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Source: Taekwondo Text Book, by Kyo-Yoon Lee. Published 1 Apr 1995 by Chang Jin publishing company, 538-1 Chang Shin 2 dong Jongro Gu Seoul Korea (Dae won Building 603), ISBN 89-85936-01-8
Chapter 1. General Remarks--p 19.
1. Origins of Taekwon-Do --21.
2. Taekwon-Do Today -------28.
3. What is Taekwon-Do -----29.

1. Origins of Taekwondo

It is a proper thing to do as a student of martial arts to trace the origins and development of Taekwondo in terms of social and historical backgrounds.

When one attempts to trace the origins of Taekwondo, it is inevitable to go back to the primitive era. During primitive time all the cultures had fighting traditions of unarmed combat skills for either self-defense against attacks from animals as well as tribal wars. These arts of self-defense eventually developed into the form of hand-skill and foot-skill. It is difficult, however, to state that the Taekwondo originated form a particular people or region but rather it would be proper to say that many different groups of people from different regions came to develop a variety of skills of their own and in the course of history some of the skills diminished while some survived to be developed systematically and managed to continue the tradition to present day.

Let us survey the development of Martial Arts in Korea:

1. Koguryo (37 B.C.--688 A.D.)

Historically speaking the history of Korean martial arts goes back to the era of the three kingdoms to survey its origin. Koguryo murals of the royal tombs reveal the lifestyle of the time. Muyongch'ong, one of the murals excavated during the period of 1935--1940 presents a painting which depicts a scene in which two warriors are engaged in a hand-to-hand fighting

    [Photo--two men in loincloths, hair tied up, with mustaches/goatees, in martial arts poses] This mural painting, depicting two men practicing a sort of Taekwondo, is on the ceiling of Muyong-chong, a royal tomb of the Koguryo dynasty. The tomb in Southern Manchuria is believed to have been built between 3 A.D. And 427 A.D. And was excavated by a group of archaeologists in 1935.

in Taekwondo, and two of the Kumgang guardians are also painted to both the sides of the entrance. Judging from these, one can assume that Koreans already had their own type of unarmed combat skills long before the 3rd century. It is a well-known fact that Koguryoans had a reputation for being most courageous and war-like people. It is not difficult to reach an assumption that Koguryoans already developed an unarmed combat skills much earlier than that of Emperor Yang of China by two centuries even before the Great Master Dalma (Bodhidharma) who is known to be the originator of Chinese hand-combat skills.

2. Paekche (18 B.C.--661 A.D.)

Paekche kingdom which lasted 678 years once enjoyed highly developed culture far superior to both Koguryo and Shilla. Paekche imported the culture of Lokrang and eventually was able to develop study of Chinese classics; for example, Doctor Kohung had compiled the classical work of Soki; imported Buddhism from Tongjin of China and Kingdom of Yang of China wanted to invite Doctor Moshi. On the other hand common people of Paekche enjoyed horse riding and archery and the farmers did Supyokt'a. The excavation of King Muryong's tomb also proved the superior quality of Paekche culture. The word 'Kangkang' of the game Kangkangsuwolle was originally derived from the southern dialect expression meaning patrolling in a circle, which was developed by Paekche women. According to other sources of history it is said that the game of Kangkangsuwolle was devised during the Imjin War (Japanese invasion of 1592) to make Japanese forces to believe that Korean forces were superior in number. One of the popular sports of the Paekche people was unarmed combat skill called 'Tosukongkwon' in which the winner becomes a village hero and may become a leader of soldiers in time of war.

This type of folklore which was prevailing in Sunchon area of Chollanamdo province can be traced in the game of 'Talmaji Ssaum'. And further it is evidenced in the 'Haedong Unki' in which 'Supyokt'a' was recorded in detail.

3. Shilla (57 B.C.--825 A.D.)

Due to the constant military pressure from both Koguryo and Paekche, Shilla felt the need to build military institutions. The important institutional development that occurred during 37th year of the reign of King Chunhung was the emergence of youth organizations known was Hwarangdo. The Hwarang, literally Flower Youth, grouping together under a leader, strove to discipline themselves through group activities for the ultimate purpose of serving the kingdom. Quite later, Buddhist monks were instructors of the Hwarang. The monk Wonkwang Popsa was the author of the Sesok Ogye, or Five Commandments, which became the basic rule of life for the Hwarang. These were:

    1. To serve the king with loyalty
    2. To serve one's parents with filial piety
    3. To be faithful to one's friends
    4. Not to retreat in battle
    5. Not to kill indiscriminately

Most of the great military leaders of Shilla had been members of Hwarang. Prominent among them was Kim Yu-shin, the military leader who was chiefly responsible for the victories that led to the unification of the peninsula under Shilla. Another was Kim Chun-chu, later King Muyol.

There is a Buddhist temple called Punwhangsa which is one of the four famed temples of the pre-unification period of Shilla. This temple was first constructed in 634 A.D. during the reign of the 27th ruler of Shilla, Queen Sondok, and it has on its grounds the remains of the Punwhangsa Pagoda. At the base are four rectangular openings with doors on which Buddhist guardians called Kumgang-yoksa are carved. Examining them together with the images of Kumgang-yoksa carved at the entrance of Sokkuram Grotto, their postures are quite similar to that of Parunjumok posture of modern Taekwondo. Thus one can assume that already Shilla had a sort of martial arts similar to this type, even earlier than the three kingdoms era. Korean ancestors seemed to practice some sort of martial arts.

    [B/W Photo of stone pagoda, 3 roof levels on larger base.] Punwhangsa stone pagoda: This pagoda was constructed in 634 A.D. During the reign of the 27th ruler of Shilla, Queen Sondk. At the base are four rectangular openings and Kumgang-Yoksa (Mighty Diamond Men) are carved on each panel. The pagoda is located in Kyungju.

    [B/W Photo of stone carvings (bas-relief) of two Kumgang Warriors] Statue of Warrior Kumgang, in Sokkuram cave in Kyungju (7th Century)

4. Koryo Dynasty (918 A.D.--1392)

Koryo Dynasty was founded by Wangkon in 918 A.D. And reunified the Korean peninsula. T'aekyon which was originated from both Koguryo and Shilla developed more systematically in the military society of Koryo. According to history of Koryo, T'aekwondo was recorded as either 'Supak' or 'Supakhee'. It is noticeable that 'Supakhee' is not recorded as a simple physical exercise but as a martial art and, this fact means 'Supakhee' had reached its highest level. 'Supakhee' was popular around the 12th century during the reign of King Uijong (1147-1170). According to the Chinese Bibliography Dictionary it was during King Whijong of Sung Dynasty (1101-1125) that the school of Chang Sambong subdivided into waeka and naeka. According to the history of Myung the great master Oh, Mun-chung was the martial artist of Kingdom of Kum (1114--1234). Judging from these facts presented above one can say that Koryo's 'Supakhee' was systemized almost simultaneously with that of China.

5. Yi Dynasty (1392 A.D.--1910)

Taekwondo was called "Supakhee" during the first half of the Yi Dynasty and as a part of military skill it was systemized to a certain level. Martial arts were as popular as they were during the Koryo Dynasty, and the only difference from other Kingdoms is the fact that martial arts were published in a book form. "Supakhee" was popular only among the military during the Koryo period but during the Yi the art was much more popular among the general public. During this period the Defense Ministry of Yi Dynasty used to recruit soldiers through "Supakhee" competition. Even the slaves of local government learned the skill and held competition among themselves. This means that "Supakhee" was very popular among the people of Yi regardless of their social status. According to Haedong Chukki: "there was a hand-trick called Supyokch'iki and foot-trick was called T'aekkyon respectively." In Chaemulbo, "supak" was recorded as Pyon and Kakryok was referred to as Mu which is similar to present day Taekkyon.

Survey of Bibliography shows:

  • Annals of Chosun Dynasty (King T'aejo), Vol. 19

    • In the year of Muja the Defense Ministry recruits those people who won three opponents in Supakhee competition.

  • Annals of Chosun Dynasty, Vol. 21

    • In the year of T'aejong from spring to autumn, Defense Ministry recruited kapsa warriors through competition of horse riding and archery. Those who were not selected in the aforementioned competition were allowed to participate in the Supak competition to be qualified by winning against 3 opponents.

  • Annals of Chosun Dynasty, Vol. 14

    • In the year of Kyesa King Tanjong went to inspect the farming and granted food and wine to the farmers. When reached Hoewu Pavilion the King after viewing the game of Sujon ordered the royal guards to practice Supak and gave winners prizes accordingly.

  • Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea, Vol. 34

    • Chakji village is located Northern section of the country which is 12 mi from unjinhyun country of Ch'ungch'ong Province. Every year on 15th of July people of both areas get together and held Supakhee competition.

  • Highlights of the book are:
    Chongjo the 22nd King of Yi (1776~1800) in 1776 the year that the King ascended to the throne established Kyujangkak (the Royal Library) to encourage academic research and promote academic publications. In 1789 the 14th year of King Chongjo, Muetobo-t'ongji (Illustrated book on Martial Arts) was published. The 4th volume of the book contains 6 different martial arts such as fist fighting and the use of clubs, etc.

  • In the preface to the book it writes: "...in the mid summer of the 14th year of the King Chongjo..." this quotation indicates that the books was written in the mid summer. The back of the book has seal on it. The seal read: "the treasure of Kyujangkak, the Royal Library".

  • After few pages the book lists titles of 145 reference books. The reference books include mostly Chinese and Japanese books. Only a few Korean books are listed.

    • In volume 4, the section for fist fighting shows some special features of different styles of fist fighting. And there is some prose that is related to the martial art. Included are some postures of fist fighting.

    • Muetobo-t'ongji as presented above is a sort of anthology in which a variety of unarmed combat skills quoted from that of China rather than from Korean sources. Presentation of the books is not very systematic either.

    • Since the compilation took place in the latter part of Yi Dynasty, the book lacks its classical value. Nevertheless the book lists the unarmed combat skills as military art.

As the above historical survey shows, one cannot locate any solid ground on which Taekwondo has been developed systematically. Ever since the second half of the Yi Dynasty, the general social trend was to despise military service and respect civil service, and this is one of the reasons that any type of martial arts did not have opportunities to be developed. Fighting tradition, however, was sustained by a small groups of Ch'onin (Low Class) and Buddhist monks. On the other hand small groups of former Yangbans (Ruling Class) who were politically purged through factional power struggle practiced the martial arts in order to take revenge on their political foes. Korean classic literary works such as the Story of Hong, Kildong (Korean version of Robin Hood) and the Tale of Im, Kkokjong are another evidence that the martial arts were employed by the lower class people to stand against the oppressive ruling class.

2. Taekwondo Today

Taekwondo, after the Korean War, experienced a great chaotic period in which time a great number of Taekwondo organizations came into existence like bamboo shoots after rain and then Taekwondo practitioners came to realize that they needed to found a unified organization. And at the same time the name of Taekwondo was officially adopted in 1954 to represent the sport. On September 16, 1961 the unified Korean organization was renamed to be Taehan Taesu and later on August 5, 1965 adopted the present name of The Korean Taekwondo Federation, and it was affiliated and approved June 20, 1962 as one of the subsidiary organizations of the Korea Amateur Sports Association.

In the 44th National Sports Festival held on October 24, 1963, Taekwondo participated as an exhibition game, and from the 45th National Sports Festival of 1964, Taekwondo was adpoted as an official event. After 1964 several Taekwondo competitions were held such as the President's Award National Competition of October 28, 1966, the Competition of Foreigners Residing in Korea on June 16, 1968, and the Competition for Elementary School Students and Children October 24, 1970. Beginning in1974, the college division, which had been a part of the general competition category of the Federation since 1963, was capable of sponsoring its own college division competition.

Taekwondo became increasingly popular domestically and eventually drew world-wide attention. Both the Korean military and the National Police Force adopted Taekwondo as their regular training curriculum for martial art and this trend was even extended to students of all levels. The number of the Taekwondo population amounted to five million among which 2.5 million earned variety of grades and subsequently more than 5,000 qualified instructors were dispatched to 129 countries and trained 25 million students. Taekwondo has played a great role in enhancing national prestige and has helped to promote international friendship.

Korea has been sponsoring World-wide Competition biannually and Korea won the championship 11 consecutive times up to August 1993 and it helped to enhance the national pride of being a host country of Taekwondo. Additionally, since 1974 The Asian Taekwondo Championship competition has been held every two years and other regional competitions are held worldwide, and in 1981 the Korea Taekwondo Federation participated in the 1st World Competition, held in Santa Clara, USA in 1981.

 

 

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