Toi Gye

Toi Gye is the penname of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th century A.D.), an authority on neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on the 37th parallel, and the diagram represents the pictogram for "scholar."

New Techniques

Low Thrust w/Upset Fingertip
Pressing Block w/X-fist
Twin Side Elbow Thrust
W-shape Block in Sitting Stance

Low Pushing Block w/Double Forearm
Head Grab and Upward Kick w/Knee
Low Guarding Block w/Knife Hand

Additional Information

A low thrust with upset fingertip is used chiefly against the pubic region. The palm should be facing upward and the opposite side fist is brought in front of the thrusting shoulder at the moment of impact. A reverse thrust is normal in the case of a walking stance.

A pressing block with X-fist is used against the tibia of the attacking foot aimed at the defender's lower abdomen.

A W-shape block has dual functions: one is to defend against either a foot or hand attack to the philtrum and areas above, and the other is to strengthen the leg muscles. In this pattern, the block is executed with the outer forearm on the same side as the stepping foot. The foot is placed into sitting stance with a stamping motion.

A low pushing block with double forearm is used to put the opponent off balance. It is performed in a circular motion, with the arms and hands ending up in the same position as a double forearm block, but lower.

An upward kick with the knee usually follows a head grab and is used to attack the solar plexus or the chest at close range. This kick is NOT aimed at the head.

With a low knife-hand guarding block the knife-hands are on parallel planes. The distance between the opposite knife-hand and the lower abdomen is about 2 inches. The forearm is parallel to the thigh and the elbow of the blocking arm is bent about 15 degrees outward.

Diagram and Movements

Begin: Close Ready Stance B
1. Move the left foot to A, forming a right L-stance toward A while executing a middle block with the left inner forearm.
2. Execute a low thrust with the right upset fingertips while shifting the left foot into a left walking stance toward A and bringing the left side fist in front of the right shoulder.
3. Bring the left foot to the right foot forming a close stance facing the Front while executing a side strike to the Back with the right back fist and extending the left arm to the side and downward.
4. Move the right foot to B, forming a left L-stance toward B while executing a middle block with the right inner forearm.
5. Execute a low thrust with the left upset fingertips while shifting the right foot into a right walking stance toward B and bringing the right side fist in front of the left shoulder.
6. Bring the right foot to the left foot forming a close stance facing the Front while executing a side strike to the Back with the left back fist and extending the right arm to the side and downward.
7. Move the left foot to the Front, forming a left walking stance while executing a pressing block with an X-fist.
8. Without stepping, execute a high vertical punch with twin fist.
9. Execute a middle front snap kick to the Front with the right foot, keeping the same hand position as in 8.
10. Lower the right foot to the Front forming a right walking stance toward the Front while executing a middle punch with the right fist.
11. Without stepping, execute a middle punch with the left fist.
12. Bring the left foot to the right foot, forming a close stance facing C while executing a twin side elbow thrust. Perform in a slow motion.
13. Move the right foot to C in a stamping motion and form a sitting stance facing the Back while executing a W-shape block with the right outer forearm.
14. Turning 180 degrees clockwise, move the left foot to C in a stamping motion and form a sitting stance facing the Front while executing a W-shape block with the left outer forearm.
15. Turning 180 degrees clockwise, move the left foot to D in a stamping motion and form a sitting stance facing the Back while executing a W-shape block with the left outer forearm.
16. Turning 180 degrees counter-clockwise, move the right foot to D in a stampling motion and form a sitting stance facing the Front while executing a W-shape block with the right outer forearm.
17. Turning 180 degrees clockwise, move the left foot to D in a stamping motion and form a sitting stance facing the Back while executing a W-shape block with the left outer forearm.
18. Turning 180 degrees clockwise, move the left foot to C in a stamping motion and form a sitting stance facing the Front while executing a W-shape block with the left outer forearm.
19. Bring the right foot to the left foot and then move the left foot to the Front, forming a right L-stance toward the Front while executing a low pushing block with the left double forearm.
20. Extend both hands upward as if to grab the opponent's head while shifting the left foot into left walking stance toward the Front.
21. Execute an upward kick with the right knee while pulling both hands downward.
22. Lower the right foot to the left foot and then pivot and move the left foot to the Back, forming a right L-stance toward the Back while executing a middle guarding block with the knife-hand.
23. Execute a low front kick to the Back with the left foot, keeping the position of the hands as they were in 22.
24. Lower the left foot to the Back, forming a left walking stance toward the Back while executing a high thrust with the left flat fingertip.
25. Move the right foot to the Back, forming a left L-stance toward the Back while executing a middle guarding block with the knife-hand.
26. Execute a low front kick to the Back with the right foot, keeping the position of the hands as they were in 25.
27. Lower the right foot to the Back, forming a right walking stance toward the Back while executing a high thrust with the right flat fingertip.
28. Move the right foot toward the Front, forming a right L-stance while facing the Back and execute a side back strike to the Front with the right back fist and a low block to the Back with the left forearm.
29. Jump toward the Back and land forming a right X-stance facing B while executing a pressing block with an X-fist toward B.
30. Move the right foot to the Back, forming a right walking stance toward the Back while executing a high block to the Back with the right double forearm.
31. Move the left foot to A, forming a right L-stance toward A while executing a low guarding block with knife-hand.
32. Execute a circular block to A with the right inner forearm while shifting the left foot into a left walking stance toward A.
33. Bring the left foot to the right foot and then move the right foot to B, forming a left L-stance toward B while executing a low guarding block with knife-hand.
34. Execute a circular block to B with the left inner forearm while shifting the right foot into a right walking stance toward B.
35. Without stepping and pivoting only on the balls of the feet, shift into a walking stance facing C while executing a circular block to C.
36. Without stepping and pivoting only on the balls of the feet, shift back into a walking stance facing B while executing a circular block to B.
37. Move the right foot on line AB to form a sitting stance toward the Front while executing a middle punch to the Front with the right fist.
End: Bring the right foot back to Close Ready Stance B.