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("I feel happiness as I welcome you, as you have brought a shining light to this place with your arrival.")

"Behind Every Famous Person There Once Was A Fabulous Teacher!"


"You Raise Me Up" - Josh Groban

This site has been a long, long time coming. I dedicate it with love and respect to my martial arts instructor - Master Robert G. Zychski, founder of the Horangi Taekwondo Dojang. Master Zychski, who was referred to as "Kyosah," was well known for his not-for-profit Taekwondo teaching in New York and especially at the Salvation Army, where he taught for twenty-two years (free-of-charge!). I met Kyosah in college, but, sadly, I had to end my study of Taekwondo with Kyosah when I received my Ph.D. and had to return to Japan. I studied with Kyosah prior to his teaching at the Salvation Army. I was one of a handful of students who practiced with Kyosah anywhere there was a gymnasium we could borrow. He was always available to teach and he never once asked for payment. I know for a fact that he was asked to teach at several commercial martial arts schools, but he refused, choosing instead to teach free-of-charge, so he would not have to follow someone else's rules and regulations.
Kyosah was a very busy person at that time - work, school, and teaching. But he always had time to listen to our problems (regarding family, health, addiction, etc.), but never told us about his, and I am sure he had his own problems as he became older. I still wonder how many other instructors (then and now) had Kyosah's dedication to teach (free of charge) and keep his school commercial free. Today (and possibly back then also) it seems that almost everything centers around money, and that is very closely associated with greed. Kyosah would have given his last dollar to a student who said he needed it and I am sure he did that more than once. I know for a fact that he would give a student the $1.00 needed for the class fee because the student said he/she did not have any money. (I've heard of some schools charging as much as $500 for Black Belt test.) ...There will never be another Kyosah!
(Kyosah's style of martial arts could be considered eclectic, in that it combined taekwondo, judo and aikido (with small components of other styles he studied). When I asked him what he called his style of martial arts, he told me he came up with the name 'Taijuka' after much deliberation (I might have it wrong). But he always said he was teaching Taekwondo to make it more understandable to prospective students.)
In Japan, martial arts students always revere their (master) instructor. Not only when they are training together, but also when the instructor has retired or if the students have moved to another city or have moved to another country. The students will continue to contact the instructor to find out if there is anything they can do for him or, in some cases, will even pay for his journey to visit them in their new city or country. However, I have never noticed this happening with American students. Once they leave the school, all thoughts of Kyosah are forgotten. Never once remembering what Kyosah did for them in the way of training them in the martial arts and training them to "face life." Such a shame and lack of respect, honor and devotion. Students show respect and alligiance to their instructor at a commercial school where they are paying a high price for training. How much more respect and devotion should you have shown Kyosah for his instruction, and his never asking for anything in return? Something to think about, I would say.
I have always tried to keep in touch with Kyosah and told him many times that I wanted to create a website about the early days of his teachings so that other people would become aware of his philosophy. I aksed him if he would send me any articles about himself and/or the school that might have appeared in martial arts magazines, etc. He didn't take kindly to my request at first but he finally did send those articles to me and he also sent me (loaned me) photographs that were given or sent to him by many other martial artists and also the photographs of many well-known people.
Now that I have retired, I find I have the time to devote to the creation of a "small" Kyosah website.
Other than the images of the students of the Horangi Taekwondo Dojang that are shown on this site, there are also images of some of the people Kyosah has trained with.
(I hope Kyosah doesn't mind, but I have also included several photos of founders of various martial arts systems and also some photos of celebrities who have sent their autographed photos to him after learning about his school. I know that Kyosah is still having letters forwarded to him that were sent by people, and some celebrities, who happened to have seen an article about him in an old martial arts magazine or newspaper article.)
I do regret that it has taken me such a long time to begin this website and ask for his forgiveness and yours, all of his previous students, who might stumble upon this site. In approximately 1970, Kyosah began offering taekwondo lessons at the Salvation Army. The students were required to pay a small fee for the use of the space provided and the 90 minute lessons. ($1.00 per class if you attended more than one class a week or, $3.00 if you attended one class a week, which was donated to the Salvation Army.)
(Kyosah bought the uniforms and belts with his own money and when a few uniforms and belts were sold, he would use that money to purchase additional uniforms and belts. In this way the students didn't have to go shopping for their own uniforms, etc.)

There was a class four nights a week and a pre-teen class on Saturday mornings, which usually had over 100 students in attendance. People couldn't believe that there were so many pre-teens in one class. Many parents said they had a hard time controlling one child and didn't know how Kyosah could control more than 100.
I was told that every class Kyosah taught at the Salvation Army was always crowded. There was always a waiting list for those who wanted to join. Kyosah once told me that he had to remove some older student enrollment applications from his files because there was no room for the new student's enrollment applications. That's how crowded and popular this small school had become. Producing some of the finest students (and citizens) in the world (of martial arts).
He was never too busy to help any one of us, his students, or offer advice if we had a personal problem. Others said he should be charging a fee for his services, but he always said that that would mean that those who couldn't afford the fee would be unable to practice and learn. He wasn't afraid to be out of the "mainstream." He taught the way he wanted and if you didn't like his way of teaching, you could always go somewhere else. Very simple philosophy. He always expected us to do our best and never to give less than 100%. If you did (give less than 100%), you didn't belong in his school. A few times a student might think that he (the student) was advanced enough and did not have to train as hard as everyone else. Kyosah noticed this very quickly and would tell the student that if he didn't try his best, he would have to leave the school. The sincere student usually improved immediately. Almost every lesson included a short period of meditation (which had nothing to do with religion, which some people assumed). We were taught how to breath deeply and slowly and to clear our minds. If you were late for a class, you had to kneel at door until instructor motioned for you to join class. All students were advised to wash their hands before joining a class.
Kyosah taught every class, five days a week, over twenty years, and hardly missed a day of teaching.
Kyosah strongly believed that the basics of the martial arts and meditation should be taught in public schools in the United States. He said that the introduction of these programs into the educational system would prevent much of the violence seen in schools throughout the country. I totally agree with Kyosah and I believe we all will agree that violence in schools is not declining, but rather on the increase. Kyosah recommended that a pilot program be started in a public school, but no one ever listened to him.
I hope students who studied with Kyosah in the early days will take the time to post their names on the forum and include their rank and the time period they practiced.
I do hope that previous students will find this site of interest and will renew some (old) friendships via the Forum.
I am sure that many previous student's pictures are not shown on this site because of the limited amount of images I have been able to collect. If you studied with Kyosah and you want your photo included, send the photo to me (post photo[s] on ImageShack and send me Direct URL[s] for images, via e-mail) and I'll do my best to put it on one of the pages with a description you supply, please include your name, rank and period of training (from/to dates).

If you have any class photos and/or students' photos from back then (prior to 1992), please send them along to me. If you know the students in the photos, please note their names, etc. You can post the photos to Image Shack and then send me the "Direct" URL and "Forum" URL for the photos, via email.

   
CLICK HERE for step-by-step instructions on how to send us pictures.

Also, if you can write a story to explain why/how you joined the Horangi Taekwondo Dojang, or you want to explain what you gained from studying at the school, or tell about your fond memories of the school, or how you felt when promoted, send that information to me (via e-mail) for inclusion on the "Letters" page. Also, try to send a photo of yourself back then wearing your dobok, which I will include on one of this site's pages. Or, if you want, send a recent photo of yourself and/or family, mentioning names, etc. I'll include those on the Forum.

I am trying to improve this site as quickly as possible, but not having too much training with computer programming, I am finding it a bit difficult.
I take full responsibility for this site and any errors that might appear on any of the pages. If your name or image is used on one of the pages and you do not want it to appear, let me know and I will remove it. Since I don't have a chance to check my email often, give me a little time to comply with your request.
It is very difficult finding any web provider or any other service (guestbook, message board, forum, etc.) that is pop-up or banner-ad free.
Please consider using a pop-up and ad blocker.
*** I am (we are) not responsible for any banner ads or pop-ups that might appear on this site!***
I will try to post all news; notices and site-changes on the Forum.
PLEASE let me know if there are any 'broken' links, or images not showing (red"X").
The contents of all pages will be constantly changing as new information comes into my possession.     Akio Itoh (Yuk-dan)



HORANGI = Tiger.
TAEKWONDO = (In Korean) "TAE" means to trample with the foot;
"KWON" means fist; and
"DO" means Way.
(Taekwondo is loosely translated as "the way of the foot and hand.")
DOJANG = Training Hall.

I MUST REMIND EVERYONE THAT KYOSAH IS NO LONGER TEACHING!
And the information and photos on this site are from a time long ago.

Kyosah raised "the bar" for all of us!
He always made us try our best. He always said, "If you don't like the school or my way of teaching,
go to another school. No one is holding you here."

Ask yourself the following two questions: #1- "What has Kyosah done for me?"
#2- "What have I done for Kyosah?" Your answers might surprise you.
Now that Kyosah has grown older, how many of you who benefited from his teachings,
have ever found out if there is anything you can do for him now that he is older?
Find out now how Kyosah is and how you might be able to help him. Don't let any more time pass by.

If you ever feel lonely, come back to this site and think about a happier time - when you were training with Kyosah at HTD.

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It is my fond hope that many of Kyosah's students will re-establish friendships with their fellow classmates, via this website.
Most of you spent many happy years at the school and it was a time that should not be forgotten!
Are you interested in meeting some of your classmates/friends from when you were studying with Kyosah?
There are two ways you can do that. Sign (Student's) "Message Board" below.
Or, see if your name is on "Student's Page" (from drop-down menu below).
If not, you can add it by sending me necessary information.

(Please show your respect for Kyosah by not taking/copying any of the images/photos/articles/etc., from this site! Thank you for honoring this request.)





"Zychski has been involved in the martial arts since 1948 and has not only studied Taekwondo, but also judo, aikido, hapkido, karate, kung-fu, aiki-jitsu, tai-chi, shiatsu, Qi Kong, Zen and yoga (he began his study of yoga with Swami Vishnu Devananda in 1959 in NYC, where he also studied judo and aikido a few years later). Therefore, his teaching is a composite of all these arts. His students are taught judo throwing, falling and rolling; hapkido and aikido techniques. As the student progresses, he becomes aptly qualified to handle himself in any type of situation. Zychski began his school primarily to afford people a place to learn the martial arts for a very minimal fee. Since Taekwondo is suitable for people of all ages, it is an excellent all-around exercise program rather than only an art of self-defense. However, the instructor must be knowledgeable enough to teach people of all ages." (Karate Monthly. Sept 1981)

Disclaimer: All images and articles retain the original copyrights of their original owners. Every effort has been made to locate and credit the copyright owners
of material quoted on these pages, and for images displayed. If any sources have not been credited, please notify the webmaster and we will correct immediately.


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    *** IF UNABLE TO VIEW THIS SITE, GO TO MIRROR SITE. ***

    VERY, VERY IMPORTANT:
Please go to and bookmark the Mirror Site (above) in case this current site is discontinued!!




"As no one nation or one human race has the monopoly of the sun light,
no one school of thought or system of discipline has the monopoly on truth.
Therefore, a student of Bushido develops the spirit of humility within,
and the attitude of respect without, as he searches for the Truth."

"A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials."

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."





The GUESTBOOK is for visitors's comments about this site only (limit to 25 words)!
The MESSAGE BOARD is for (short) messages from Kyosah's original students!
The FORUM is for more detailed messages from students who studied with Kyosah.
Kyosah's original students are urged to join the Forum.

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Join the FORUM and possibly find some 'old' classmates
and see their recent photos, etc. (Easy and free to join.)
Also current news about Kyosah (or as current as possible).
(Ads might appear when viewing Forum on Firefox.)
(Forum is only for students who studied with Kyosah!)
(Click below.)



(If you have a problem registering, let us know and we will register you.)

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Do you have friends who also practiced with Kyosah?
Tell them about this site. Spread the word!
(Click below.)



Do not erase the "http://www.webng.com/kyosah/" in the
"MESSAGE" box when filling out the Tell A Friend form above..

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Visitors (not students), please sign the Guestbook below.



(Kyosah's students, please sign Message Board below.)

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The Message Board is for Kyosah's (ORIGINAL) students only.



It may be quite late for you to say "Thank You" to Kyosah for all he did for you and all his students,
but it is possible to post a "Thank You" in the Guestbook or on the Message Board.
That's the least you can do, wouldn't you agree?

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Visit our Blog (Recent news, etc.)...



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***ADDED TWO PAGES OF SOME 1988; 1989 AND 1990 SCHOOL VIDEOS.***
CLICK ON 'SCHOOL VIDEOS 1 OR 2' IN DROP-DOWN MENU BELOW.
(ARE YOU IN ONE OF THEM? LET ME KNOW NAME/RANK AND VIDEO #, AND I WILL PLACE YOUR NAME/RANK ON PAGE, IF YOU WISH.)

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(The following pages have been put on the "Miscellaneous Page" --
Buddhism Page 1; Buddhism Page 2; Chat Room Page; Childs Page; Friends Page 1; Friends Page 2; Media Articles;
Meditation Videos; Parents Page; Prayers Page 1; Prayers Page 2; Prayers Page 3; Prayers Page 4; Prayers Page 5; Prayers Page 6;
Prayers Page 7; More Celebs; Meditation 1; Meditation 2; Quotations; Favorite Videos.)

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