Introduction to Tae Kwan Do
Taekwondo has evolved by combining many different styles
of martial arts that existed in Korea over the last 2,000 years and some
martial arts styles from countries that surround Korea. Taekwondo
incorporates the abrupt linear movements of Karate and the flowing, circular
patterns of Kung-fu with native kicking techniques. However, Taekwondo is
famed for its use of kicking techniques, which distinguishes it from martial
arts such as Karate or southern styles of Kung fu. The rationale is that the
leg is the longest and strongest weapon a martial artist has, and kicks thus
have the greatest potential to execute powerful strikes without successful
retaliation. One defining kick of Taekwondo is the Back Kick which is
usually exclusive to Taekwondo.
The name Taekwondo, however, has only been used since 1957 while the arts'
roots began 2,300 years ago in Korea. Known as a martial art and way of
life, the evolution of Taekwondo was a direct result of the happenings in
Korea long ago, and knowledge of the history is an important step in
understanding Taekwondo. The earliest records of Taekwondo practice date
back to about 50 B.C. During this time, Korea was divided into three
kingdoms: Silla, founded on the Kyongju plain in 57 B.C.; Koguryo, founded
in the Yalu River Valley in 37 B.C.; and Paekje, founded in the southwestern
area of the Korean peninsula in 18 B.C. Archeological findings during these
times, such as the mural paintings on the royal tombs during the Koguryo
period, stone sculptures at pagodas during the Silla period and documents
written in the Paekje period, show techniques and fighting stances that were
probably the first forms of Taekwondo. The paintings from this period, which
have been found on the ceiling of the Muyong-chong, a royal tomb from the
Koguryo dynasty, show unarmed people using techniques that are very similar
to the ones used by Taekwondo today.
Silla unified the kingdoms after winning the war against Paekje in 660 A.D.
and Koguryo in 668 A.D. The Hwa Rang Do, an elite group of young noble men,
played an important role at this unification. They devoted to cultivating
mind and body and served the kingdom Silla. The HwaRang Do had an honor-code
and practiced various forms of martial arts, including Taekyon and Soo Bakh
Do. The old honor-code of the HwaRang is the philosophical background of
modern Taekwondo. The honor- codes are:
1. Be loyal to your king
2. Be obedient to your parents
3. Have honor and faith among friends
4. Have perseverance in battle
5. Justice never to take a life without cause
What followed was a time of peace. In 936 A.D. Wang Kon founded the Koryo
dynasty, an abbreviation of Koguryo. The name Korea is derived from Koryo.
The Koryo Dynasty was a time for growth and development in the martial arts.
During this time unarmed combat gained its greatest popularity. Martial arts
were on an upswing and even new styles began to appear. One such style was
TaeKyon(also called Subak), which was considered the earliest known form of
Taekwondo. Tae Kyon involved many more and new kicking techniques and was
designed as more of a fighting sport than a discipline.
Modern-day Taekwondo is influenced by many other Martial Arts. The most
important of these arts is Japanese Karate. This is because Japan dominated
Korea during 1910 until the end of World War II. During WWII, lots of Korean
soldiers were trained in Japan. The influences that Japan has given to
Taekwondo are the quick, linear movements that characterize the various
Japanese systems.
Within Korea there were five major martial art academies or Kwans. They were
called Mooduk Kwan, Jido Kwan, Changmu Kwan, Chungdo Kwan, and Songmu Kwan.
The way of teaching and employing many of the techniques varied as much as
the schools. The Kwans united in 1955 as Tae Soo Do. In the beginning of
1957, the name Taekwondo was adopted by several Korean martial arts masters,
for its similarity to the name TaeKyon.
Taekwondo today is just as exciting as ever. Taekwondo, under the leadership
of the World Taekwondo Federation has grown into an international art and
sport practiced in over 190 counties worldwide.
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