Vision of Exile: Any Place under Heaven is Do-Jang (562 pages).

Contents

Foreword
Part 1 the crafty secretary general
The moment when night turns into day
Korea, the unknown
Taekwon-do introduced in Malaysia
Prime Minister Tunku Rahman
Death of my mother
Changing outlook on life
Japanese diplomacy and golf game
Back to my home country
Taekwon-do, the national sport
Difficult birth of the English version manual
Taekwon-do on a goodwill mssion
The birth of the International Federation
Part 2 The proudly presented martial art of Korea
Aborted plan for the 'Taekwon-do Center'
The Vietnam War and taekwon-do
Nonsence of the ignorant
A failure looks like a success
An aroma made an inn-keeper cry
Foundation of the martial art control body
Awkward situations
Level of instructors in the U.S.A.
Seminar in a restroom
Nations in teacher student relationship
Travels like running a marathon
Publishing a magazine with swindlers
Beef ribs and tabasco sauce
Absurd reconcilation committee
Part 3 An exile
Close exodus
A book has more power than Korea
Disapppointment in the immigration process
A small and wide world
The disadvantage of being healthy
Declaration of giving up my offspring
Disturbed by the Koran diplomatic officers
The first world taekwon-do champioinship
Impeaching the traitor of Korea
An adventurous road
Living in another world
People's movement in Tokyo
The patriotic decision of General Choi
An episode of antique arts
Part 4 Pyong-Yang
Opening the iron curtain
The last days of Hyung-Wook Kim
Jung-Hee Park is assassinated
Bridging the Eastern and the Western world
Meeting the President, Kim Il-Sung
Going to my home town with a demonstration team
A thief pretending to be the real owner
Miracle with taekwon-do
An attempt to assassinate Doo-Hwan Jun
Penetrating the heart of Japan
Heaven saved me
Encyclopedia of taekwon-do
The unfathomable human mind
Part 5 The whirling tornado
Taekwon-do introduced to mainland China
Losing a chance
All kinds of happenings
The fruit of persistence
About the two Kims
Echo of 'Yankee go home'
Fund from taekwon-do
The sixth world championshiop in Budapest
Breaking a Maginot Line
Unalterable name of taekwon-do
The number nine and I
The World Youth and student Festival and Pyong-Yang Hahk-Byung comrades
Part 6 Hardhips and their fruit
Vietnam revisited
An expulsion
Worth taking it to the limit
Happier than Jesus
One step away from death
As if the thief helped
Homecoming in 46 years
Taking a danagerous risk
The President of Uzhekistan
A patriot, Chon Jin-Shik
Epilogue to the second volume… (mere)