5,000 Years of Korean Martial Arts


Book Description

"5000 Years of Korean Martial Art" is a one of a kind history book. No other Korean martial art history book on the market is as complete and in-depth. Citing historical references for support, and featuring many rare pictures and some images that are not available from any other published source. This book attempts to place Korean martial arts in it's proper historical perspective in relationship to Chinese and Japanese martial arts. Both Chinese and Japanese martial arts have well known and documented histories, so much so that they have completely overshadowed Korean martial art history. I have attempted to compensate for that overshadowing by focusing on the successes of the Korean martial arts throughout history. Barry Harmon has a BA degree in "Psychosomatics and Alternative Healing Studies" from San Francisco State University. He has an acupuncture degree from the San Francisco College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He is certified nationally through the NCCAOM and license to practice acupuncture in Texas. In addition to his academics, he has been training and studying martial arts since 1965 and Kuk Sool Won since 1971. In 2002 KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) featured Master Harmon and his family in an hour long documentary which was aired throughout South Korea. Master Harmon currently holds an 9th degree black belt in Kuk Sool Won and has been featured in numerous martial arts magazines. In 2005 he was chosen by Tae Kwan Do Times magazine as instructor of the year. He has taught martial arts in many countries around the world including South Korea."




Black Belt


Book Description

The oldest and most respected martial arts title in the industry, this popular monthly magazine addresses the needs of martial artists of all levels by providing them with information about every style of self-defense in the world - including techniques and strategies. In addition, Black Belt produces and markets over 75 martial arts-oriented books and videos including many about the works of Bruce Lee, the best-known marital arts figure in the world.




Kuk Sool Goong: Korean Martial Art Archery


Book Description

Korean traditional archery known as “Kukgung” (국궁) (alternate spelling “Kuk Goong”) is practiced throughout Korea and in many parts of the world. I will be using the alternate spelling “Kuk Goong” throughout this book. Kuk Goong is a beautiful and compelling art. There is a copious amount of information about Kuk Goong (Kukgung국궁) published and available on the internet so I will not say much about it except as it applies to our World Kuk Sool Association® (WKSA®) martial art archery. This book is meant to introduce readers to the training and practice of “Kuk Sool Goong” (국술궁). Kuk Sool (국술) is a Korean traditional martial art that includes the training and practice of Korean martial art archery. The World Kuk Sool Association® (WKSA®) martial art archery uses the same fundamental equipment as “Kuk Goong” and the first posture is the same. After that WKSA® teaches many different postures and distances for shooting and that makes it (or us) different from “Traditional Kuk Goong”. I will introduce the archery requirements and rules for World Kuk Sool Association® (WKSA®) competition as well as the fundamental, intermediate and advanced postures for training in “Kuk Sool Goong” (Kuk Sool archery). I will also introduce Kuk Sool Goong Shi Juhn “Arrow Shooting Battle.” Sometimes it’s also called “Archery Sparring.” This book is meant to introduce the reader to traditional Korean martial art archery as taught and practiced by the World Kuk Sool Association®.




Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife [3 volumes]


Book Description

This comprehensive compilation of entries documents the origins, transmissions, and transformations of Asian American folklore and folklife. Equally instructive and intriguing, the Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife provides an illuminating overview of Asian American folklore as a way of life. Surveying the histories, peoples, and cultures of numerous Asian American ethnic and cultural groups, the work covers everything from ancient Asian folklore, folktales, and folk practices that have been transmitted and transformed in America to new expressions of Asian American folklore and folktales unique to the Asian American historical and contemporary experiences. The encyclopedia's three comprehensive volumes cover an extraordinarily wide range of Asian American cultural and ethnic groups, as well as mixed-race and mixed-heritage Asian Americans. Each group section is introduced by a historical overview essay followed by short entries on topics such as ghosts and spirits, clothes and jewelry, arts and crafts, home decorations, family and community, religious practices, rituals, holidays, music, foodways, literature, traditional healing and medicine, and much, much more. Topics and theories are examined from crosscultural and interdisciplinary perspectives to add to the value of the work.




The Tae Kwon Do Handbook


Book Description

Explains the history, steps, and training of tae kwon do.




Tang Soo Do


Book Description

This reference book is the result of eight years of research into the history and methods of Tang Soo Do. This is the only work to present all 19 Tang Soo Do forms from white belt to black belt (fourth dan master grade). Each move of every form is explained in detail.




A Killing Art


Book Description

The eagerly anticipated updated return of a bestselling martial arts classic The leaders of Tae Kwon Do, an Olympic sport and one of the worldÍs most popular martial arts, are fond of saying that their art is ancient and filled with old dynasties and superhuman feats. In fact, Tae Kwon Do is as full of lies as it is powerful techniques. Since its rough beginnings in the Korean military 60 years ago, the art empowered individuals and nations, but its leaders too often hid the painful truths that led to that empowerment „ the gangsters, secret-service agents, and dictators who encouraged cheating, corruption, and murder. A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do takes you into the cults, geisha houses, and crime syndicates that made Tae Kwon Do. It shows how, in the end, a few key leaders kept the art clean and turned it into an empowering art for tens of millions of people in more than 150 countries. A Killing Art is part history and part biography „ and a wild ride to enlightenment. This new and revised edition of the bestselling book contains previously unnamed sources and updated chapters.




Iron Butterfly, The


Book Description

Choon-Ok Harmon was born soon after the Korean War, when South Korea was experiencing extreme poverty. This memoir describes the hardships she tried to overcome to achieve a better life. She moves to the U.S. and, through patience and perseverance, pursues her dream of becoming a martial artist.




Black Belt


Book Description

The oldest and most respected martial arts title in the industry, this popular monthly magazine addresses the needs of martial artists of all levels by providing them with information about every style of self-defense in the world - including techniques and strategies. In addition, Black Belt produces and markets over 75 martial arts-oriented books and videos including many about the works of Bruce Lee, the best-known marital arts figure in the world.




Black Belt


Book Description

The oldest and most respected martial arts title in the industry, this popular monthly magazine addresses the needs of martial artists of all levels by providing them with information about every style of self-defense in the world - including techniques and strategies. In addition, Black Belt produces and markets over 75 martial arts-oriented books and videos including many about the works of Bruce Lee, the best-known marital arts figure in the world.