Korean Martial History

[BlackDragon]

Korean Martial History

The Hwa Rang

During this extensive period of war, in the 6th Century C.E., the first highly formalized group of martial art practitioners came to be organized on the Korean Peninsula. They were known as the Hwa Rang. This aristocratic warrior group, born in Silla, is what is attributed to unifying of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

The Hwa Rang (Flowering Youth) warriors were first envisioned by King Chin Hung of Silla in 576 C.E. Though his kingdom had its army, he believed his soldiers were not of an exceptional nature - which is why his country could not defeat Koguryo, Paekche, and the invasive T'ang. Therefore, he set about to organize a group of young talented noblemen who were exceedingly loyal to the thrown and could be extensively trained in all forms of warfare and then successfully go into battle against Koguryo, Paekche, and the Chinese T'ang dynasty. The problem was, however, how to secure and evaluate aristocratic men of this caliber.

It was believed that if young men could be gathered into groups and taught the higher levels of Buddhism, honor, and the arts, the exceptionally talented ones among them would over shadow the rest.

King Chin Hung's next method was to choose handsome male youths of Nobel birth. The age of these boys was as young as twelve years old. These men were then dressed in the finest clothing and their faces were attractively painted with elaborate make-up. They were extensively instructed in Buddhism, poetry, and song. It was believed, those who fared well in these activities had the grace to become competent warriors. Thus, a certain amount of them were recommended to the Court of Hwa Rang.

These chosen men, now referred to as Hwa Rang, were trained in all forms of martial combat, as well as continuing their studies in Buddhism, Ki science, and the arts. The martial art instruction program of the Hwa Rang warriors included, developing their bodies by climbing rugged mountain and swimming in turbulent rivers during the coldest months of the year. They trained in all forms of known hand-to-hand combat. The primary system of which was named Su Bak. The Hwa Rang were additionally taught to use weapons unyieldingly. They were trained with the sword, the staff, the hook, the spear, and the bow and arrow.

Su Bak Gi

The Hwa Rang are believed to have invented the martial art system of foot fighting named, Su Bak Gi. It is believed this new dimension to combat was added by the Hwa Rang due to the extensive mountain running endurance training they practiced. As their leg muscles were developed to exceptional levels, they began to incorporate formalized kicking techniques into their overall system of hand-to-hand combat. Therefore, Su Bak Gi is believed to be the source point for the advanced kicking arsenal the Korean martial arts possess.

The Hwa Rang were guided by a code of ethics laid down by the eminent Buddhist monk, Wong Wang.

Code of the Hwa Rang:

1. Serve the king with loyalty.

2. Be obedient to your parents.

3. Be honorable to a friend.

4. Never retreat in Battle.

5. Kill justly.

A Hwa Rang troupe was generally composed of several hundred men. The group was led by a Hwa Rang warrior of noble birth and several Buddhist monks. The Hwa Rang leaders, after completing their training, would go out into the countryside and organize men at the village and clan level. They would then instruct them in Buddhist philosophy and teach them the martial arts. From here, these men would be lead into battle - willing to lay down their life for the kingdom of Silla. From these battles came the unification of Korea.

After the unification of Korea, and the defeating of the T'ang Dynasty, the mind of the Korean peoples rapidly began to shift from confrontations to more philosophic thoughts. The Hwa Rang fell into decline by the end of the 7th century, until they became virtually nonexistent. They became known more as a group specializing in healing, Buddhist philosophy, and poetry than a warrior troupe.

Su Bak

Su Bak is the first documented martial art system to have existed on the Korean Peninsula. Dating its origination relies predominantly upon legend, however. Korean historians often place its inception during the legendary rule of King Tan'gun, (2333 B.C.E.). There is, however, no historical data to prove this time frame. There are historic records of Su Bak's existence in the 4th century C.E., however. Paintings in the Kak Je Tomb, geographically located in ancient Koguryo, depict two Su Bak practitioners sparring. It is difficult to decipher what actual fighting techniques Su Bak employed, however, as the tomb paintings are vague.

During the late Three Kingdom Period, Su Bak became fragmented and differing schools of martial arts came into existence.

Yu Sul

During this period of fragmentation, a new system of Korean martial arts was formed. It was named, Yu Sul. Yu Sul was a softer grappling art, which is historians believed to be the influence which began the Japanese system of Jujitsu.

With the birth of Yu Sul there became two very different schools of martial thought on the Korean Peninsula. They were the hard, straight forward attacking methods of Su Bak - which possesses predominantly striking techniques and the softer, manipulative defenses of Yu Sul.

Tae Kyon

During this time frame Su Bak became known as Tae Kyon. Tae Kyon was written in the Chinese characters for, "Push Shoulder." The Hwa Rang warriors obviously embraced this martial art form and, as mentioned, created their own addition to it, known as Su Bak Gi or foot fighting.

Tae Kyon was born at a time when martial arts, on the now unified Korean Peninsula, went into a rapid decline. As peace came to the Korean Peninsula, there became little use for the practice of martial arts among the average individual.

The martial art system of Yu Sul declined and vanished from the Korean Peninsula almost as fast as it had developed. By the end of the 7th century there existed no sign of it. Tae Kyon, therefore, survived as the only fighting system with a link to the ancient Hwa Rang.

Upon the unification of the three kingdom, The Silla Dynasty (688-935 C.E.) came into control. This was a highly centralized Buddhist state, where arts and not warfare flourished.

The Silla Dynasty fell in 935 C.E. The Kingdom was overthrown by a rebel government, which became the Koryo Dynasty (935-1392). Though internal warfare took place in Korea, during this change in power, the average citizen was not touched by it and the countries philosophic outlook continued to grow.

In 1170, a military coup seized control of the country and by the end of the 12th century, Cho a military family, ruled Korea and suppressed the Buddhism ideals held by its civilians.

The Mongols from China began to invade the Northern outreaches of the Korean Peninsula in 1231. The Cho leadership sent the majority of its armies to fight these Northern battles. They were soon defeated by the sheer numbers of Mongolian troops. In 1258 the Cho regime was deposed and the Koryo government return to control under the guidance of the Mongols.

Though this period saw internal strife in Korea, the thoughts of the people were on philosophy and the arts, not on politics. The average citizen felt hand-to-hand combat was barbaric. Martial art practitioners were looked down upon in all regions of Korea. In fact, King Chung Mok (1344-1348) outlawed the practice of Tae Kyon by civilians, altogether.

A revolt against Mongolian rule erupted in 1356, which brought another period of disorder to the Korean Peninsula. After years of internal guerrilla warfare, the Koryo Dynasty was over thrown and the Yi Dynasty (1392-1909), who swore allegiance to the Ming Dynasty of China.

The Yi Dynasty rejected Buddhism and embraced Confucianism as the national religion. A well functioning Confucian bureaucracy came into existence, which brought about an orderly social structure and rapid educational development to Korea.

From the Yi Dynasty came the written Hangul language, composed by King Sejong (1418-1450). This is considered one of the greatest events of Korean history - as the Hangul language was the first indigenous Asian language to be independently developed and written with its own phonetic script.

Throughout the Yi Dynasty, cultural interactions between China, Japan, and Korea increased. Martial art ideologies also came to be exchanged on a limited level. Various schools of Kung Fu from China and Karate from Japan existed in a tenuous manner in Korea during this dynasty. Tae Kyon, though obviously receiving some influences from these systems, maintained itself as a highly aggressive system of self defense - predominantly utilizing assertive punching and kicking techniques. Though not practiced by the average civilian, Tae Kyon was the standard of the hand-to-hand combat for the Korean military. Through this arena, it was passed down from ancient to modern times.

As Korea entered the twentieth century, they were plagued by expansionist activity at the hands of Japanese. The Yi Dynasty, which was considered Korea's, "Age of Enlightenment," came to an end in 1909 when Japan occupied the country. Thus, the transmission and advancement of Tae Kyon ended.

[BlackDragon]

Rediscovering the Anceint Korean Martial Arts

In 1935 Japanese archaeologist exploring the Tung-hua province of Manchuria, North of what is now modern day North Korea, uncovered two tombs. It was eventually established that these tombs belonged to the Tenth Kingdom of Koguryo, who had its capital in this vacinity. The tombs were constructed in the 4th century C.E.

Within these tombs were discovered murals paintings. On the ceiling of the Muyong Chong tomb is a painting depicting two male figures facing each other in what can best be described as a fighting posture. The mural painting of Kakchu Chong tomb show two men wrestling.

Also discovered was the Sok Kul An cave. At its entrance is a carved statue of the famous Korean warrior, Kum Gang Yuk Sa, from the reign of Korean King Hye Gong (742-762 C.E.). He guards the cave in a tradtional martial art pose.

Though these three depictions give credence to the fact that there is a historic tradition of martial arts on the Korean Peninsula, they do little to establish what exact techniques these practitioners used.

Moo Yeh Do Bok Tong Gi

It is essential to understand before you begin to study the foundations of the modern Korean martial arts that virtually all records of the actual techniques of the ancient Korean martial arts were destroyed by the Japanese forces which occupied the Korean Peninsula from 1909 forward. Many modern Masters of the Korean martial arts falsely claim they can trace the origins of their systems back to the dawn of Korean civilization. Unfortunately, this is historically not the case. There are only two remaining documents: the Moo Yeh Jee Bo and the Moo Yeh Do Bok Tong Gi which give us insight into Korea's martial history.

The conflicts between Japan and Korea are not unique to the twentieth century. They have been ongoing for centuries. Between 1592 and 1598 an attempted Japanese invasion of Korea took place. The Japanese invaders were eventual defeated. Near the end of this conflict, a Chinese military text entitled, Ki Hyu Shin Zu, authored by the Chinese military strategist and martial artist, Chuk, Kye Kwang was discovered. The text had been acquired from a slain Japanese General. This manuscript was then presented to Korean King Sun Jo (1567 - 1608). Within its pages was detailed a system of Chinese weapons and hand-to-hand combat, designed specifically for warfare. King Sun Jo was so impressed by the methods presented in this text that he invited Chinese Generals and Chinese Martial Art Masters who employed this system to visit his capital - which they did. From this contact, he ordered one of his Generals, Han Kyo, to take what he had learned from both the text and the demonstrations and design a new system of battlefield combat. This system, written in six chapters, was created and published as, Moo Yeh Jee Bo or The Illustrations of the Martial Arts. This text became the basis for formalized warfare among the Korean military. Within the pages of the text, the techniques of the Sang Soo Do (long sword), Jang Chang (spear), Dang Pa (triple end spear), Kon Bong (long staff), and Dung Pa (shield defense) are outlined.

Korean King Yong Jo (1724 - 1776) had the text revised during his reign. Twelve additional approaches to fighting were added. The manual was renamed, Moo Yeh Shin Bo or The New Illustrations of the Martial Arts. The fighting techniques added to the pages employed the Bon Kuk Kum (Korean style straight sword), Wae Kum (Japanese style sword), Jee Dook Kum (Admiral's sword), Yee Do (short sword), Sang Kum (twin swords), Wae Kum (crescent sword) Juk Jang (long bamboo spear), Hyup do (spear with blade), Kee Jang (flag spear), Pyun Kon (long staff with end like a nunchaka), Kyo Jun (combat engagement strategy), and Kwon Bop (hand-to-hand combat).

At the direction of the next King of Korea, King Jung Jo (1776 - 1800), in 1790 the Korean military strategists, Yi, Duk Moo and Park, Je Ga again revised the text and added six additional chapters to the manuscript: Ma Sang (combat horsemanship), Ki Chang (spear fighting from horseback), Ma Sang Wol Do (sword fighting from horseback), Ma Sang Sang Kum (twin sword fighting from horseback), Ma Sang Pyun Kon (long staff with shorter end like nunchaka, fighting from horseback), Kyuk Koo (gaming on horseback). The text was retitled, Moo Yeh Do Bok Tong Gi, The Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of the Martial Arts. This text is the primary remaining document which modern Korean martial art masters turn to search out their foundational history.

The Moo Yeh Do Bok Tong Gi was first published for world consumption, in its original form, over twenty years ago by Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan founder Hwang Kee in this book, Tang Soo Do. It has recently been translated into English.

Many people hear of this book believe that it will hold all of the answers to all of their questions on combat. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The techniques presented in this manuscript are extremely limited and the drawings, which depict the maneuvers, are not exacting as they were created several hundred years ago.

As a source point for understanding the evolution of Korean history, Moo Yeh Do Bok Tong Gi, is a great text. It was written for a different age, however. As such, it is not the holy grail of martial art manuscripts as some people believe it to be. What you take away from it will be based on your own understanding of the martial arts.

More Modern Times

Korean independence came in 1945, at the end of World War II, when the United States and Allied forces drove the Japanese government from its control over the Korean Peninsula. With this, came a fervor on the part of the Korean citizens to never allow another government to control their country again.

Along with a massive Korean military development and armament came the advent of several new Korean martial arts systems. These styles were developed as a method to not only protect the average citizen, but to aid in the overall protection of Korea, as well.

The creators of these systems incorporated the martial arts styles they had each individually studied abroad or while in the employ of the Japanese military with the recorded techniques of Tae Kyon. Among these new Korean martial systems were Hap Ki Do founded by Choi, Yong Shul, Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan, founded by Kee, Hwang, and Tae Kwon Do which was predominately formulated by General Choi, Hong Hi.

These three systems are the predominate Korean martial art styles in existence today. The offensive and defensive technique of Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do are very similar, relying greatly upon the stances, punching, and kicking techniques of Japanese Karate, integrated with historic Tae Kyon. Hap Ki Do, on the other hand, though embracing the elaborate punching and kicking techniques of Tae Kyon, accomplishes its defensive method from a much different focus.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo, The Way of the Fist and Foot, is an advanced systems of martial arts known for its aggressive linear attacks and its refined elaborate kicking techniques. Taekwondo is the most practiced system of martial art in the world and was introduced as an Olympic Sport in 1984.

What is known as Taekwondo today, has gone through a long process of evolution since its inception at the end of World War In post war Korea, with brutal Japanese occupation lifted, Korea went through a period of cultural revitalization. During this process, the martial arts, which were banned by the occupying forces, found a new resurgence. The Korean people, who swore to never be over powered again, embraced the proliferation of the martial arts through out the nation. From this, came the birth of the modern Korean martial arts.

Taekwondo was introduced to the United States by Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee - who is known as the Father of American Taekwondo.

Tang Soo Do

The name Tang Soo Do was first used in Korea by Chung Do Kwan founder Won Kuk Lee , who studied with Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi . Hwang Kee didnt use the name till a few years later

Tang Soo Do is a composite style of Soo Bahk Do influenced by northern Chinese arts and Tae Kyun, the kicking techniques and eastern wisdom. Today's Tang Soo Do is recognised to be based on the Moo Duk Kwan style. The Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do school was founded by Master Hwang Kee in 1945.

Tang Soo Do is a classical martial art, not a sport. Though it is not essentially competitive, it has great combat applications. As a classical martial art, its purpose is to develop and grow every aspect of the self to produce a mature person who has totally integrated their intellect, body, emotions and spirit. This integration helps to free one from inner conflict, to be able to deal with the outside world in a mature manner.


Hapkido

Yong Shul Choi, the founder of Hapkido, was born in the town of Yong Dong , Choong Chung Province , relatively near Taegue , South Korea in 1904.

Hapkido is a martial art of Korean origin. Its name means literally "The way of coordination and internal power." Hapkido is a complete martial art in that it consists of: dynamic striking and kicking techniques, very similar to Tae Kwon Do, both hard and soft style deflection techniques, throws, takedowns, ground-fighting, and extensive joint locking techniques. Hapkido is the combination of two Korean Martial Arts - Yool Sool which comes from the Japanese art known as Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jutsu and Tae Kyon which is an ancient Korean Kicking Skill that was widespread during the time of the Three Kingdoms.

[BlackDragon]

Conclusion
Keep in mind that research is the best way to find out the history of martial arts because origins vary here and there. Also keep in mind that the history of korean martial arts as well as todays korean martial arts are much more indepth and needs extensive research to cover it all. This is just a starting point in which we can all start, and begin to explore the world of martial arts together

[Bushido]

I've always been a sucker for the Korean martial arts.

[complete]

Couldn't agree with you more, but I'm biased due to my background.

[etoile86]

Thank you for this information. I am going to bring it back to the instructor team so they can be above and beyond when student ask about Hwa Rang. I appreciate you doing the research.

[the und3rdogg]

good read =]

[silver fox]

very interesting, i was just looking up Korean MA's on the wikipedia. your information was a little more comprehensive.

[tkdnetwork.com]

Cool history, where did you get such info? did you write it?
Would you have any objection in me using this info and uploading it to tkdnetwork.com as an article and reference yourself as a point of contact?

[complete]

I think he found it from some other sites.

[tkdnetwork.com]

oh ok - lets hope he messages where the source is

[kung_lao]

very good!!!!

[47MartialMan]

Nice post.

Much of the history, esp Hwa Rang and Su Bak is not wholly documented.

TKD was basically a mix from other instrcutors to have one national activity/sport to jump start cultural expression and pride.

Its con, was that too many instructors went abroad and trained/certified too many people in haste giving the art bad taste.

[Swallow]

This is an interesting article by Adrogue in Journal of Asian Martial Arts, Vol. 12, Num. 4, noviembre 2003.
"Ancient Military Manuals and Their Relation to Modern Korean Martial Arts”

http://www.taekwon.com.ar/a.pdf
http://www.taekwon.com.ar/b.pdf
http://www.taekwon.com.ar/c.pdf
http://www.taekwon.com.ar/d.pdf

Swallow

[47MartialMan]

Originally Posted by Swallow

This is an interesting article by Adrogue in Journal of Asian Martial Arts, Vol. 12, Num. 4, noviembre 2003.
"Ancient Military Manuals and Their Relation to Modern Korean Martial Arts”

http://www.taekwon.com.ar/a.pdf
http://www.taekwon.com.ar/b.pdf
http://www.taekwon.com.ar/c.pdf
http://www.taekwon.com.ar/d.pdf

Swallow

Nice and interesting. I wonder is there is more different info about it, esp from Koreans?