Origins of Taekwondo

Early Times

Prehistoric man had to develop skills to ward off assailants, be they man or beast and human communities throughout the world developed a variety of fighting skills. With time, the different communities and cultures developed their own characteristic styles and techniques. Even after the development of sophisticated weapons, man has continued to practice his weapon-less skills, both for protection against his enemies and for recreation and physical development.

The earliest records of Korean communal life date back to 2333 BC and make mention of music, dance and games played at tribal festivals. The exact nature of the games is not specified in the earliest records we have at hand, but as in any primitive society, we may expect to see that skills developed for self-protection and survival were practiced in peacetime games in order to gain competence. Since in later records the games are described to be of a martial nature, it can be concluded that the earliest elements of modern taekwondo were to be found in these games.

The Korean nation was founded when certain tribes migrated from Mongolia into the peninsula occupied by present-day Korea and the area immediately to the north-east, where the southern part of Manchuria is now situated.

Period of three kingdoms

In it's early history, Korea developed into three separate kingdoms – Goyuryo (37 BC – 688 AD) was established in the north of the peninsula, extending into southern and western Manchuria; Baekje (18 BC – 660AD) was spread around the Han River basin in the central and western section of the peninsula; and Shilla (57 BC – 936 AD) covered the south – east, along the Nagdong River. It was Shilla which, by vanquished the other two kingdoms, unified the nation into one state in 668 AD.

The costumes of those times, in peacetime as in war, consisted of loose trousers and a jacket held together for convenience with a tie-belt, and very closely resembles the judo and taekwondo suits of today. The dress of all three kingdoms was basically uniform. In Baekje, the military rank of officers was differentiated by a series of coloured belts and in Shilla, the coloured trim on the lapel served as an additional indication of rank. It is interesting to note that not only is the costume itself of the same basic design, but that the means of indicating rank also remain to this day. This fact applies equally to judo and other martial arts.

GOGURYO (37 BC – 668 AD)
– Northern most Kingdom

The forerunner of modern taekwondo was known by many different names during the course of history. Among them we find: Supakhui, Subyokta, Kwonbaek, Byon, Tagyok, Taekyon, Harando and Subak.

The earliest recorded testimony of this martial art was discovered in 1935 but the Japanese archeologist, Tatashi Saito, when he excavated tombs in Manchuria at the ancient Goguryo capital of Tungky. As the capital was in Tungky only until 427 AD, the construction of this tomb, known as Muyong-chong, can be placed in the period 3 AD – 427 AD.

The murals on the ceiling of the tomb depict two men practicing what is obviously an early form of taekwondo, women dancing and other decorations. Another tomb from the Goguryo period, the Sambo-chong, depicts a man in a costume strikingly similar to today's taekwondo suit – loose trousers, short-sleeved jacket and tie-belt, demonstrating a pose characteristic of taekwondo, with one hand blocking upward and the other downward. In yet another tomb, Gakchu-chong, two men are shown wrestling.

The use of figures depicting taekwondo in such murals testifies to taekwondo having been well established as a popular activity and having been very much a part of the life of those times. The murals further tend to show that taekwondo was practiced by warriors and noblemen as well as by farms and peasants.

BAEKJE(18 bc – 660 AD
- Centrally situated on the Peninsula)

Both the "History of the Three Kingdoms" and the "Sui China Chronicles" make references to the patronising of the martial arts by the Baekje kings. Records indicate that King Onjo, King Ahsin and King Buryu were among those who encouraged the popular practice of horse-riding, archery, taekwondo and sirum (traditional Korean wrestling). This further substantiated in a folk tale of the period originating in the province of North Cholla. The tale recounts how provincial contests were held in stone throwing and also in "Subak-hui", which, as the tale tells, was an ancient art of self-defence using both arms and legs.

SHILLA (57 BC – 936 AD)
– Situated in the south-east of the peninsula

In its earliest history, the kingdom of Shilla was actually the weakest of the three kingdoms. Apart from the fact that it became established later than Baekje and Goguryo, it had neither the vast territory and population of Goguryo, nor the richer economy of Baekje. Moreover, it was surrounded by hostile neighbours. All these circumstances aroused an aggressive send of patriotism and led to the inception of the Kwarangdo – a warrior system which embodies high moral standards. When the kingdom of Shilla conquered Baekje and Goguryo in the 7th century, the basis of its military power was this special warrior system of Hwarangdo.

The Hwarangs were drawn from the youth of noble families and they underwent both physical and philosophical training, cultivating the martial spirit of "Hwarangdo". The use of violence without morality was frowned upon and the virtues of charity, generosity and compassion and all humanitarian ideals were held in high esteem.
An old Korean proverb say: "A man without charity may conquer a nation, but never the world". Another says: "The sturdiest man is also the most modest".

The following ethical precepts were followed by the Hwarangdo:

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

There is evidence that an early form of taekwondo was included in the curriculum. At the entrance to the Sokguram Grotto in the Bulguksa temple in Kyongju, which dates back to the 7th century, are carvings in stone of two warriors, both in a taekwondo stance. These figures are known as "Gumgang Yoksa", or "Warriors of Golden Strength". In the modern taekwondo syllabus, Pumsei Gumgang takes its name from this figure, as does the movement, Gumgang Makgi, which is featured in it.

Further evidence of taekwondo having been practiced by the Hwarangdo is found scattered throughout the Samguk Yusa, which are among the oldest historical documents dealing with the period.

GORYO (918 AD – 1392 BC)

Under the Goryo dynasty, founded in 918AD, taekwondo took a position of even greater social and military significance. It came to be practised as a sport with systemised rules. Contests were held in the presence of the king and successful contenders were rewarded with promotion of their military rank. Taekwondo at this time was known as Subak or Subak-hui and many references were made to it in the "History of Goryo", which is the accepted documentation of those times.

It appears that such was the prestige of the knowledge of taekwondo, or Subak, in military circles of this period, that is was regarded as a privileged activity and technical instruction was not made available to civilians.

YI DYNASTY (1392 AD – 1920 AD)

During the Yi Dynasty, Subak was no longer monopolised by the military and it was once more practised by the general public. Historical records testify to tournaments being held between Chungchong and Holla Provinces, staged at the village of Chakju, which was located on their boundary.

However, its military importance was not diminished and records of the Hideyoshi Invasion of 1592 show that some 700 soldiers of the Gumsan region fought the Japanese using Subak. Other records indicate that proven skill in the art of Subak was required as part of certain military tests, the candidate being required to defeat two or more persons in a Subak contest.

The greatest record available to us in the martial arts text book which King Chongjo commissioned General Yi Dok-Mu to write in 1790. The book consisted of 40 pages, printed with moveable metal type and illustrations carved from wooden blocks. One of its major chapters was devoted to the detailed description of techniques and stances used in Subak.

During this period, Subak was the cynosure of the royal court and was a focal point of the military and the general public. However, towards the end of the Yi dynasty, its importance as a martial art began to decline due to political disturbances and feuding and it was practised more as a recreational activity for civilians.

MODERN TIMES

With the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1920, the practice of any martial art by the Korean populace was prohibited, as was the possession of arms. Nevertheless, it was practised by a few, in secrecy. In 1943 Japanese karate was introduced to Korea and enjoyed brief popularity until the armistice in 1945. With liberation, a number of Koreans tried to revitalise the traditional Korean art of Subak and in 1946 the first conference was held to discuss the strong development of this art by the integration of the various kwans or schools. Finally, The Korean Taekwondo Association was inaugurated in 1961 and the modern term "taekwondo" was subsequently coined.

With the proliferation of taekwondo schools and associations throughout the world, there arose a need for coordination on an international basis and the world headquarters for taekwondo, the Kukkiwon, were dedicated in November 1972. In May 1973, the First World Taekwondo Championships were held, with 17 countries participating. This led to the formation of the World Taekwondo Federation in December 1973 and the Australian Taekwondo Association (formed early in 1972) became one of the foundation members.

World championships have continued to be held every two years, with the Asian, European and other regional championships being held in the intervening years. (The 1976 Asian Taekwondo Championships were hosted in Melbourne by the Australian Taekwondo Association. There were 18 participating countries from the Asian region and the Korean team won the aggregate trophy and the Australian team won second place).

In October 1975, Taekwondo had a following of 5 million persons in 60 countries around the world and was admitted into the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). By 1980 there were over 100 national associations in the WTF and at the 83rd General Session of the International Olympic Committee at the Moscow Olympics in July 1980, the World Taekwondo Federation was granted recognition, making taekwondo, a recognised Olympic sport.

SOCIAL ASPECTS OF TAEKWONDO

In contemporary taekwondo training, the traditional precepts of modesty, patience and charity are maintained. Through proper training, self-discipline and determination are developed and with the acquisition of technical and physical skills, confidence is developed. All these qualities form the foundation of a sound and moral character: possessing them, a person can be in control in a threatening situation and avoid reaction with unnecessary use of force. Self-esteem enables a person to behave calmly, modestly and charitably. An insecure person, on the other hand, suffering from feelings of inferiority or inadequacy, is far less equipped to cope rationally with difficult situations. In this way, taekwondo is able to contribute not only to one's physical development, but also to one's social and emotional development.