Tae Kwon Do "The Power Of Kicking and Punching"
| Master Miguel A. Lind 7th Dan USNTF President And Founder Of WWTHF |
| Master Amador 5th Dan Member Of The WWTHF And Student Of Master Miguel A Lind In Full Split |
World Wide Tae Kwon Do & Hap Ki Do Federation
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ANCIENT TIMES
Since prehistoric times mankind has sought to
develop ways of defending himself against
aggression, either from other tribes or from wild
animals. Despite developing weapons to assist in
the gathering of food and self-defence, the people
of ancient Korea continued to develop their minds
and bodies through recreational games and
competitions. The earliest known records of
Korean life date back to 2333BC and mention
music, dance, and games played at tribal
festivals.
The Korean nation was founded by tribes that
migrated southwards from Mongolia into the
peninsula known today as Korea. The
development of the Korean nation progressed
through distinct dynasties: Koguryo, Baekje,
Shilla, Koryo, and Yi. Three of these dynasties
existed simultaneously in different areas of Korea
and this is known as the 'Period of Three
Kingdoms'. The dynasties were:
Koguryo (37BC ~ 668AD) existed in the northern
part of the peninsula and stretched into the
southern and western parts of Manchuria;
Baekje (18BC ~ 660AD) spread around the Han
river basin in the central and western parts of the
peninsula; and
Shilla (57BC ~ 936 AD) covered the south and
eastern parts of the Korean peninsula. By
defeating the Koguryo and Baekje dynasties it
was the Shilla dynasty that succeeded in unifying
the nation into one state in 668AD.
During this period the common style of dress
consisted of loose trousers and a jacket held
together with a belt tied around the mid-section.
The style was similar to the Taekwondo and judo
uniforms of today, and was commonplace
throughout the three kingdoms. In the kingdom of
Baekje the military officers wore different coloured
belts to indicate their rank, and in Shilla they also
wore coloured trim on their lapels as an additional
indication of rank.
THE PERIOD OF THREE KINGDOMS
Koguryo (37BC ~ 668AD) Because Koguryo was
bordered to the north by hostile tribes the
kingdom organised a strong warrior corps and
these were known as "sonbae". The "sonbae"
lived in groups, studied history and literary arts,
and were known for their virtue and bravery. The
"sonbae" provided Koguryo with a basis for
military strength and political leadership. During
these early times Taekwondo was known in this
area by the name "Subak" and historical records
confirm that Subak (Taekwondo) contests were
held at various festivals and rituals of the day.
The earliest recorded evidence of martial arts in
Korea appear in the ceiling murals of the
Muyong-Chong burial tomb discovered in 1935.
This tomb was excavated in the ancient Koguryo
capital of Tungku. Because Tungku was the
capital only until 427AD we can be sure that this
tomb was constructed between 3AD ~ 427AD.
The murals on the ceiling of the tomb show two
men practicing an early form of Taekwondo and
other decorations. Other tombs in the area
contain murals with similar images. In the
Sambo-chong tomb can be seen a picture of a
man wearing a costume similar to today's
Taekwondo uniform - loose trousers and a jacket
held together with a belt tied around the
mid-section - in a stance characteristic of
Taekwondo with one hand blocking high and the
other low.
The fact that these figures appear in such tomb
paintings testifies to Taekwondo being well
established during this time and to it being a
popular activity. The various murals also show
that the practice of the early forms of Taekwondo
was not limited to noblemen or warriors but was
also practiced by peasants and farmers.
Baekje (18BC ~ 660AD) Historical records such
as the "History of the Three Kingdoms" and the
"Sui China Chronicles" refer to the various Kings
of Baekje patronising the martial arts of
Taekwondo and Sirum (a traditional Korean style
of wrestling) and sports such as horse-riding and
archery. Other records such as folk stories of the
time support these records with tales of provincial
contests which included early forms of
Taekwondo.
Shilla (57BC ~ 935AD) At the outset Shilla was
the weakest in military terms of the three
kingdoms but as Baekje grew in the west, and
Koguryo began attacking from the north it
became necessary to establish a strong military
based on the martial arts. The result was
Hwarangdo - a warrior code based on high moral
standards similar to the Sonbae of Koguryo. As in
other areas of Korea at the time, Hwarangdo
contests were often held during festivals.
Hwarangdo ultimately became the basis of
Shillas' military power thereby enabling Shilla in
the 7th century to conquer first the Baekje, and
then the Koguryo kingdoms, and unify the ancient
Korean nation in 668AD.
The Hwarang warriors followed and upheld a
number of ethical values, never using their
martial skills without good and proper reason,
and promoting charity, generosity, compassion
and other humanitarian ideals. The main
principles they followed were:
Loyalty to one's country
Obedience to one's parents
Loyalty to one's friends
Refusal to retreat from enemy attack
Abstention from the senseless killing of any living
thing
At the entrance to the Sokguram Grotto in the
Bulguksa temple in Kyongju there are stone
carvings of two warriors in Taekwondo style
stances performing techniques remarkably
similar to Taekwondo techniques of today.
They are known as the "Keumgang Yoksa" - The
Mightiest of Warriors. In Taekwondo training
today the Keumgang Poomsae performed by 2nd
Dan Black Belts takes its' name from these
warriors.
KORYO DYNASTY (918AD ~ 1392AD)
It was the Koryo dynasty that ascended after
Shilla and again brought unity to the Korean
nation. It is after this dynasty that the Black Belt
Poomsae "Koryo" is named. During this period
the development of the martial art known today as
Taekwondo became more systematised and was
made a compulsory requirement for selection and
training in the military. In fact good skill in the
martial arts and success during competitions
enabled soldiers to advance their rank.
Historical records indicate that the format and
judgement of such contests became fairly
standardised with elements of sparring (kyorugi)
and breaking (kyokpa) competition. Many
examples exist in historical documents that tell of
impressive feats of skill and strength during such
competitions. The kings of Koryo dynasty showed
great interest in Taekwondo, encouraging its'
development and supporting the contests.
Consequently Taekwondo became popular
among the general population also. However, as
the military became more reliant on gunpowder
and new weapons, the support for this early form
of Taekwondo subsided and the martial art
maintained its' existence through the contests
and games held by the general populace
between villages and provinces.
CHOSUN (or YI) DYNASTY (1392AD ~ 1910AD)
In addition to the lessening by the military in
Taekwondo, or Subak as it was known then, the
martial suffered further loss of support as a result
of a change in ideology throughout Korea. Earlier
dynasties, particularly Shilla and Koryo, had been
heavily influenced with Buddhist philosophies,
however the Chosun dynasty was founded on the
ideologies of Confucianism. As a result more
importance was placed on the literary arts and
Taekwondo (Subak) contests at public festivals
reduced in number.
Although interest by the military had lessened, it
had not diminished, and records indicate that a
requirement for becoming a soldier was to win at
least three bouts of Taekwondo against different
opponents. In 1592 the Japanese attempted to
invade Korea and records of the invasion show
that 700 soldiers of the Gumsan region fought the
Japanese using Taekwondo (Subak).
For some time afterwards Taekwondo and other
martial arts enjoyed renewed popularity by both
the military and general populace. In 1790 King
Chongjo commissioned the printing of a martial
arts textbook whose 4th chapter entitled "Hand
Fighting Techniques" contained illustrations of 38
motions that closely resemble techniques and
stances of today's Taekwondo.
Towards the end of the Chosun dynasty
Taekwondo (Subak) again lost some of its
popularity mainly with the royal court. It is
believed this was due to feuding and power
struggles between the royal houses which
required them to devote greater time to political
matters. However, Taekwondo still remained a
popular recreational past-time among the general
populace.
JAPANESE COLONISATION OF KOREA
(1910AD ~ 1945AD)
Following a long term plan of increased financial
and political influence resulting in various
agreements to manage Korean affairs the
Japanese government finally gained complete
control over Korea on August 22, 1910, with the
signing of the annexation treaty by the then Prime
Minister. All of this happened without the
approval of the Korean people and it was fully a
week after the treaty was signed that King
Sunjong was forced to issue a proclamation
yielding up both his throne and his country.
The main reason Japan had annexed Korea was
to enhance the prosperity of the Japanese
people, and in later years serve as a springboard
for Japan's invasion of China.
In the following years Japanese colonial rule
tightened its' grip on the Korean economy and the
people. Japanese businesses were given
preferential treatment and took advantage of
Korea's natural resources. Local Korean customs,
particularly the practice and teaching of any form
of martial arts were banned although many still
practiced Taekwondo in secret.
During this period the Japanese took some of the
Korean Masters to Japan and made them teach
techniques to the Japanese military. In this way a
number of Taekwondo techniques were
introduced and incorporated into the Japanese
martial art of Karate. Later, in 1943, after
suppressing Korea's own martial art, the
Japanese introduced Karate to Korea and allowed
the teaching and practice of this martial art to the
Korean people.
Following the end of the second World War,
Japan also, at last surrendered unconditionally
and on August 15, 1945, Korea was finally
liberated from Japanese colonial rule.
MODERN TIMES
Because of the suddenness of Korea's liberation
from the harsh rule of Japan the people were
unprepared for immediate self government.
Divisions of ideology existed between
pro-democratic and pro-Communist groups. The
then Soviet Union invaded Korea from the north
and this was followed by U.S. forces landing at
Inchon and stationing troops throughout Seoul
and the southern half of the peninsula. Thus the
country became divided.
Many Koreans tried to revitalise interest in the
traditional martial art of Subak (Taekwondo) and
in 1946 a conference was held to discuss the
development of the art and the integration of the
various 'kwans' or schools.
Taekwondo gymnasiums (dojangs) began
opening throughout Korea and once again the
martial art found popularity. The Korean
Taekwondo Association was officially formed in
1961 and many Masters traveled to foreign
countries in order to promote Taekwondo
internationally.
Since then the WTF has held a World
Championships every two years, and regional
championships in the Asian, Pan-American,
European, and African regions every alternate
year.
After appearing as a demonstration sport at the
1988 Olympics in Seoul, and the 1992 Olympics
in Barcelona, Taekwondo was accepted as an
official Olympic sport in September 1994 and
makes its' debut as an official sport at the 2000
Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
