Kong Soo Do The Way of the Empty Hand explains the origin of the only true style of Korean Karate, as taught by Master Gichin Funakoshi. Kong Soo Do was one of the most influential post-WW II Korean martial arts styles that would eventually become inifieed with the many other styles to become Korean Taekwondo. The author includes the path from Chuan Fa to Karate to Taekowndo and the path from training on dirt floors to an an Olympic sport with chapters on dojang etiquette and the detailed written instructions and drawings to learn all the Kata for promotion from white belt to Black Belt. Included are the instructions for the five Heien Kata, Nai Hanji Kata and Bassai Kata, also proper the dojang behavior and the Kong Soo Do belt ranking system. Other topics include the theories of Budo and Bushido and the 13 concepts. The author provides his extensive bibliography used to with Kong Soo Do, a complete Glossary and an extensive Index for the readers convenience.
About the Author: The author lives and trains in California. Len has earned 5th Dan Black Belts in Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do and a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Soo Bahk. Len has been learning martial arts since he joined his first Tae Kwon Do class after graduating college. Len began teaching martial arts after earning a Cho Dan (1st degree) Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and Tang Soo Do styles almost simultaneously. Len augments his martial arts with Zen, weight training, boxing skills from the speed bag and heavy bag and long distance running for cardio exercise. Meditation keeps his body-mind in-tack, allowing him to train at higher levels of performance while minimizing injuries. Len has written published magazine articles, editorials and books extensively. Writing and publishing more than 20 articles and editorials for several martial arts magazines including the prestigious Tae Kwon Do Times, Mudo Dojang and Black Belt. Many of Len's articles illustrate the lost and forgotten history and evolution of Korean martial arts. For this reason, Len's articles are often republished because of their excellent historical content, unavailable otherwise. Len's articles also appear on many martial arts web sites around the world. Len also published more than 20 books on Korean martial arts. These books include the traditional styles of Tang Soo Do, Soo Bahk, Tae Kwon Do and Kong Soo Do Korean martial arts. One of Len's books for choosing the right style for children has earned the Good Housekeeping magazine's Seal of Approval. Len currently has more than 25 years of martial arts experience in three different styles. He has also studied in the styles of Shotokan and Wing Chun. Academically, Len has earned three A.A. degrees, two B.S. degrees in Physics and Mathematics, an M.A. degree and Ph.D in Electrical Engineering and an M.A. degree in Education. Len works professionally as a Teacher, Physicist, Astrophysicist, Nuclear Physicist, a Mechanical Engineer, an Electrical Engineer and an Aerospace Engineer designing digital and RF systems for satellites and rockets and RF communications equipment for the U.S. military and NASA's space programs. The author has worked in the private sector for 25+ years in several different industries as a, Engineer, Engineering Manager, Director of Engineering, and Director of Marketing and Sales in the computer, telecommunications and aerospace industries.