I. INTRODUCTION

II. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF TAEKWONDO

III. TAEKWONDO PRACTICE

IV. TAEKWONDO POOMSAE 

I. INTRODUCTION

Taekwondo is the name of the martial art turned modern international sport which has been independently developed over about 20 centuries in Korea. The main feature of Taekwondo is that it is a free-fighting combat sport using bare hands and feet to repel an opponent.

All of its activities are based on defensive spirit since Taekwondo was developed as a defence against enemy attacks. In old days people living simple lives lacked physical fitness and their bodies became bent in their old age. Taekwondo also served to improve health, physical fitness and poise of the people practising it.

Our belief is that Taekwondo-trained men are self confident, not only in physical aspects but also in their mental discipline, because they have developed superior techniques for personal defence by using their entire bodies. For a Taekwondo man, his entire body is a weapon, and he is easily able to attack and beat off an aggressor with hands, fists, elbows, knees, feet or any other part of his body.

The most important fact about Taekwondo as a martial art sport is that it is not only a superior art of self-defence, but it adds remarkable bon sens to its practitioners. Self-confidence makes people generous in their attitudes toward weaker people. They can stand equally against any opponent, but their code forbids unfair assaults or unnecessary use of force. The practice of Taekwondo gives an individual the mental attitude of modesty. The virtues of modesty and generosity are fundamentally based on self-confidence.

It is obvious that healthy bodies make men active and powerful. Such mental and physical self-confidence are beneficial to the mental life of individuals as to their families, neighbours and their nation.

In recent years, Taekwondo has become a modern amateur sport. It has become a modern world sport with tradition and spirit of martial science maintained. It was incorporated into regular curriculum of primary schools through colleges. It became an integral part of training in the military. Taekwondo has become a major entry in the annual athletic meet. Constitution, rules, regulations, and promotion test rules were all developed to meet requirements as international amateur sport. As a martial art sport, Taekwondo has become an official sport of 2000 Sydney Olympic Games after participating in 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games as a demonstration sport.

II. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF TAEKWONDO

People in primitive ages, no matter where they lived, had to develop personal skills to fight in order to obtain their food and to defend themselves against their enemies, including wild animals.

They also had to invent weapons for more effective defence and easier subsistence. However, even after they learned to use weapons, they never stopped their efforts to promote the development of their bodies and minds by practising various games, especially in the form of religious rites.

A GLIMPSE OF THE KOGURYO DYNASTY

The Korean ancestors who settled in several tribal states in this land after the neolithic age had many of such activities. Yongko in Puyo state, Tongmaeng in Koguryo, Muchon in Ye and Mahan, and Kabi in the Silla dynasty are some of the striking examples of the "sports activities" which ancient Koreans practised in their religious rites. These eventually were developed into exercises to improve health or martial abilities.

The long experience of ancient people in defending themselves against the attacks of animals as well as their imitation of the defensive and offensive positions assumed by the animals slowly led the people to develop more effective skills of their own in the use of their hands in fighting, thus creating a primitive form of Taekyon (an old name of Taekwondo).

The origin of Taekwondo in this country can be traced back to the Koguryo dynasty, founded 37 BC since mural paintings found in the ruins of the royal tombs built by that dynasty show scenes of Taekwondo practice. Muyong-chong and Kakshu-chong are two royal tombs built in the Koguryo dynasty, which were discovered by a group of archaeologists in 1935. They were located in Tungku, Chain county, Tunghua province in Manchuria, where Koguryo had its capital in Hwando province.

The ceiling of the Muyong-chong carried a painting depicting two men facing each other in Taekwondo practice, while the mural paintings of Kakchu-chong show two men wrestling. In reference to this particular painting, Tatashi Saito, a Japanese historian, in the "Study of Culture in Ancient Korea," says:

'The painting either shows us that the person buried in the tomb practised Taekwondo while he was alive or it tells us that people practised it, along with dancing and singing, for the purpose of consoling the soul of the dead."

The construction of the above two tombs dates back to the period between 3 AD and 427 AD, during which, historians say, Hwando province remained the capital of Koguryo. It can therefore be inferred that Koguryo people started practising Taekwondo during that period.

HWARANGDO OF THE SILLA DYNASTY

Taekwondo was also practised during the Silla dynasty. Silla was a kingdom founded in the southeastern part of the land some 20 years before Koguryo in the north. At Kyongju, the ancient capital of Silla, two Buddhist images are inscribed on the inner walls of Sokkuram cave in Pulkuk-sa Temple. These two 'Diamond warriors', protecting Buddhism from devils, take Taekwondo stances.

Silla was famous for its Hwarang. Korean culture and martial arts of the period were strongly influenced and enriched by the Hwarangdo, a military, educational and social organisation and noble youths of the Silla dynasty. The code of honour on which the Hwarang was based was loyalty to the nation, respect and obedience to one's parents, faithfulness to one's friends, courage in battle and avoidance of unnecessary violence and killing.

The influence of the Hwarangdo played an important role in unifying the three kingdoms.

Many scattered descriptions in written documents of the three kingdoms such as the Samguk Yusa, the oldest document of Korean history, show that Hwarang do not only regarded the Taekwondo practice for their unarmed combat study as an essential part of physical and military training, but also recommended it as a recreational activity.

Archaeological findings such as mural paintings on the royal tombs of the Koguryo dynasty, the stone sculptures of pagodas of temples produced during the Silla period, and many scattered descriptions in written documents show that many studies of fighting stances, skills and formalised movements closely resemble the present stances and forms of Taekwondo. Therefore, it can be inferred that people in the three kingdoms practised an art very like the one we study today.

SUBAK IN THE PERIOD OF KORYO AND CHOSUN DYNASTIES

In the history of Koryo, Taekwondo which was then termed "Subak" was practised not only as a skill to improve health and as a sport activity but it was also encouraged as a martial art of considerably high value.

Here are a few extracts from the historical record of Koryo that testify to the popularity of Taekwondo as a martial art.

"King Uijong admired the excellence of Chosun Ui-min in Subak and promoted him from Taejong(military rank)to Pyolchang."

'The king appeared at the Sang-chun Pavilion and watched Subak contests."

"The king watched Subak contest at Hwa-bi Place."

"The king came to Ma-am and watched Subak contests."

These records indicate that Subak in the Koryo dynasty was also practised as an organised sport for spectators.

Subak is believed to have gained its highest popularity during the reign of King Uijong, between 1,147 and 1,170 A.D. This period roughly corresponds to the era that includes part of the Chinese Song and Ming dynasties, during which the Chinese "Kungfu" became widely popular after this self-defence art was developed into two advanced systems, namely Neikya and Weikya. These two systems differ chiefly in that the one employs more defensive skills and the other more offensive skills.

The above fact is worth noticing as it further shows that Taekwondo is not only of a pure Korean origin but it has achieved independent development throughout the long history of Korea.

What is very important about Subak in the Chosun dynasty is that there was a book published to teach the game as a martial art and that it became more popular among the general public whereas earlier it had been to a certain degree monopolised by the military in the preceding Koryo dynasty.

A historical record indicates that people from both Chungchong and Cholla provinces once gathered at the village of Chakji located along the provincial boundary to compete in Subak. This record supports the motion that Subak played an important role as a popular sport activity of the people in the dynasty.

Furthermore, people who aspired to be employed by the military department of the royal government were eager to learn Subak because it was included as one of the major subjects of the test to be taken by the applicants.

Meanwhile, King Chongjo published "Muye Dobo Tongji," an illustrated textbook on martial arts, which included Taekwondo as one of the major chapters.

It is obvious, therefore, that Subak became an important national sport and attracted much attention from both the royal court and the general public during the Chosun dynasty.

However, in the latter half of the Chosun dynasty, the importance of Subak as a martial art began to decline due to negligence of the royal court, which was constantly disturbed by strife between feuding political factions. As a result, Subak remained merely as a recreational activity for ordinary people.

TODAY

Taekwondo in the first half of the 20th century:

Along with the deterioration of national fortunes, the fall of the military was accelerated by the dismantling of the army; finally Japanese imperialists colonised Korea through an oppressive forceful invasion.

The oppression of the Korean people by theJapanese imperialists worsened, and the practising of martial arts, which could have been used as a means of revolt, was forbidden.

However, Taekwondo persisted in the spirit of the Korean people as a physical and spiritual training method of anti-Japanese organisations such as the Indepedence Army and the Liberation Army, and as a legacy which had to pass on to the younger generation.

After liberation from the Japanese invasion-1970s:

After liberation from the Japanese invasion on August 15, 1945, those with an aspiration to revitalise the traditional art of Taekwondo taught their followers, and at last, on September 16, 1961, the Korea Taekwondo Association was established. On February 25, 1962, the Korea Taekwondo Association became the 27th affiliate to join the Korea Amateur Sports Association. On October 9, 1963, Taekwondo became an official event for the first time in the 44th National Athletic Meet. Its great leaps in the development of competition rules and protective equipment started with the 1963 National Athletic Meet 32 years ago.

Korean instructors began going abroad to teach Taekwondo in the 1960s, which could be called a turning point in the history of Taekwondo. Taekwondo made its way to the world sport through the 1st World Taekwondo Championships held in Seoul, Korea in May 1973 with participation of 19 countries. At the Seoul meet held on May 28, 1973 on the occasion of the championships, representatives of those countries established the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) .

1980-1995:

Presently, member countries of the WTF total 152 (as of 26 February 1999) and the global Taekwondo population are estimated at 30 million people. Spurred by the recognition of Taekwondo by the IOC at its 83rd General Session in 1980, Taekwondo has been rapidly becoming an international sport. It was adopted as a demonstration sport of the 24th Seoul Olympics in 1988 and the 25th Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

Taekwondo was adopted as an official sport of 2000 Sydney Olympic Games at the 103rd Session of the IOC held in Parish France on September 4, 1994.

Taekwondo has consolidated its position in the world sport as fast as any other martial art sport. Besides in continental championships hosted by four member regional unions of the WTF as well as in the World and Women's World Championships, World Cup Taekwondo, CISM Taekwondo Championships and FISU World University Championships, Taekwondo is being played as an official sport in most international multi-sport games such as World Games, Pan American Games, All Africa Games, Southeast Asian Games and Central American Games.

REFERENCES TO THE CHINESE KUNGFU AND THE JAPANESE KARATE

Some people believe that Korean Taekwondo was originated from Kungfu, the Chinese self-defence art. According to a Chinese document, the Chinese art of self-defence is believed to have been initiated as a sort of physical exercise when the Bodhi Dharma taught the monks of Hsiaolin Temple in Tungpung County, Honan Province, China.

Bodhi Dharma, a great Indian Buddhist Zen master, came to China in 520 AD and spent nine years at Hsiaolin Temple where he introduced the art of self-defence.

However, if we recall that the mural paintings of Taekwondo in the ancient tombs of Koguryo belong to the period 3 AD to 427 AD, it cannot be said that the Korean Taekwondo owes its origin to the Chinese Kungfu.

No detailed record is available when Karate, the Japanese self-defence art equivalent to Taekwondo, was initiated. There are two-fold explanations about it. One explanation is that a Chinese named Chen Yuanpin, who lived in the late Ming dynasty, was naturalised as a Japanese and imparted the Chinese "Kungfu" to the Japanese people. The other explanation says that Karate is a developed form of "Okinawate," a self-defence art indigenous to Okinawa.

However when the Okinawate itself began is not known either. In order to trace the origin of Okinawate, we might rely on "The Historical Record of Chosun (another name for the Yi dynasty)" which only says that envoys from the Ryukyu Island made frequent visits to bring tribute to the Kings of Chosun.

At that time in Korea, "Subak", an old name of Taekwondo, has gained great popularity among the people, and therefore it is not unlikely that the envoys from Okinawa learned that game and introduced to their people.

This speculation is not too absurd when we recall the fact that "Nul", the Korean see-saw, was also adopted by the people of Okinawa from Korea.

It may be concluded that the Japanese Karate, in turn, derives from Taekyon or Subak, the primitive form of Taekwondo.

Taekwondo retained its popularity after the Koguryo and Silla dynasties through the Koryo dynasty, that was founded in 918 AD, and continued for 475 years, and through the Chosun dynasty.

III. TAEKWONDO PRACTICE

Taekwondo training

Poomsae, Kyukpa and Kyoruki are three components of Taekwondo practice. Poomsae is a line of movements based on the traditional Oriental ideas involved in the name of each Poomsae. Practitioners can learn defensive and offensive techniques against an imaginary opponent through practice of Poomsae from easy to complex, difficult ones.

Kyukpa means breaking. Practitioners can measure their precision of Taekwondo training by breaking solid objects such as planks, bricks and roof tiles with hands, fists, elbows and feet as body weapons.

Kyoruki is the actual sparring between two people with defensive and offensive techniques they have acquired through Poomsae practice. There are two different kinds of Kyoruki according to restrictions on techniques performed.

Uniform and belt

Only uniform and a flat surface mat are needed for Taekwondo training.

Taekwondo uniform (Dobok) is neither expensive nor luxurious. It is designed to fit for free body actions. It is believed that the white colour of Dobok signifies purity and origin of all colours. Belts are black, red/black, red, blue, green, yellow and white with these colours designating the degree of Taekwondo proficiency.

The white belt is for beginners, holders of 9th and 10th Keup and the yellow one is worn by 7th and 8th Keup holders. The green belt is used by 5th and 6th Keup graders and the blue one by 3rd and 4th Keup holders. The red belt is worn by the 1st and 2nd Keup holders. The black belt is for Taekwondo experts who hold Dan grades ranging from 1st to 10th Dan. The red/black belt is for those holding 1st through 3rd Poom in the junior division.

IV. TAEKWONDO POOMSAE

Taekwondo Poomsae is meant by a "Form" in which a self-practice is devised to be performed in following the lines of movement in a systematic and consecutive way against an imaginary opponent or multi-opponents by using various Taekwondo technics of hand and foot.

Through practising Taekwondo Poomsae, we can apply the technics of hand and foot and the changes of stance learned from the basic technics adaptable to actual fighting . It also provides us with the effects on improving flexibility of body and being skilled in strength control, balance control, breath control, eye control and concentration of spirit, as well as cultivating martial art spirit through its mental discipline.

A Taekwondo 'Poomsae ' comprises various stance, each with its peculiar nature but each blending into the other. A 'Poomsae' consists of about two dozen stances interconnected. Blocking, punching, striking, thrusting and kicking are among Teakwondo Poomsae, and these are properly carried out with hands, fists and feet to the vital sport of the body or target at which they are aimed, and the stances accordingly change forward stance, back stance, cat stance and horseriding stance, etc. as the situation requires. Most typical 'Poomsae' are Palgwe I-VIII, Taeguk I-VIII, Koryo, Kumgang, Taebak, Pyongwon, Shipjin, Jitae, Chunkwon, Hansoo and Ilyeo.

Meaning of each Poomsae:

TAEGUK: This represents the most profound oriental philosophy from which philosophical views on the world, cosmos and life are derived. The Taeguk Poomsae consists of different movements in sequence. The vital points of this Poomsae are to make exact the speed of breath and action and move the body weight properly while executing speedy actions. Thus we can fully realise the main thought of Taeguk.

PALGWE: Supplementary Training. The thought of Palgwe, another concept of the ancient Oriental philosophy, implies symbolically all the phenomena of man and universe.

KORYO: Koryo is the name of an ancient dynasty in the Korean peninsula. The English name of "Korea" originated from the name of this "Koryo" dynasty with which was famed for the valiant spirit of its people which they defeated the Mongolian aggression. Koryo Poomsae is based on sprit of Sonbae(Sonbi) which was inherited from Koguryo to Balhae and to Koryo. Sonbae means strong martial art and honest spirit of scholars.

KUMGANG: The word "Kumgang '' has originally the meaning of being too strong to be broken. Also in Buddhism, what can break off every agony of mind with combination of wisdom and virtue is called "Kumgang". The Poomsae "Kumgang" is named after Mount Kumgang, symbol of solidity. "Kumgang" is also analogous of "diamond".

TAEBACK: "Taeback" is the ancient name of Mount Paekdu where the legendary Tangun founded a nation for the first time in the Korean peninsula 4,329 years ago on Tangun calendar(1996 AD = 4329 Tangun year). Poomsae "Taeback" takes its principles of movement from the word "Taeback" which means being looked up to as sacred.

PYONGWON: "Pyongwon" is meant by 'vast plain'. The plain is a source of sustaining the human life and, on the other hand, a great open plain stretching out endlessly gives us a feeling of majesty that is different from what we feel with a mountain or the sea. An application of the providence of the plain which is blessed with abundance and grace as well as boundless vastness into the practice of Taekwondo is Poomse Pyongwon(plain) .

SHIPJIN: Shipjin has the meaning of 'decimal system' which stands for a symbolical figure of 10 meaning endless development and growth in a systematic order. In Poomse Shipjin, stability is sought in every change of movements.

JITAE: According to the oriental belief, all living things come from and return to the earth (Jitae is derived from the meaning of the earth). The earth is indeed the origin and terminal of life. Living things as well as all the natural phenomena of the earth originate mainly from the changes and the form of the earth. Poomsae "Jitae" is the movement which applies these features of the earth.

CHUNKWON: "Chunkwon" signifies the sky. From ancient times the orientals have always believed and worshipped the sky as ruler of the universe and human beings. The infinitely vast sky may be a mysterious and profound world of imagination in the eyes of finite human beings. Poomsae Chunkwon is composed of the motions which are full of piety and vitality.

HANSOO: Poomsae "Hansoo" derived from the word 'water' is typical with its fluidity and adaptability as manifested in the nature of water.

LYEO: "Ilyeo" signifies oneness. In Buddhism the state of spiritual cultivation is said to be "Ilyeo"(oneness), in which body and mind, I (subject) and you (object), spirit and substance are unified into oneness. The ultimate ideal of Taekwondo lies in this state of Ilyeo. The final goal Taekwondo pursues is indeed a discipline in which we concentrate attention on every movement, shaking off all worldly thoughts and obsessions.