English text:
Sul Sa Do a Secret Martial Art of the Korean Elite Warriors is said to have origins in the Korean Three kindom period, dated back more than 1800 years ago .The Three Kingdoms of what is now known as Korea today were named: Koguryo, Paekche & Silla.This era in Korean history was known as the warring period which battles,wars and invasions from neighbouring countries took place. Silla one of the smallest of the three kingdoms, developed a unique military called The "Hwarang" with strong Martial Arts training and Code of Honour.The Hwarang being victorious in many wars and battles in the Three kingdom period helped conquer Koguryo and Paekche, thus helping in the unification of what is known today as Korea.
The Sul Sa were the special Forces of the Hwarang military. Only Few of the Best of the Hwarang were chosen to train in the secret art of Sul Sa Do.The standards was so high for any Hwarang warrior to be chosen,that the opportunity to become a Sul Sa was considered the highest honour.These warriors were trained special abilities and combat strategies , and where the seceret agents of the Hwarang military.
Sul Sa and Ninja:The Sul Sa warriors are commonly assosiated to the Ninja of Japan, and this is a common mistake in our days, as the Sul Sa followed a unique moral way based on the Hwarang Code of the Korean Warrior. The similarities of the Sul Sa and Ninja are many in the basics allthough training styles and methods are totally different.It is said that some Sul sa warriors refuged in Japan and gave idea to the unique Japanese Ninja Method.Ideas of the Sul Sa being of Influence to Japan Ninjutsu methods were the following :The Sul Sa being special agents often worked alone or in very small groups , commonly disguissed in fully covered uniform to blend with the surroundings.Also the Sul Sa used straight bladed swords typical of korean warring period , Japanese swords were curved and stronger, while Japanese Ninja used straight swords.The meditation systems found as a strong study in all Korean Martial Arts along with Sul Sa Do with unique breathing techniques are traced only similar in the Japanese secret art of Ninjutsu.Other Japanese Arts have the meditation basics but not as advanced as Ninjutsu.Another Idea of Sul Sa influence on Ninjutsu, was the geografical origin of Ninjutsu in Japan very close to Korea.
While the above are ideas of Sul Sa influence on the Japanese style of Ninjutsu, it is also true to say that in modern times their is a stong influence with Japanese Terms and familiarity with Japanese Martial Arts. The American war with Japan caused Japanese Martial Arts being reconized in the world before all the other countries with Martial Arts like Korea,Thailand,China, Vietnam and the Philiphines.Their is a stong influence of saying "Korean karate" instead of Tae Kwon Do.Nunchaku instead of Jul Bong and in consiquence Ninja to Korean Sul Sa Do.Pubblicity or Magazine articles about Sul Sa Do often mention Ninja to help get the idea of the secrecy and type of weapons involved in the two distinct arts , being Ninja more familiar to the pubblic.Japanese Ninjutsu is an excellent art if practiced by true professionals,using the word Ninja is not pubblicity, as many people can get the wrong idea from film fantasies and stories.
Modern Sul Sa Do: In the past years many martial arts teachers and instructors have experience in many different forms of Martial Arts and have combined their opinions and techniques to their styles forming an evolution in all Martial Arts systems.Modern day Sul sa do is different to its ancient style being influenced and perfected during the modern times, but its moral way and code of Honour are of far more importance following its traditional roots of origin.Classic weapon forms, meditation and discipline are taught as in ancient times to preserve the origins .The balance between modern technological ways of practice and ancient values make Sul Sa Do a very high standard Martial Art system.
Most Martial Arts today study a type of combat range or system, which is a piece of the complete ancient warriors way ,while Sul Sa Do is the most complete Martial Art (The Elite Korean Warrior art).Where studies in all ranges and circumstances of combat are taught. |