Toi-Gye

Toi-Gye is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th century), an authority on neo Confucianism. The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on 37th latitude. The diagram represents scholar.

37 moves

4 kihaps

Note: “North” means the direction the student is facing before the form begins (usually the front of the room). Stances are described according to the foot in front (e.g. “left back stance” means a back stance with the left foot in front).

  1. Step left into left back stance towards the west; inside block,
  2. Stance shift into left front stance facing west; back hand low palm thrust strike while bringing front hand up cross body,
  3. Bring the left foot in to the right foot to form a standing stance facing north executing a side back strike with the right back fist, extending the left arm to the side downward. Perform in slow motion; Kihap,
  4. Step right into right back stance towards the west; inside block,
  5. Stance shift into right front stance facing east; back hand low palm thrust strike while bringing front hand up cross body,
  6. Bring the right foot in to the left foot to form a standing stance facing north executing a side back strike with the left back fist, extending the right arm to the side downward. Perform in slow motion;
  7. Step north with left foot forming a left front stance; low X-block,
  8. Double vertical face punch while staying in place. Perform 7 and 8 in a continuous motion,
  9. Front kick with the right foot, keeping the position of the hands as they were in 8,
  10. Lower the right foot to form a right front stance facing north while executing a middle punch with the right fist,
  11. Middle punch with the left fist while maintaining the same stance,
  12. Bring the left foot to the right foot forming an upright stance facing west; twin elbow strike to the back; Kihap
  13. Step with the right foot towards the west in a stamping motion forming a riding stance facing south; mountain block with both arms,
  14. Step with the left foot to the west in a stamping motion turning clockwise to form a riding stance facing north; mountain block with both arms,
  15. Step with the left foot to the east in a stamping motion turning clockwise to form a riding stance facing south; mountain block with both arms,
  16. Step with the right foot to the east in a stamping motion turning counter clockwise to form a riding stance facing north; mountain block with both arms,
  17. Step with the left foot to the east in a stamping motion turning clockwise to form a riding stance facing south; mountain block with both arms,
  18. Step with the left foot to the west in a stamping motion turning clockwise to form a riding stance facing north; mountain block with both arms,
  19. Bring the right foot to the left foot and then move the left foot north forming a left back stance; double knifehand low section block,
  20. Extend both hands upward as if to grab the opponent’s head while forming a left front stance facing north,
  21. Upward knee strike with the right knee while pulling both hands downward,
  22. Lower the right foot to the left foot and then move the left foot south forming a left back stance facing south; double knifehand guarding block,
  23. Low front snap kick with the front leg, keeping the position of the hands as they were in 22,
  24. Lower the left foot forming a left front stance facing south; high unsupported spear finger,
  25. Step south with the right foot to form a right back stance to the south; double knifehand guarding block,
  26. Low front snap kick with the right foot, keeping the position of the hands as they were in 25,
  27. Lower the right foot forming a right front stance facing south; high unsupported spear finger,
  28. Step back with the right foot to form a left back stance facing toward south; while executing a side back strike behind with the right back fist and a low block in front with the left forearm,
  29. Jump towards the south into X-stance with flat right hand; low cross block; Kihap
  30. Move the right foot to south forming a right front stance facing south; double front block,
  31. Move the left foot turning counter-clockwise to form a left back stance facing east; low double knifehand guarding,
  32. Stance shift with left foot into left front stance facing west; circular block to northwest with the right inner forearm,
  33. Bring the left foot in and then step with the right foot to the east forming a right back stance to the east; low double knifehand guarding block,
  34. Stance shift with right foot into right front stance facing east; circular block to the northeast with the left inner forearm,
  35. Turn in place into a left front stance towards the northwest; circular block to northeast with the right inner forearm,
  36. Turn in place into a right front stance facing west; circular block to northeast with the left inner forearm,
  37. Move the right foot parallel to left foot to form a riding stance facing north; right hand middle punch; Kihap.