Is tae kwon do karate style?

Answer 1

No, Taekwondo is not Japanese. Taekwondo was developed in Korea, by Koreans, and its curriculum consists mostly of Korean culture, philosophy, and fighting tactics derived from native Korean Martial Art systems of subak, tae Kkyeon, and the code of the Hwarang Knights. Taekwondo was officially named on April 11, 1955 by Korean Martial Artists who combined their native Korean methods with the influences of Chinese hand fighting, and Japanese systems of Judo, Aikido, and Shotokan Karate.

As Taekwondo's curriculum became solidified during the 1960's and 70's, most of the Japanese influences were removed, and the modern tactics of Kicking as the primary weapon took over, and shaped the art. The grading system of belts used in Taekwondo, and most Asian Martial Art systems was borrowed from Jigoro Kano's Judo, and a modified version remains. The concept of forms (Kata) did not exist in ancient Korean Martial Arts, and was introduced during the Japanese occupation during WWII. Many of the founders of the Korean Kwans who developed the modern curriculum of Taekwondo were also Black Belt graduates of Shotokan Karate, and adopted the use of forms as a training tool.

Since the Shotokan Kata were designed to facilitate the teaching of Karate techniques and tactics, it became necessary to restructure the forms, and adapt them to coincide with Taekwondo's tactics. The forms have gone through several transitions, and are now labeled as either "tul," "hyung," or "Pumsae" (aka: Poomsae). There are similarities between all Asian Martial Art systems, as these neighboring countries have shared cultural and combative knowledge back and forth for centuries. Taekwondo is a unique system that was created in Korea, and has roots that go far back into Korea's history, but has been influenced in modern times by other sources.

Answer 2

No, taekwondo is a Korean word. It was chosen at a time when Koreans were trying to emphasize the difference between Japanese martial arts and Korean martial arts. They did not choose a Japanese word to describe their art.

Answer 3

No, not really. Although many people make that incorrect assumption, there are specific reasons why Taekwondo is a unique Korean Martial Art born out of former Korean traditions, and only influenced during a brief period of re-organization by Japanese Karate, Judo, and Aikido.

Simply put, Taekwondo was a continuation of earlier Korean training. It was developed during a very precarious time in history when the country of Korea had just emerged from the Japanese occupation of WWII. The many individuals responsible for reviving Korean culture, and opening Martial Art schools worked for several decades to filter through the existing format, and extract that which they believed represented their native traditions, as well as adding to, and combining modern advancements.

Since many of the original Taekwondo pioneers had been heavily influenced in their early lives by the oppressive Japanese government, and much of their formal training of record was through Japanese Martial Art systems such as Judo, Aikido, and Karate, many people mistakenly conclude that Taekwondo was born out of Karate. The facts do not support that conclusion. Each of the Taekwondo Kwan (family of schools) founders had been trained in multiple disciplines including Chinese hand fighting (Tangsudo / Tang soo do), and native Korean Subak. Some had exposure in their youth to the native Korean Kicking (Tae Kkyeon) which was not a formalized curriculum as we know the Martial Art schools of today are.

Although many of the first, post WWII Kwans were teaching what appeared to be like Japanese Karate, and the term "Karate" or "Korean Karate" was used, this was due to marketing to a public that would not understand what the term "Taekwondo" meant at that time. Using "Karate" in the name was the generic version, and not specifically "Japanese Karate," and did not define the content of the Korean art's curriculum. The Koreans borrowed forms called Kata for training drills, but by the time Taekwondo was named in 1955, and first organized in 1961, the art was assembled and created to be based primarily on the teaching of Tae Kkyeon, Subak, and the Hwarang. Karate merely served as an interim influence where certain aspects of training, and assembling the curriculum were adopted, but did not dictate the core elements of techniques and tactics unique to Taekwondo.

Answer 4

Taekwondo is not a language, it is a martial art. The word is Korean for the art of kicking and punching.

Answer 5

No, taekwondo is a Korean word.