My Combat Fighting System

Korean Tang Soo Do - Japanese Ninjuka 

Chinese Shaolin Kempo - Okinawan Goju

The above styles are the main

parts that make up my 

American Iron Fist

Shin Gan Ninjuka Tang Soo Do.

 

 

 Hello and welcome to this section of my website...I want to talk a little about my system, so people will understand it better. When I started in martial arts back in college, in late 1971, I never dreamed where it would take me and the journey I was about to be on, going through my life. My first Asian martial art was Korean Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do. This art took me by surprise with the amazing history and basic actions I was learning. Tang Soo Do (Hangul: 당수도, pronounced [taŋshudo]) is a Korean martial art incorporating fighting principles from subak (as described in the Kwon Bup Chong Do), as well as northern Chinese kung fu. The techniques of what is commonly known as Tang Soo Do combine elements of Shotokan Karate, Subak, Taekkyon, and Kung Fu. 

 Early on I also studied some other martial arts, but stayed with the Tang Soo Do for more of an in-depth study at that time of my life. Through the next few years, I tested and tested again for the different ranks, and in the 80's, I was introduced to Jujitsu. I started just adding this art to my self-defense training, but later I incorporated it right into my structured system, and from then on, I was studying other arts and doing the same thing if it seemed to fit what I was doing.

 Let's break for a moment and talk about three expressions for Korean "martial arts"  The first one ended up as part of my system's first half of the name: MooSool Kwan Tang Soo Do.

 

 Moosool (무술), Mooye (무예) and Moodo (무도)

 In Korean there are three different expressions for “martial arts”: moosool (alternative Romanization: musul) 무술, mooye (muye) 무예, and moodo (mudo) 무도. Upon learning the meanings of these three expressions, I quickly understood the philosophical implications and this was confirmed in conversations with other martial artists.

 You will notice that all three words have at their base the syllable moo- 무; it is therefore worth it to contemplate this root word. Moo / 무 is based on the Chinese character 武 and is usually used to express concepts of military, martial, or warlike. However, a closer look at the character 武 reveals a slightly different meaning. 武 is made up of two characters 戈 and 止. The former means “spear” and the latter “stop”; together they denote stopping a weapon or stopping violence. Although it would not be incorrect to translate moo / 武 / 무 as military, martial, or warlike, it is noteworthy that the precise meaning contains the idea of stopping violence. It is therefore a defensive concept, rather than an offensive one.

 

Moosool / 무술 / 武術

 The first term, and often the most common expression for martial arts in Korea is moosool / 무술. Sool / 술 / 術 literally means skill or technique. A better translation for moosool would be martial skill or martial technique – or even fighting techniques. Remember in kung-fu movies when a person would tell his opponent that “Your kung-fu is good,” well this is what he was expressing; i.e. “Your skill/technique” is good. Moosool / 무술 refers specifically to the individual fighting techniques. Someone with beautiful, precise, power movements is said to have good skill or good technique.

 A person enrolled in a martial arts school will learn a variety of fighting techniques (moosool / 무술), and through lots of dedicated practice will get good at it. This term is focused primarily on physical ability.

 

Mooye / 무예 / 武藝

The term -ye / 예 / 藝 means art, talent, or craft. It is mooye / 무예 that is the expression we use in English, namely “martial art.” Art suggests a creative use of the techniques. Almost anyone can learn some skill, but not everyone has made it such a part of themselves, that they can use it artfully, where you can use it in an improvised way.

 Before you can achieve this level where you can truly apply the skills you have learned in a creative, intuitive way, you have to have mastered your discipline. Such mastery takes about 10, 000 hours. Daniel Levitin in his book This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession explains:

 “The emerging scientific picture is that 10,000 hours of practice is required to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert in anything. In study after study, of composers, basketball players, fiction writers, ice skaters, concert pianists, chess players, master criminals, and what have you, this number comes up again and again.”

 

Ten thousand hours is about three hours of training per day for ten years.

 Usually, after about ten years of training, you would be a fourth-degree black belt in ITF Taekwon-Do and considered a full instructor. Some other Korean martial arts like WTF Taekwon-Do, Tang Soo Do, and Hapkido actually use the term “master” for someone with a fourth-degree black belt.

 To call someone a martial artist is to suggest that this person has spent many years of time and energy in honing his martial arts skills to such a level that he can adapt those skills in an improvised, creative way to different situations.

 

Moodo / 무도 / 武道

The final way to express martial arts in Korean is moodo / 무도. The term Do / 도 / 道 literally means path or way, but has a much deeper meaning in the Orient. It is the same character on which the philosophy of Taoism is based. Actually, the character for Tao is 道, and is pronounced do / 도 in Korean. So pertinent is the idea of the Do / 도 / 道, that it makes up part of the names of many martial arts, for instance, Taekwon-Do (태권도 / 跆拳道), Tang Soo Do, Hapkido, Judo, and Aikido.

 The scope of this post does not allow me to go much into the concept of the Do / 도 / 道as it is a very complicated idea that has been the topic of philosophical, religious, and moral conversations for centuries. In short, the Do / 도 / 道 is understood in Taoism as the “essential principle underlying existence,” in other words, “ultimate reality.” In Korean (Confucian) thinking, the Do / 도 / 道 is the way of the universe—the natural way or true path—that one ought to follow.

 Directly translated, Moodo / 무도 / 武道 means “martial way.” From Korean to English, it is also sometimes translated as chivalry or knighthood. Koreans speak about moodo-in / 무도인; that is, “martial way person.” In Japanese the term for moodo / 무도 is budo, which is closely related to the concept of bushido / 武士道; i.e. the way of the warrior. 

 Moodo / 무도 not merely suggests learning fighting techniques, or even mastery of the art (mooye / 무예), but rather a way / Do / 도 of life. One's practice in the discipline has transcended skill and art (aesthetics) into ascetics. Your practice has become a spiritual discipline, a path towards enlightenment.

 

 

 In summary, there are three ways to talk about the discipline of fighting in Korean: moosool / 무술, mooye / 무예, and moodo / 무도. All three contain the root word moo / 무, based on the Chinese character 武, which means to stop a weapon or stop violence and is usually translated as military, martial, or warlike. Moosool / 무술 refers to the specific fighting techniques one learns. Mooye / 무예 suggests that after years of practice, the techniques have become such a part of you that you can use them in a creative, improvised way. It evokes a level of mastery. Finally, moodo / 무도 pertains to the martial arts as a way of life, an ascetic discipline. Each of these suggests a different phase in the growth of the martial artist. First, he learns techniques. After years of dedicated practice, his discipline becomes so ingrained that it manifests in the intuitive, improvised creativity that is a testimony to his mastery of the techniques.   Finally, he becomes his practice—it is a way of life, that reveals to him something of the natural order of things, of the way of the universe.

 

 Hwarang, also known as Flowering Knights, was an elite warrior group of male youth in Silla, an ancient kingdom of the Korean Peninsula that lasted until the 10th century. There were educational institutions as well as social clubs where members gathered for all aspects of study, originally for arts and culture as well as religious teachings stemming mainly from Korean Buddhism. Chinese sources referred only to the physical beauty of the "Flower Youths". The history of the hwarang was not widely known until after the National Liberation Day of Korea in 1945, after which the hwarang became elevated to symbolic importance.

 The youths who were chosen by the Silla Kingdom became the knights and warriors for the Silla Dynasty within the age of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. A close relationship did exist between the Hwarang and Buddhism because Buddhism was accepted as a state religion by the royalty and aristocrats within the Silla Kingdom. The Buddhist monks were often mentors for the Hwarang in both physical and spiritual ways. The Hwarang would seek the teachings of these Buddhist monks because they knew that the martial arts practiced by these Buddhist monks were a source through which they could strengthen themselves for greater success in the future and the benefit of the Silla Kingdom. The monks would train themselves in physical fitness exercises through self-defense techniques, countering the weakening effects of long-term meditation and enabling them to protect themselves from bandits and robbers who tried to steal the donations and charities that were collected by the monks on their pilgrimages. Both the Buddhist monks and the Hwarang would go on journeys to famous mountains to heighten their training and would seek encounters with supernatural beings for protection and the success of the Silla Kingdom.

 

 Won Gwang Beop Sa (圓光法士) was a Buddhist monk who was asked by the Hwarang to teach them ways to develop ambition, bravery, and honor, to protect the Silla Kingdom from the other kingdoms inhabiting the peninsula. Won Gwang trained these youths in three areas:

 1) Self-defense capabilities

 2) Self-confidence

 3) Self-control

 Damyeom-ripbon-wang-heedo (唐閻立本王會圖). 6th century, China. Envoys visiting the Tang Emperor. From left to right: Wa (Japan), Silla, Baekje ambassadors

Won Gwang taught the youths of the Hwarang to become warriors who could defend their beliefs with martial arts, to be confident in their actions, and to control themselves and their surroundings. Won Gwang gave these Hwarang teachings in gwonbeop (martial methods or skills) that combined the secret Buddhist monk's physical and mental exercises. Won Gwang also proposed 5 principles or guidelines that were later called the Five Precepts for Secular Life (Se Sok O Gye; 세속오계; 世俗五戒) which became a list of ethics that the Hwarang could embrace (this is why he is commonly known as Beop Sa or "lawgiver")

 Show allegiance to one’s sovereign. (sa·gun·i·chung; 사군이충; 事君以忠)

 1) Treat one's parents with respect and devotion. (sa·chin·i·hyo; 사친이효; 事親以孝)

 2) Exhibit trust and sincerity amongst friends. (gyo·u·i·sin; 교우이신; 交友以信)

 3) Never retreat in battle. (im·jeon·mu·toe; 임전무퇴; 臨戰無退)

 4) Exercise discretion when taking a life. (sal·saeng·yu·taek; 살생유택; 殺生有擇)

 These commandments and teachings of Won Gwang were followed by the Hwarang to protect the Silla Kingdom from rivaling kingdoms and helped unify the nation of Ancient Korea until the fall of the Silla Kingdom.

 In 520, King Beopheung instituted Sino-Korean style reforms and formalized the golpum (bone rank) system. In 527, Silla formally adopted Buddhism as a state religion. The establishment of Hwarang took place in the context of tightening central state control, a complement to the golpum system and a symbol of harmony and compromise between the king and the aristocracy.[15]

 

 Okay, let's get back to me explaining more about my system part 1 and part 2...

 

 Over the years, after adding different arts to my system, it began to take a structure of its own and instead of calling it just Tang Soo Do, after a while, I changed the name of the system to Tang Soo-Kido. Over the years, the more I added, the name would change to something else, and so on. In the late 90's, I decided to have a name that went with what I was doing exactly and stay with this name. I put a lot of time into the meaning and "American Combat Shingan-Do Ninjuka / Shinrin Kempo Ryu Seizon Taijutsu" - an older name came to be... This system is a two-part system, dojang/dojo training and wilderness training. 

 This martial arts system even has some training in Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, from early and present training in both, which blends into my system nicely. Now I have to say that even though I have Taijutsu at the end of my system's name, it is not a Ninjutsu / Taijutsu system. The word "Taijutsu", means "hand-to-hand combat" or "body techniques",  which will be explained in more detail below on this page...and so these arts are blended in like other arts I have studied. One of the important factors when choosing different arts was the different ranges of fighting. Up close, arm length, kicking, grappling, and weapons. This is what I wanted to concentrate on when blending these arts and how they would work in these different ranges of fighting. I also have my system structured with different options for different sides of the training, whether I am in a training hall or the woods. I am also creating a sports branch of the system to train and have fun with. I used to fight in Karate and Kickboxing tournaments and loved them, so this branch will test skills and like I said earlier, just have some fun and teach good sportsmanship.

 Taijutsu (“body combat art”) is the striking and grappling art of the ninja. This term isn’t synonymous with Ninjutsu. “Ninjutsu” encompasses all of the ninja’s skills – not just Taijutsu but also training at stealth, subterfuge, deception, and several other armed and unarmed styles. These additional elements have nothing to do with Taijutsu! We do train in some of these things in my evolved system now... Boivin's MooSool Kwan Tang Soo Do has three main components, taught together and given equal emphasis: 1. Falling, tumbling, and acrobatics. 2. Striking, kicking, and breaking. 3. Grappling and joint locking. Stylists use speed, flexibility, and quick movement to defend themselves and defeat their opponents. They remain mobile and seek to avoid a static fight. To accomplish this, the warrior makes regular use of Evade to skirt foes and Acrobatic Dodge to avoid attacks. Tang Soo Do / Taijutsu punches use both closed fists and Exotic Hand Strikes (finger strike, spear hand, shuto, etc.). Kicks primarily connect with the heel, the ball of the foot, or the top of the foot. Preferred targets for all types of strikes are the groin, vitals, neck, and eyes, as Tang Soo Do / Taijutsu aims to disable the enemy quickly. Deceptive Attacks that rely on sheer speed or changes of target are common. Conversely, Telegraphic Attacks are rare. After weakening his opponent with strikes, the Tang Soo Do / Taijutsu practitioner either piles on more blows or moves in with a grapple followed by a throw or a takedown. Once his foe is down, he may deliver a finishing strike, apply an Arm Lock to achieve submission or follow his victim to the ground for a pin. Advanced students sometimes learn further ground techniques, but the art is primarily stand-up. Modern Tang Soo Do / Taijutsu schools teach a large number of weapons that would be part of other jutsu or skills in historical times. Such training typically starts within the first few belts, although some schools reserve weapons for black belts. Weapons include the hanbo, jo, katana, knife, kusari, naginata, ninja-to, shuriken, spear, staff, and even the tessen (combat fan). All of these skills are optional, but it’s unusual to learn Tang Soo Do / Taijutsu without learning weapons. Some even say that the entire goal of Tang Soo Do / Taijutsu is to learn to use anything as a weapon – whether it’s built for the purpose or improvised. Stylists use the footwork, tactics, and hand motions of unarmed Tang Soo Do / Taijutsu when armed, and learn to regard a weapon as an enhancement to the body’s natural weapons, not a replacement for them.

 American Iron Fist Shin Gan Ninjuka Tang Soo Do, which this name covers both also, is a lifetime of learning many styles, flowing together like a river, into one system outlet... Founder and Grand Master - Don Boivin...

 

American Iron Fist Bokido Kai School:

Way of the Iron Fist

Was created for my System for (Hyungs / Katas / Forms). I use that name because Tang Soo Do, Kempo, Goju, and Ninjuka, plus other styles I have blended into my system, use the Fist as a main symbol for their Art and so the Iron Fist came into use for my Forms of empty hand and weapons...

 

1.) Karate: Training in the art of (Blocks - Strikes - Kicks).

2.) Jujitsu: Training art of (Locks - Throws - Pressure Points).

3.) Kung Fu: Training art of (Speed - Circular Movements - Evasive - Unpredictable).

4.) Shinrin Seizon: Training art of (Wilderness (Forest) Survival).

5.) Street Fighting 101: Training in the art of (Anything goes to get the job done).

6.) Kenjutsu: Training art of (Sword / Iaido - Kendo).

7.) Ninjutsu: training the art of (Stealth - Camouflage - Sabotage).

8.) Bojutsu: Training art of (Bo / Staff / different sizes).

9.) Kyusho: Training art of (Vital Points or Pressure Points).

10.) Tantojutsu: Training art of (Knife Fighting).

11.) Bukijutsu: Training art of (Weapon Techniques).

12.) Shooto: This is a Combat training sport mixed martial arts system. The one we teach concentrates on more of a point-scoring system to win matches, showing skills, speed, and sportsmanship.

13.)Firearms: Training in Pistols, Rifles, and Shotguns, for self-defense and survival.