Fellow Martial Arts friends and our Federation

Founded by Grand Master Song Ki Kim (#312) and headquartered in Soungtan, Korea, the World Dang Soo Do Union is simply that, a union of independent, traditional Dang Soo Do and Moo Duk Kwan Dans, Masters, dojangs, and associations throughout the world who seek to establish or re-establish their art's Korean roots! 

The World Dang Soo Do Union is open to and welcomes any and all valid Dang Soo Do and Moo Duk Kwan martial artists of 1st Dan rank or higher who wish to help expand and extend the teachings of Dang Soo Do worldwide. 

We look forward to your continued hard work and dedication to making Dang (Tang) Soo Do a powerful force among martial arts. 

Dang Soo! ​ The World Dang Soo Do Union

In 1958, Grand Master Mariano Estioko began his training in Tang Soo Do in Korea while stationed there while in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed at Osan Air base, Grand Master Estioko became interested in Tang Soo Do after he saw a group of young men practicing. Grand Master Estioko asked about what they were doing and asked if he could join in. He was told, “No” and to go away.

But what Grand Master Estioko saw that day intrigued him and he returned day after day and was rebuffed day after day. His effort didn’t go unnoticed as one of the Black Belts noticed that he always came back.Grand Master Estioko was accepted as a student by Master Kim, Song Ki. Training was hard and rigorous. Mistakes were rewarded with a stinging whack from his teacher’s bamboo stick. Mistakes soon became few and far between. After almost a year, Master Kim, Song Ki sent Grand Master Estioko to Seoul to begin his advanced training under Master Oh, Sae Joon at the Seoul YMCA.Grand Master Estioko completed his training there and in October, 1959 he was awarded his Black Belt. Grand Master Estioko was the second American to ever be awarded a Black Belt in Tang Soo Do.

Grand Master Estioko was also discharged in 1959 and returned to the United States, back to Sacramento, California. In December 1959, Grand Master Estioko began teaching Tang Soo Do to a select few. Grand Master Estioko has been teaching his art ever since.

Because of the growth of his organization, in 1985 he founded the Western Pacific Tang Soo Do Association. At that same time his senior Black Belt students honored him by bestowing Grand Master Estioko with the recognition and title of Grand Master of the Western Pacific Tang Soo Do Association.

Kummooyeh, also called Kumdo in short is composed of many types of training, such as meditation, basic movements, sword patterns, cutting, sparring techniques and Korean traditional archery. Each type has a different purpose for developing Kummooyeh students.

It is derived from the ancient art of Korean swordsmanship and also a unique martial art developed from the ancient elite warrior class who dedicated their lives to the study of martial arts and the protection of their country.

The techniques and movements of Kummooyeh are beautiful and dynamic, with a balance of speed, power and accuracy but have a clear deadly purpose.

Kummooyeh, like other martial arts requires discipline and a dedication to training. A new student begins with learning the basics such as etiquette, different postures and footwork, and how to properly swing and cut with a sword.

HighKix Martial Arts is the State representative for Pennsylvania, please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

Success Martial Arts has been teaching the highest quality traditional martial arts in Tucson since 2001. We take pride in making a difference in the community by giving children and adults life skills to have a happy and successful life. We emphasize developing the total person so that our students only use their martial arts skills to improve themselves and not to abuse. Developing resilience to overcome hardships, confidence, discipline, focus, respect for self and others, ability to set and achieve goals, and a strong healthy body go hand in hand with actual self defense technique.

Grand Master Mike Shintaku - 9th Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do Karate has been training since 1966 and has over 50 years of experience in the martial arts