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Fall 2008 session runs from Sept 8th to Dec 20th
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Q: 'Side Block' is called ?
A: Yop Magki
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...now i know that if i need information i can definitely come here!;)...
- Kristie
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| THE HISTORY OF TAEKWON-DO
Taekwon-Do is a relatively new martial art, having only been in existence for about forty years, and its evolution as
an art corresponds with the history of Korea, where it originated. In order to understand why Taekwon-Do developed as
an art form, it is crucial to look at the history of Korea after the Japanese invasion (1904-5), as well as
the history of hand and foot fighting in Asia.
There are numerous theories about where open hand and foot fighting originated. Some historians believe it originated
in China because it was the cradle of Asian culture. There are some authorities who believe that the main impetus of
bare hand fighting emerged in China during the sixth century by a renowned Buddhist Monk. However, this doesn't mean
martial arts originated solely in China, and it is reasonable to assume that it developed in different places, where
there was a need for self-defense. As General Choi states: "Open hand and foot fighting probably did not originate in
any one country."
Funakosi Kijin, known as the father of Karate, claimed Karate was the traditional martial art, developed in the 9th
Century A.D. On the other hand, in a book on Karate written by Nagadoni, the author states there was a type of open
hand fighting that resembled present day Sumo and Judo in Japan about 2,000 years ago. The origin of the martial
arts in ancient Asia is as ambiguous and appears to depend on the nationality of the art form's founder.
Korea appeared to have developed two styles of hand and foot fighting, Soo-Bak and Taek-kyon, traced back to a period
between 1st century B. C. and 7th century A.D., which later became Taekwon-Do. During this time, the Korean peninsula
was divided into three kingdoms: Silla, Koguryo and Baek Je. As Silla was the smallest of the three kingdoms, the
other two kingdoms were constantly invading it. In order to defend the kingdom, a young group of aristocrats/warriors
formed an army called Hwa Rangdo, under the reign of Chin Heung, the twenty-fourth King of Silla. These warriors, in
addition to the ordinary training in spear bow, sword and hook, also trained themselves by practicing mental and
physical discipline, and various forms of hand and foot fighting. They lived under a five-point code of conduct
prescribed by the Buddhist monk and scholar Won Kang. This code of conduct included:
- Be loyal to your king
- Be obedient to your parents
- Be honorable to your friends
- Never retreat in battle
- Use good judgement before killing a living thing
It was their ability to live by these codes that gained them respect from friends and foes alike. Ancient murals and
statues provide evidence to document the existence of a form of hand and foot fighting during this period in both the
Silla and Koguryo dynasties. Some of the postures resemble Taek Kyon or Japanese Jujitsu techniques. According to
General Choi, the Hwa Rangdo added a new dimension to this primitive method of foot fighting by infusing it with the
principles of Hwa Rangdo. The combination of mental and physical control elevated this fighting into an art form,
which may have impacted other countries in Asia.
During the period of Hwa Rangdo, the primitive hand fighting called Soo Bak-Gi was popular among common people in
the Koguryo Dynasty and there were Soo Bak-Gi competitions, together with wrestling, tug of war, hopping contests
and Jeki-Chagi. Dr. Danjae Shin Chae Ho, the famous Korean historian states: "The art of Soo Bak-Gi was
eventually introduced to China as Kwon Bup and as a form of Jujitsu to Japan. The third king of the Lee Dynasty
(1401-1408) recruited experts in Taek Kyon, Sirum (Korean wrestling), stone throwing, archery, and Soo Bak-Gi to
organize an army. Hwa Rangdo may well have been the forerunner of the Japanese samurai. Matautatsu Oyama, an
authority of Karate in Japan, states that the etymology of Kara may have been derived from the country of Kaya at
the southern tip of the Korean peninsula.
In his biography of Korean warriors, Chosun Moosa Yongoung Jun, Dr. An Ja San, a historian on ancient Korea,
states: "the Yoo Sul school, [Jujitsu] was known under the name of Soo Bak-Gi or Taek Kyon" during the Koguryo dynasty.
During this time, the King, in person, held an annual contest for soldiers to compete in unarmed combat in order to
win honorary government posts. During this dynasty, the king had a keen interest in the art and helped to elevate the
status of the art form. There were twenty-five fundamental movements or postures documented; they are the basis of
the techniques we use today: hand, leg, jumping, falling, rolling and pulling. It can be seen that the Silla and Koguryo
Dynasties marked the beginning of martial arts in Korea, but it wouldn't be long before these dynasties acquired
anti-military positions. The next period, the Lee Dynasty, was a period of civil enlightenment where the military was
debased and by the end of this period the martial arts no longer existed.
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