History of Taekwondo

(tae kwon–do yoksa)

Approximately 1300 years ago, (during the 6th century A.D.) the Korean peninsula was divided into three kingdoms: Silla, Koguryo, and Baekje, the smallest of these kingdoms, was constantly under invasion and harassment by its two more powerful northern and western neighbors. During the reign of Chin Heung, twenty–fourth King of Silla, the young aristocrats and warrior class formed an elite officer corps call Hwa–Rang (flowering knights). This warrior corps – 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. To harden their bodies, they climbed rugged mountains, swam the turbulent rivers in the coldest months, and drove themselves unmercifully to prepare for the task of defending their homeland. To guide themselves and give purpose to their knighthood, they incorporated a five–point code of conduct set forth by their country’s greatest Buddhist monk and scholar, Wong Kang:

Be loyal to your king
Be obedient to your parents
Be honorable to your friends
Never retreat in battle
Make a just kill

The Hwa–Rang became know in the peninsula for their courage and skill in battle, gaining respect from even their bitterest foes. The strength they derived from their respect to their code enabled them to attain feats of valor that became legendary. Many of these brave young warriors died on fields of battle in the threshold of their youth – as young as fourteen or fifteen years of age. Through their feats, however, they inspired the people of Silla to rise and unite. From the victories of Silla, the Korean Peninsula united for the first time in its history.

There is historical evidence to document the existence of a form of hand, and foot fighting during his period, in both Silla and Koguryo. Some of the postures resemble Taek Kyon (form of foot fighting) and jujitsu techniques. During the period of Hwa–Rang, the original primitive art of hand fighting called Soo Bahk was popular amount the common people of Koguryo. The people had a high regard for Soo Bahk. During the Don–O festivals (on the 5th of May of the lunar calendar) and mid–autumn festivals (August 15th of the lunar calendar), competition of Soo Bahk was held along with games of Korean wrestling, tug–of–war, Taek Kyon, hopping contests, and Jeki–Chagi.

It appears that the warriors of Hwa–Rang added a new dimension to this national art of foot fighting by gearing it to a combative art and infusing the principles of the Hwa–Rang. The new mental concept as well as the physical elevated foot fighting to an art and it became Soo Bahk Gi.

While pursuing historical documents relating to the martial arts in Korea, it was discovered, that the Third King of the Yi Dynasty (1401–1408) actively recruited experts in Taek Kyon, Sirum (Korean wrestling), stone throwing, archery, and Soo Bahk Gi to help in organizing a strong army.

Taek Kyon in the Koryo dynasty: In another interesting study, Dr. An Ja San has stated in his book of ancient Korea, “Chosun Moo Sa Yongoong Jun”, the biography of Korean warriors, that the Yoo Sul School (which could now be considered jujitsu) was known under the name of Soo Bahk Gi or Taek Kyon. Annually during the month of May, the King of Chosun held a match of this form of unarmed combat at Kak Chon Pavilion on Ma Am Mountain. The winner of this contest was awarded a prestigious government post. The King also made the contest compulsory for all soldiers. Three of the winners of this annual contest – Lee Ye Min, Jang Joong Boo, and Sa Kyang Sung – eventually became leading generals during the Koryo Dynasty. It appears that the King held more than a passing interest in the art.

Certainly, the Silla and Koryo marked a flowering of the martial arts in Korea. Soon after, however, the dynasties acquired an anti–military posture. Though this began a period of civil enlightenment, anything dealing with the military was debased. By the end of the Yi Dynasty, the martial arts appeared to have ceased existing. The final blow came with the Japanese occupation (1905–1945), when it was forbidden to practice any of the martial arts. Taek Kyon was secretly practiced by some dedicated stalwarts and passed on to a handful of students. Proponents of the art, such as Soon Duk Ki and Han Il Dong, managed to keep the art alive.

With the liberation of Korea in 1945, the new Republic of Korea Armed Forces was organized in January 15, 1946. A young Second Lieutenant, Choi Hong Hi, recently released from a Japanese prison camp, began teaching his martial arts to some of his soldiers. The rest, of course, is history, resulting in what is today known throughout the world as Taekwondo.

In 1955, the name Taekwondo was chosen as the new name of the national martial art by a board of instructors, historians, and other prominent persons. The name was selected for its apt description of the art: Tae (foot), Kwon (fist), Do (art). Not only did this new name bear a close similarity to the ancient name of Taek Kyon, but also the name gave a new sense of nationalism to the art, whereas the prevalent names of Tang Soo connoted Chinese hand.

The years of research and development by General Choi resulted in the Chang Hun style (pen name for General Choi) of Taekwondo. However, this style is primarily based on Taek Kyon, Soo Bahk, and karate techniques, a myriad of techniques have been added, especially in the variety of hand techniques and perfection of foot techniques. The Chang Hun style is based on twenty–four patterns, each perfected and polished by General Choi Hong Hi and his colleagues, from the white belt pattern Chong–Ji, to the highest form, Tong–Il.

After 1300 years, the Korean martial art has reached full maturity and has spread from a small band of aristocratic warriors to practitioners in almost ever country in the world with millions of students. The combination of the old classical techniques and new modifications has resulted in a form of self–defense and mental conditioning unrivaled in the modern world.