KOREAN MARTIAL ARTS

For many years, there has been only one major thought to the origins of Korean Martial Arts, and that was that they were organic or indigenous in nature. One of the secondary theories is linked to Bodhidarma, a legendary Buddhist monk from India who came to China in the sixth century AD to promote his religion. He eventually founded a monastery at Shaolin where he began to teach special techniques of breath control and meditation to his monk followers, who were physically weak. In order to protect them from wild animals and bandits, he later also taught them various fighting skills and systems culminating in the legendary 18 Immortals   Bodhidarma Fist Form. These teachings eventually formed the basis of the major Chinese Martial Arts or CMA. Since most given evidence of KMA predates this, it was postulated that KMA were around before CMA.

The 3 most famous items of evidence of an indigenous KMA "thousands of years old" are:
1) The tomb murals (circa 37BC) of the Koguryo Kingdom (now Southern Manchuria and North Korea) depicting two youths engaged in martial art free sparring stances;

2) The MuyeToboThongji (Illustrated Manual Of Martial Arts) circa 1790, which is the definitive work on traditional KMA;

3) The statue of Kumgang Yusa, also seen depicting a warrior practicing a martial art stance.

Unfortunately, the above 3 items actually support that KMA were a synthesis or outright reflection of CMA because:
1) The tomb is in an area that was part of the Han (Dynasty) empire, circa 200BC – 210AD. Furthermore, the mural closely resembles other tomb murals deep in Eastern Han (China) territory where Koreans did not travel.

2) The Manual closely describes known Chinese Martial tactics and skills, especially Chuan Fa (Long Fist) as well as quoting classical Chinese sources. It is also near identical to an earlier work in 1561 called Jixiao Xinshu by a Chinese General.

3) The Statue is actually a Buddhist guardian figure, possibly one of the 4 "Heavenly Kings", and is common throughout East Asia.

What is certain from numerous records of the Three Kingdom period is that explicitly stated, "Since ancient times there was a self-defense art using both arms and legs". The Three Kingdoms were actually warring states, and were eventually unified into one huge nation circa 670 AD by the smallest state, Silla, which retained control for over 300 years. The main 'weapon' in the unification for Silla was a highly professional and dedicated core of nobility who immersed themselves from youth in mastering military, scientific and administrative skills.

It was recorded that their combat skills were superhuman; able to face odds of 10 to 1 and still vanquish their foes, utilizing a variety of weapons (bow and arrow, spear, staff, sword, knife, etc.) as well as unarmed combat skills, either on the ground or while on horseback. These warrior noblemen called themselves the "Hwa Rang" or "Flower of youth". Unfortunately, these youth trained in an Art called KwonBup (Fist Skills), a CMA known during the Tang Dynasty, also referred to as "Tang Hand" or TangSoo.

The study of unarmed combat in Korea reached its zenith during the Koryo (modern Korea) Dynasty. The major art was called SooBakDo ("Way of Hand Strikes"), and was practiced as a national sport by both military and civilian populace, with detailed rules of competition. The art also had the support of the Royal Family, with numerous regular exhibitions and championships. The Koryo Dynasty lasted from 935 to 1392 AD, i.e. for over 400 years, after which the Yi Dynasty began (1393 to 1909 AD). The rulers of the Yi Dynasty substituted Buddhism with Confucianism as the state religion. Confucianism advocated classical Chinese learning and down played physical activity.

The result was therefore gradual, albeit very clear; the traditional martial arts, SooBak, (striking with hands), KwanBak (striking with fists), YooKyo or Ssirum (wrestling), TaeKyon (a predominantly leg-oriented art), etc. were generally neglected and left to struggle on their own. This also applied to Koong Joong MooSool or Royal Court Martial Arts of the time.

All the above eventually sapped the populace's spirit, resulting in a virtual rout in 1909, heralding the beginning of the dark years of Japanese occupation. All martial arts (except Judo and Karate which were introduced by the Japanese overlords) were banned. Practice automatically meant death or imprisonment. However, many Masters continued to train and teach in secret. Some hybrid arts were also developed, incorporating Chinese Kempo and Japanese Karate, like TangSoo Do and KongSooDo. Other practitioners took to the Japanese arts direct, and although KarateDo is virtually rejected outright in Korea nowadays, Judo (or Yudo as it is called in Korea) has produced numerous World Champions for Korea since the 1960's.

After the liberation of Korea in 1945, a state of intense development began anew, not only for martial arts but also in all sectors (e.g. education, manufacture, etc.). The results are now clear for the world to see.

In general, virtually any person of either sex (and within a huge age range) can study most Korean martial arts and/or martial sports, especially TaeKwonDo and HapKiDo. All that is needed is to join a properly appointed/appointed club or organization that is run by a properly certified instructor.

Imitation may be flattery, but counterfeit or improperly trained instructors are far more dangerous than a loaded gun. All manner of cowboys are now attempting to pass off their brand of mimicry as legitimate TaeKwonDo or HapKiDo to the eventual long term detriment of all their students, not forgetting the genuine instructors. Whilst it may be agreed for example, that a TaeKwonDo or Karate or Kung Fu practitioner can be a kickboxer (albeit perhaps a poor one), it would take years for a kickboxer to understand one of the above arts to the degree needed to promote them properly. By careful observation and insistence on proof of quality certification, good instructors can be found.

Previously, all traditional KMA (KukSool) in general came under the control (certification wise) of the Dae Han KiDo Hae or Korea Martial Arts Association.

The Korea KiDo Association is a unique true martial art Association formed in 1963 under a charter by the ROK Ministry of Education. This extended this organization the right to supervise and regulate the standards of teaching, as well as promotion requirements for HKD and thirty additional Korean martial arts which had not congregated under the banner of Taekwondo. It is the oldest Korean Martial Art Association officially recognized by the government of South Korea, excluding those martial sports recognized under the Korean Amateur Sports Association (now the Korea Sports Council). Its two largest component groups are HapKiDo and KukSoolWon, but recognized member (traditional) arts include HwaRangDo, YooSool, BulkyoMooSool, KukKiDo, TaekKyon, KumSool, etc.