Grandmaster Hwang Kee presents six steps to learning hyungs in his book, Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do).

1. Develop a general understanding of the overall pattern or flow of the form.
2. Master the individual movements.
3. Learn to integrate those movements into the proper sequence.
4. Concentrate on the rhythms: the slower and faster sequences.
5. Concentrate on breathing control; tension and relaxation; power distribution; and intentions.
6. Understand the mental significance and Tang Soo Do meaning of the form.

As students of martial arts we strive to present our hyungs (forms) to the best of our ability.  As shown by the list above one piece of presentation is understanding the purpose and history of each form (step 6).  This helps us to tell the story of each hyung better. With each hyung (form) listed below you will find background, history, video clip(s) of the WTSDF form, and a pdf of helpful pictures. The links below are intended as reference guides only. They do NOT replace invaluable class time or one-on-one time with your instructor.

Special Note: See the bottom of the page for notes regarding background history, spelling, and sources.

Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation  *********** can be purchased on Amazon

Ask your instructor about obtaining a WTSDF Forms DVD.

A message from Executive Vice President Grandmaster Monte Bledsoe regarding forms:

A form or kata is a simulation. It is a simulated battle with multiple imaginary opponents, where one can place himself in a certain frame of mind, creating for himself the intense pressure of combat. It is where one can develop, combine and execute basic techniques, mental focus, and inner strength in such a way as to conquer each and every one of the imaginary opponents. This type of simulation helps us to think differently and will be useful not only in the battles that we face in the fighting ring, but also with the battles that we face in our every day lives. For as long as I can remember, Grandmaster Douglas taught us that if you are good at forms then you will be a good fighter. But if you are a good fighter you may not necessarily be good at forms.

It is not enough to simply know the moves and be able to flawlessly walk through the sequence of the form. There are deeper, unseen elements that deal with the processes of our heart and our mind that go into a successful, well-executed form. You must develop the inner self as well as the outer. As you use the tools below to help you learn and perfect your forms, remember that each form has its own spirit, which includes attitude, timing, and distinctive moves. These combine to give each form a purpose and a spirit. This spirit cannot be shown on this website and will evolve and blossom as you advance. Your Instructor can help you develop the spirit of each form. There are great long-term benefits that can come from a continual lifelong practice of the forms.

“It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out where the strong man stumbled, or where a doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs, and who comes up short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause. The man who at best knows the triumph of high achievement and who at worst, if he fails, fails, while daring greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold timid souls who never knew victory or defeat. “

—Theodore Roosevelt, Paris 1910

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“GIECHO” HYUNGS

BEGINNING “BASIC” FORMS

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Background — Grandmaster Hwang Kee found he needed some “lesser” forms to prepare students for the Pyong An forms.  He wanted to create something very simple that could be used as a basis to create more complex forms. Grandmaster Hwang Kee created three Giecho forms in 1947, in Korea, to fill that need: Giecho Hyung Il Bu, Giecho Hyung Yi Bu, and Giecho Hyung Sahm Bu.  It is interesting to note that one of the spelling variations of “Giecho” is “Kee Cho” meaning Hwang Kee’s lesser form. (“Cho” is sometimes translated at “lesser” or “first.”)  Grandmaster Chuck Norris modified the second Giecho form (Giecho Hyung Yi Bu) and created two additional forms (Giecho Hyung Il Bu Sang Gup and Giecho Hyung Yi Bu Sang Gup) proving Giecho Hyung Il Bu could be utilized to create more complex forms. Therefore the Western Tang Soo Do Federation teaches five Giecho forms.

#1 Giecho Hyung Ɪl Bu (10th Gup)

• Basic Form #1
• Created by Grandmaster Hwang Kee
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD – 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the western Tang Soo Do Federation – 2nd edition 2017
  • Translation
    • Giecho – basic
    • Hyung = form
    • Ɪl = comes from the Chinese word “Ɪl” meaning “first.”
  • Spelling Variations
    • Kee Cho Hyung Ɪl Boo ( Grandmaster Hwang Kee)
    • Ki Cho Hyung Ɪl Bu (H. C. Hwang)
    • Giecho Hyung Ɪl Bu (WTSDF forms manuals and Chuck Norris manuals)
    • Geicho Hyung Ɪl Bu

#2 Giecho Hyung Ɪl Bu Sang Gup (9th Gup)

• Basic Form #1 Advanced
• Created by Grandmaster Chuck Norris
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD – 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation – 2nd edition 2017

Background — Grandmaster Chuck Norris created this form by adding stepping front kicks to Grandmaster Hwang Kee’s Giecho Hyung Ɪl Bu in order to create a slightly advanced form which would start students kicking sooner.

• Translation
  • Giecho =  basic
  • Hyung =  form
  • Ɪl =   comes from the Chinese word  “Ɪll” meaning “first.”
  • Sang Gup =  Advanced

#3 Giecho Hyung Yi Bu     (9th Gup)  

• Basic Form #2
• Created by Grandmaster Hwang Kee and modified by Grandmaster Chuck Norris
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD – 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation – 2nd edition 2017

Background —  Grandmaster Hwang Kee’s original form was a low defense and then three high defenses down the middle of the capital Ɪ.  Grandmaster Chuck Norris modified the middle sequence to be a low defense, inside defense, high defense, and outside defense.

• Translation
  • Giecho =   basic
  • Hyung =  form
  • Yi or Ee   = #2 or second (Chinese)
• Spelling Variations
  • Kee Cho Hyung Ee Boo (Hwang Kee)
  • Ki Cho Hyung E Bu (H. C. Hwang)
  • Giecho Hyung Yi Bu (WTSDF forms manuals and Chuck Norris manuals)
  • Geicho Hyung Yi Bu

#4 Giecho Hyung Yi Bu Sang Gup (8th Gup)

• Basic Form #2 Advanced
• Created by Grandmaster Chuck Norris
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD – 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation – 2nd edition 2017

Background — Grandmaster Norris created this form by adding stepping front kicks to the ends of the capital Ɪ and back stance to front stance transitions along with blocks and reverse punches down the middle of the Giecho Hyung Yi Bu originally created by Grandmaster Hwang Kee.

• Translation
  • Giecho =   basic
  • Hyung =  form
  • Yi or Ee   = #2 or second in Chinese
  • Sang Gup =  Advanced

#5 Giecho Hyung Sahm Bu     (7th Gup)

• Basic Form #3
• Created by Grandmaster Hwang Kee
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD – 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation – 2nd edition 2017
• Translation
  • Giecho = basic
  • Hyung = form
  • Sahm or Sam = #3 or third in Chinese
• Spelling Variations
  • Kee Cho Hyung Sam Boo (Hwang Kee)
  • Ki Cho Hyung Sam Bu (H. C. Hwang)
  • Giecho Hyung Sahm Bu (WTSDF forms manuals and Chuck Norris manuals)
  • Geicho Hyung Sahm Bu

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“PYONG AN” HYUNGS

ARE THE WTSDF

“INTERMEDIATE” FORMS

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Background — Just as Grandmaster Hwang Kee created the Giecho hyungs to prepare his students for the Pyong An hyungs, Okinawan Grandmaster Anko Itosu (Yasutsune) (1831-1915) created the Pyong An forms to prepare school age students for the more complicated and traditional black belt forms. It is generally believed the Grandmaster Anko Itosu started with an ancient Chinese form known as “Jae-Nam” and sometime during the late 1800s rearranged it into the five Pyong An hyungs we are familiar with today.  “Pyong An” generally translates to “peace and confidence.”  The symbol for “pyong” resembles a balance scale which ties in with the English translations of “well-balanced, calm, and peaceful.”  The character for “an” corresponds with the English words “safe, confident, and comfortable.”  Through the mastery of the Pyong An hyungs one can develop peace and confidence because of the self defense ability developed through the practice of these hyungs.

#6 Pyong An Cho Dan   (6th Gup)

•  (평안초단) “Peaceful and Calm Confidence First Level”
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD – 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation – 2nd edition 2017

• Translation
  • Pyong = calm, peaceful
  • An = confidence
  • Cho = first or the “lesser” beginning form

#7 Pyong An Yi Dan (5th Gup)

• (평안이단)  “Peaceful and Calm Second Level”
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD – 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation – 2nd edition 2017

• Translation
  • Pyong = calm, peaceful
  • An = confidence
  • Yi = second

#8 Pyong An Sahm Dan (4th Gup)

• (평안삼단) | “Peaceful and Calm Third Level”
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD – 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation – 2nd edition 2017

• Translation
  • Pyong = calm, peaceful
  • An = confidence
  • Sahm = third

#9 Pyong An Sa Dan    (3rd Gup)

•  (평안사단) | “Peaceful and Calm Fourth Level”
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD – 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation – 2nd edition 2017

• Translation
  • Pyong = calm, peaceful
  • An = confidence
  • Sa = fourth

#10 Pyong An Oh Dan (2nd Gup)

•  (평안오단) | “Peaceful and Calm Fifth Level”
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD – 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation – 2nd edition 2017

• Translation
  • Pyong = calm, peaceful
  • An = confidence
  • Oh =  Fifth

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ADVANCED HYUNGS

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#11 Bassai (1st Gup)

• (바싸이) “To Extract From a Fortress” or “Form of the Rock” or “To Penetrate a Fortress” The overall meaning implies one must exhibit the power and spirit required to break through an enemy’s castle.
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD — 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation — 2nd edition 2017
• Chang Shi Ja Hwang Kee believed that the original name was Pal Che.
  • Pal = “best selection” or “fast”
  • Che = “to collect”
    • Together it can be thought of a “collection of best and fastest moves.”

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#12 Ro Hai (1st Dan)

• (로하이) | “Vision of a Crane” or “Vision of a Heron”
• Intent: demonstrate character of grace and poise through crane stances
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD — 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation — 2nd edition 2017
• Spelling Variations: “Lo Hai”

#13 Nianchi Cho Dan (2nd Dan)

•  (니안치초단) Warrior on a[n] [Iron] Horse — level one {“cho” mean “first” or “beginning”}
• Intent or challenge is to generate force from the center of the body with small movements from the horse stance position.
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD — 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation — 2nd edition 2017
• Translation of original name of the hyung: Neh Bo Jin
  • Neh = inside, inward
  • Bo = step
  • Jin = advance
    • Together this describes the sideways advancing motions of the form
• Memory trick: “cho”/”one” is an odd number; at end of the hyung return to jun bi position moving the right leg instead of the usual left leg
• Spelling Variations: “Naihanji Cho Dan”

#14 Nianchi Yi Dan (2nd Dan)

• (니안치이단) Warrior on a[n] [Iron] Horse — level two {“yi” means “second”}
• Intent or challenge is to generate force from the center of the body with small movements from the horse stance position.
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD — 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation — 2nd edition 2017
  • This PDF was updated Sept 2025.
• Translation of original name of the hyung: Neh Bo Jin
  • Neh = inside, inward
  • Bo = step
  • Jin = advance
    • Together this describes the sideways advancing motions of the form
• Spelling Variations: “Naihanji E Dan”

#15 Nianchi Sahm Dan (2nd Dan)

• (니안치삼단) Warrior on a[n] [Iron] Horse — level three {“sahm” means “third”}
• Intent or challenge is to generate force from the center of the body with small movements from the horse stance position.
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD — 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation — 2nd edition 2017
• Translation of original name of the hyung: Neh Bo Jin
  • Neh = inside, inward
  • Bo = step
  • Jin = advance
    • Together this describes the sideways advancing motions of the form
• Memory trick: “sahm”/”three” is an odd number; at end of the hyung return to jun bi position moving the right leg instead of the usual left leg
• Spelling Variations: “Naihanji Sam Dan”

#16 Chip Su (2nd Dan)

• (십수) “10 Hands” … also associated with The Bear
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD — 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation — 2nd edition 2017
• Background: The unique dynamic hand positions within the form have been called “bear claws” by some. It has also been said this hyung enables a person to complete the actions of ten men.
• Spelling Variations: “Sip Soo”

#17 Yun Bi (2nd Dan/3rd Dan)

• (윤비) “The Darting Swallow” or “The Art of the Darting Swallow”
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD — 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation — 2nd edition 2017
  • This PDF was updated Sept 2025.
• Historical note: This form was originally named “Wang Shu”

#18 Chin Te (3rd Dan)

• (진태) “Unusual Hands” or “Incredible Hands”
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD — 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation — 2nd edition 2017
  • This PDF was updated Sept 2025.
• Background: Chin Te is called “Unusual Hands” because there are several hand techniques performed only in this hyung.

#19 Geong (3rd Dan)

• (지온) “Temple of Mercy” or “Temple Sound”
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD — 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation — 2nd edition 2017
  • This PDF was updated Sept 2025.
• Background: This hyung is thought to come from a Jion-ji Buddhist Chinese temple. The translation of “Ji” means to cultivate the mind and precise mechanics and “On” means to make the body strong and apply the skills.

#20 Koon San Goon (3rd Dan)

• (공상군) “Viewing the Sky”
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD — 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation — 2nd edition 2017
• Background: Out of respect, Koon San Goon is named after the Chinese missionary who inspired it. The opening move is a view of the sky. Some have referred to the opening as if it were the broad, expanded wings of an eagle. Hence, the animal connected to this form is the eagle.
• Spelling Variations: “Kong Sang Kong”

#21 Tae Gi Hyul (3rd Dan)

• (大地穴 or 대지혈) “Warrior’s Form”
• Video clip from Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD — 3rd edition
• PDF from the Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation — 2nd edition 2017
  • This PDF was updated Sept 2025.
• Background: Very little information found on this form. It appears to be practiced by very few martial artists today. It has been called a forgotten or secret warrior form. Other names given are: “Blood on the Earth” and “Big Hole in the Earth.”

NOTES REGARDING HYUNGS

A note about history and background.  Finding the history and meanings behind the Western Tang Soo Do Federation hyungs is a challenge as it is with most martial arts forms.  A written history is not always available for older hyungs. Governments at odds with each other have in the past curtailed some martial arts practices.  Books are lost. Oral histories change. Forms handed down go through a natural change over time. We have done our best to be accurate.

A note about spelling:  Korean, Chinese, and Japanese, are all symbolic languages.  All of them have some influence in the development of the Tang Soo Do karate style. The process of translation into alphabetic symbols and sounds is not simple.  In any one text by the same author there may be different spellings for the same word. In other texts by the same author there are found still additional varied spellings.  Some of this may have to do with having more than one translator working to translate the books into English. We must also take into consideration that all living languages change over time which leads to more changes in spelling and words having subtle changes in meaning.

SOURCES

• Western Tang Soo Do Federation Forms DVD – 3rd edition – 2019  (The 3rd edition includes some weapons.) [You may talk to your instructor about the availability/possibility of buying a copy of this DVD.]
• Forms Manual of the Western Tang Soo Do Federation — compiled by Master Dick Douglas, Mr. J. Monte Bledsoe, and Mr. David Clark — 2nd edition copyright 2017    [This book can be ordered through Amazon.]
• Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do)  — copyright 1992 by Moo Duk Kwan President Hwang Kee  note: Grandmaster Hwang Kee is the Founder of the Tang Soo Do style of martial arts.
• Tang Soo Do Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan White Belt Instructional Guide — copyright 1993 by Hwang Kee and H.C. Hwang    note: H.C. Hwang is the son of Hwang Kee (There are four books in this series: White Belt, Orange Belt, Green Belt, and Red Belt.)
• Oral Histories from Mr. Brian Mable and Mr. J. Monte Bledsoe.
• Research Notes from Mr. Gordon Chicoine
• Tang Soo Do Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan — volume 2 by Grandmaster Hwang Kee — copyright 1992