Iceman,
Although I have known the WTF Black Belt forms for a number of years, my recent joining with the U.S. Chung Do Kwan under Sr. Grandmaster Sell (back in 2000), has led me to be required to learn the six Black Belt forms they teach side-by-side with the WTF forms (Dhalee hyung 1st form, Dhalee hyung 2nd form, Ba sai, Yumbee, Dhalee hyung 3rd form, and Dhalee hyung 4th form).
Grandmaster Al Smith (my teacher) taught all six of these forms to myself and a group of Black Belts about 3 weeks ago, and I have spent the past 3 weeks memorizing them. Now, I'm trying to get them perfected for the National Conference next week!
Anyhow, I just noticed, in the back of General Choi's Taekwon-do book (published in 1965) he has a section of Karate forms after his "Ch'ang Hon" forms. He says that they are of the "Sho-rin and Sho-Rei schools."
The following is an excerpt from Generl Choi's book:
"These two schools are Japanese and Okinawa in origin. However, their history and derivation are not definitely known.
The Sho-Rin School is characterized by light and speedy movements and is suitable for a light person. The Hei-An, Bat-Sai, Kouh-Shang-Kouh, En-Bi and Ro-Hai are the typical patterns of this school.
The Sho-Rei School, on the other hand, requires slow and forceful movements for the purpose of muscle development, and is favoured by a student of heavier frame. The Tet-Ki, Han-Getsu and Ji-On are the representative patterns of this school."
[following are the description of the forms that General Choi gives]
"HEI-AN: means safety and peacefulness.
This name is obtained from the fact that anyone who has
mastered this type is able to protect himself or herself
easily in any unforseen situation.
BAT-SAI: means to break through the fortress.
By alertness and skilful release of hand, in case of being
grabbed, one can put the opponent in an untenable
position
EN-BI: means flying swallow.
This pattern is performed with swift ascending and
descending movements similar to the flying swallow
RO-HAI: signifies a crane standing on a rock.
Some of the movements of this pattern are performed
with one leg stance which symbolizes a crane standing on
a rock.
KOUH-SHANG-KOUH: is named after a noted Chinese military officer, Mr. Kouh-Shang-Kouh who once visited Japan.
TET-KI: means iron horse.
Most of the movements throughout the patterns are
performed with a riding stance which is similar to horse
riding.
JIT-TE means ten hands.
Anyone who has mastered this pattern may have no
problem against the attack from ten persons.
HAN-GETSU: means half-moon.
Many of the movements of this pattern are carried out in
the form of an arc which symbolizes a half-moon.
JI-ON: the derivation of the name is unknown."
The above is a quote from General Choi's book. As I read through the "Bat-Sai" pattern, I noticed it was almost identical to the "Ba Sai" that is used by the U.S. Chung Do Kwan. There are some major changes, and I don't yet know if it was intentional, or a faded memory of the form. Perhaps I can find out next week. Anyhow, they are certainly of the same origin. "Bat-Sai" and "Ba sai" begin the same way, but the leaping backfist looks altered to an inner forearm block with the fingertip assist. Also, "Yumbee" is definately from "En-Bi" (or Empi). It is not a leaping backfist, but there are several punches followed by a leap to an x-stance with a low punch. The U.S. Chung Do Kwan version of "Yumbee" executes the high punch while leaping in the air, and landing with the low punch in the x-stance. There are other differences, but it is basically the same form.
I'll tell you more later as I find it out.
CM D. J. Eisenhart
lol
