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| HISTORY
OF TAEKWON-DO
(TaeKwon-Do Yoksa)
Although the
origins of the martial arts are shrouded in mystery, we consider it an
undeniable fact that from time in memorial there have been physical actions
involving the use of the hands and feet for purpose of self-protection.
If we were to
define these physical actions as "TaeKwon- Do", any country
might claim credit for inventing TaeKwon-Do. There is, however, scant
resemblance between TaeKwon-Do, as it is practiced today, and the crude
forms of unarmed combat developed in the past.
Modern TaeKwon-Do
differs greatly from other martial arts. In fact, no other martial art
is so advanced with regard to the sophistication and effectiveness of
its technique or the over-all physical fitness it imparts to its practitioners.
Since the theories,
terminology, techniques, systems, methods, rules, practice suit, and spiritual
foundation were scientifically developed, systematized, and named by the
author, it is an error to think of any physical actions employing the
hand and feet for self-defence as TaeKwon- Do. Only those who practice
the techniques based on the author's theories, principles and philosophy
are considered to be students of genuine TaeKwon-Do.
When and where
did TaeKwon-Do begin?
A combination
of circumstances made it possible for me to originate and develop TaeKwon-Do.
In addition to my prior knowledge of Taek Kyon, I had an opportunity to
learn Karate in Japan during the unhappy thirty-six years when my native
land was occupied by the Japanese. Soon after Korea was liberated in 1945,
I was placed in a privileged position as a founding member of the newly
formed South Korean Armed Forces.
The former provided
me with a definite sense of creation, and the latter gave me the power
to disseminate TaeKwon-Do throughout the entire armed forces, despite
furious opposition.
The emergence
of TaeKwon-Do as an international martial art in a relatively short period
of time was due to a variety of factors. The evils of contemporary society
(moral corruption, materialism, selfishness, etc.) had created a spiritual
vacuum. TaeKwon-Do was able to compensate for the prevailing sense of
emptiness, distrust, decadence and lack of confidence.
In addition,
these were violent times, when people felt the need for a means of protecting
themselves, and the superiority of TaeKwon-Do technique came to be widely
recognized. My social stature, the advantage of being TaeKwon-Do's founder
and my God-given health also contributed to the rapid growth of TaeKwon-Do
all over the world.
My involvement
with the martial arts did much to supplement the health that God gave
me. I had been born frail and weak and was encouraged to learn Taek Kyon
at the age of fifteen by my teacher of calligraphy. In 1938, a few days
before I was due to leave Korea to study in Japan I was involved in an
unexpected incident that would have made it difficult to return home without
risk of reprisals.
I resolved to
become a black belt holder in Karate while I was in Japan.
The skills I
required were, I felt, sufficient protection against those who might seek
to do me harm. Not only was I able to return to Korea, but I subsequently
initiated the national liberation movement known as the Pyongyang Student
Soldier's Incident. Like so many patriots in the long course of human
history, my actions aroused the wrath of those in positions of power.
I was imprisoned for a time in a Japanese army jail. In January of 1946,
I was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the fledgling Republic of
Korea army and posted to the 4th infantry regiment in Kwangju, Cholla
Namdo Province as a company commander.
I began to teach
Karate to my soldiers as a means of physical and mental training. It was
then that I realized that we needed to develop our own national martial
art, superior in both spirit and technique to Japanese Karate. I strongly
believed that teaching it throughout the country would enable me to fulfill
the pledge I had made to three of my comrades, who had shared my imprisonment
by the Japanese.
"The reason
that our people suffer in this way at the hands of the Japanese,"
I had said, "is that our ancestors failed to rule wisely".
"They exploited
the people and, in the end, lost the country to foreign domination. If
we ever regain our freedom and independence, let us not become the rulers
of the people. Instead, let us dedicate ourselves to advising those who
rule."
It was with
this ambition in mind that I began to develop new techniques, systematically,
from March of that same year. By the end of 1954 I had nearly completed
the foundation of a new martial art for Korea, and on April 11, 1955,
it was given the name "TaeKwon-Do".
On the spiritual
level, TaeKwon-Do is derived from the traditional, ethical and moral principles
of the orient and, of course, from my personal philosophy.
Even though
I am only five feet tall, I pride myself on having lived-in strict accordance
with my moral convictions. I have tried to fight on the side of justice
without fear of any kind. I believe that this was possible for me only
because of the formidable power and indomitable spirit instilled by TaeKwon-Do.
The physical
techniques of TaeKwon-Do are based on the principles of modern science,
in particular, Newtonian physics which teaches us how to generate maximum
power. Military tactics of attack and defence have also been incorporated.
I wish to make
it clear that although Karate and Taek Kyon were used as references in
the course of my study, the fundamental theories and principles of TaeKwon-Do
are totally different from those of any other martial art in the world.
In March of
1959, I led the military TaeKwon-Do demonstration team on a tour abroad.
We visited South Vietnam and Taiwan. It was the first such visit in the
history of Korea. On this occasion, I renewed my resolution to leave my
personal legacy to the world, in the form of TaeKwon-Do, and I formulated
the following basic ideals for the TaeKwon-Do practitioners:
1. By developing an upright mind
and a strong body,
we will acquire the self-confidence to stand
on the side of justice at all times;
2. We shall unite with all men
in a common brotherhood,
without regard to religion, race,
national or ideological boundaries.
3. We shall dedicate ourselves
to building a peaceful
human society in which justice, morality,
trust and humanism prevail; I
also resolved to dedicate myself to the worldwide propagation of TaeKwon-Do,
in the sincere hope
that it would provide the means by which
the unification of the divided halves of my fatherland
would become possible.
My study of TaeKwon-Do proceeded in two parts, spiritual discipline
and technical perfection. Because the human spirit belongs to the
realm of metaphysics, what I mean by spiritual discipline is not easy
to describe. One cannot touch, see or hear the spirit of man, It is
wider and deeper than anything we can perceive.
In this respect, I, myself, am only another student participating
in a continuing and never-ending learning process.
I have come
to define the spiritual dimensions of TaeKwon-Do as fusing oneself
with the ideals of TaeKwon-Do and attaining and understanding the
full meaning of each of the TaeKwon-Do patterns. If we consider ourselves
as one with TaeKwon-Do, we will respect it as we respect our own bodies
and TaeKwon-Do will never be used in a dishonourable way. |
Life and work become one. |
The names of
the patterns are derived from the most illustrious people to have been
produced by nearly five thousand years of Korean history. A proper understanding
of the patterns leads, inevitably to the realization that TaeKwon-Do is
a martial art to be used only for self-defence and only in the cause of
justice.
The history
of Korea contains not a single sample of its military forces being employed
for the invasion of its neighbours or for any other purpose except national
defence.
In the technical
area, I created a wide variety of techniques that can be used in almost
any situation. They are based on the following principles:
1. All movement should be designed
to produce maximum power in accordance
with scientific formulas and the principle of kinetic energy;
2. The principles behind the techniques
should be so clear that even those ignorant
to TaeKwon-Do will be able to distinguish correct from incorrect movement;
3. The distance and angle of each
movement should be exactly defined inorder
to achieve more efficient attack and defence;
4. The purpose and method of each
movement should be clear and simple, inorder
to facilitate the teaching and learning process;
5. Rational teaching methods should
be developed so that the benefits of TaeKwon-Do
can be enjoyed by everyone, young and old, men and women;
6. Correct breathing methods should
be devised, enhancing the speed of each movement and reducing fatigue;
7. Attack should be possible against
any vital spot on the body and it should be
possible to defend against all varieties of attack;
8. Each attacking tool should be
clearly defined and soundly based on the structure
of the human body;
9. Each movement should be easy
to execute, enabling the student to enjoy TaeKwon-Do
as a sport and recreation;
10. Special consideration should
be paid to promoting good health and preventing
injuries;
11. Each movement should be harmonious
and rhythmical so that TaeKwon-Do
is aesthetically pleasing;
12. Each movement in a pattern
must express the personality and spiritual character
of the person it is named after.
Adherence to
these basic principles is what makes TaeKwon-Do a martial art,
an aesthetic art, a science and sport.
Copyright © 1966-2000 International
TaeKwon-Do Federation |
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