Part 3: The lost Ji Do Kwan Taegeuk Hyung (not the modern taegeuk poomsae)

This is a series on the original taegeuk forms or Taikyouku Kata that were practised in the Kwan era. More specifically the version practised in Ji Do Kwan. I strongly suggest you click here for part 1 and start the series there as I will asume you already have the knowledge shared within part 1 and 2 :-)

So now that we have seen how the first Tae Keuk (or tageuk) form in Ji Do Kwan was identical to Shotokan (this is common across most styles practising variations on the forms), the 2nd form was very unique and completly different from Shotokan version (its actually closer to Shito Ryu) how is the 3rd form performed? Well the third form introduces

• Back stance (dwitkoobi seogi)
• Outward middle block which is called inside block in shotokan or anpalmok bakkat makki in Kukki Taekwondo terminology

other than that we still do low block (arae makki) and lunge punches. In this the 3rd form we do both middle section and high section. 

The instructions from "Better Karate for boys" page 52-54:

1. Starting position for Tae Keuk Hyung (identical to Shotokan Yoi but in modern times Gibon Chumbi Seogi can be used)
2. Step to the left in back stance (dwit koobi) and perform outward middle block (anpalmok bakkat makki)
3. Step forward with the right foot and execute middle target punch
4. Turning through the right side on the right foot, make an outward middle block in back stance in the opposite direction.
5. Step forward on the left foot and make a middle target punch.
6. Moving the left foot a half turn through the left side, perform a low block.
7. Stepping forward three times, execute three high target punches with the right, left and right hands. On that last punch, make a "kee-up".
8. Turn through your rear, moving the left foot to the right, and execute an outward middle block in back stance. You are now at a right angle to your previous position. 
9. Step forward on your right foot with a middle target punch.
10. Turning on your right side with the right foot, execute an outward middle block in back stance in the opposite direction. 
11. Step forward on the left foot, perform a middle target punch.
12. Moving the left foot a half turn through the left side, perform a low block.
13. Step forward three times, execute high target punches with the right, left and right hands. On the last punch, make a "kee-up".
14. Turn through your rear, moving the left foot to the right, and execute an outward middle block in back stance
15. Step forward on the right foot and make a middle target punch
16. Turning on your right side with the right foot, execute an outward middle blockin back stance in the opposite direction.
17. Step forward on the left foot, perform a middle target punch.
18. Turning on your left side with the left foot, come back to your original starting position.

So is this identical to any Karate Kata? It is very close to Shotokan version of the 3rd form, but with a small difference. On the way back with the 3 punches it seems as if Shotokan does 3 middle section punches, while Ji Do Kwan version punches high section punches both on the forward 3 punch combination, and the second "back" 3 punch combination. But I will freely admit that this might be different in other Shotokan Dojo, as I only have youtube tutorial from shotokan on this. In conclusion I'd say its 95% identical to Shotokans 3rd form, but this kinda underlines how we can't simply reintroduce Shotokan forms into training and calling that Ji Do Kwan forms, because even when they are very similar there are sometimes differences. 

Video tutorial on Taegeuk Hyung #3

Below you can see me in all "my glory" doing a short tutorial on the form since it is not identical to Shotokan, and it is very different from the third Shito Ryu form. 

Video showcasing Shito Ryu's version of Taikyoku (Taegeuk) 1-3

Below Shito-Ryu Karate version 1-3 is demonstrated. None of them fit 100% with Ji Do Kwan version, but one is similar to Ji Do Kwan's second form.

Video tutorial of Shotokan's Taikyoku (Taegeuk) Kata 1-3

Below is a video tutorial of all 3 Shotokan karate Taikyoku kata or taegeuk hyung. Note that the first one is identical, the second form is complelty different from Ji Do Kwan version, and the 3rd one is almost identical.

Will you implement the Ji Do Kwan Taegeuk Hyung into your practise?

I for one spoiled this in the second blog post. For me personally fully embracing Oh Do Kwan I will not continue practising these, simply because there is such a thing as too many forms. I practise the Chang Hon Ryu forms in their 1960s versions (so no sinewave is probably the biggest difference to modern ITF forms), I practise the Taegeuk Poomsae and I practise the Kukkiwon Judanja Poomsae. I specify Kukkiwon simply because the WT competition versions are starting to change the original martial arts poomsae into something really different. The standard between WT competition poomsae and kukkiwon martial arts poomsae are growing apart from each other but that is another post :-) With all those forms plus Naihanchi/Chulgi 1-2 and Ban Wol Hyung I have more than enought forms to practise. I often find myself having to chose which forms to practise when I am practising since doing all Kukki Taekwondo Poomsae from taegeuk il jang to hansoo poomsae is pretty much a practise session by itself if you factor in the other elements that go into a training session. Likewise Chon-Ji to Gae-Baek Hyung are also a great workout. 

But if I still pursued my Ji Do Kwan roots, or graded within Ji Do Kwan I would wholeheartedly implement these three as foundation as well as heirloom forms directly from the Kwan. It should not be a hot take that someone really fronting their Kwan roots should know the Kwan philosophy/creed and or a few heirloom forms if the Kwan roots are important enough to front. The Kwan all support the Kukkiwon (which is why I am still practising the Poomsae eventhough I am currently graded in Oh Do Kwan) and when I started practising for that grading I was asked to learn a few of the Oh Do Kwan forms to respect the past, but the grading itself was Poomsae including Taebaek and only Gae-Baek Hyung was required on that grading to represent the Chang Hon Ryu. Naturally I deep dived and learned all forms up to and including Gae-Baek Hyung but having your Kwan's forms preserved and documented is a luxory not all have. Mu Duk Kwan can go look at Hwang Kee's writings, Oh Do Kwan can look at Choi Hong Hi's writings, Chung Do Kwan can look at Son Duk Sung's writings but what of Song Mu Kwan? What of Ji Do Kwan? The Taegeuk Hyung are therefore a treasure and a unique view into Ji Do Kwan history and the unique eclectic forms that they had. Not simply Shotokan, not simply Shito Ryu, not simply Shudokan, but simply Ji Do Kwan. 

The philosophy of Ji Do Kwan has survived, or at least the creed has survived, but now we actually have a few forms so we have something physical to tie into our training if we desire.