The History and Meaning of Jin Do
Jin Do, meaning ‘rock crane’, is an advanced martial arts form or “hyung” in the Korean martial art style that I study, called Tang Soo Do.
According to the late Grandmaster Hwang Kee, Jin Do Hyung is derived from the thirteen basic poses or positions in the martial arts [Source: Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Vol 2]. These basic positions or stances are known as “Sip Sam Se”.
Sip Sam Se consists of eight positions indicating direction (“Pal Kye”) and five actions or movement-oriented positions (“O-Heng”).
The five actions or movement-oriented positions are further divided into mental disciline (Neh Ja) and physical movements (Weh Ja).
Jin Do comes from the physical movements aspect of the five actions or movement-oriented positions (“Weh Ja”), Jìn (進) and Toe (退), meaning advance and retreat, which are the characteristic movements of this form.
Jin Do Hyung symbolises the Crane and the movements of Jin Do are active and light as well as irregular.
Jin Do’s creator is not known, but it is believed to have been created in the southern part of China about 200 to 300 years ago.
According to Okinawan legend, it is named after a Chinese sailor, Chintō, sometimes referred to as Annan, whose ship crashed on the Okinawan coast. To survive, Chintō stole from the crops of the local people. Matsumura Sōkon, a Karate master and chief bodyguard to the Okinawan king, was sent to defeat Chintō. In the ensuing fight, however, Matsumura found himself equally matched by the stranger, and consequently sought to learn his techniques.
Jin Do Hyung is an exciting form to perform and you will have a lot of fun with it! I personally love the “crane” movements!
:) see you on the training floor!
~ Master Peter Liciaga
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Step by Step.
There are 44 moves in Jin Do (not including the ready position in the beginning and end of hyung/form)
Start in Ready Position.
1. Step back into right back stance, hands check on right hip. High knife-hand x-block up the center bar.
2. Bring hands back to check on right hip, right hand fist palm up, left hand open palm down on top.
3. Without stepping, outward knife-hand strike with the left hand. 4. Slide left foot over into left front stance, reverse middle punch with the right hand.
5. Spinning on the left foot to the left, inward crescent sweep with the right foot down the center bar. Arms in guard position: right fist is on left shoulder, left fist is in low block in front of the body.
6. Set the right foot down into side stance (body facing right of the center bar, focus down the center bar), low block with the right arm down the center bar.
7. Turn focus up the center bar, slide left foot over into left front stance, hands check on right hip, then high knife-hand x-block up the center bar.
8. Pull hands back into fisted x-block in front of chest.
9. Execute a jump kick, bringing right knee up, then jumping and kicking with the left foot.
10. Land in left front stance, low fisted x-block.
11. Pivot right 180° on right foot into left front stance facing down the center bar, fisted low x-block.
12. Pivot right 180° into left back stance, side double low block up the center bar.
13. Set forward into right back stance, double high knife-hand block up the center bar.
14. Step forward into right front stance, under tension execute a double knife-hand middle block up the center bar – this should finish with both arms in middle-block position but with knife-hands facing away from the body.
15. Step right foot over into side stance (body facing left of the center bar), execute a double knife-hand middle block in front of the body, ending with forearms at 45° from the floor, with knife-hands palm up.
16. Bring hands into a high x-block over the head. Under tension, low block to either side while straightening legs.
17. Turn to the left into right back stance down the center bar, low block with left arm in front of body, back fist strike with left arm up the center bar.
18. Step forward into left back stance, low block with right arm in front of body, back fist strike with left arm up the center bar.
19. Spin on right foot 360° to the left into right back stance down the center bar, low block with left arm in front of body, back fist strike with right arm up the center bar.
20. Turn 90° to face the left of the center bar, kneel on right knee, low fisted x-block.
21. Stand up in side stance (body facing left of the center bar), double “middle” block in front of body, with forearms parallel to the floor.
22. Bring hands into high x-block over head, then low block to either side while straightening legs.
23. Put fists on hips (elbows out) and twist body (not feet) to the left to block with each elbow.
24. Twist body to the right to block with each elbow.
25. Turn 180° to the right on the right foot into right twisted stance, double “middle” block in front of body, with forearms parallel to the floor.
26. Bring left knee up into crane stance (knee and body point to the right of the center bar), low block to the left (up the center bar) with the left hand, back fist strike with the right hand (down the center bar).
27. Twist body so that body and left knee point up the center bar while bringing hands to check on right hip (right hand in fist palm up, left hand open in front of it).
28. Front kick with the left foot. Left hand executes knife-hand block as a guard.
29. Set the left foot down, then step forward into right front stance, middle punch with the right hand.
30. Pivot and lift the right foot into crane stance (body and knee point to the left of the center bar), low block to the right (up the center bar) with the right hand, back fist strike with the left hand (down the center bar).
31. Twist body so that body and right knee point up the center bar while bringing hands to check on left hip (left hand in fist palm up, right hand open in front of it).
32. Front kick with the right foot. Right hand executes knife-hand block as a guard.
33. Set the right foot down into right front stance and reverse middle punch with the left fist.
34. Turn to the left to face down the center bar. Lift left leg into crane stance (knee and body pointing to the left of the center bar), low block to the left (down the center bar) with the left hand, back fist strike with the right hand (up the center bar).
35. Twist body so that body and left knee point down the center bar while bringing hands to check on right hip (right hand in fist palm up, left hand open in front of it).
36. Front kick with the left foot. Left hand executes knife-hand block as a guard.
37. Set down the left foot into left front stance and reverse middle punch with the right fist.
38. Turn to the right into right side stance up the center bar, side knife hand block with the right hand.
39. Twist hips and body (not feet) and elbow with left elbow into right palm.
40. Untwist and bring hands into check on left hip (left fist palm up, right hand in front).
41. Pivot 270° to the right on the right foot into right crane stance (left knee up) facing down the center bar, high knife-hand x-block over head.
42. Bring hands to check on right hip (right fist palm up, left open hand palm down on top of right fist).
43. Front kick with the left foot, execute a knife-hand block with the left hand as guard.
44. Set down the left foot then step through into right side stance, side middle punch with the right hand down the center bar. Kihup!
Return to ready position.
