What Kind of Karate is in Cobra Kai? PART 2 | ART OF ONE DOJO

[@tellitlikeitis5045]

I have been studying Tang Soo Do for 23 years now. I can say for certain it’s Tang Soo Do. Last year I earned my 4th degree black belt.

[@msericapayton]

Congrats my TSD brother. Nothing strikes like a TSD sidekick. 🥋

[@mrthan5676]

If I dont have a tang soo do school in my city what should i try

[@Azyo63]

@@mrthan5676 Do a traditional karate style. I think uechi ryu is good. (Or goju ryu, shorin ryu) Or kyokushin karate if you are looking to became strong. Uechi ryu is the best for self defense

[@TheGuy-u7f]

@@mrthan5676 taekwondo is a similar style but there probably a couple more alternatives. Idk if this helps now but yeah

[@TheRealTomahawk]

@@mrthan5676 jeet kune do

[@lwbw33]

Don’t listen to people who say negative things about the video. We know it’s a movie. It’s an escape for us from real life for a few minutes. Thank you for the videos.

[@dboivin1951]

My base art that I started with 50 years ago was Tang Soo Do. It is the heart of everything I have been teaching all my life. With that said, I have studied other arts as well... For the Tang Soo Do, it is a hard and soft style as well. Hard side of it is Shotokan. Soft side of it is Kung Fu influence and the kicks are from Korean Kicking. This is just a simplified answer, which goes to help explain background. The Tang Soo Do I have taught through the years is very aggressive following the spirit of the Tiger...

[@Uncle_Tijikun]

I also agree with the idea that Miyagi do karate is Okinawan gōjū ryū. In the second movie, as you correctly pointed out, you can see the fist patch, which is the symbol of Gogen Yamaguchi's Japanese version of gōjū ryū. Moreover, the whole Wax on wax off, paint the fence etc are basically a set of excercise called "rokkishu" which is the root of the tensho kata, developed by Miyagi Chojun.

[@anastasiodeleon727]

The writer of the movie was a goju ryu practitioner and the karate kid was a tribute to his style. Which is mentioned in the documentary the real Mr. Miyagi on Netflix.

[@williamw1332]

Awesome! Cobra Kai Ryu will never die... especially with all of us die hard martial artists. 😊👍

[@trishena]

I'm so glad I found your channel and subscribed. I hope you are able to do an episode of Krav Maga, Muy Tai and Capoeira. Perhaps shade light on Frank Dux and the movie Bloodsport. I'm sorry for getting carried away with the requests you just do such a wonderful and respectful job of explaining all the arts. Thank you so much!

[@Soldier-of-God.]

Hello Sensei Dan how have you been? Excellent analogy of the martial arts in the Karate Kid films, along with the Cobra Kai TV series, in this second segment. First off the so called 'crane kick ' in the Karate Kid, differs from that of the Japanese-Brazilian, former UFC Light Heavyweight champion, Lyoto 'The Dragon ' Carvalho Machida (町田 カルバヨウ龍太) ! Lyoto Machida himself is a Shotokan Karate Sensei, third dan black belt, as well as a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt. The jumping kick that you showed him, performing during one of his UFC fights, is what we call in styles of Japanese Karate, be it Goju-Ryu, Shotokan, Shito-Ryu, Kyokushin and so forth a (tobi mae geri)! Exactly as you have described it, literally a jumping front kick in terms of its literal translation. Lyoto Machida obviously coming predominantly from a Shotokan Karate background (Machida Karate), as he and his family often refer to their branch of the art, is where he would have learned such a type of kick in the style's syllabus. We ourselves in Kyokushin Karate practice it exactly the same way, totally nothing to do with the Karate Kid film's version. I definitely believe that the Cobra Kai are more Korean martial arts influenced, in terms of their martial arts style practice. Thomas Ian Griffith, who portrayed Terry Silver in the third Karate Kid film, is a black belt in both Kenpo Karate and Taekwondo (though what degree black belt, in both arts he is precisely ranked at, is unknown). From the segment that you have shown of him practising his kata in the Cobra Kai dojo of Sensei John Kreese in the Karate Kid three film, my analogy is that he was performing a Taekwondo form, given that it looks very reminiscent, to what I have seen in Taekwondo schools, forms wise. Though him also being a Karate practitioner, film wise he might combined elements of both, to give it a distinct, unique, creative and flamboyant look, for the film. I doubt that he might have been lying about his master being from Korea, when he pretended to go to Mr. Miyagi's place to apologise on behalf of his Korean master, for John Kreese's dishonourable actions. I cannot remember the name he mentioned in that scene, of the fake apology, nevertheless he did mention the name of their Korean grandmaster, which was definitely a Korean name and not a Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, etc name. Based on that I definitely say their martial art style is Tang Soo Do (often referred to as Korean Karate )! It is not Taekwondo for certain, because usually Taekwondo has wider stances, also they bounce allot up and down, plus Taekwondo athletes, at least the Olympic and sport oriented version of it, tend to have their hands down low, given that they do not need to worry about punches to the face. What allot of people do not realise Sensei Dan, is that during Japan's occupation of the Korean peninsula as a whole, when it was still a unified, geographical and national entity, there was a vast array of cross pollination in terms of martial arts systems. That is to say the Koreans took elements of Japanese martial arts such as Karate, judo, jiu-jitsu, aikido, kendo and incorporated into their own native martial arts systems of Hwa Rang Do, Taekkyon and so forth. Vice versa of course the Japanese took elements from Korean martial arts, incorporating them into their styles of self defence. Of course politics and cultural pride, tend to lend themselves to be biased, of which often neither side is willing to admit their influences on one another. Looking at the style of fighting of the Cobra Kai, I definitely recognise it as Tang Soo Do, of which world wide its most famous practitioner is the legendary Chuck Norris. He has heavily show cased it in films such as Sidekicks with the late Jonathan Brandis (RIP) as his co-star, also many times has featured his Tang Soo Do art in his own TV series, Walker Texas Ranger. In Walker Texas Ranger often you see Chuck Norris have episodes heavily based on this art, at a competition within the storyline, or some sort of training segment at his own school, again as part of that particular episode's storyline. The Cobra Kai are definitely not Goju-Ryu, Shotokan or Kyokushin Karate based, in terms of their style. Our stances in Kyokushin Karate, for example are not as wide, nor almost in a similar Taekwondo type of stance, at a ninety degree, semi horse riding stance, as seen in the Cobra Kai TV series, or the Karate Kid. We in Kyokushin Karate adopt an upright, evenly balanced stance, similar to that of kickboxers or Kenpo Karate stylists, from what I have seen. Also like boxers and kickboxers, Muay Thai stylists, our fists are held high near our faces, with our elbows close to our ribs. The Cobra Kai are more in line with that of Tang Soo Do, in terms of their fighting stance, hands and guard positioning. The person that was trolling you with the bogus theory about Mr. Miyagi's art being Jeet Kune Do, is ludicrous and laughable 😁. First of all I did not see any Bruce Lee/Mohammed Ali foot shuffle, nor the Wing Chun type of punching, blocking and hand trapping, that Bruce Lee was famous for. Instead Mr. Miyagi was pretty much stationary and hardly mobile, in terms of his fighting stance, posture and footwork. Excellent video as always, highly informative, educational and entertaining. I wonder if there might be a part three? I am certain this is going to open the debate even further of which it might not be a bad idea, to see if Sensei Fumio Demura, who doubled for the late Noriyuki 'Pat ' Morita as Mr. Miyagi, or Sensei Pat Johnson, who choreographed the fights in the first three Karate Kid films, might want to give accurate information, regarding those films' arts. Oh it just dawned upon me Sensei Dan it would also be interesting to cover the so called Karate Kid remake film, with Jackie Chan and Jayden Smith. That fim should have been called The Kung Fu Kid instead. Wishing you all the best as always. I am still gathering the Kyokushin Karate material for you, sorry for taking so long, my apologies. Best regards as always, from Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺, Osu! 👍 ☺ ✌

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I really don't understand why people say Kyokushin, I don't see it at all. You provide a lot of great information and I agree with all of it and at this point I'm pretty confident with the "Goju Ryu" and "Tang Soo Do" claim. I might do a third video, a few people have asked for another one. There are still some possible topics to cover here (The tournaments, Mike Barnes, The Kung Fu in the remake). As always I appreciate your support and I hope to do more movie/TV show breakdowns.

[@nurse425]

As a practitioner of Kung Fu I was a little curious as to why they would name a movie, based in China, with a Chinese Sifu, the "Karate Kid" til I realized that the Karate Kid would probably sell more movie tickets, lol

[@ArtofOneDojo]

That is exactly what happened. Sony wanted to draw box office dollars from the marketability of the "Karate Kid" name. The way they addressed it in the film was horrible too. Dre was telling his Mom about it and she goes "How do you like Karate?" and he said "It's not Karate Mom, it's Kung Fu" and she says "Karate, Kung Fu...whatever". So yeah, that's how studio executives chose to address using the wrong art with the wrong name.

[@Soldier-of-God.]

Art of One Dojo I personally feel scene for scene it was almost plagiarised, as in almost copying scenes from the first Karate Kid film. Now you are totally correct Sensei Dan, what a lazy way for the producers of the so called Karate Kid remake film with Jackie Chan and Jayden Smith, to try and justify using the word karate, in the film's title. Where his mother calls it Karate, while her son Dre, tells it is Kung Fu, is a cheap tactic, as you said by them calling the film The Karate Kid! To which as you said, she exclaimed: Karate, Kung Fu, whatever. It comes to no surprise, that in the years after World War 2, in at least the English speaking countries, as I know it, everyone just about used the term Karate. To refer to any martial arts systems, be it Kung Fu, judo, jiu-jitsu, aikido, taekwondo, Hapkido etc. They even ripped off the concept of the crane kick, as the winning technique at the end. Yet what makes me laugh is that they called it the art of the Cobra 🐍, just from his snake hand movement. Nevertheless he was standing in a crane, one leg raised off the ground type of stance. I have seen the snake 🐍 Kung Fu forms and none of them, although having formidably outstanding kicks, especially in the Northern Kung Fu styles, where they are generally more acrobatic, then the styles generally practiced in the Southern part of China. Snake Kung Fu forms do not start or finish in a one leg raised off the ground, pose or stance. The only ones I have seen some what similar in such stance or pose, are crane style Kung Fu, phoenix fist, eagle claw Kung Fu styles for example. I still believe that the remake film, should have been called The Kung Fu Kid, also they should have been more original in my opinion, in terms of their storyline narrative and so forth!

[@Soldier-of-God.]

Jennifer Pyrce exactly they were trying to ride on the nostalgia of the original, properly titled the Karate Kid first film's popularity. Those who were already young adults and those of us growing up with The Karate Kid films, were hoped by the film executives, to go and watch it. Plus of course the new kids and young teenagers, of this current generation, as its main targeted audience.

[@tommymoodie2157]

The kata that terry silver was performing reminds me of kata that I've seen in seido karate. Im not sure if it actually is but it does remind me of it

[@joseh.749]

Who's here after episode 6 of Cobra Kai season 3?

[@lilchi721]

Cobra Kai practiced the American version of Tang Soo Do that was founded by Chuck Norris in 1967. American version is more of a hybrid system with the Japanese kata forms and the Korean hyung forms.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I could totally go along with that, it makes sense, especially since Pat Johnson trained under Chuck Norris.

[@carlosdeleon7475]

When I was a kid I studied Tang su do. I remember jumbee was executed by bringing the fist up together facing yourself about chin level while raising on the left leg and bringing the right foot to the left knee before bringing down fist and the right leg into (ready) stance and saying Kia! Soon after that school closed I began to study Kenpo. The fancy junbee became ready stance. Now I practice on my own and use the korean way to present ready stance and honor Mr Parker by using gravitational marrage when lowering the fist and foot. 😁 Kinda silly I know but meaningful for me. Also excuse my spelling. Thank you.

[@frankbrown4780]

I'm of the opinion, that Miyagi-Do karate is an off branch of Goju-ryu, with some stylistic differences. The crane kick is probably a a version of the jumping front kick, standing on the stump may well just be a method of perfecting a subtle balance, with the application being a lot more dynamic. After all, Daniel copied what he saw, it's possible he probably didn't fully understand it's full application. Miyagi's karate was pure and emphasized preservation of history. Kreese on the other hand, strikes me as less concerned with tradition and more concerned with destroying his opponent. Cobra Kai style, is probably a mishmash of techniques from various styles, whatever Kreese felt was the best way to deal damage. I got the impression that Cobra Kai was Kreese's own style, one he'd created based on what he'd learn't over the years. Also, you'd have to look at the time period Kreese would've studied, if it's Tang Soo Do, was it an early, more raw form, a more loosely structured style that still had more noticeable Shoto kan elements.

[@jasoncaine7829]

Thank you

[@u03pj9]

I’ve trained in Shito Ryu for 15 years and am a 2nd Dan in that style. However, when at uni I did train with a Shotokan club for 4 years. Since then, I have been training with 3 clubs: a Kyokushin club close to where I live, which is the club I trained with the most before lockdown, having even competed in a Kyokushin competition; my own club and, mostly online and some outdoor training since lockdown, another uni club that oddly mixes Shotokan and Goju Ryu. Having substantial experience in all of these styles of Karate, I can safely say that I agree with your conclusions

[@sirbrad4]

The kata looks made up for sure as I have done similar by adding a lot of kicks to standard katas, which most do not have high spinning kicks or that many in them because they are easier to do and keep balance while not doing a kata. Most katas stick to basic kicks not a bunch of spinning wheel and hook kicks. He looks like he made it up as went along as I do as well.

[@sirbrad4]

William also says in this interview Pat Johnson taught him Tang soo do, and Daniel was taught a soft Okinawan style. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIikhKuBirhmr68

[@jcampezzi1027]

You are correct about both styles. Now my comment is about the Crane technic. Vidal may have made this move for the movie but I feel he got it from something he came across and called it his owe. There is Okinawate style called Hakutsuru...White Crane technic. The stance is similar to the Crane kick...the arms position the way in the movie is used to swoop and trap a kick and while holding holding the leg in mid air a snap kick is used to attack the other leg holding the opponent up. The fingers are to be used as a strong beak to pierce the skull or gouge the eyes. The White Crane is a sylte like many others, tiger, snake etc... I was student of the lineage of Soken Master and Master Kise. True Hakutsuru was a close guarded style taught to very few. This was the style that George Dillman claimed he learned from Soken which was complete b.s. At the time only Master Kise, Soken's number one student knew of it after 30 years of being his student. Sorry no video on this true style as far as I know. BUT whoever choreograph KK3 in the fight between Miyagi and Terry Silver Miyagi uses a similar kick trapping and snap kick associated with the White Crane.

[@russklinger87]

Gujo Ryu for sure. I studied Isshin Ryu and which is 3 styles in one basically. Gujo Ryu, Shorin Ryu, and Kobudo. Lots and I mean lots of simular movement, strikes, blocks, kicks, etc. As for Cobra Kai I will have to agree on Tang Soo do, makes the most sense.

[@jdaywork2693]

I hear about how Ip Man's students seem to each do their Wing Chun differently. So it's like even from one generation to the next, things can change.

[@unknowninfinium4353]

Great to see you healthy and still kicking sensei. As for the style William Zabka says its Tang Soo Do. I been watching the interviews and he mentioned it in one also saying that Pat the OG choreographer was teaching Tang Soo Do. I would like to bring your attention to season 2 sensei. Mainly because when you mentioned this is a Hollywood version there is some truth to it. Without any spoilers for season 2 (which I am sure you must have watched) many elements show that Cobra Kai has evolved to some sort of MMA striking Tang Soo Do. Tori uses clinch and throws round house. Thats just stating one of many elements regarding MMA style. Even if you cant get the persons names in the picture in the Cobra Kai Dojo their GI, itself is very similar to Tang So Do.

[@scotthays3101]

I think your assessment is spot on! My background is Kyokushin and Cobra Kai is definitely not Kyokushin. I also enjoy martial arts pop culture and think this is a fun endeavor.

[@dondaly7050]

The third photo that you show is a late 70s-early 80s picture of Hee Il-Cho who was a 7th degree in Tang Soo Do before switching to Tae Kwon Do. The "kata" is not a kata but just a training drill with Tang Soo Do / Tae Kwon Do techniques. The first 2 pictures I did not recognize.

[@thaddeuspatinii8231]

The one picture in the Cobra Kai dojo where you see the blurry image of the man with the mustache, that looks like a picture of Hee Il Cho, 9th Dan in Taekwondo.

[@scottieschultz4288]

While I agree Myagi Do is based off of Okinawan Goju. I will say that you spoke about The Kata being preformed wrong or changed for movie purposes. The first portion of the kata is actually being preformed from side to side as taught in Isshinryu rather that on a 45 degree angle as done in Goju.

[@tokenstandpoint93]

Cobra Kai is definitely not Kyokushin. While I'm still in my early kyu stage of Kyokushin a lot of the kicks are wider and theirs more jumping involved. Kyokushin keeps things grounded and the kicks are executed closer. Also Cobra Kai fighters tend to target the head with punches. In Kyokushin you're conditioned to target the body with your hand strikes. Johnny's guard out more in his fighting stance. In Kyokushin your guard is closer to your body and chin in the fighting stance. Those are just some examples of how Cobra Kai is clearly not Kyokushin.

[@psychedashell]

Good analysis. Just for laughs no Kyokushin teacher will emphasise sweeping the leg over turning it to jelly with Muay Thai style thigh kicks.

[@darkwolverine007]

@@psychedashell you are so right indeed

[@psychedashell]

@空手家 The reason the kicks I'm talking about are known as Thai kicks rather than Karate kicks is the weapon. No Karate before Kyokushin used the shin as a weapon for any kick, they used the knees and the feet but not the shin and Mas Oyama - the creator of Kyokushin happily admitted he took that idea from Muay Thai.

[@psychedashell]

@空手家 Nobody said Karate low kicks never existed, there are kicks used in Kyokushin made unique among Karate styles by the WEAPON and due to this acknowledged as Thai kicks rather than Karate kicks. Before Kyokushin the WEAPON used for a Karate low kick was never the shin, it was the foot - the top of the foot, the blade of the foot, the ball of the foot, the flat of the foot, the instep of the foot, the heel of the foot. Muay Thai practitioners make a big fuss about their knees and elbows being special but Oyama was more impressed by the Thai conditioning and use of the shin and talks about it in several recorded interviews and one of his books - "This Is Karate".

[@Xthesensei95]

Will you be doing a history video on Okinawan karate

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Very possible, there are a lot of potential arts to cover, and I have a couple other ones in the works currently.

[@d0mnkmac4no21]

This man from the photo in the first part is most likely Kim Sun-Yung. He’s sensei to Kreese and Silver.

[@glenmcinnes4824]

Most of the "Kata" looks to be strung together from some TKD forms and some TSD forms, I think I recognize a bad version of a Muay Thai kick that has found it's way in to American Mutt Karate through Mauy Thai based American Kick Boxing (American Kickboxing depending on the version can trace it's way back to a number of Arts but most go back to Karate), but from what I know the kick was just coming in to vogue in '88-89 and wasn't that wide spreed espechily with the Korean based Mutt Karate so it shouldn't have made it's way in to a Kata, a couple of the hand strikes are so badly preformed it's hard to tell, but one of them looks like it could be an abortion of a demonstration strike lifted from a Taijitsu form, but it's bean delivered from the wrong stance and so poorly it's hard to tell. It could be he's not doing a Kata and just working on his transitions, some fighters just start doing techniques and try and see what technique flows from one to the next, others try to string a number of their preferred techniques together and try to workout transitions so they are not leaving themselves open in competition or actual fights, if you don't know that that's what they are doing it could be mistaken as a Kata.

[@wadoryujujutsukempo6289]

i'll agree with you 100%. But i have a story for you (its true,and some people you can't help), back in the 90's i knocked doors for a living ,i live in the uk, any way this guy had a bad copy of the highlander TV katana on his wall, the one with the fake ruby in the handle. I mentioned it, and the guy went on in detail telling me who made , how old it was and so on (he quoted the age from about 1300's, and the smith and the sensei (all from the TV show, i was and still am a fan). I asked him how he new and he said there was a genuine paperwork with the sword, i asked if he watched highlander tv show, and he had never heard of it. I did try to educate him, but he would not have any of it, he thought the sword was priceless.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Ah that's a shame, but sometimes people want to believe something so much that they won't hear anything else. Did you tell him it couldn't be the sword because "There can only be one"? I'm sorry, I'll see myself out :P

[@josephtritico8685]

One pic looks like grandmaster Cho of Tae Kwon Do. It looks familiar from my tae Kwon do training. I trained with one of his personal students many years ago.

[@waterhead001]

Thomas Ian Griffith, who played Terry Silver, has a Black Belt in Kenpo Karate and Tae Kwon Do. I dont know anything about Karate, but that may shed some light on what Kata(?) he was performing. Also, the scenes filmed at the Cobra Kai Dojo, were filmed at a Tae Kwon Do Dojo. The pictures may be from the teachers and founders from that Dojo. Just some speculation on my part. I hope my comment helps solve these mysteries.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Yes, you are correct about it being a Taekwondo school and it does seem like the pictures on the wall are left over from the school and not quite related to the film (which may be why they film it in a way that it's hard to see). The photos on the door have been identified as Jun Chong, but the one above there mirrors is still being discussed. Thank you for your message!

[@hekijorles]

Mas Oyama Masutatsu Ōyama (大山 倍達, Ōyama Masutatsu, born Choi Yeong-eui (Hangul: 최영의 Hanja: 崔永宜); July 27, 1923 - April 26, 1994), more commonly known as Mas Oyama, was a karate master who founded Kyokushin Karate, considered the first and most influential style of full contact karate.[4][5] A Zainichi Korean, he spent most of his life living in Japan and acquired Japanese citizenship in 1968.

[@barnowl012001]

I was an actual student of the very same Karate that Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita were taught and all I've ever been told by my sensei was that it was Okinawan Karate.... However researching more about the origin of it years ago, I've found that Ryu Kenshin was one that had been established in Okinawa. so as far as I knew It was Ryu Kenshin....

[@GastonDeCardenasphoto]

Photo on the wall look like photos of Chong Lee a Tae Kwon Do martial; artist and 1974 Long Beach Grand National forms champion . Lee authored a series of books in the late 70's and 80's: Dynamic Kicks: Essentials for Free Fighting, Advanced Explosive Kicks, and Super Dynamic Kicks Vol. III

[@lizb9148]

I dont really know the kata That terry silvers is doing, but I recognise a few moved from Wado-ryu karate (the style I practice) I may be wrong but I believe I saw a few moved from our katas Kushanku, Sashan and Bassai, where he turned around, holds his hand out and appears to kick his own hand, a move that in few Wado-Ryu advanced katas. Again, I may be wrong. This kata could be inspired by Wado-Ryu and not 100% pure Wado-Ryu

[@GemGames3]

Interesting you think Cobra Kai is Korean Tang Su Do, which is sort of inspired by Karate, but I'm wondering why would Johnny would call it 'Old school Karate' in the first episode to Miguel?

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Because sometimes Tang Soo Do gets grouped under the "Karate" banner. Especially in the 80s. Plus, we know that Johnny isn't very educated, so he may not even possibly know what art he trained in. John Kreese didn't exactly seem the type to go into philosophy or historic background.

[@MrDavidmarkel]

I think that you have hit the nail on the head by saying that Corba Kai Karate is Tang Soo Do. I was studying Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido at the time. Johnny's kicks (and they were good) looked like they were Korean. The major difference that I noticed in his fighting style was that he used take downs. As far as I know take downs were not used in Tae Kwon Do but they used in Hapkido. I do not think that Johnny was using Hapkido because asides from the sweep he used on Daniel he did not use any throws, locks or pins. Tang Soo Do does use take downs and it has been known for its defense and counters and blocks. I would strongly think that Johnny was using Tang Soo Do or as you said some variant. Keep up the conversation it is fascinating.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I was just editing part 3 of this series tonight :) Look for that on the channel in the new few weeks :D

[@Vinaris]

I ARGEE, and here's further evidence to show why: I have a black belt in Moo Duk Kwan Tae Kwon Do, which some consider to be the brother/sister style of Tang Soo Do. One technique my instructor taught us (for both self defense and tournaments) is that if your opponent has a wide stance or is not light on their feet, sweep the front leg. This usually throws your opponent off balance. Then , you can either counter with a punch, kick, or grab his wrist and further throw him off balance and set up various other techniques. In the first Karate Kid movie, Kreese tells Johnny (at the tournament) to "Sweep the leg." Johnny does as he tells him, then counters with a kick.

[@sliderx1897]

Mark Kamen the writer has stated that he was a goju practioner and Miyagi was named after Miyagi Chojun. Its goju

[@littlegiantrobo6523]

I'm sure Mr. Miyagi is meant to be a goju-ryu stylist, in terms of the narrative, but I'm sure that the moves in the film incorporate strong shito-ryu influences. Many of Demura Sensei's contemporaries traveled across Post WW 2 Japan to train with different Sensei, which exposed them to many different arts, both open-handed and arts of weapons. One could argue that this time period created the first true mixed martial artists. It is very likely Demura Sensei is quite knowledgeable in both Shito-Ryu and Goju-Ryu, and the techniques he performs in the film are based on both, even though Miyagi Do is meant to be the latter (primarily).

[@johnvadala4657]

Definitely see both Korean arts tkd and tsd.

[@tellitlikeitis5045]

If there were to ever be a remake of Cobra Kai or Karate Kid, I would like to volunteer to be the EVIL Sensei. I'm a 6 foot 3 260lb Black man. LOL I'm pretty intimidating.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Why remake it? You could be a badass new character in the show!

[@tellitlikeitis5045]

Thanks for the compliment.

[@antonioluna1121]

Good video youre rigth Cobra kai style are korean Martial arts, they focus on the kicks, I think Terry Silver is performing a poomse (a kind or kata in korean Martial arts).

[@VivaPR21]

What I never understood how Kreese could use anti Asian slurs when he learned from well, Asians. While the show made his original instructor out be his military superior, he obviously continued his studies with the master who taught him after Kreese took him out. And don’t be suppressed if there is a Sato connection later on…

[@freewolf9563]

How about Isshinryu? He was doing a form of seiuchin . one of the arts that make up Isshinryu is gojuryu.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Seiunchin is in several arts. The Cobra Kai TV show confirmed our analysis :)

[@robertrandall3147]

The crane kick does not exist. Its a useless wide open stance. However, a similar kick I learned in Tae Kwon Do, the Jumping Upchuggi was used as a stationary kick or as a forward advance kick along with a side kick as a flying side kick.

[@ragingjaguarknight86]

I still think Cobra Kai is Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo. Their fist logo is very similar to the one I wore on my uniform. Plus we wore black gi uniforms just like in Cobra Kai except the tops were not sleeveless like in the movies and show. Another thing is that Cobra Kai uses a karate style uniform not a Taekwondo V-neck uniform. Our uniforms were actual karate gi, not V-necked.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Moo Duk Kwan is originally a type of Tang Soo Do, not Taekwondo. It was founded by Hwang Kee and it's the art of Soo Bak Do, which used to be Tang Soo Do. The TKD version is after some of his students left him and continued their own version. You are correct about TKD wearing doboks instead of gis, but since Cobra Kai wears a GI that still suggests Tang Soo Do.

[@ragingjaguarknight86]

@@ArtofOneDojo Very astute and I respect your opinion. Our techniques and style were closer to Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do than it was to modern or Olympic Taekwondo. On our chests we had two patches, one on each side. One had "Moo Duk Kwan" with the fist logo and the other had Tae Kwon Do. However we were beginning to trend stylistically towards the Kukkiwon and had even began to learn the Tae-Geuk forms for our kup and dan tests. We still maintained our other techniques though in that we never "sporterised".

[@Fede_uyz]

Cobra Kai is now on netflix

[@baibhabsaha4298]

But sir in the first episode of season 1 Johnny refers to the cobra kai training studio as the dojo so how is this justified? So how is it tang soo do

[@ArtofOneDojo]

A lot of Tang Soo Do gets "Americanized" sometimes, and especially in the 80's a lot of people didn't question it. I also get the impression that Johnny doesn't even fully know what style he trains. They said for season 3 of Cobra Kai, that Daniel and Johnny both explore the roots of their Karate so maybe we'll learn more about this in the new season.

[@mategov]

In Karate Kid 3, Terry Silver mentions his master is Kim Sam Jang from South Korea. Would this master be inspired by Taekwondo Master Sam Jang Kim?

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Possibly, I'm still trying to determine if he named a real person or they made up someone for the film.

[@mategov]

@@ArtofOneDojo Also, after Johnny saves Miguel, Miguel asks him what was that art he used, "some form of Taekwondo or something" (not an accurate quote; I'll need to check this episode again). Maybe Miguel was onto something, maybe he recognized Johnny's art, while Johnny was scammed by those 80's masters who used the name "karate" for publicity reasons (same reason they named their dojos "Cobra Kai"). But again, maybe that was just a simple line from Miguel with no deeper meaning. My personal theory is that Taekwondo and Tang soo do were used as based for some Korean Karate fictional style. BTW, I don't know much about Korea, but isn't possible that Karate got there and someone made a Korean style? As much as we like to identify those arts with more famous styles, maybe it is just some for of old-school karate.

[@deidres.6792]

At 13:06 I wonder and I know he is a Tae-Kwondo practitioner, is that a picture of Master Hee Il Cho?

[@ddwalker3744]

Kenpo is bad ass

[@thomassmith349]

Didn't mr. Miyagi say his ancestor got drunk on a boat and ended up in China..

[@guilhermedograu5650]

very good

[@AzonFires]

I take tang doo do

[@Schoolhousefilms121]

Wait I thought the kobra kai teacher in the original film fought in Vietnam not Korea (honestly I could be wrong so forgive me if I am) does Vietnam have a karate or similar style just curious.

[@lking1540]

Yeah, tang su doo, just an alternate version of it. Because I've seen the cobras do punching and and tang su doo is all legs.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Well, Tang Soo Do isn't all legs, it has a lot of kicks yes but it also has a lot of hand techniques. Even so, Johnny did score most of his points with kicks anyway.

[@lking1540]

@@ArtofOneDojo okay, I'll have to take your word for it since your the expert, but in all the videos for this particular martial art I've seen so far. When I was making my list of real arts to learn. All i saw was just guys kicking hard and using their arms to block, not that different from taekwondo. That's why I said it's mostly tan su doo, but they modified it to make it look better instead just guys kicking, which would make sense. If you want to look again, it's just when tommy, Dutch and jhonny. The rest of the guys were kicks or just getting hit in the preliminarys.

[@googleisacruelmistress1910]

While I do agree that it's probably Tang Soo Do however I don't agree with the argument that he's sensei lives in Korea so it must be a Korean martial art, I mean if he lived in France would that make the martial art he's teaching French kickboxing? It's possible that h just went to a Shotokan gym while living in Korea, It's definitely Tang Soo Do but I just kind of feel that where his sensei lives is by far the least convincing piece of evidence for that

[@ArtofOneDojo]

By itself, no I agree it's not enough. But in the context of everything else, it does become a small hint in the bigger picture. He had a Korean name as well and Johnny uses Korean terminology in the show, so all together they work together as hints.

[@jeffreywright2294]

Of Korea

[@danielsanz2061]

I love this show!

[@andreydeucher3840]

Maybe Cobra Kai is shorin-ryu, since he said it's an old school karate

[@tonyroy8410]

Hee Il Cho is in one of the pics

[@njiuma]

WZ says he trained in taekwondo - www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a27115918/cobra-kai-william-zabka-karate-kid/

[@darkwolverine007]

Just a question, related with KK/CK, someone could tell me what kind of rules and all is in the championships? i mean it appears that is light contact (like point stuff) but also kicks and punch to body and all seem to be done real hard too, but punch to face no, etc...

[@ArtofOneDojo]

It's supposed to be light contact, but the Cobras get angry and tend to use full force to intimate their opponents.

[@VanishingNomad]

Myagi Do is clearly Okinawan goju-ryu Cobra Kai, however, is probably based in TSD, but very likely has a mix of tricks and techniques from a bunch of Karate styles, as well as whatever military combatives Silver and Crease would have learned in the military.

[@sliderx1897]

Karate kid fun fact: the actor thay plays Mike Barnes in KK3 is a black belt under Sensei Fumio Demura, who plays Miyagis double. So you can technically say Mike Barnes got his black belt from Miyagi.

[@mikeg5872]

I agree with you 100% that The Cobra Kai karate is Based on Tang Soo Do.

[@kaibasan1]

Mike G it is Tang soo do Reese says “sho” in the first movie to get the class to bow. In Japan it is “rei”.

[@agnikaineverdies7646]

I thought it was taekwondo

[@tommymoodie2157]

@@agnikaineverdies7646 It can look like it because of the kicks. But here's the issue. In most media the style of taekwondo that is portrayed is WTF taekwondo that basically doesn't use hand techniques at all. All the really use they're hands for is to block. ITF taekwondo uses approximately 70% kicks and 30% hands, but this style isn't often shown in media. Not only that but it couldn't taekwondo because their kata has too many rigid movements. Taekwondo employs a movement called a "sine wave" between each technique on in a kata(In Taekwondo kata are called patterns). The sign wave is a means of relaxing the body in order to prepare for the next technique. If the sine wave is absent from pattern then it's going to look like karate. So this is the reason why it couldn't be taekwondo.

[@agnikaineverdies7646]

Tommy Moodie, wow as a taekwondo practitioner, it’s pretty embarrassing to be corrected, however I got my black belt a few years ago, and I only do sparring and never practice kata.

[@tommymoodie2157]

@@agnikaineverdies7646 don't feel bad. no one knows everything. Also alot of taekwondo people abandon traditional people and only focus on sparring, especially if they are on the national team. Also, did you do ITF or WTF?

[@ralflauge7965]

I Think that karate Kid, like alot of fight movies, use a mix of styles.

[@jeggurknight3345]

So MMA?

[@efe_aydal]

I have no idea why but I like watching this.

[@AurelioSon]

Also Tang Soo Do is the Korean pronunciation of Karate Do which means "The Way of the Tang Hand" which refers to the Chinese origin of both arts. Miyagi tells the story of his martial arts lineage back to China. When Japan annexed the Ryukyu Kingdom and renamed Okinawa, a lot of Okinawans emigrated to mainland Japan and introduced Karate but in order to be accepted in Japanese culture and having in mind that Japan was invading China at the time they changed the way Karate is written from "Tang hand" (A Chinese dynasty) to "Empty hand" which are both pronounced the same. As the Japanese Empire also expanded to Korea they also annexed it and introduced Karate. This is why many Karate black belts from the Japanese occupation era gathered together to create Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo after WWII.

[@zuludawn9932]

Finally someone who knows the real story. You can argue the first styles of Karate were the beginning versions of MMA

[@agnikaineverdies7646]

Cobra Kai puts heavy emphasis on kicking which is taekwondo.

[@resurrectedstarships]

This is my understanding as well...That what we know of as Korean martial arts today are all variants of japanese martial arts. I suppose the only truly Korean aspect of them being the mountainous nature of the Korean countryside lends itself to much more long range leg strikes - kicks etc. Too bad the Hawarang-do has been lost in the sands of time. The Koreans wanted their own martial arts to thumb their nose at the Japanese, so they created TKD, TSD and Hapkido - all variants of Japanese counterparts. I'd be curious what a truly traditional Korean martial art looked like.

[@supadupapug896]

@Empatheia Multiversalis ,I think Cobra Kai is 85% TKD and 15% TSD , my reasoning for this is mostly because we all know that John Kreese was the founder of Cobra Kai and the person John Kreese trained under was in south Korea his name was Kim Sung Yung I think that's what his name was but yeah and TKD is very popular in South Korea and has been for many years I do think that there is TSD in Cobra Kai but more TKD

[@AurelioSon]

@@resurrectedstarships Look up for Taekkyon and Ssireum.

[@jerometurner01]

In the second season of Cobra Kai, when Daniel is setting up Miyagi Do karate Dojo - they have a picture of the actual Master Chojun Miyagi (same photo you use in your videos here) on the wall next to the photo of Pat Morita. I believe it’s to pay homage to Master Miyagi, which in my opinion would confirm Gojo-Ryu

[@stormlord4719]

Most old school martial arts celebrate the traditions and the masters of the past. So you will often find a shrine/museum of pictures, painting, weapons, and other artifacts related to the ancestral teachers and the history of the style. I've always been fascinated about those nuggets of history and the legends around them.

[@sirbrad4]

It is Tang Soo Do for sure, as Pat Johnson taught them it and also was in my Tang Soo Do Association back in the 80's/90's along with Chuck Norris, who's instructor (JC Shin) was also my instructor's instructor. I have been in Tang Soo Do and many other martial arts for 38 years now.

[@DysmasTheGoodThief]

Practical for actual defense? I’m joining a UFAF dojo so I’ll be learning that

[@songoku9348]

What a pleasant video to receive in my sub box. Why didn’t Miyagi teach Daniel about ‘kime’? If Daniel used Kime in the movies, he wouldn’t have had as much trouble.

[@fourscorpio]

To attempt to answer your question re: Kobra Kai being Korean - I'm in the movie business and I know for a fact that the Kobra Kai dojo in the original 1984 film was shot at Jun Chong's Tae Kwon Do school on Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood. I was in a film project that shot there in 1999 and the Karate Kid movie was its claim to fame. That location closed within the past decade and is now vacant. (The school is still in business though). So I agree that Kobra Kai is of Korean origin, though it's using the term "Kai" to mean "training association" which is Japanese usage. If you look at their choreography as well, it is more of Tang Soo Do rather than Tae Kwon Do because of the stances. Of course, movie martial arts are a hybrid borrowing from different styles to create something that looks awesome on-screen, which is why many martial artists can feel confused as to the "style". I say it's closer to Tang Soo Do because Pat Johnson was choreographing a traditional tournament style, and his base style was a great foundation to build from. But the techniques were definitely adapted to the actors' abilities. Note that William Zabka's spinning kicks are actually spinning crescents and not spinning heel kicks as they look visually similar, but are easier to teach, and also the upright torso helps keep the kicking foot at a safe distance from the other actor. Of course, an expert is able to throw any kick with control, but training actors to perform martial arts on-screen is different as there's a time crunch to get them up to speed, and they're only learning the moves in the choreography.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Excellent information indeed, thank you for sharing that. Since you mentioned Jun Chong, I was able to find those same pictures on Google (at least for the photos by the front door). I still haven't found anything that matched the photo over the mirror. Some others have suggested that the photo over the mirror is Cho Hee Il, but have not verified that yet, but it would match along with what you have said.

[@fourscorpio]

@@ArtofOneDojo You're welcome! That photo at 13:06 looks to be Hee Il Cho (who also starred as the Korean coach in Best of the Best). 13:08's photo is out of focus, but looks like a photo I've seen in the book Dynamic Kicks by Chong Lee. My guess is that the photo high up on the wall over the mirror would have been one of the founders of their system. I come from an Okinawa Kenpo lineage (Nakamura Shigeru & Odo Seikichi), so I am not as familiar with the Korean lineage.

[@barrettokarate]

Not just The Karate Kid, but the kickboxing training scene from John Cusack's Say Anything was also filmed there.

[@chipcartwright2353]

I know the person who starred as Johnny has a second degree black belt in Tang Soo do

[@44excalibur]

Korean martial arts use white uniforms with black trim. Cobra Kai uniforms are either solid black and sleeveless, or solid white in the dojo. So if Cobra Kai is Korean, why don't they wear Korean uniforms?

[@pozn9962]

Strike First! Strike Hard! No Mercy!

[@itztvnder8832]

block first strike second no mercy when needed

[@markusr3533]

@@itztvnder8832 PUSSY. STRIKE FIRTS! STRIKE HARD! NO MERCY!

[@Darknight-gi7et]

@@markusr3533 HELL YA NO MORE FEELINGS BEAT HIS ASS

[@shinobicatania]

Dear friend, Im Wado Ryu Karate Teacher and Also Ninjutsu Fuma Ryu Teacher. I think the Cobra Kai of the original 1984 series also has goju ryu as a basic lineage. I think the Cobra KAi had a personal style, based on Goju ryu, and Tang soo do. I would like to bring to the attention of the Patches present in the kimono cobra kai pants, as well as a reference to Korean karate, there is also the symbol of Goju ryu. My conclusion is that the Cobra kai, is a modern style that has merged different styles and that has created one in its own right.

[@Redsensei10p]

I have all the patches from the Gi pants. Finally someone gets that Cobra Kai is collection of arts. I also believe that when they confirmed that Tang So Do was the influence for cobra kai in one of the flash backs, they left out the Goju Ryu influence. I mean the patch is on Chozen’s chest and Johnny’s pants in 1984.

[@shawnscorpion3589]

So many people hate on the Korean arts lol Cobra Kai Tang So Do just get over it peeps

[@tommymoodie2157]

Korean arts are extremely underrated. I used to underrate taekwondo as well when i wasn't practising martial arts. When i actually started it, i realized it was something completely different from what i thought in the past. its a very versatile martial art that takes techniques from other styles and adds it to its already powerful arsenal. Korean arts also aren't portrayed in media very often. When it is, it is portrayed improperly/ unfairly. They always portray WTF taekwondo which is the sports version of the martial art. As a result, it is made a laughing stock in movies because it can't show proper usage of survival.

[@34thstreetman]

Tang Soo Do to me is a more straightforward version of the Japanese arts.

[@unknowninfinium4353]

@@tommymoodie2157 I have been having this doubt also. Many videos show TKD being beat by muay thai practitioners. I still was curious about TKD and wanted to know more. Could you suggest some legendary fighters, current fighters of TKD?

[@tommymoodie2157]

@@unknowninfinium4353 Scott Adkins is known for taekwondo. He plays boyka in the undisputed series. Bren Foster is also a popular taekwondo practitioner. He was also on an episode of fight science. Michael Jai White also does taekwondo but he is mostly known for karate. As for practitioners who aren't actors and just fighters. There is Nicholas Dusard and Kenneth Edwards, whom are Jamaica's most popular tkd practioners. Also Jamaica is number 1 in the world for tkd. Also yes they do show muay Thai beating taekwondo a lot. Really and truly if its a match Muay Thai actually should win. Because they have many more options for attacks. Muay Thai utilizes fists, feet, knees and elbows, while taekwondo only uses hands and feet. Also in taekwondo matches hitting below the belt isn't allowed, neither or throws or grapples(even though its not like you could grapple with those types of safeties on, I.e, the gloves). So muay Thai has a lot more options to go against tkd. I also think muay Thai fighters might be conditioned better than us in order to take punishment. Tkd practitioners can hit harder. Like a lot harder. This is for a match though. We are taught almost every tool in martial arts, whether it low kicking, sweeping, throwing, elbow strike,knee strikes. All of it is there. We just aren't allowed to use them in tournaments. If its a street fight anything is possible. Either side could win because every fighter is different.

[@mikitadou]

Korean martial arts appeared in the 1950s and were "inspired" by the Japanese arts, since the Japanese have built many schools in Korea with arts such as Karate, Judo, and Kendo being part of the school curriculum for boys. Korean arts are very very young, have no historical roots, and feel as legit as Ashida Kim's ninjutsu. High kicks were never a staple of real martial arts because of the high risk factor, if you see traditional Chinese shaolin forms, or Okinawan karate, kicks are rarely done above the waist. Korean arts on the other hands were introduced for the movies, thy took karate and added acrobatics into it for differentiation, they are flashy, acrobatic, beautiful, but have nothing to do with traditional martial arts at all, it is closer to break-dancing or k-pop.

[@barrettokarate]

I'm still going with goju-ryu and American tang soo do. I mentioned this in the last video too, Robert Mark Kamen the man who wrote "The Karate Kid" has a background in Okinawan goju-ryu and isshin-ryu karate. Although Pat E. Johnson (who originally trained in Korean tang soo do, but later switched to Chuck Norris' Americanized version) was the stunt and fight choreographer Kamen was involved in some of the martial arts training. Although Johnson most likely knew a lot of Okinawan stylists, he didn't have any background in Okinawan karate. Kamen based the name Miyagi on Chojun Miyagi the founder of goju-ryu and the actual character on a goju-ryu instructor that taught near the military base where he was stationed on during the 1960s. However, Pat Morita's inspiration for his portrayal of Mr. Miyagi was based on Fumio Demura. Demura was Morita's main stunt double, but his job was to do what Avildsen, Kamen and Johnson wanted for the martial arts sequences. Johnson originally trained in Korea but around 1967 became a student of Norris and began learning his system (American tang soo do, pre-Chun Kuk Do/Chuck Norris System) which is a combination of tang soo do, shotokan, shito-ryu and judo. By the way the guys doing one-steps 10:28 are American tang soo do guys, not traditional Korean tang soo do. They're from an organization that split from Johnson's group back in the 1990s. A lot of people are/were under the assumption that William Zabka is a black belt in tang soo do, including myself. I was the one who actually put that on his IMDB profile years ago. However, looking back I've never read or heard him ever make this claim. He did an interview years ago -- from the early 2000s I believe -- where he did say that after the movie he trained off and on with Johnson and his top student Roger Lacombe for 5 years and earning a green belt, which is where I got the info that I posted on IMDB. Looking back I made the mistake of assuming that that he did eventually earn his black belt and posted it without doing more checking. Maybe in the last 30 plus years he eventually did, but I don't think he's ever confirmed it. As for the kata that Thomas Ian Griffith (Terry Silver) performs in the third movie. I think it's made up, unless it's a tae kwon do form. Griffith is a black belt in both kenpo karate and tae kwon do, but that definitely doesn't look like any kenpo form I've ever seen. And it's definitely not one taught in the original Norris system. With regards to the photos hanging in the dojo, those from the actual dojang where the the scenes were shot. The guy in the photo by Daniel's head at 13:05 is Jun Chong. The dojo scenes were filmed at his tae kwon do school. Anyway, but the best way to know the truth regarding which styles where the inspiration for Miyagi-do and Cobra Kai is to ask either Kamen or Johnson. They're both still alive and there are ways to get a hold of them, especially Johnson

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I agree with everything you've said and you are correct about the photos by the front door. Some others have suggested Cho Hee Il for the one above the mirror but I haven't found a matching picture yet. Terry Silver's form is not from any Kenpo I am familiar with either, so it probably is just made up. Robert Mark Kamen does have that background but he did not choreography the films though I am sure he had a LOT of input, and it would make sense especially with his Goju Ryu background. I am in the beginning attempts to reach out to Mr. Johnson. It would be great to interview him if he was interested in participating.

[@barrettokarate]

Regarding Kamen, what you just wrote is actually what I meant to write. Unfortunately reading back what I wrote I worded it wrong and it looks like I'm insinuating that he had part in the choreography. Johnson was the sole choreographer, but like you said (and what I wanted to say) Kamen gave his 2-cents regarding the Okinawan styles. Here's another little tidbit...in the second film we see a "nunti bo" being used. While in Okinawa Kamen trained in Matayoshi kobudo under Shinpo Matayoshi himself. I'm pretty sure Mr. Johnson would be glad to speak with you. I think the best way to get a hold of his contact information might be either through Roger Lacombe or Roger Quinlan in Southern California. Both are high ranking black belts under him. Regarding, the photo in the dojo I think it might be best to ask Chong himself. He and his wife still teach here in Los Angeles county. I also doubt that photo would be of Hee Il Cho. Although I don't know either personally, as far as I know other than both being Korean and tae kwon do experts I don't think there's any affiliation between them, especially in the form of a teacher-student relationship for him Chong to hang a photo of Cho in that spot.

[@RedKnight231]

I just wanted to add , especially as someone whom trained in Isshin-ryu , however briefly , that Isshin-ryu is basically a fusion of Goju-ryu and Shorin-ryu . Both of which its founder , Tetsuo Shimabuku , trained in himself . olemiss.edu/orgs/karate/steinburgarticle.html , www.journaled.com/JED/MA/Isshinryu/index.html

[@Georgeamarustudios]

I agree that Cobra Kai is likely Tang Soo Do. Having studied a style that's also rooted in Moo Duk Kwan, it looks very familiar. As you mention, we hear Korean commands. It may also interest some to know that not only were the Korean arts often referred to as "Korean Karate," in the 70s & 80s, but Tang Soo Do means the "Art of the Tang Hand." This likely refers to the Tang Dynasty of China and being a form of "China Hand" martial arts, a common Japanese translation is Karate Do. In this case, as with early Kenpo/Kempo, it would be the form of the term where the kanji used for "Kara" would be the one meaning "China," instead of "empty."

[@eyegardentx]

I love the cobra kai show. I studied tang soo do when I was younger.

[@teamcampillo8180]

Thank you for the in-depth detail, this clarifies alot of curiosity of the style being presented on film and on youtube in the Karate Kid series. As a fellow martial artist (Taekwondo), i still admire the choreography of each of the fight scenes and even the classes shown in the film and series. Regardless to which style it may incline to originate from, I fully enjoy watching a good martial arts story. Keep up the great work

[@christophergraham3160]

Perhaps the style of martial art practiced by Cobra Kai is a sort of bastardization of Tang Soo Do. Consider the 1st movie. We find a photograph of John Kreese in military garb similar to that utilized during the early years of the Vietnam war. This would suggest that Kreese was possibly MACV/SOG. When you stop to think what the CIA has already declassified on SOG, it would follow that Kreese was in the CIA's Special Operations Group and was given training in Korea in Tang Soo Do. And while in Vietnam, Kreese mixed things up in his own training to adapt the the jungle and the fighting style used in Vietnam.

[@michaeldasalyaget7828]

So I was looking forward to this video, and after watching if, I feel that.... I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED, you rocked it, sir! I love the evidence you provide, and that while you are confident in your answers, you open the door for people to provide their evidence. However, you kind of smack that down when you show the side by side comparison supporting your arguments.

[@Docinaplane]

It's Chuck Norris' style, Tang Soo Do. I think it's a made up kata at the end. I've never seen a formal kata with spinning moves like that.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

That's what I was wondering, if it was made up because it didn't look like any Kata I was familiar with either.

[@Brainwashed101]

@@ArtofOneDojo I've seen vaguely similar kata with spinning moves in Kuk Sool Won and Hwa Rang Do, especially tornado crescent kicks. Can't pinpoint a specific one, though.

[@cornelius-dinglebert]

In my Tang Soo Do, from the UK, I've seen bits of Terry's kata by other Master belts. I think it's an amalgamation of a few different kata's in one.

[@BOND007_MI5]

From the comments yes it’s not based on any real Kata’s. It’s been made up and put together. In general, it’s not wrong to make up and have your own katas many systems / styles have done that breaking away from traditional systems. Just as long as you can apply them or have some way of using those techniques. Terry silver uses high kicks in the kata, only Korean styles use high kicks 😉

[@lannelbishop3668]

I’m 54 year old martial artist that’s why I recognize the picture of the founder in cobra kai dojo. It’s Cho Hee Il one the most prominent Tae kwon do instructors of the 70’s and 80’s. He played the Korean’s coach in best of the best movie.

[@barrettokarate]

It's not Cho, its actually Jun Chong. If you do a Google search on Chong that exact same photo comes up. Plus if you go to Chong's personally Instagram account he has that photo posted alongside a screen shot of it behind Daniel's head like at 13:04. The Cobra Kai scenes were filmed at his old North Hollywood school.

[@dg8459]

I know the guy you mean! Didn't know that. Thanks for that info

[@Fardawg]

@@barrettokarate I think you two are talking about two different pictures. I believe Lannel was talking about the very blurry image at 12:57 that the video identifies as the founder rather than the image at 13:04 which is one of the other images of martial artists Art of One was asking to identify.

[@barrettokarate]

​@@Fardawg Either way its likely not Hee Il Choi and here's why. The Cobra Kai dojo scenes were filmed at one of Jun Chong's schools. The person at 13:04 is Chong himself. As for the person in the photo at 12:57, only Chong, his wife Ada or anyone of his students (like Simon and Phillip Rhee) from that era knows the answer. But usually someone whose photo is placed in such a spot is either your instructor or the founder of your art(s) and Cho is neither. Chong holds ninth degree black belts in both taekwondo and hapkido so whoever is in that blurry photo is likely going to be either Hong Hi Choi or Choi Yong Sool or one of his teachers Kim Il Sang (TKD) or Sea Oh Choi (Hapkido). Is it likely that Chong and Cho crossed paths? Definitely. I mean in the late 1980s Cho appeared in "The Best of the Best" alongside the Rhee brothers. But Chong had long since established himself in Los Angeles County with several schools and by all accounts was never a student of Cho. So there would be no reason for Cho's photograph to be placed in that spot. Maybe on the wall alongside other martial arts contemporaries and friends, but not up there.

[@magnusmaul5447]

I agree with you that Miyagi-Do is definitely based upon one of the real-world Okinawan schools. I'd say for Cobra Kai it's either Tang Soo Do or maybe Hapkido as we do see quite a bit of throws, takedowns, and even holds in the show. Also, Hapkido is still pretty kick-heavy and has a lot of the same kicks as both TKD and TSD. So yeah, either TSD or Hapkido.

[@adamb.4750]

Shotokan practitioner here. I'm not seeing Johnny fight in the Shotokan style in the tournament scenes. 50% of the techniques thrown would be reverse punches. I've never seen a crescent kick thrown at a Shotokan tournament. It's in our kata, but isn't practiced as a scoring technique for kumite. Roundhouse kicks look Korean style, they come up at a 45 degree angle to meet their target. In Shotokan the roundhouse comes across horizontally to meet the target. I don't see TKD, since Johnny only throws one kick per leg and doesn't do any multiple kicks from a single chambered wind up. Also when asked if its TKD, Johnny says its Karate. So, TSD for the win.

[@jakesizer6483]

I think miyagi do is most likely goju ryu. I study off of Fumio Demura so I can confirm it's not shito ryu. In the first karate kid movie, the most famous thing is wax on, wax off, paint the fence, paint the house, sand the floor, etc. We use some goju ryu katas in our organization, one is called tensho, and it looks EXACTLY like paint the fence and paint the house.

[@esodn762]

The location for the Kobra Kai dojo was a TKD dojang from Hollywood I believe, so I suppose that picture frame could be from Choi Hong Hi the founder of TKD

[@thedarthknight3483]

Could you describe like the main differences between tang soo do and taekwondo? Are they very similar? Just curious

[@LikeWaterProductions]

The Karate Kid (1984) is one of the greatest martial arts movies of all time. Despite most of the main characters not being actual martial artists, this movie inspired me and many others to want to learn a martial art. Like you mentioned in a previous comment, back in the 80s most styles were simply referred to as "karate". But after seeing this film, I totally bought into the notion that you could learn karate techniques by doing chores around the house. And if you only had 3 months to prepare for a competition against black belts who have trained for years, this was the best way to quickly measure up to them.

[@nurse425]

Love this comment! The Karate Kid was also one of my inspirations to train in the Martial Arts, but, as my Sifu told me, 3 months of training would've resulted in my possible death in an actual tournament even if Bruce Lee himself had been my teacher, lol!

[@LikeWaterProductions]

For the opportunity to train with Bruce Lee for 3 months, I would almost be willing to test that theory. But I'm sure your Sifu is right. :-)

[@woodtiger1411]

For me, the most anticipated video Mr. Dan. Well done. I have watched the Cobra Kai KZbin release and thoroughly recommend it. Lots of pop culture references and Johnny’s dialogue is hilarious (stuck in the 80’s). Family and I binged watched the series over a weekend. With regards to the martial arts, that were the basis of this Hollywood blockbuster. I totally agree on both fronts; with one exception. This being a pet hate of mine. I’m more comfortable with Tang Soo Do and not modern day Tae Kwon Do. Particularly with regards to what is being portrayed as their “fighting style”. Let me elaborate. We see TKD mainly from the tournament arena (televised or KZbin). With its point system mechanics in place. Many TKD realist know that tournament style fighting is very, very different from a real life scenario. Some TKD practitioners that enter the Octagon, I would say display a more realistic medium to high guard for obvious practicality. When you are sparring with a sensor pad/point system versus someone trying to knock you out as efficiently as possible, your application and training changes dramatically. Saying a style is Tae Kwon Do, is much like saying it’s Karate. We ALL know there is a deeper motivation driving the style. Such as philosophy of the school/lineage, application weighed against practicality. Thanks again Mr. Dan, for creating an amicable platform for debate. A Scholar and a Gentleman!

[@magicaltour1]

That’s kukkiwon (WT) taekwondo. Chang-hon (ITF) taekwon-do uses more realistic rules in their sparring (more like kickboxing) and actually do train grapples and throws (not to the extent of judo unfortunately, but at least they train it!). That style displays a lot more of the Shotokan that inspired it and the other major Korean arts (but don’t tell the Koreans, they’re still mad about that whole occupation thing). Of course, I do think the art displayed on Cobra Kai is tangsoodo, but with a lot of live combat maneuvers thrown in.

[@tlewisAK]

I agree with your assessment of Kobe Kai being Tang Soo do. I’ve practiced both Shotokan and ITF TKD. Yes there are TKD similarities, but it looks closer to Shotokan than TKD.

[@HorrorsofWar223]

I would have to agree with your assessment of Cobra Kia’s style being a variant of Tang Soo Do. I am a third degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and I will say that Cobra Kai’s variant is more aggressive then normal but I believe that to be for the movies/series. As for Silver’s Kata I don’t recognize it but with Tang Soo Do borrowing a lot from both Chinese and Japanese styles it can be difficult to nail down. I will say a lot of Silvers movement use Tang Soo Do principles as does Johnny’s fighting style.

[@drummermomcjs]

Once again I agree with your assessment that Cobra Kai is practicing a variant of Tang Soo Do. I have practiced both Tant Soo Do, and American Kenop and this didn't seem Kepmoish at all to me. While I studied Shotokan for a very short time and Lotus style as well, but the combination of kicks, hand techniques and mannerisms all point to TSD to me. Good catch about the Choonbe, my TSD instructor Master Steve Rakel used that term throughout our classes.

[@JazzBear]

Your explanation is excellent! My teacher is Professor Wayne Carman. His teacher was Master Kang Rhee. In recent times I’ve been researching a good bit into the lineage of the arts. It turns out that Master Rhee had a couple of teachers that were Japanese. And their lineage traces back to Okinawa. The katas that we were taught were very Japanese as were the techniques. But it’s always been interesting how Master Rhee would call his art Pa Sa Ryu. And on occasion he would refer to it as TKD. But the techniques always looked suspiciously like Okinawan Kempo. At this point I have studied Pa Sa Ryu, Chinese Kempo, Okinawan Kempo, Kali, Silat, Aikido and a few other things. At this point, it’s just a mix of fun things to do and train in. And I love it all!

[@TrymYoutubeMainChannel]

Imo tae kwon do is focusing more on aeirial kicks like tornado kick aka 360 roundhouse or whatever. Jumping snap/front kick is similar to crane technique

[@joeljones8066]

John Kreese and Terry Silver learn Tang Soo Do in Vietnam in the 60's, and train with it's founder in Korea into the 1980's

[@IridiumAxle]

The kata you mentioned at the end looked VERY Tang Soo Do-ee to me. I saw a lot of parallels with forms I've done and shared techniques.

[@yosafatsurya1082]

If Jhonny mastering Kyokushin?😂 Daniel will die in second