3. 인간병기훈련: 해병대 무적도 군사특공무술 (절권도 군사특공무술)의 역사 와 철학


절권도 군사특공무술의 역사

 국공 내전(중국어 정체: 國共内戰, 간체: 国共内战, 병음: guógòng neìzhàn, 영어: Chinese Civil War)은 20세기의 중화민국에서 중국 국민당과 중국 공산당 사이에 일어난 내전을 말한다.중화인민공화국에서는 이 내전을 혁명으로 정당화하기 위해 해방전쟁으로도 부른다. 1927년에서 1936년에 걸친 충돌을 제1차 국공 내전, 1946년부터 1949년에 걸친 충돌을 제2차 국공 내전으로 구분한다. 결국 중국 대륙에 마오쩌둥을 수반으로 한 중국 공산당의 중화인민공화국이 수립되었으며, 장제스를 수반으로 한 중국 국민당의 중화민국은 타이완(臺灣, 대만)으로 패퇴하였다.

당시 김일성은 중국공산당을 등에 업고 만주에다 조선인민공산당을 조직 만주군관학교를 설립하여 북괴공산군 간부들을 배출하면서 전쟁 준비를 한것이다.

이에 미국은 쏘련과의 비밀협상 결과 한반도의 6. 25 동란을 예기하고 눈앞에 닥친 한국전쟁에 대비하여 진해 덕산 비행장에서 1949년 4월 15일 황급히 한국 해병대를 창설 하였다. 당시 미해병대는 최신무기는 물론 머리끝에서 발끝까지 필요한 모든 보급품을 한국 해병대에 공급하였다. 이때 미해병대는 신설된 한국 해병대에 크라브마가 라고 하는 백병전 살상기술을 함께 보급 하였다. 그러자 바로 그 이듬해인 1950년 6월 25일 새벽 4시 20분 북괴공산당 인민군들이 선전포고도 없이 전쟁을 발발 하였다. 중국공산군의 인해전술로 인해 부산을 제외한 국토 전체를 점령 당하자 미국의 멕아더 장군이 미해병대를 인천상륙작전에 투입하여 중공군의 보급로를 차단 시켰다. 부산에 잔류해 있던 소수의 해병용사들이 남한에 침투한 북괴군과 중공군을 모조리 살해 하면서 서울로 밀고 올라가 수도를 탈환 하였다. 해병대 용사들은 서울을 수복하고 중앙청 꼭대기에 태극기를 꽂은 것이다. 그리하여 1953년 7월 27일에 체결된 휴전협정으로 인하여 군사분계선을 사이에 두고 남북한 양측은 전쟁을 중단하였다.

이승만 초대 대통령은 해병대를 "무적해병대"라 부르고 "무적해병"을 친필로 써서 해병대 사령부에 하사 하였다. 해병을 "무적해병"으로 만든 무술이 바로 "크라브마가"인데, 이는 세계 제 2차대전에 체코슬로바키아군의 "하사"로 종군 했던 "Imrich Lichtenfeld (also known as Imi Sde-Or) was born in 1910 in Budapest, Hungary and grew up in Bratislava (Slovakia) (formerly known as: Pozsony)" 라고하는 사람이 2차대전이 끝난직후 1946년에서 1948년에 걸쳐 고대 그리이스의 격투레슬링과 자신의 백병전 실전경험을 토대로 개발한 군사특공무술이다.  당시 한국 해병대는 "크라브마가"를 "무적해병"의 휘호를 따라 "무적도"라고 불렀다. 한국어 로는 달리 부를만한 이름이 없었기 때문 이었다. 

곧 이스라엘군 특수부대에서 세계 최초의 군사특공무술인 "크라브마가"를 전격 도입했고, 또한 미해병대에서 잽싸게 "크라브마가"를 도입하여 백병전의 살상기술로 미국 해병들을 훈련했다. 이러한 경로를 통하여 세계 최초의 군사특공무술인 "크라브마가"는 1949년 4월 15일 이래로 미해병대를 통하여 한국해병대에 보급된 것이다. 한국 해병대가 월남전에서 수훈을 거둔것도 역시 "크라브마가"의 살상기술을 훈련한 결과였다. 

1972년 한국 해병대가 월남전 에서 철수 하면서 박정희 대통령은 해병대를 해군에다 편입 시켰다. 대한민국 군부내에 편만해 있던 해병대의 막강한 영향력을 약화 시킴으로서 독재통치권을 강화하기 위한 수단 이었다. 1970년대 중반에 들어서자 박정희 정권은 해병특수수색대나 수중폭파대 등 특수부대를 제외한 보병연대 내에서는 "크라브마가: 무적도" 훈련을 전면 금지 시켰다. 해병 전역자들이 일반사회에 나와서 폭력으로 인한 살인사건의 주범들이 되고 있다는 허무맹랑한 낭설이 그 이유였다. 혹자는 말하기를 그 실질적인 이유가 박정희 정권의 극단적 독재통치권을 완전히 장악하기 위해 국민력을 약화 시키겠다는 것이었다고 한다.

특전사의 장수옥 중사(1982년)가 개발하여 오늘날 민간에 보급한 "특공무술" 또는 "국제특공무술"은 합기도와 태권도를 짜집기한 기법들의 모자이크 라고 한다. 백병전 살상기술인 인간병기 "크라브마가 (Krav Maga) 무적도 군사특공무술" 과는 성질이 다른것 만은 분명하다.

이에 근거하여 1980년 해병대 부사관 111기 졸업생인 허통천 하사가 강원도 춘천에 소재한 무술총연맹에서 "통천절권도" 를 창시보급하면서 "통천절권도 무술총연맹"을 결성하고 2011년 9월 17일 "통천절권도 무술총연맹"의 총재로 등극 하였다.

같은날자인 2011년 9월 17일 허통천 총재와 해병대 부사관학교 111기 동기생인 전요셉(실명, 한영기: 크라브마가 군사특공무술 9단, 자유형 킥복싱 세계챔피언 1972)이 "통천절권도 무술 총연맹"에서 허통천 총재의 요청에 의한 "절권도 아시아 태평양 연합회장"직과 "절권도 호주 총관장"직을 수락하고 허통천과 함께 통천절권도와 크라브마가 군사특공무술을 병합한 "절권도 군사특공무술"을 창시 하기에 이르렀다.

전요셉은 2012년 12월 13일 재호주대한체육회 킥복싱협회 회장으로 취임 하면서 "절권도 아시아태평양 연합회장"직과 "절권도 호주총관장"직을 사임 하였다. 아시아태평양권에 절권도의 맥락을 이어가기 위해 전요셉은 2012년 12월 20일 호주 시드니에 소재한 "재호주대한체육회 킥복싱협회"에서 무술법인명칭 Joseph Gen Combat Mechanism PTY. LTD (1997년 ACN 120859538) 산하에 "세계 절권도 군사특공무술 총연맹"을 창설 하면서 이스라엘군 특수부대의 크라브마가(한국 해병대 무적도)를 근본으로 권투를 포함한 각종 킥복싱 기법(무아이타이, K1, 극진가라데 킥복싱, 종합격투기, 고대 그리이스의 판크라티온 격투레슬링, 로마제국의 격투레슬링)을 "절권도 군사특공무술"에 포함 시켜 기술적으로 강화된 무술을 창시함 으로서 가장 실전적인 싸움기법을 창출 하였다. 이를 "절권도 군사특공무술" 이라 한다.            
군사특공무술은 다른 무술의 기법들과 투기종목의 운동기술을 모아 인체공간 원리에 가장 적합한 방식으로 蕪存精 이 되었고 아울러 개인 실전경험과 창작해낸 실제적이고 실용적인 기술성과 기교성을 더하여 남녀모두 무술에 쉽게 익숙해지고 장시간 학습할 필요가 없으며 즉시 실용할 수 가 있어 군생활의 긴장으로 인해 중간에 탈락하게 되어 배워왔던 무술실력을 모두 포기해야하는 병폐를 피할 수가 있으며 동시에 방어와 신체 단련면에 모두 필요한 효과를 가질 수 있다.

그밖에 군사특공무술 기법중에는 철학 원리의 일부분이 들어있어 사람 영혼속에 내재된 지혜를 개발해 내어 聞一知十, 擧一反三, 觸類旁通 등을 운용할 수 있는 경지에 이르게 되었으며 결국엔 萬流歸宗 과 萬法歸一 의 가장 원만한 內外 합치의 경지로 세계적으로 인정받게 되었다.

군사특공무술의 장점은 공격이 신속하고, 동작이 간결한데 있다. 주먹과 발을 사용함에 있어 힘을 비축하고 자세를 잡을 필요가 없어, 적이 예측을 할 수가 없다. 따라서 군사특공무술은 고정된 방식이 없는 공격술이라고 할 수 있다.
군사특공무술을 익히는 진정한 목적은 자세를 잡으려는 것이 아니라, 적에게 접근해 공격을 하는 것으로, 군사특공무술은 피동적인 자기방어에 치중하는 것이 아니라, 공격을 하지 않을 수 없을 시, 주독적인 공격을 강조한다. 군사특공무술의 정신과 기타 무술의 분야에 대해 물어볼 때, 나는 아무런 주저 없이 "군사특공무술의 정신은 충실하고, 성실함에 있다. 자신이 무엇을 익히던, 그것을 충실히 익히고, 익힌 것을 충실하게 행동하는데 있다"라고 말한다.
일반 무술과 다른 군사특공무술은 명확한 규율과 상세하게 나뉘어진 기술로 , 지나치게 심오해서 이해하기 힘든 철학이 아니다. 군사특공무술 에서는 무술이란 절대적 으로 실전적 이어야 한다고 생각한다. 군사특공무술이 다양한 방법들을 충분히 이용할 수 있기 때문에, 어떠한 제약을 받지 않고, 완전히 자유롭다. 다시 말해, 군사특공무술은 모든 것을 포용하면서도 모든 것으로부터 구속을 받지 않는다.

격투를 할 때, 준비된 특별한 자세가 없으며, 그럴 필요가 없다. 누구에게나 일종의 직감이라는 것이 있어, 자신의 천부적인 능력을 발견해 가장 힘있고, 효과적인 조건으로 실제적인 평형과 동작의 핵심, 그리고 힘의 사용법을 획득한다. 규칙과 자세는 순수하게 이해하는 방법일 뿐이며, 순수하게 이해함은 모든 사람의 마음속 깊은 곳에 숨겨져 있는 것으로 우리는 먼저 자신의 능력을 이해해야 한다. 따라서 무술의 지식이란 것은 결국 자신의 지식인 것이다. 군사특공무술 이라는 것은 단지 하나의 명칭에 불과하지, 유파가 아니다. 예를 들면 달을 가리키고 있는 손가락과 같은 것이다." 여러분은 절대로 손가락이 달이라고 오해하지 않길 바란다. 물론 너무 손가락에 치중해 우주의 아름다움을 놓쳐서는 더욱 안 된다. 손가락의 역할은 단지 "광명(빛)"을 이끌어내는 것이다. 앞으로 얼마만큼의 "우주 지식"을 얻을 수 있는지는 자신의 노력으로 얼마나 깨달음을 얻느냐에 있다.

나는 타 무술들이 엄격한 규칙, 장중한 의식, 딱딱한 자세로 인해 매장되어 왔다고 생각한다. 다시 말해서, 그들은 자신이 알고 있는 모종의 형식에 의해 구속 되어있다. 진실한 관찰은 형식을 탈피한 뒤에야 얻어질 수 있는 것이다. 진정한 자유의견이란 것은 제도 및 형식을 뛰어넘어야만 비로소 나타나는 것이다.

군사특공무술은 타 무술들을 위주로 하여, 다시 다른 유파의 무술들과 투기종목의 운동개념, 기술, 방식 등을 융통성 있게 융합하여 상호보완 시켜 형성된 항상 새로운 형태의 무술이다. 각국의 특수부대들이 그 정화를 받아들이고, 찌거기를 버림으로써, 군사특공무술이 세계 에서 권위를 인정받을 수 있게 되었다. 군사특공무술이 각국의 특수부대에서 이름을 떨칠 수 있었던 것은 결코 요행에 의한 것이 아니다.

MMA 타격기 시범 1

MMA 타격기 시범 2

MMA 타격기 시범 3

MMA 호신술 강좌

격투술 훈련1: 암바실패
 
격투술 훈련2

격투술 훈련3

격투술 훈련4

격투술 훈련5

격투술 훈련6: 암바 미완성

격투술 훈련7
 
격투술 훈련8

격투술 훈련9: 암바완성

격투술 수업1

격투술 수업2

격투술 수업3
MMA 기본기 시범
MMA 팔방공격술 훈련시범
하단차기 연속동작
타격기 기본동작 훈련
도복착용 타격기 훈련
타격기 훈련
하단차기 연속동작



Academic Research
of
Teuk Gong Moo Sool-ROKMC
무술공부, 무술수업, 무술연구



Great Teaching of
Teuk Gong Moo Sool-ROKMC




Teuk Gong Moo Sool 
(TEUK means Special, GONG means Force,
MOO means Martial, & SOOL means
Arts or Techniques)
is
 a martial art originated from Korea. It is the official martial art practised by the South Korean Special Forces. Teuk Gong Moo Sool (TGMS) is a combative method of fighting as opposed to a sport. It emphasis the rapid interdiction and submission of an opponent. TGMS has been adapted beyond the special forces, for practice by bodyguards, police and law enforcement personnel and individuals interested in an effective method of self defence.[1]

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 [hide] 

[edit] History

Teuk Gong Moo Sool arose following a protracted period of North Korean Special Forces penetration across the border during the 1960s and 1970’s, demonstrating superior combat skills.In one particular foray, North Korean special forces personnel were apprehended. One of them, proficient in Gyeuk Sool, was able to dismiss three South Korean commandos within 10 seconds in hand to hand combat.[2] This prompted the South Korean special forces to create a superior fighting system, in pursuit of an ultimate martial arts system. The South Korean military drew upon martial arts experts in all fields to develop an ultimate hand to hand combat style that could employ any weapon or no weapon. By 1975, this style - Teuk Gong Moo Sool – had been adopted in an official capacity by the South Korean Special Forces. The founders are considered Grand Masters Joseph Gen (한영기) and his coleagues served as drill instructors at Parachute Training Division and Underwater Demolition Team of Korean Marine Corps; and further reconstructed by No Won Park (박노원) and Chang So Ok (장수옥) in 1979, although the founding is the result of the input of a number of Grand Masters from various traditions within Korean Martial Arts. Function.
TGMS incorporates the most effective features of Hapkido, Taekwondo, Kung Fu, Judo and Kyuk too ki. Its sparring primarily revolves around Kyuk Too Ki (which in appearance bears resemblance to Sanda Kung Fu -the official Kung Fu of the People’s Liberation Army which is Kick Boxing with take down). In addition, grappling techniques are heavily emphasised as are submissions and joint manipulations of Hapkido. Judo take downs are also learned, as is the footwork of Taekwondo. Weapons are a central aspect of TGMS and include Nun Chakau, Knives, Swords, Staff, short Staff and firearm, although weapons defence is taught within the legal environment of the country, meaning in Europe there is no use of firearms.

[edit] Philosophy

TGMS expresses the philosophical foundations of Yin-Yang and the five elements.[3] The coloured belt system represents the progression of the practitioner through the five elements, ultimately resulting in water – or Black, which signifies the re-birth and re-invention of the practitioner. The belts are as follows:
  • White
  • Orange
  • Yellow
  • Green
  • Blue
  • Brown
  • Red
  • Black
White represents stone or metal, yellow represents the earth, Green, blue and brown the tree, Red is Fire and Black is water.[4]

[edit] Organization

In Europe, TGMS is primarily represented by the International TGMS Federation led by Grand Master No Won Park (5th Airborne, R.O.K.) It is represented by Grand Master Tae Yong Lee, former instructor of the Korean Special Forces (707th). He is based in London and Seoul.
In North America, in addition to the International TGMS Federation, there is the World TGMS Association led by Grand Master Chang So Ok and the World TGMS Federation led by Grand Master Wonik Yi. In South America, the primary organisation is the International TGMS Federation.
Although there is some variation in each, the philosophy and spirit of each is the same. Mutual respect characterises the relations between each organisation, and there is the acknowledgement that each Grand Master must pioneer his own path within Teuk Gong Moo Sool.


KOREAN MARTIAL ARTS

Korean martial arts (Hangul: 무술 or 무예, Hanja: 武術 or 武藝) are the martial arts that originated from Korea. Some well known Korean martial arts are hapkido, kuk sool won, and taekwondo. There has also been a revival of Korean sword arts as well as knife fighting and archery. In modern times, Korean martial arts are being practiced worldwide.

Contents

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[edit] History

[edit] Early history

Further information: Subak and Taekkyeon
Wrestling, called ssireum, is the oldest form of unarmed fighting in Korea. Besides being used to train soldiers, it was also popular among villagers during festivals. Koreans, as with the neighbouring Mongols, relied more heavily on bows and arrows in warfare than they did on close-range weapons.[1]
It appears that during the Goguryeo dynasty, (37 BC – 668) subak (empty-handed fighting), swordsmanship, spear-fighting and horse riding were practiced. Paintings showing martial arts were found in 1935 on the walls of royal tombs, believed to been built for Goguryeo kings, sometime between 3 and 427[citation needed]. Which techniques were practiced during that period is however something that cannot be determined from these paintings. References to subak can be found in government records from the Goguryeo dynasty through the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910)[citation needed].
It is believed that the warriors from the Silla Dynasty (57 BC-668 AD) learned subak from the neighboring Goguryeo armies when they appealed for their help against invading Japanese pirates[citation needed]. Practicing subak became part of the training for Silla's hwarang, and this contributed to the spread of subak on the Korean peninsula[citation needed]. But again, it is not known exactly which techniques the hwarang practiced. Buddhist monks, who added more spiritual aspects to the art, often instructed the hwarang[citation needed]. Their greatest contribution to the development of Korean martial arts is probably adding a spiritual dimension to the training practices, something that Korean martial arts lacked before[citation needed].
The Buddhist influence on the hwarang is most notably seen around 600 AD when the moral code Sae Sok O-Gye (세속오계), written by Won Kwang (원광, 圓光), consisting of five rules were documented:[2]
  • 사군이충 / 事君以忠 – Loyalty to one's king.
  • 사친이효 / 事親以孝 – Respect to one's parents.
  • 교우이신 / 交友以信 – Faithfulness to one's friends.
  • 임전무퇴 / 臨戰無退 – Courage in battle.
  • 살생유택 / 殺生有擇 – Justice in killing.

Dae Kwae Do
The development of subak continued during the Goryeo Dynasty (935–1392)[citation needed]. Goryeo records that mention the martial arts always include passages about subak[citation needed]. The Goryeo government, however, outlawed the practice of subak by civilians because people used to bet at subak games[citation needed].
Subak eventually divided into two separate martial arts, taekgyeon (택견) and yusul (유술), probably in the last years of the Goryeo Dynasty or the early years of the Joseon Dynasty[citation needed]. It is believed that many techniques were lost at this time. Joseon Dynasty records and books often mention taekgyeon, and taekgyeon players are portrayed on several paintings from that era. The most famous painting is probably the Daegwaedo (Hangul: 대괘도, Hanja: 大快圖), painted in 1846 by Hyesan Yu Suk (혜산 유숙, 1827–1873), which shows men competing in both ssireum (씨름) and taekgyeon.

[edit] Joseon era manuals

During the Imjin War (1592–1598), Korean armies fought off a Japanese invasion. The Japanese had imported guns from Portugal and wanted to conquer the mainland. With Chinese assistance, the Koreans turned back the invaders, but with heavy loss of men and cultural heritage. It was also during this war that the famous turtle ships (Geobukseon, 거북선) were used by Admiral Yi Sun-sin. These ships were covered with metal shields, much like the shell of a turtle, which could withstand the gun attacks of the Japanese. This was the first iron armoured ship in naval history.
In 1593, Korea received help from China to win back Pyongyang. During one of the battles, the Koreans learned about a martial art manual titled Ji Xiao Xin Shu (紀效新書), written by the Chinese military strategist Qi Jiguang. King Seonjo (1567–1608) took a personal interest in the book, and ordered his court to study the book. This led to the creation of the Muyejebo (무예제보, Hanja: 武藝諸譜) in 1599 by Han Gyo, who had studied the use of several weapons with the Chinese army. Soon this book was revised in the Muyejebo Seokjib and in 1759, the book was revised and published at the Muyesinbo (Hangul: 무예신보, Hanja: 武藝新譜).[3]
In 1790, these two books formed the basis, together with other Korean, Chinese, and Japanese martial art manuals, of the richly illustrated Muyedobotongji (Hangul: 무예도보통지, Hanja: 武藝圖譜通志). The book does not refer to taekyeon, but shows influences from Chinese and Japanese fighting systems. It deals mostly with armed combat like sword fighting, double-sword fighting, spear fighting, stick fighting, and so on. The chapter that deals with a style of empty-handed fighting called kwonbeop ("fist methods," a generic name for empty-handed combat; the word is the Korean pronunciation of quanfa) shows techniques that resemble Chinese martial arts—quite different from taekgyeon. According to the Muyedobotongji, empty-handed combat should be learned before armed combat, since it forms the basis of a martial education[citation needed]. It also states that internal styles are better suited for fighting than external styles[citation needed], which is remarkable since Koreans never developed their own internal systems until then[citation needed]. The interest in Korean martial arts began to decline during the later Joseon Dynasty, under the influence of Neo-Confucianism, and it was only because of the Muyedobotongji and the interest the common people had in traditions like taekgyeon that these traditions managed to survive. The name for the martial arts of the Muyedobotongji is shippalgi.

[edit] Modern Korean martial arts

Native Korean martial arts were banned during the period of Japanese occupation but survived through underground teaching and folk custom. After the occupation ancient books like the Muyedobotongji became popular study material for Korean martial artists, and influenced the development of many modern Korean fighting styles[citation needed].
Ancient manuals like the Muyedobotongji became popular reading and study material for Korean martial artists and influenced the development of many modern Korean martial arts. For example, Koreans who had practiced Japanese kendo during the colonization period studied the Muyedobotongji to rediscover their own cultural heritage and recreated the traditional Korean martial arts, although this usually was nothing more than renaming techniques after those found in the Muyedobotongji. In this process the Muyedobotongji more than once was used unjustly as a link to Korea’s ancient martial heritage[citation needed].
This does not mean that Korean martial arts from before the occupation completely disappeared. Masters of several styles survived the occupation or continued teaching their art even though the Japanese had put a ban on it. Taekgyeon had survived as a folk game and has grown in popularity in recent years. Also the techniques of the Muyedobotongji have survived the occupation and martial arts like shippalgi enjoy a renewed interest[citation needed].
It should also be considered that Korean martial arts are still in a state of evolution as witnessed by recently emerging arts such as Tukong/Teukong Moosul and Youngmudo[citation needed]. There is now also the development of Korean arts influenced by Western boxing, Muay Thai or Judo, these would include Gongkwon Yusul and Kyuktooki[citation needed].
It is also important to note that speaking about martial arts in terms of them being Chinese, Japanese or Korean is something that is from recent times[dubious – discuss] and has grown this way under the influence of nationalistic views[citation needed].

[edit] Types of Korean martial arts

[edit] Taekkyeon/Taekgyeon

Main article: Taekkyeon
The oldest Korean martial art was an amalgamation of unarmed combat styles developed by the three rival Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje.[4] Young men were trained in unarmed combat techniques to develop strength, speed, and survival skills. The most popular of these techniques was subak, with taekkyeon being the most popular of the segments of subak[citation needed].
As the Goguryeo kingdom grew in power, the neighboring Silla kingdom became comparatively weaker, and an effort was undertaken among the Silla to develop a corps of special warriors. The Silla had a regular army but its military training techniques were less advanced than those of the Goguryeo, and its soldiers were generally of a lesser caliber. The Silla selected young men, some as young as twelve, and trained them in the liberal arts. Those who demonstrated strong natural aptitude were selected as trainees in the new special warrior corps, called the hwarang. It was believed that young men with a talent for the liberal arts may have the grace to become competent warriors. These warriors were instructed in academics as well as martial arts, learning philosophy, history, a code of ethics and equestrian sports. Their military training included an extensive weapons program involving swordsmanship and archery, both on horseback and on foot, as well as lessons in military tactics and unarmed combat. Although subak was leg-oriented in Goguryeo, Silla's influence added hand techniques to the art[dubious – discuss] .
In spite of Korea's rich history of ancient and traditional martial arts, Korean fighting methods faded into obscurity during the Joseon Dynasty. Korean society became highly centralized under Korean Confucianism and martial arts were lowly regarded in a society whose ideals were epitomized by its scholar-kings.[5] Remnants of traditional martial arts like subak and taekkyeon were banned from practice by the general populace and reserved for sanctioned military uses although folk practice by the common populace still persisted into the 19th century[citation needed]. .[4]
Although the art nearly vanished, taekkyeon survived through underground teaching and folk custom.[6] The Japanese colonial government totally prohibited all folkloric games including takkyon in the process of suppressing the Korean people.[citation needed] Taekkyeon had been secretly handed down only by the masters of the art until the liberation of the country in 1945. Song Duk-ki, one of the then masters, was still alive at the age of over 80 and testified that his master was Im Ho who was reputed for his excellent skills of Taekkyeon, "jumping over the walls and running through the wood just like a tiger." Also noteworthy was the use of the term "pum" which signified a face-to-face stance preparing for a fight. The masters of Taekkyeon were also under constant threat of imprisonment, which resulted in an eventual cessation of Taekkyeon as popular games.
Taekkyeon has had a slight resurgence in recent days, getting the classification Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Korea No. 76" on June 1, 1983. It is the only Korean martial art which possesses such a classification.

[edit] Hapkido arts

Main article: Hapkido
Originally an ancient Silla martial art[citation needed]but later named Hapkido by Choi Yong Sul who returned from Japan after World War II and started teaching a martial art he claimed to have learned from Sokaku Takeda. He called his style Yawara, but it was later renamed to Hapki Yusul and again renamed to Hapkido. Students of Choi Yong Sul, such as Ji Han Jae, helped to spread this art. Hapkido helped to revitalize traditional Korean martial arts by providing systemization and becoming incorporated into other styles. This process complemented modern Korean martial arts like Kuk Sool Won, Han Mu Do and Hwarangdo.

[edit] Revived arts

There are also many modern Korean martial arts that are recompilations or reorganizations of techniques from traditional or imported arts. Some relied on manuals like the Muyejebo and Muyedobotongji. People trying to revive the old martial traditions of Korea studied these books and started new styles like Muye24ban and the re-enactment group Muye24gi. Many of these arts visually appear to have more of a Chinese influence than other Korean martial arts, except for taekgyeon[citation needed].
Additionally, it is not clear who created these arts in the first place in their most ancient form—often, exponents of Korean martial arts argue that Korea in fact created these arts in ancient times, which then passed over to Japan, and then were later re-imported back to Korea[citation needed]. Historically, many cultural features, including Chinese calligraphy, Buddhism, pottery techniques, city design, and political systems, were transmitted from China to Korea, and in modified form, retransmitted to Japan, which further modified them[citation needed]. As with other adjacent cultures, constant borrowings and adaptations in various directions make claims of origin very difficult to prove[citation needed].
The Korean martial arts that may today be viewed as being traditional (as opposed to modern Korean martial arts) are taekgyeon and a handful of others including subyokchigi, subak, ssireum, the Buddhist art of Seonmudo, and various weapon-based styles[citation needed]. Taekgyeon is the only Korean martial art that received the status of 'intangible cultural asset' (no. 76) from the Korean government.

[edit] Teaching methods

Modern Korean martial arts' systemization and presentation are very similar to their Japanese counterparts (i.e., barefoot, with uniforms, classes executing techniques simultaneously following the teacher's commands, and sometimes, showing respect to portraits of the founder by bowing to the picture or national flags). Many modern Korean martial arts also make use of colored belts to denote rank, tests to increase in rank, and the use of Korean titles when denoting the teacher[citation needed]. These include:
  • Kyosanim: teacher.
  • Sabeomnim (사범님 / 師範님): Master instructor.
  • Kwanjangnim (관장님 / 館長님): training hall owner/ kwan leader.
  • Dojunim (도주님 / 道主님): keeper of the way.
These Korean terms are based on Confucian rank systems (with the same Chinese characters). Many schools also make use of Korean terminology and numbers during practice.

[edit] Terminology

Korean martial arts are usually practiced in a dojang (도장), which may also be referred to as cheyukkwan (체육관 / 體育館, i.e., gymnasium). The practitioners wear a uniform or dobok (도복) with a belt or tti (띠) wrapped around it. This belt usually shows which grade the practitioner has attained. A student usually starts with a white belt and moves through a range of colored belts (which differ from style to style) before reaching the black belt. The grades before black belt are referred to as geup or kup (급), while the grades of black belts are referred to as dan (단). In some cases, students less than 16 years old are not given dan grades, but rather "pum" or poom (품) or "junior black belt" grades. Some styles use stripes on the black belt to show which dan the practitioner holds. It is common for a system to have nine geup grades and nine dan grades. While it might only take a few months to go from one geup to the next, it can take years to go from one dan to the next. Most of the above terms are identical to those used in Japanese styles such as judo and karate, but with the Chinese characters read in Korean pronunciation, with a few exceptions (dobok and tti have been altered to fit the Korean language).
In some styles, like taekgyeon, the hanbok is worn instead of a dobok. The v-neck of many styles of taekwondo uniform was supposedly fashioned after the hanbok.

[edit] Styles

Traditional Korean martial arts
Martial art Annotations
Chung Do Mu Sool Won (정도무술원 / 正道武術院), also spelled Chungdo Musulwon, Jung Do Mu Sool Won, Jeong Do Mu Sul Won, Jeongdosul (정도술), etc. (literally meaning "True-Way Martial Arts," also "Right Way, Correct Way, and/or Best or Proper Method of Martial Arts Training.") This was the original martial art used by the Korean Royal Army, Royal Palace Guards, and Royal Bodyguards[citation needed]. Reference to this form can be found in the Muyedobotongji and the Korean National Archives. This form uses multiple styles of fighting, and unlike many other Korean styles Chung Do retains a fair amount of weapons training. Skills employed vary from joint locks, fist techniques, kicks and pressure point throws. Chung Do also incorporates the arts of jiapsul (acupressure) and chimsul acupuncture, etc.). Chung Do Mu Sool Won is officially organized under the World Chung Do Mu Sool Won Association (세계 정도무술원 협회 / 世界 正道武術院 協會) and its sister organization the Chun Tong Han Kuk Koong Joong Mu Yea Sool Hyup Hye (전통한국궁중무예술협회 / 傳統韓國宮中武藝術協會), the Traditional Korean Royal Court Martial Fine Arts Association.
Charyeok (차력/借力) (literally meaning 'stance art') This is an art that mainly focused on various forms and stances.
Haidong Gumdo (해동검도) The sword traditional Korean Martial Art. Korean kendo.
Kichun (기천/氣天) This is an art that focus on rigorous stances and free-flowing combat.
Kwansunmu (관선무)
Gukgung (국궁/國弓) Korean archery, making use of a traditional composite horn bow.
Gungsul (궁술/弓術) literally: bow art, i.e. archery
Gungsido (궁시도/弓矢道) literally: art of bow and arrow
Gungdo archery
Joseon Sebeop (조선세법/朝鮮勢法) This is a sword style originating in Chosun. It has many hand and a half techniques along with slicing with little movement.
Sunmudo (선무도/禪武道)/Bulmudo (불무도/佛武道) /Seon-Kwan-Moo These are Korean martial arts passed down by the Buddhist monks and mostly preserved until today
Ssireum (씨름) This is Korean folk wrestling. The art requires the opponents to grasp each other in the sash belts that they wear. The first man to let go of their opponent, or to touch the ground with a part of the body other than the bottom of the feet, loses. This art is still seen in Korea today, mostly as a contest in festivals and such.
Subyeokchigi (수벽치기) (literally translated, it means 'bare block striking') It is a breaking art in Korea that trains the martial artists to break stone, metal and wood with their bare hands. Many martial artists from different backgrounds take this technique to further discipline themselves.
Taekgyeon (택견) This is a traditional martial art that subak was divided into[citation needed]. It uses many sweeps with straight forward low kicks using the ball of the foot and the heel and flowing crescent like high kicks. There are many kicks that moved the leg outward from the middle and inward from the outside using the side of the heels and the side of the feet. The art also used tricks like inward trips, wall jumping, fake outs, tempo, and slide stepping. It resembles dancing in the way the fighter constantly changes his or her stance from his or her left to his or her right by stepping forward and backwards while his or her arms are up and ready to guard. This art requires traditional Korean white robes which were commonly worn in the past.
Extinct Korean martial arts
Martial art Annotations
Subak (수박/手搏) (Means 'hand fighting') This was a term for empty-handed combat methods. It translates into Chinese as shoubo.
Yusul (유술/柔術) A supposedly ancient grappling style sometimes called the predecessor of hapkido. The Chinese characters are identical to Japanese jujutsu.
Modern Korean martial arts
Martial art Annotations
Kung Jung Mu Sul Kung Jung Mu Sul, Traditional Royal Court Martial Arts in Korean, was created by Grandmaster Soon Tae Yang. It is a comprehensive system dealing with both single and multiple attackers utilizing a vast array of kicking, in-close striking, joint lock manipulation, grappling and weapon techniques from both the standing and ground positions.
Choi Kwang Do This art focuses on strikes and blocks as well as wrist breaks, strangle breaks and take-downs. Formed between 1978 and 1987 by Kwang Jo Choi[citation needed] Its stretches are based on moves from yoga and designed to increase flexibility.
Danmudo This art comprises many empty hand techniques Ho Shin Sool, as well as weapon elements. Similar to other circular Korean arts such as hapkido, Dahn Moo Do is one that utilizes an opponents energy and weight against them.
Hankumdo This is a newly created Korean sword-art where the basic techniques are based on the letters of the Korean alphabet, hangeul.
Gwon-gyokdo (권격도/拳擊道) This is a Korean style of kickboxing.
Gyongdang This is the name of the association where the Muye24ban was practiced. The founder is Lim Dong Kyu who studied the Muyedobotongji and reconstructed its martial arts.
Haidong Gumdo (해동검도/海東劍道) (literally meaning 'Techniques of the Eastern Asian Sword') This is a sword art created by Kim Jeong Ho and Na Han Il around 1980. Its original name (as they learned it from Kim Chang Sik) was Shim Gum Do. It is more concentrated on field techniques and combos rather than having only one opponent.
Hankido (한기도/韓氣道) This is a martial art developed by Myung Jae Nam based on both hapkido and aikido as well as a lot of own creation.
Hanmudo (한무도/韓武道) This style was created by Kimm He-Young; a martial arts historian and a student of Lim Dong Kyu. The name just means 'Korean martial art'. It is one of the arts claiming to have deep roots in Korean culture. It consists of many different striking, grappling, and weapon techniques. Its signature feature is the mu han de, or infinity symbol, shaped movement incorporated into blocking, grappling and striking. Hanmudo should not be confused with another style called Han Moo Do.
Han Moo Do Han Moo Do (also Hanmoodo) is a Korean-style martial art founded in Finland by Young Suk. It is mainly practiced in the Nordic countries. Hanmoodo contains almost all sectors of traditional martial arts and its exponents may participate in full-contact competition.
Hapkido (합기도/合氣道) This martial art has the same roots as Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu, but many kicks, acrobatics, and weapons added later.
Hanmooye Poongryu (풍 류 한 무 예) This modern martial art is a combination of ancient styles including kicks, weapon techniques, trowghts and Zen technique. Poongryu Hanmooye means combination of martial art studies.
Hapmudo (합무도/合武道) This modern martial art is a combination of styles including empty hand and weapon techniques. Hapmudo means combination of martial art studies. Fist techniques, kicks, grappling, joint submissions and throws are all incorporated.
Hoejon Musul (회전무술/回轉武術) This is a Korean martial art developed by Myung Jae Ok which uses circular motions in order to direct an opponent's power against him/her.
Hwarangdo (화랑도/花郞道) A modern Korean martial art founded in 1960 by Joo Bang Lee. It includes hard and soft style striking and blocking, joint locks, throws, take-downs, ground fighting, and weapons. It is governed by the World Hwa Rang Do Association, and claims to be based on the traditional fighting skills and philosophy of the Hwarang.
Geomdo-kwan
Kom Do Kwan (곰도관) (literally way of the bear school) A modern taekwondo kwan with strong emphasis on self-defense oriented techniques originating from the Allen Steen line of the Chung Do Kwan with strong influence from Shotokan, Hapkido and Arnis.
Kumdo (검도/劍道) (literally meaning 'sword art') Korean version of kendo.
Kuk Sool Won (국술원/國術院) This is a branch from Suh In Hyuk, a student of Choi Yongsul's hapkido school. The art is based on three branches of traditional Korean martial arts: Family/Tribal martial arts, Buddhist temple martial arts and Royal Court martial arts.
Kwonbup (권법/拳法) (literally meaning 'fist methods') Kwonbup is the Korean translation of the Chinese word quanfa. Various old documents and scrolls in Korea depicted barehand techniques and referred to them as kwonbup.
Soo Bahk Do (수박도/手搏道) The present incarnation of Hwang Kee's style; previously it was known as Tangsudo, a name still used by some schools. These include use of the hip and interesting kicks. Similar to old-style taekwondo, there are some unique methods such as the "reverse roundhouse kick". Aside from Hwang Kee's own creations, many of the techniques in Soo Bahk Do were adopted from Shotokan karate and higher levels include those from Chinese martial arts.
Mankwondo (만권도/慢拳道) A Martial Art that is based on Korean Martial Arts that was developed (and is actively being developed) in the United States. The name translates to the Way of the Slow Fist (literally Slow Fist Way). It is based on (mostly) Taekwondo and Tang Soo Do, though all the Poomsae are original to the art. The art, as its name suggests is slow (or soft) style martial art whose focus is on mostly on hand techniques and circular movement. It can be viewed as an amalgamation of Taekwondo and Tai Chi, though there is very little influence from Tai Chi in the art.
Muye24gi (무예이십사기/武藝二十四技) This is a branch of Muye24ban made by Kim Young Ho a former student of Dong Gyu Lim. The Muye24ki community is a re-enactment group that tries to revive the history of the Muyedobotongji. The martial arts of Muye24ki is inspired by contemporary sibpalki.
Sul Ki Do Rooted in traditional Korean martial arts, Sulkido emphasises practical self defense.
Taekuk Musul This style was founded by Suk Ku Kim. It teaches falling techniques, kicks, strikes, hand techniques, pressure points, joint locks and weapons.
Taekwon-Do (태권도/跆拳道) Based around the studies of Japanese Karate and Taekkyon, Taekwondo (originally Taesoodo) was created in the 1950s by a collaboration of the various kwans, although Choi Hong Hi later claimed to be the sole creator. The first governing foundation was the Korea Taekwondo Association. The International Taekwondo-do Federation was a splinter group of this association, led by Choi Hong Hi. The major governing body, the World Taekwondo Federation was formed later by the KTA. The art is based around weaponless self-defense applying arm, hand, foot and leg techniques and mainly focused on standing or jumping applications of techniques. The name is derived from "tae" (跆; an obsolete Chinese word meaning trample or break with the feet), "kwon" (拳; fist), and "do" (道; way). Tournament sparring allows the use of hands and feet in combat and permits full-contact strikes to the face and body above the hip with use of both striking elements. It is a modern martial art that is based on Korean style kicking and punching techniques, mixed with techniques from karate, aikido and many other arts. Taekwondo is now an Olympic and Commonwealth Games sport.
Tangsudo (당수도/唐手道) (literally means 'Chinese hand way') Tang Soo Do is the Korean pronunciation of the older way of writing karate-do (唐手道, i.e. "Way of the Chinese Hand"). For many years, Koreans referred to their striking martial art as Tang Soo or Kong Soo Do (the Korean pronunciation of Kōngshǒudào (空手道), "Way of the Empty Hand"). In the West, Tang Soo Do often refers specifically to Hwang Kee's style (see mudukkwan subakdo). It is essentially Korean karate and its patterns (hyung in Korean or kata in Japanese) are karate kata.
Tong-Il Moo-Do (The Unified Martial Arts) Tong-Il Moo-Do is a Korean style that combines circular and linear movemets or hard and soft aspect of the moo-do (martial arts). It is similar to modern Mixed Martial Arts. Tong-Il Moo-Do combines kicking and punching techniques with throwing and grappling.
Tukong Moosul (특공무술/特攻武術) (literally meaning 'techniques of the Korean Special Forces') is a style based on the distance theory. The martial artist practicing Tukong is trained in four areas: Throwing (leverage techniques), Punching (hand techniques), Kicking (foot techniques), and Weapons (extended body techniques). Training also includes combat training and self defense. Tukong is practiced in conjunction with a softer style martial art (Ip San).
Kang Duk Won A martial art that places more emphasis on punching than kicking.
Yongmudo A modern combination of taekwondo, hankido, ssireum and judo developed at Yong-In University.
Gongkwon Yusul This is a martial art style combining hapkido, kyuktoogi, judo and hakko-ryu jujitsu.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Draeger, Donn F. (1981). Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts pg 155. Kodansha International.
  2. ^ (Korean) http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=92933
  3. ^ Kim, Wee-hyun. "Muyedobo T'ongji: Illustrated Survey of the Martial arts." Korea Journal 26:8 (August 1986): 42-54.
  4. ^ a b Capener, Steven D.; H. Edward Kim (ed.) (2000). Taekwondo: The Spirit of Korea (portions of). Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Korea. http://www.martialartsresource.com/anonftp/pub/the_dojang/digests/spirit.html. 
  5. ^ Cummings, B. (2005). Korea's Place in the Sun. New York, NY: W.W. Norton. 
  6. ^ Tekkyeon Korea [1] (Korean)

[edit] Further reading

  • Adrogué, M. (2003). "Ancient military manuals and their relation to modern Korean martial arts". Journal of Asian Martial Arts 12: 4. 
  • Della Pia, J. (1994). "Korea's Mu Yei Do Bo Tong Ji.". Journal of Asian Martial Arts 3: 2. 
  • Henning, S. (2000). "Traditional Korean martial arts". Journal of Asian Martial Arts 9: 1. 
  • Kim, S. H. (2001): Muye Dobo Tongji. Turtle Press.

[edit] External links


Philosophy of Taekwondo

The purpose of taekwondo is not to learn how to kill. Some people look at martial arts and say "I wish I knew martial arts. Then I could beat everyone in a fight." This is not what martial arts are for, however. Once someone begins their study of martial arts, they usually begin to understand and learn the real philosophy and ethics of martial arts. In taekwondo, there are five principles practitioners need to focus on.
1. Etiquette/Courtesy
2. Modesty
3. Perseverance
4. Self-Control
5. Indomitable Spirit

Etiquette/Courtesy , 여의

Taekwondo originated with a strong military backround. If you read the history of taekwondo, you learned the Hwarang were noblemen who used martial arts to defend themselves against attack. They had a code of honor.
1. Serve your lord
2. Serve your parents
3. Trust your friends
4. Never withdraw from battle
5. When taking a life, be selective
The modern commandments of taekwondo stem from these. You should be able to recognize some similarities.
1. Be loyal to your country
2. Respect your parents
3. Be faithful to your spouse
4. Respect your siblings
5. Be loyal to your friends
6. Respect those older than you
7. Respect your teachers
8. Never take life when it isn't needed
9. Have a strong spirit, or invincible spirit
10. Be loyal to your school
11. Always finish something you begin
As you can see, loyalty and respect play a big role in martial arts.

Modesty/Integrity , 염치

This principle of taekwondo deals with how you interact with people. Although a practitioner may be a better fighter than his or her opponent, they shouldn't boast about it. The practitioner should maintain himself and be honest and good, and humble himself earning respect.


Perseverance , 인내

Practitioners of taekwondo should be very persistant in what they do. They should challenge themselves to self-improvement. Always strive to improve your physical body as well as your mind. When you do start something, finish it. Go all the way. The rewards will be great.

Self-Control , 극기

Self-Control is a very valuable lesson to learn. Learning self control is beneficial in many ways. Mentally, if you are in control, then you will be in charge of your own life. But also, you will learn to control your temper, not get angry, be respectful in hard situations, among others.
Physically, you learn control of your body. You will learn to throw a punch full force and stop an inch away from the target, as well as with kicks. You will learn to practice effectively but also safely, controlling the situation.

Indomitable Spirit , 백절불굴

The final principle of taekwondo is possibly one of the most helpful. You learn to have a spirit that cannot be beaten. When there is a tough situation, you can handle it and know you will be able to handle it. This is helpful in all parts of life. This final principle will help you to enjoy life and everything that comes with it.

Make Recommendations for Philosophy of Taekwondo

The Philosophy of Judo

By Clyde Tichenor
Fourth Degree Black Belt
Encino Judo Club

hadaka jime The subject should start with the word Judo itself because it means a gentle way. The interpretation of gentle (ju) and way (do) requires more understanding than the simple statement above allows.
Judo is a dichotomy because it is both gentle and dynamic in activity. The sport uses the same concept borrowed from the ancient Japanese jujitsu where ju also meant gentle. In both systems it meant to not resist, to give way, to be compliant. It referred to conditions where someone imposes their will upon you. Usually this is a physical action, but it could be verbal as well.
The Judo response is to give way, to not meet force head-on. However this is for the purpose of defensively beating the oppressor. When the appropriate Judo-based action takes place it may not appear to be gentle. The action is a result of what happened, how it happened, and what the future implications will be.
The sport is a means of exercise that has meaning and significance to its practice. Each technique is a method that may apply to the situation of physical attack or how not to be injured when thrown to the ground. Since many of Judo's finest sporting techniques result in body throws, it is essential that Judo students learn how to fall from every conceivable manner and direction. It basically takes about three months' practice, but years to perfect. Once learned it is also applied to accidental falls during one's lifetime. Thus in a matter of months a lifetime benefit may result.
The Judoist practices defensive and offensive (after an overt movement) techniques in a realistic manner because once they learn the falling art they may freely engage in seemingly violent actions. To a fellow judoist the actions are not violent, but to a lay person they appear that way. Also if done to an opponent on the street they can result in severe trauma.
The combative techniques of Judo have the most scientific analysis and application of methods of any martial art. The founder has taught that via his schools (Kodokan Judo Dojo) for about 120 years. He was already a top expert in two jujitsu schools when he culled and improved all techniques as the martial art methods for his new system and school of Judo (the Kodokan). His maxims for all students were "maximum efficiency" and "mutual benefit".
By these rules he and his disciples have spent about 120 years perfecting the most effective and efficient self-defense system known. To be of mutual benefit he separated the sporting moves from the harmful self-defense system. As a student's proficiency improved they gradually learn more significant techniques because their control has increased with their knowledge. They will not apply a technique to a fellow student that is beyond their safe capability. Safety is an important part of the training.
waki gatame Therefore Judo combines techniques of jujitsu, karate, wrestling and its own highly perfected techniques. It uses the hands, arms, body, legs, and feet to defeat an opponent. Judo techniques do not reject strength as long as it is efficiently applied in a highly controlled manner. The application of strength as used in Judo is multiplied in effectiveness to the point where a weaker exponent of Judo can best a larger and stronger opponent. Dr. Kano, when about 140 pounds, once fought a young Russian merchant seaman (Mark Bagello) who was undefeated even with an open $100 bet that he couldn't be beaten. No one had been able to win the bet. Hearing of this brought to Dr. Kano's mind that this might be a good test for his newly perfected self-defense system. The sailor was in the 240 pounds class and was happy to oblige him. After all Mark was six feet tall with a large frame and successfully had challenged any man in the world to fight him and had suffered no losses. During their fight he grabbed at the small Japanese expert, but he immediately found that no matter what he did he ended up on the ground. He tried, but nothing worked. He was embarrassed and later commented, "He was so small and I couldn't lay a hand on him". Try as he might it was like fighting air, but with harsh consequences. In worse condition than when he started and in frustration, he even try to hit Dr. Kano with a chair. This was quickly taken from him. Finally he stopped, realizing the futility of his efforts. Dr. Kano admired his tenacity in spite of his injuries and put his arms around him saying, "I love your spirit!" He also told him that if he wished to understand what defeated him, he would be very happy to personally teach him.
This offer was accepted and in time the sailor became both an expert Judoist with a fourth degree black belt and a medical doctor. Dr. Bagello related this experience himself to a Judo friend (Bill Nauta, godan of the Encino Judo Club). Dr. Kano was among the very best Judoists and rightly held the highest black belt rank of tenth degree. Dr. Kano was also an Oxford scholar, president of Tokyo University of Education, and a noted world lecturer.
The purpose here is to discuss Judo philosophy, but it's perfected physical results are also well worth remembering. The sport is practiced in most countries of the world and also in Olympic competition. The use of the original Japanese terminology and formal courtesies make it easy to practice in any Judo club in the world.
With the above perspective on the purpose and effectiveness of Judo sport and self-defense it is possible to examine how all this reflects in his philosophy. Dr. Kano meant for his gentle way to be a way to live, a path to follow. He chose a word (do) which translates as, a road or pathway. His self-imposed restriction, that he taught what can be a violent response to provocation as instead a controlled and limited response, certifies that he sought peace and harmony in life and between human beings.
Consider that you are a Judo expert and find your present company imposing, overbearing, and obnoxious. Suppose among them there is a physical altercation and a threat of fighting. You are a practiced specialist at this. A real expert. You know how badly people can be injured how simple it is for this to happen. You probably were active in Judo contests that same week. Would you find need and incentive thus to engage with amateurs? You do not have to prove yourself, and your philosophy is to minimize your reactions if you are somehow involved. You might even find yourself an amused bystander. You would not have incentive to either participate or incite such activities.
A time comes to mind where one such Judo expert in a restaurant found himself punched at by an unruly customer who didn't like Japanese people. This Judo expert was a U.S. champion and easily dodged the blow while reacting automatically with a foot technique he often used on the Judo mat. However on the hard, slick, floor his opponent promptly hit the deck and slid along it some distance unconscious. The Judoist thought he had killed him. Assured otherwise, he sat back down with his companion Judoists and expressed amazement at his devastating results. "I had no idea an unskilled person would go so far." He apologized in a tone that said he had overdone his response. Next time he would use a more moderate response to such a ruffian.
Thus the true Judoist needs prove nothing and pride themselves on the minimum response when forced to defensive actions. The assurance this creates to the ego does not make them belligerent, but rather very tolerant. They submit to more provocation and indignity than the average person who feels the need to save face and prove himself. This translates as self-assurance which frees the Judoist from peer pressure and encourages true self-expression. The directive of "maximum efficiency" in the use of your mental and physical energy when applied, means that your schoolwork or vocational efforts will be enhanced.
If you applied only "maximum efficiency" (seiryoku zenyo) to all in life it certainly would be efficient in a cold, calculating, way. Hardly a person for others to enjoy or with which they could relate. While you might not be selfish, the result of your efficiency would seem selfish. Therefore the philosophy of maximum efficiency, while highly productive, is by nature self-serving.
uki otoshi The solution is one more directive from Dr. Kano which is "mutual benefit" (jita kyoei). This then requires that one act not just in one's own interest, but rather with consideration for one's fellow humans.
The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights are famous for what they do not say as well as what they do say. By specifying a few general rules there is a leeway and flexibility that covers numerous unforeseen circumstances and contingencies. Dr. Kano's principles translate into an advocacy to live a gentle life, in a very efficient manner, with thought and consideration for all. Thus he too has prescribed a simple premise to guide us in the great variety of life's tasks and inter-relationships. Its value is its simplicity.
To emphasize that Dr. Kano meant for his students to use judgment, and control their responses and actions according to his principles, the following quotation is of value, "To become excited is a benefit to no one, but rather harmful to one's self and others." I have found that this is an important interpretation by him. During the occasional emergency situations I have faced I find these words running through my mind calling upon me to calmly act efficiently to solve the problem.
Many Judo students practice the sport without the philosophy. Many Judo students, come and participate for a while and then drop back into the mainstream with limited benefits. The student who stays with the sport gradually realizes the overall value and implications of the philosophy. This student is the one in a thousand to achieve the black belt rank and acts to teach his art and philosophy to the many other students. Dr. Kano's gift to us of his magnificent sport and self-defense system, is no less a gift than that of the balance of his philosophy. The young sport enthusiast has an opportunity to meet life on Dr. Kano's terms with the additional guidance of their life when they include the philosophy of Judo.

Swordsmanship (해동검도)

Haedong Kumdo, also spelled Haidong Gumdo, is a name coined around 1982 and used for several Korean martial arts organizations that use swords. Spelling varies between certain organizations. Most notable are Haidong Gumdo by the original organization (Daehan Haidong Gumdo Federation) under Kim Jeong-Ho, and Haedong Kumdo by the largest offshoot (Hanguk Haedong Gumdo Federation) under Na Han-Il.
Haidong Gumdo is significantly different style from kumdo, emphasizing a native Korean "battlefield" style of combat over the one-on-one dueling style found in standard or Daehan Kumdo. As such, it is unrelated to modern, standard kumdo. By contrast, the KKA promotes Daehan Kumdo (大韓劍道), with noted changes to reflect Korean cultural influences and methodology.
Haedong Gumdo derives its name from Haedong Seongguk Balhae (海東盛國渤海), a name for Balhae, a medieval kingdom in the region of northeastern Korea, and southern Manchuria.[citation needed]

[edit] Techniques

Practitioners of Haidong Gumdo engage in the practice of basic techniques (kibon), forms (geompeob or pumsae), step sparring (yaksuk daeryun), sparring (hada), energy building exercises (qi gong) and cutting practice (begi).
Basic practice is done with the mokgum (wooden sword).
Sparring practice begins with the bamboo sword (chukdo) but now due to new laws passed down from the Haidong Gumdo federation a plastic/rubber sword must be used in competitions, advances to mokgum, and depending on the school, may advance to weighted training weapons with protective padding or armor. Forms within Haidong Gumdo were derived from the mechanics of Kichun (a Korean form of martial arts similar to T'ai chi ch'uan), and various sword patterns found within the Muyedobotongji ( Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts). Baldo and chakgeom forms (drawing and sheathing the sword) were also developed.
While traditional Korean sword forms are contained in the Bonguk Geombeop (Korean sword method), other geombeop are taught within Haidong Gumdo curricula, including:
  • 쌍수검법 Ssangsu Geombeop (method of using the double handed sword)
  • 심상검법 Simsang Geombeop (method of the heart of swordsmanship)
  • 예도검법 Yedo Geombeop (method of using the short sword)
  • 제독검법 Jedok Geombeop (Admiral's sword method)
  • 장백검법 Jangbaek Geombeop (the Jangbaek method)
  • 왜검법 Wae Geombeop (Japanese method)
  • 외수검법 Wuisu Geombeop (method of using the sword with one hand)
  • 쌍검검법 Ssanggeom Geombeop (The method of using two swords)
Haidong Gumdo may be generally characterized as exchanging multiple strikes of the sword for one strike of the sword. The one strike concept characterizes the Japanese method. The merits and limitations of each of the philosophies may be debated endlessly. Probably the best way to characterize the main difference between Japanese Kendo and the Korean Haidong Gumdo styles is through training philosophy:
  • The Japanese technique primarily focuses on one-versus-one, or individual combat.
  • The Korean technique primarily focuses on one-versus-many, or battlefield combat.
The essence of Haidong Gumdo is in shimgum, a concept similar to the that of the Spanish duende, as coined by the Spanish poet, García Lorca. Shimgum is the unification of the mind, body and spirit expressing itself through the use of the sword. It implies a technical mastery of the sword, but transcends technical limitations. One can be "technically perfect" but still not achieve shimgum. One may also be technically imperfect and still achieve shimgum. Shimgum is what makes Haidong Gumdo not only a martial science but also a martial art.

[edit] Legal controversy

The swift rise to popularity of Haidong Gumdo during the 1990s led to disputes and legal battles between the two major federations, Daehan Haidong Gumdo Federation and Hanguk Haedong Gumdo Federation,
As a result of the lawsuits, the history of the discipline came to be scrutinized by a legal court. The founders of Haidong Gumdo had made various dubious claims regarding the lineage of their discipline, suggesting it was rooted in the martial traditions of the Samurang (士武郞) , a supposed group of elite warriors originally trained by a master named Seolbong in the Goguryeo kingdom who allegedly also played a role in the creation of the Japanese samurai caste. In some countries "Samurang" has been registered as a trademark by the World Haidong Gumdo Federation.
Kim Jeong-Ho, president of the Daehan Haidong Gumdo Federation, also claimed that he had learned Haidong Gumdo from a master called Jangbaeksan (meaning Mount Baekdu) at Kwanak Mountain. The court found that these claims were false, or "metaphoric". The trials concluded[citation needed] that Haidong Gumdo was created by Kim Jeong-Ho and Na Hanil, both of whom had studied the Korean sword arts of Gicheonmun (under Bak Daeyang) and Shim Gum Do (under Kim Changsik). The pair worked together under the name of the more widely known of their two arts, Shim Gum Do. Around 1984 they began teaching their martial art under the name Haidong Gumdo. Haidong Gumdo remained a relatively minor art until 1989 when Na Hanil played the leading character in a Korean TV drama. This helped to promote Haidong Gumdo considerably.

[edit] External links


 
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