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{{Short description|Fighting practices developed during the defence of the Korean peninsula}} {{Short description|none}}
{{morefootnotes|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox Korean name {{Infobox Korean name
|img=Korean Martial Arts 18.jpg |img=Incheon AsianGames Taekwondo 030 (15409139955).jpg
|caption=Taekwondo at the ]
|caption=Students from a Korean martial arts school in ] do a demonstration
|hangul=무술 |hangul=무술
|hanja=武術 |hanja=武術
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{{Culture of Korea}} {{Culture of Korea}}


'''Korean martial arts''' ({{Korean|hangul=무술}} or {{Korean|hangul=무예|labels=no}}) are fighting practices and methods which have their place in the ] but have been adapted for use by both military and non-military personnel as a method of personal growth or recreation. The history of Korean martial arts can be traced as far back as the ]. '''Korean martial arts''' ({{Korean|hangul=무술}} or {{Korean|hangul=무예|labels=no}}) are fighting practices and methods which have their place in the ] but have been adapted for use by both military and non-military personnel as a method of personal growth or recreation. The history of Korean martial arts can be traced as far back as the ].


Notable examples of unarmed martial arts include ], ], ], and ]. For armed martial arts, ], ], ], and ] exist. In November 2011, taekkyon was placed on the ] Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/RL/00452 |title=UNESCO Culture Sector - Intangible Heritage - 2003 Convention |publisher=Unesco.org |access-date=2014-02-19}}</ref> Notable examples of unarmed martial arts include ], ], ], and ]. For armed martial arts, ], ], ], and ] exist. In November 2011, taekkyon was placed on the ] Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/RL/00452 |title=UNESCO Culture Sector – Intangible Heritage – 2003 Convention |publisher=Unesco.org |access-date=2014-02-19}}</ref>


==History== ==History==
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Wrestling, called ], is the oldest form of ground fighting in Korea, while ] was the upright martial art of foot soldiers. Weapons were an extension of those unarmed skills. Besides being used to train soldiers, both of these traditional martial arts were also popular among villagers during festivals for dance, mask, acrobatic, and sport fighting. These martial arts were also considered basic physical education. However, Koreans relied more heavily on bows and arrows in warfare than they did on close-range weapons.<ref>Draeger, Donn F. (1981). ''Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts'', pg 155. Kodansha International.</ref> Wrestling, called ], is the oldest form of ground fighting in Korea, while ] was the upright martial art of foot soldiers. Weapons were an extension of those unarmed skills. Besides being used to train soldiers, both of these traditional martial arts were also popular among villagers during festivals for dance, mask, acrobatic, and sport fighting. These martial arts were also considered basic physical education. However, Koreans relied more heavily on bows and arrows in warfare than they did on close-range weapons.<ref>Draeger, Donn F. (1981). ''Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts'', pg 155. Kodansha International.</ref>


It appears that during the ] dynasty, (37 BC – 668) subak/taekkeyon or ssireum (empty-handed fighting), swordsmanship, spear-fighting and horse riding were practiced. In 1935, paintings that showed martial arts were found on the walls of royal tombs believed to have been built for Goguryeo kings sometime between the years 3 and 427 AD.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=evECAAAAMAAJ|title=亞洲文化|volume=3|publisher=Asian Cultural Center|year=1975|pages=30}}</ref> 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 ], until the 15th century, after which its popularity declined It reappears only in 1790 book about martial arts titled ''Muyedobotongji'' ({{Korean|hangul=무예도보통지|labels=no}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.doopedia.co.kr/doopedia/master/master.do?_method=view&MAS_IDX=101013000848566|title=수박|publisher=Doopedia|access-date=2020-11-17|language=ko}}</ref> It appears that during the ] dynasty, (37 BC – 668) subak/taekkeyon or ssireum (empty-handed fighting), swordsmanship, spear-fighting and horse riding were practiced. In 1935, paintings that showed martial arts were found on the walls of royal tombs believed to have been built for Goguryeo kings sometime between the years 3 and 427 AD.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=evECAAAAMAAJ|title=亞洲文化|volume=3|publisher=Asian Cultural Center|year=1975|pages=30}}</ref> 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 ], until the 15th century, after which its popularity declined It reappears only in 1790 book about martial arts titled ''Muyedobotongji'' ({{Korean|hangul=무예도보통지|labels=no}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.doopedia.co.kr/doopedia/master/master.do?_method=view&MAS_IDX=101013000848566|title=수박|publisher=]|access-date=2020-11-17|language=ko}}</ref>

⚫ ===Goryeo===
With the Mongol conquest, the Korean military was reorganized around the ]. Acrobatic horsemanship (''masangjae''), falconry and polo (''gyeokgu'') were imported.{{Clarify|reason=From where|date=August 2023}} The ], which has been compared to the medieval ], was adopted at this time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manchuarchery.org/bows|title=Manchu Archery Homepage|website=Manuarchery.org|access-date=2017-06-16}}</ref>


===Joseon=== ===Joseon===
]" Japanese army ]ing swords while attacking the town of ]. All Korean Soldiers are armed with the ]. ]]In 1593, during the 1592–1598 Japanese invasions of Korea, Korea received help from ] to win back ]. During one of the battles, the Koreans learned about a martial art manual titled ] ({{Lang-zh|c=紀效新書|labels=no}}), written by the Chinese military strategist ]. ] (1567–1608) took a personal interest in the book, and ordered his court to study the book. This led to the creation of the '']'' ({{Korean|hangul=무예제보|hanja=武藝諸譜|labels=no}}) 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 '']'' ({{Korean|hangul=무예신보|hanja=武藝新譜|labels=no}}).<ref>Kim, Wee-hyun. "Muyedobo T'ongji: Illustrated Survey of the Martial arts." Korea Journal 26:8 (August 1986): 42-54</ref> ]" Japanese army ]ing swords while attacking the town of ]. All Korean Soldiers are armed with the ]. ]]In 1593, during the 1592–1598 Japanese invasions of Korea, Korea received help from ] to win back ]. During one of the battles, the Koreans learned about a martial art manual titled '']'' ({{Lang-zh|c=紀效新書|labels=no}}), written by the Chinese military strategist ]. ] (1567–1608) took a personal interest in the book, and ordered his court to study the book. This led to the creation of the '']'' ({{Korean|hangul=무예제보|hanja=武藝諸譜|labels=no}}) 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 '']'' ({{Korean|hangul=무예신보|hanja=武藝新譜|labels=no}}).<ref>Kim, Wee-hyun. "Muyedobo T'ongji: Illustrated Survey of the Martial arts." Korea Journal 26:8 (August 1986): 42–54</ref>
] attacking the Japanese Castle at Ulsan, commanded by ]. Note that the entire formation is archers, as painted by the Japanese.]]In 1895, ] invited 40 sword masters from Japan to begin teaching the art of the sword to his Korean Army cadets and police officers. This was decided upon due to the lack of native sword masters in Korea at the time. Teachings continued well after the 1910 Annexation, until the art was formally named ] in Japan, and ] in Korean.{{Cn|date=August 2023}} ] attacking the Japanese Castle at Ulsan, commanded by ]. Note that the entire formation is archers, as painted by the Japanese.]]In 1895, ] invited 40 sword masters from Japan to begin teaching the art of the sword to his Korean Army cadets and police officers. This was decided upon due to the lack of native sword masters in Korea at the time. Teachings continued well after the 1910 Annexation, until the art was formally named ] in Japan, and ] in Korean.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}


In 1899, ] of ], with the encouragement of ], who was visiting Korea at the time, established ] as an official sport, allowing it to flourish throughout the next century.{{Cn|date=August 2023}} In 1899, Emperor Gojong, with the encouragement of the visiting ], established ] as an official sport.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gungdo 국궁 {{!}} Taekwondo Preschool |url=https://www.taekwondopreschool.com/weaponry_gungdo.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=www.taekwondopreschool.com}}</ref>


During the ], much of the rebels used old matchlock ]es against the modern rifles of the Korean and Japanese Army. Although the rebels initially fought against the Korean government, following the fall of Jeonju, the Korean government had invited in the Japanese Army to help suppress the peasant rebels. With the ] in 1910, all matchlocks were confiscated and destroyed by the Japanese. However, the Japanese did not stop the production and keeping of bows, which they did not consider as a threat to internal security. {{citation needed|date=March 2017}} During the ], much of the rebels used old matchlock ]es against the modern rifles of the Korean and Japanese Army. Although the rebels initially fought against the Korean government, following the fall of Jeonju, the Korean government had invited in the Japanese Army to help suppress the peasant rebels. With the ] in 1910, all matchlocks were confiscated and destroyed by the Japanese. However, the Japanese did not stop the production and keeping of bows, which they did not consider as a threat to internal security. {{citation needed|date=March 2017}}


===Modern Korean martial arts=== ===Modern Korean martial arts===
The two extant martial arts at the time of Japanese take over in 1910, ] and ] grew in popularity during the Japanese occupation period, both of them founding their current federations in 1920. ] did not enjoy much popularity during the occupation era.{{Cn|date=August 2023}} The two extant martial arts at the time of Japanese take over in 1910, ] and ] grew in popularity during the Japanese occupation period, both of them founding their current federations in 1920. ] did not enjoy much popularity during the occupation era.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Korean Martial Arts |url=https://www.maifhq.org/korean-martial-arts.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=MARTIAL ARTS INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION (MAIF) |language=en}}</ref>


Currently these new arts such as taekwondo and hapkido created since 1945 remain the most popular in Korea. Other modern styles such as ] and ], which have a sizeable presence in the US and Europe, are almost unknown in Korea, as the founders relocated to the US and focused on operations in the US. Gungdo participation is limited by the high cost of the equipment, with a traditional horn made reflex bow costing upwards of $1000, and most gungdo clubs in Seoul charging over $1000 application fee for membership, similar to golf clubs. This limits participation to the upper and upper middle class. Many Korean junior high schools, high schools, and colleges maintain martial arts teams to include ], ] (kendo), ] and ]. ] for instance, focuses on martial arts training for international competitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://int.yongin.ac.kr/eng/academics/ma05_taekwondo.htm|title=Department of taekwondo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330215002/http://int.yongin.ac.kr/eng/academics/ma05_taekwondo.htm|archive-date=2014-03-30|url-status=dead|access-date=2012-02-20}}</ref> Currently these new arts such as taekwondo and hapkido created since 1945 remain the most popular in Korea. Other modern styles such as ] and ], which have a sizeable presence in the US and Europe, are almost unknown in Korea, as the founders relocated to the US and focused on operations in the US. Gungdo participation is limited by the high cost of the equipment, with a traditional horn made reflex bow costing upwards of $1000, and most gungdo clubs in Seoul charging over $1000 application fee for membership, similar to golf clubs. This limits participation to the upper and upper middle class. Many Korean junior high schools, high schools, and colleges maintain martial arts teams to include ], ] (kendo), ] and ]. ] for instance, focuses on martial arts training for international competitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://int.yongin.ac.kr/eng/academics/ma05_taekwondo.htm|title=Department of taekwondo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330215002/http://int.yongin.ac.kr/eng/academics/ma05_taekwondo.htm|archive-date=2014-03-30|url-status=dead|access-date=2012-02-20}}</ref>
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{{Main|Taekwondo}} {{Main|Taekwondo}}


Taekwondo is a Korean martial art which emerged in the mid-twentieth century, and has subsequently become one of the most widely practiced martial arts in the world. The art is characterized by powerful hand strikes and kicks, which are used for unarmed self-defense or combat, or in organized sport competitions such as the Olympic Games. Taekwondo primarily focuses on fast, powerful, kicking and punching techniques, which are blended with sophisticated footwork, jumps, blocks, and avoiding actions. In recent years, some Taekwondo styles have begun to incorporate a limited number of joint locks, throws, and ground defenses into their curricula, to keep pace with the needs of modern society and the reality of contemporary self-defense. It has been estimated that there are more than 50 million Taekwondo practitioners worldwide. Since 1988, Taekwondo has been included in the Olympic Games, which has contributed to its phenomenal growth and popularity. <ref>Tedeschi, Marc. ''Taekwondo: Traditions, Philosophy, Technique''. New York: Weatherhill, 2003. {{ISBN|978-1891640735}}.</ref>
Taekwondo is the national sport of both Koreas and the most recognized of the Korean martial arts. It is practiced all over the world by over 70 million people.{{Cn|date=August 2023}}

Taekwondo is the national sport of both Koreas and possibly the most recognized of the Korean martial arts.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kim |first=Yu-jin |date=2021-10-30 |title=The Psychosocial Effects of Taekwondo Training: A Meta-Analysis |journal=Int J Environ Res Public Health |volume=18 |issue=21 |page=11427 |doi=10.3390/ijerph182111427 |pmid=34769961 |pmc=8583609 |doi-access=free }}</ref>


===Taekkyon/Taekkyeon=== ===Taekkyon/Taekkyeon===
{{Main|Taekkyon}} {{Main|Taekkyon}}


Taekkyon is acknowledged as one of the oldest martial arts of Korea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oldest.org/sports/martial-arts/|title=Taekkyon is believed to be one of the earliest forms of Korean martial arts|date=13 November 2017 }}{{unreliable source|date=September 2020}}</ref> Taekkyon is concerned with applying both the hands and feet at the same time to unbalance, trip, or throw the opponent. Hands and feet are always used together. Taekkyon is acknowledged as one of the oldest martial arts of Korea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oldest.org/sports/martial-arts/|title=Taekkyon is believed to be one of the earliest forms of Korean martial arts|date=13 November 2017 }}{{unreliable source?|date=September 2020}}</ref> ] was the last Taekkyon Master of the Joseon dynasty.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.turtlepress.com/training/history-and-principles-of-taekkyon|title=Fortunately Song Deok-ki (1893–1987) preserved the art and handed it down to modern day Koreans.}}</ref>


On June 1, 1983, Taekkyon was made the ] No. 76 by the South Korean government.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Jin |first1=Su-geon |last2=So |first2=Wi-Young |last3=Seo |first3=Dong-il |date=2022-10-26 |title=Comparative Analysis of Exercise Intensity in Taekkyeon Training Movements |journal=Journal of Men's Health |volume=18 |issue=10 |pages=209 |doi=10.31083/j.jomh1810209 |issn=1875-6867|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Taekkyeon (Traditional Korean Martial Art) |url=http://english.cha.go.kr/chaen/search/selectGeneralSearchDetail.do;jsessionid=EX0UbCq2zZu1utHoElpzC17Y3mOxvRrtBGDfebpn331erK3iJJjFJvIkeCMjJNoI.cha-was02_servlet_engine4?mn=EN_02_02&sCcebKdcd=17&ccebAsno=00760000&sCcebCtcd=33&pageIndex=8&region=&canAsset=&ccebPcd1=&searchWrd=&startNum=&endNum=&stCcebAsdt=&enCcebAsdt=&canceled=&ccebKdcd=17&ccebCtcd= |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=] – English Site |language=en |agency=]}}</ref> It is one of two Korean martial arts which possesses such a classification. In November 2011, Taekkyon was recognized on the UNESCO's Intangible World Heritage Art list.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/taekkyeon-a-traditional-korean-martial-art-00452|title=Inscribed in 2011 (6.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity}}</ref>
Taekkyon has many whole-body techniques with fully integrated armwork. Although Taekkyon primarily utilizes kicking, punching, and arm strikes thrown from a mobile stance and does not provide a framework for groundfighting, it does incorporate a variety of different throws, takedowns, and grappling techniques to complement its striking focus.

The survival of ], the last Taekkyon Master of the Joseon dynasty secured the transmission of the art:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.turtlepress.com/training/history-and-principles-of-taekkyon|title=Fortunately Song Deok-ki (1893-1987) preserved the art and handed it down to modern day Koreans.}}</ref> Taekkyon joined the list of ] No. 76" on June 1, 1983. It is one of two Korean martial arts which possesses such a classification. In November 2011 Taekkyon was recognized on the UNESCO's Intangible World Heritage Art list,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/taekkyeon-a-traditional-korean-martial-art-00452|title=Inscribed in 2011 (6.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity}}</ref> becoming the first martial art recognized by UNESCO.{{Cn|date=August 2023}}


===Subak=== ===Subak===
{{Main|Subak}} {{Main|Subak}}
Subak<ref name="World Martial Arts Styles">{{cite web|title=World Martial Arts Styles|url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldmartialartsstyles/subak}}</ref> is an ancient martial art originally from China.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} Subak<ref name="World Martial Arts Styles">{{cite web|title=World Martial Arts Styles|url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldmartialartsstyles/subak}}</ref> is an ancient Korean martial art.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}


===Tang Soo Do/Soo Bahk Do=== ===Tang Soo Do/Soo Bahk Do===
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Tang Soo Do is a striking martial art, which was developed during the 20th century, yet it has its roots in ancient Korean martial arts, as well as martial arts from other nations. Tang Soo Do is a striking martial art, which was developed during the 20th century, yet it has its roots in ancient Korean martial arts, as well as martial arts from other nations.


===Hapkido arts=== ===Hapkido===
{{Main|Hapkido}} {{Main|Hapkido}}
Though various forms of grappling have been known in Korea for generations, ] is essentially a 20th-century development, based on Japanese ] but incorporating Korean striking techniques. The foundation for hapkido was established by ]. Returning from Japan in 1946, Choi began teaching material reportedly taught to Choi by ]. Choi called his style Yawara , but modified the name to Hapki Yusul and later to Hapki Yukwonsul to distinguish it from Japanese ], which was written in the same characters, and from which much of the early hapkido techniques were derived. Choi's practices were later renamed to ] and students of Choi Yong Sul, such as ], the late ], the late ] and others helped to spread this art both inside and outside Korea. Since the hanja are identical to those of ], Japanese Aikido and Korean hapkido are often confused and stylistic similarities do cause these separate arts to approximate each other in some ways. In like manner, some variants of hapkido such as ], ] and ] have adopted a range of Chinese practices and execution.
Along with taekwondo, hapkido has helped to establish modern Korean martial arts by providing systemization and incorporating into other styles. This process complemented the other modern Korean martial art, ].


Hapkido is a Korean martial art which emerged in the mid-twentieth century and quickly grew to become an international style. Its founders created the art by selectively fusing a wide range of existing martial skills, with new innovations. As a result, Hapkido possesses one of the most complex, unique, and varied arsenals of self-defense techniques to be found in any martial art. These skills encompass all major martial categories: strikes, kicks, blocks, avoiding movements, holds, joint locks, chokes, throws, breakfalls, tumbling, ground fighting, weapons, meditation, and healing. Although Hapkido is often compared to Aikido, Taekwondo, Jujutsu, Judo, and Tai Chi Chuan, it has a much broader range of techniques, suitable in a wider range of situations.
===Hanmudo===
<ref>. hapkidowest.org. Retrieved 29 April 2024.</ref>

⚫ ===Hanmudo===
Hanmudo (한무도) is a hybrid Korean martial art developed by Dr He-Young Kimm. He founded the World Hanmudo Association in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hanmudo.com/about-hanmudo |title=About Hanmudo |website=hanmudo.com |access-date=2022-11-21}}</ref> Hanmudo (한무도) is a hybrid Korean martial art developed by Dr He-Young Kimm. He founded the World Hanmudo Association in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hanmudo.com/about-hanmudo |title=About Hanmudo |website=hanmudo.com |access-date=2022-11-21}}</ref>


===Gungdo=== ===Gungdo===
] ]
The ] had been the most important weapon in Korean wars with Chinese dynasties and nomadic peoples, recorded from the 1st century BCE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atarn.org/korean/korean1.htm|title=Korean Traditional Archery|last=Duvernay|first=Thomas|website=www.atarn.org}}</ref> Legend says the first king and founder of the ], ], was a master of archery, able to catch 5 ] with one ]. ], the first king of the ], was also said to be a skilled archer. Rumors of archers in Goguryeo and Silla presumably reached ]; the ancient Chinese gave the people of the north east, ], ] and the ], the name of ] (東夷), the latter character (]) being a combination of the two characters for "large" (大) and "bow" (弓). The ] had been the most important weapon in Korean wars with Chinese dynasties and nomadic peoples, recorded from the 1st century BCE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atarn.org/korean/korean1.htm|title=Korean Traditional Archery|last=Duvernay|first=Thomas|website=www.atarn.org}}</ref> Legend says the first king and founder of the ], ], was a master of archery, able to catch 5 ] with one ]. ], the first king of the ], was also said to be a skilled archer.


⚫ Until the ], the ] of the ] ] became apparent, despite its slow rate of fire and susceptibility to wet weather.<ref>Korean Traditional Archery. Duvernay TA, Duvernay NY. Handong Global University, 2007</ref> However, it was the Korean composite bow, referred to as the "half bow" by the Japanese, that halted the Japanese at the ] as well as at the ].
However, the word 夷 was first used in Chinese history referring to the people South of Yellow River over 5,000 years ago. Later, when Yi 夷 people joined the tribes of Hua Xia Chinese, 夷 meant outsiders. By that time, DongYi refers to Korean, as in Outsiders from the East


⚫ ===Korean swordsmanship===
With the Mongol Conquest of Korea, archery became the main stay of Korean military. The swords and spears of the Korean and Chinese armies did very little to stop Mongol archers and were quickly discarded in favor of the composite bow, which proved to be a much more effective weapon against the Mongols. Yi Seonggye, the founding king of Joseon was known to have been a master archer. In a battle against Japanese pirates, ], assisted by Yi Bangsil, killed the young samurai commander "Agibaldo" with two successive arrows, one arrow unhelmeting the warrior, with the second arrow entering his mouth. In his letter to General ], Yi Seonggye lists as one of five reasons not to invade ] as during the monsoon season, glue holding together the composite bow weakens, reducing the effectiveness of the bow.


⚫ ===Korean spears===
Founding of Joseon dynasty saw the retention of the composite bow as the main stay of the Joseon military. Archery was the main martial event tested during the military portion of the national service exam held annually from 1392 to 1894. Under Joseon, archery reached its zenith, resulting in the invention of ], which saw great service against the Japanese in 1592 and against the Manchus in the early 1600s.

]
⚫ Until the ], archery was the main long-range weapon system. During that war, the ] of the ] ] became apparent, despite its slow rate of fire and susceptibility to wet weather.<ref>Korean Traditional Archery. Duvernay TA, Duvernay NY. Handong Global University, 2007</ref> However, it was the Korean composite bow, referred to as the "half bow" by the Japanese, that halted the Japanese at the ] as well as at the ]. Although Joseon adopted the ] during the ], the composite bow remained the main stay of its Army until the ]. Under King ]'s military reforms, an attempt hosinsoolˌ'護身術' was made to revive ] as a significant element of the military. It was also practiced for pleasure and for health, and many young males and a some many females - including the king - would spend their free time practicing it.

⚫ ===]===

⚫ ===]===

==Teaching methods==
The traditional ] system has no fixed curriculum. Every student is treated individually and thus the lesson is always different, although all of the basic skills are eventually covered. The basic skills are taught in temporary patterns, that evolve as the student learns. Basic skills are expounded on and variations of each single skill are then practised, in multiple new combinations. When the student has learned all the variations of the basic movements & techniques, and can intermix all of them proficiently, they're encouraged to perform the Taekkyon Dance. Taekkyon is a Ten-year technique.

Modern Korean martial arts' systemization and presentation are very similar to their Japanese counterparts (i.e. barefoot, with uniforms, class participants executing techniques in unison by following the teacher's commands, and sometimes showing respect by bowing to a portrait of the founder and/or to 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, drawn from Japanese colonial influence.<ref>{{Cite book|last=O'Neill|first=Simon John|url=http://www.vlebooks.com/vleweb/product/openreader?id=none&isbn=9781447535010|title=Taegeuk Cipher: The Patterns of Kukki Taekwondo as a Practical Self-Defence Syllabus|date=2013|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=978-1-4475-3501-0|location=Place of publication not identified|language=English|oclc=1100690060}}</ref> These include:

* Kyo·sa·nim (교사님 / 敎師任): teacher.
* Sa·beom·nim (사범님 / 師範任): master instructor; used in some styles/systems but not all, e.g. taekwondo and hapkido.
* Kwan·jang·nim (관장님 / 館長任): one of 3 meanings ~ training hall owner/kwan leader/master instructor; as above, used by many, e.g. taekwondo and hapkido {note that if used to mean "master" the kwan leader's title becomes: Chong·kwan·jang·nim (총관장님 / 總館長任), i.e. chief master}
* Do·ju·nim (도주님 / 道主任): keeper of the way. Typically this is used to imply a founder of a style or system, such as for ], the Dojunim of ].

NOTE: remove the word "nim" (님 / 任) from the listed titles above unless addressing the title holder, as it merely serves as an honorific.

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, even if located outside Korea.

==Terminology==
Korean martial arts are usually practiced in a '']'' (도장; 道場), which may also be referred to as ''che·yuk·kwan'' (체육관; 體育館, i.e. gymnasium). The practitioners wear a uniform or '']'' (도복; 道服) with a belt or ''tti'' (띠) wrapped around it. This belt usually indicates which grade the practitioner has attained. Students start with a white belt and move through a range of coloured belts (which the sequence often differs from style to style) before reaching the black belt. The grades before black belt are referred to as '']'' or ''kup'' (급; 級), while the black belt ranks are referred to as '']'' (단; 段). In some cases, students younger than 16 years of age are not given ''dan'' ranks, but rather "pum", alternately spelt "poom" (품; 品), i.e. "junior black belt" ranks {short for ''pum·gye'' (품계; 品階)}. Some styles use ticks/stripes on one end of the black belt to show which ''dan'' rank the practitioner has attained. It is typical for most systems to have nine ''geup'' grades and nine ''dan'' ranks. However, while it might only take a few months to progress from one ''geup'' to the next, it can take years to go from one ''dan'' to the next, and often does. Most of the above terms are identical to those used in Japanese styles such as ] and ], but with the ] characters said using the Korean pronunciation, with a few exceptions (e.g. "dobok" which originally meant a Taoist priest's garb, is written with hanja characters but is a purely Korean expression, as a substitute for the Japanese "gi" ; "tti" is a native Korean word with no representative hanja, but it ''is'' cognate with "dae" , of which the Jap. "obi" , or sash, is a derivative.)

In some styles, like taekgyeon, the ] is worn instead of a ]. The v-neck top of many styles of taekwondo uniform was supposedly fashioned after the modern designs of hanbok, but is probably just a modification for a pullover top to accommodate the modesty of female practitioners (common activities with the standard jacket construction can cause it to come open, thus requiring females to wear a T-shirt, leotard, or sport bra underneath the jacket, whereas the pullover v-neck jacket does not.)


== See also == == See also ==
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*] *]
*] *]

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|group=note}}


==References== ==References==
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* {{Cite journal | last1 = Henning | first1 = S. | year = 2000 | title = Traditional Korean martial arts | journal = Journal of Asian Martial Arts | volume = 9 | page = 1 }} * {{Cite journal | last1 = Henning | first1 = S. | year = 2000 | title = Traditional Korean martial arts | journal = Journal of Asian Martial Arts | volume = 9 | page = 1 }}
* Kim, S. H. (2001): ''Muye Dobo Tongji''. Turtle Press. * Kim, S. H. (2001): ''Muye Dobo Tongji''. Turtle Press.

{{Korean martial arts}} {{Korean martial arts}}
{{martial arts}} {{martial arts}}

Latest revision as of 23:06, 16 October 2024

Korean martial arts
Taekwondo at the 2014 Asian Games
Korean name
Hangul무술
Hanja武術
Revised RomanizationMusul
McCune–ReischauerMusul
Alternate term
Hangul무예
Hanja武藝
Revised Romanizationmuye
McCune–Reischauermuye
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Korean martial arts (Korean: 무술 or 무예) are fighting practices and methods which have their place in the history of Korea but have been adapted for use by both military and non-military personnel as a method of personal growth or recreation. The history of Korean martial arts can be traced as far back as the prehistoric era.

Notable examples of unarmed martial arts include taekwondo, hapkido, ssireum, and taekkyon. For armed martial arts, Korean archery, Kumdo, Korean swordsmanship, and knife fighting exist. In November 2011, taekkyon was placed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List.

History

Early history

Further information: Subak and Taekkyon

Wrestling, called ssireum, is the oldest form of ground fighting in Korea, while Subak was the upright martial art of foot soldiers. Weapons were an extension of those unarmed skills. Besides being used to train soldiers, both of these traditional martial arts were also popular among villagers during festivals for dance, mask, acrobatic, and sport fighting. These martial arts were also considered basic physical education. However, Koreans relied more heavily on bows and arrows in warfare than they did on close-range weapons.

It appears that during the Goguryeo dynasty, (37 BC – 668) subak/taekkeyon or ssireum (empty-handed fighting), swordsmanship, spear-fighting and horse riding were practiced. In 1935, paintings that showed martial arts were found on the walls of royal tombs believed to have been built for Goguryeo kings sometime between the years 3 and 427 AD. 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, until the 15th century, after which its popularity declined It reappears only in 1790 book about martial arts titled Muyedobotongji (무예도보통지).

Joseon

"Siege of Dongrae" Japanese army dual wielding swords while attacking the town of Dongrae. All Korean Soldiers are armed with the composite bow.

In 1593, during the 1592–1598 Japanese invasions of Korea, 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; 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 (무예신보; 武藝新譜).

Korean Army under Gwon Yul attacking the Japanese Castle at Ulsan, commanded by Katō Kiyomasa. Note that the entire formation is archers, as painted by the Japanese.

In 1895, Emperor Gojong invited 40 sword masters from Japan to begin teaching the art of the sword to his Korean Army cadets and police officers. This was decided upon due to the lack of native sword masters in Korea at the time. Teachings continued well after the 1910 Annexation, until the art was formally named Kendo in Japan, and Kumdo in Korean.

In 1899, Emperor Gojong, with the encouragement of the visiting Prince Heinrich of Prussia, established gungdo as an official sport.

During the Donghak Rebellion, much of the rebels used old matchlock arquebuses against the modern rifles of the Korean and Japanese Army. Although the rebels initially fought against the Korean government, following the fall of Jeonju, the Korean government had invited in the Japanese Army to help suppress the peasant rebels. With the annexation of Korea in 1910, all matchlocks were confiscated and destroyed by the Japanese. However, the Japanese did not stop the production and keeping of bows, which they did not consider as a threat to internal security.

Modern Korean martial arts

The two extant martial arts at the time of Japanese take over in 1910, ssireum and gungdo grew in popularity during the Japanese occupation period, both of them founding their current federations in 1920. Taekkyon did not enjoy much popularity during the occupation era.

Currently these new arts such as taekwondo and hapkido created since 1945 remain the most popular in Korea. Other modern styles such as Tae Soo Do and Hwa Rang Do, which have a sizeable presence in the US and Europe, are almost unknown in Korea, as the founders relocated to the US and focused on operations in the US. Gungdo participation is limited by the high cost of the equipment, with a traditional horn made reflex bow costing upwards of $1000, and most gungdo clubs in Seoul charging over $1000 application fee for membership, similar to golf clubs. This limits participation to the upper and upper middle class. Many Korean junior high schools, high schools, and colleges maintain martial arts teams to include ssireum, kumdo (kendo), judo and taekwondo. Yong In University for instance, focuses on martial arts training for international competitions.

Types of Korean martial arts

Taekwondo

Main article: Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art which emerged in the mid-twentieth century, and has subsequently become one of the most widely practiced martial arts in the world. The art is characterized by powerful hand strikes and kicks, which are used for unarmed self-defense or combat, or in organized sport competitions such as the Olympic Games. Taekwondo primarily focuses on fast, powerful, kicking and punching techniques, which are blended with sophisticated footwork, jumps, blocks, and avoiding actions. In recent years, some Taekwondo styles have begun to incorporate a limited number of joint locks, throws, and ground defenses into their curricula, to keep pace with the needs of modern society and the reality of contemporary self-defense. It has been estimated that there are more than 50 million Taekwondo practitioners worldwide. Since 1988, Taekwondo has been included in the Olympic Games, which has contributed to its phenomenal growth and popularity.

Taekwondo is the national sport of both Koreas and possibly the most recognized of the Korean martial arts.

Taekkyon/Taekkyeon

Main article: Taekkyon

Taekkyon is acknowledged as one of the oldest martial arts of Korea. Song Deok-gi was the last Taekkyon Master of the Joseon dynasty.

On June 1, 1983, Taekkyon was made the Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Korea No. 76 by the South Korean government. It is one of two Korean martial arts which possesses such a classification. In November 2011, Taekkyon was recognized on the UNESCO's Intangible World Heritage Art list.

Subak

Main article: Subak

Subak is an ancient Korean martial art.

Tang Soo Do/Soo Bahk Do

Main article: Tang Soo Do

Tang Soo Do is a striking martial art, which was developed during the 20th century, yet it has its roots in ancient Korean martial arts, as well as martial arts from other nations.

Hapkido

Main article: Hapkido

Hapkido is a Korean martial art which emerged in the mid-twentieth century and quickly grew to become an international style. Its founders created the art by selectively fusing a wide range of existing martial skills, with new innovations. As a result, Hapkido possesses one of the most complex, unique, and varied arsenals of self-defense techniques to be found in any martial art. These skills encompass all major martial categories: strikes, kicks, blocks, avoiding movements, holds, joint locks, chokes, throws, breakfalls, tumbling, ground fighting, weapons, meditation, and healing. Although Hapkido is often compared to Aikido, Taekwondo, Jujutsu, Judo, and Tai Chi Chuan, it has a much broader range of techniques, suitable in a wider range of situations.

Hanmudo

Hanmudo (한무도) is a hybrid Korean martial art developed by Dr He-Young Kimm. He founded the World Hanmudo Association in 1989.

Gungdo

Heon Kim using a modern Korean composite bow

The reflex bow had been the most important weapon in Korean wars with Chinese dynasties and nomadic peoples, recorded from the 1st century BCE. Legend says the first king and founder of the Goguryeo, Go Jumong, was a master of archery, able to catch 5 flies with one arrow. Park Hyeokgeose, the first king of the Silla, was also said to be a skilled archer.

Until the Imjin wars, the tactical superiority of the matchlock arquebus became apparent, despite its slow rate of fire and susceptibility to wet weather. However, it was the Korean composite bow, referred to as the "half bow" by the Japanese, that halted the Japanese at the Battle of Haengju as well as at the Battle of Ulsan.

Korean swordsmanship

Korean spears

See also

References

  1. "UNESCO Culture Sector – Intangible Heritage – 2003 Convention". Unesco.org. Retrieved 2014-02-19.
  2. Draeger, Donn F. (1981). Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts, pg 155. Kodansha International.
  3. 亞洲文化. Vol. 3. Asian Cultural Center. 1975. p. 30.
  4. "수박" (in Korean). Doopedia. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  5. Kim, Wee-hyun. "Muyedobo T'ongji: Illustrated Survey of the Martial arts." Korea Journal 26:8 (August 1986): 42–54
  6. "Gungdo 국궁 | Taekwondo Preschool". www.taekwondopreschool.com. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  7. "Korean Martial Arts". MARTIAL ARTS INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION (MAIF). Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  8. "Department of taekwondo". Archived from the original on 2014-03-30. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  9. Tedeschi, Marc. Taekwondo: Traditions, Philosophy, Technique. New York: Weatherhill, 2003. ISBN 978-1891640735.
  10. Kim, Yu-jin (2021-10-30). "The Psychosocial Effects of Taekwondo Training: A Meta-Analysis". Int J Environ Res Public Health. 18 (21): 11427. doi:10.3390/ijerph182111427. PMC 8583609. PMID 34769961.
  11. "Taekkyon is believed to be one of the earliest forms of Korean martial arts". 13 November 2017.
  12. "Fortunately Song Deok-ki (1893–1987) preserved the art and handed it down to modern day Koreans".
  13. Jin, Su-geon; So, Wi-Young; Seo, Dong-il (2022-10-26). "Comparative Analysis of Exercise Intensity in Taekkyeon Training Movements". Journal of Men's Health. 18 (10): 209. doi:10.31083/j.jomh1810209. ISSN 1875-6867.
  14. "Taekkyeon (Traditional Korean Martial Art)". Cultural Heritage Administration – English Site. Cultural Heritage Administration. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  15. "Inscribed in 2011 (6.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity".
  16. "World Martial Arts Styles".
  17. "What is Hapkido?". hapkidowest.org. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  18. "About Hanmudo". hanmudo.com. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
  19. Duvernay, Thomas. "Korean Traditional Archery". www.atarn.org.
  20. Korean Traditional Archery. Duvernay TA, Duvernay NY. Handong Global University, 2007

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.
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