Who invented the Tae Kwon Do uniform and belt system?

Answer 1

In Taekwondo, belts of rank are awarded to students by their teachers. This practice began early in the 20th century when Kanō Jigorō introduced Judo to Japan.

Originally, there were six student grades referred to by number. A student would begin at Grade 6 and work up to Grade 1, and then they would graduate to black belt. The black belts were divided into 9 ranks. A student would begin at Rank 1 and work up to Rank 9. Black belt ranks have been standardized, but student grades have not.

Answer 2

The v-neck taekwondo uniform ("dobok" 도복) is a modern design which was created in 1978 by input from various Taekwondo Masters at the Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) in Seoul, South Korea. It was designed specifically for use by Taekwondo practitioners. Former training uniforms were cross-lapel style jackets patterned after traditional karate and judo uniforms (gi - pronounced "gee"). One theory is that Martial Art uniforms originated from the practice of Samurai who removed their good, expensive outer clothing, and trained in their white under garments.

It is likely that the official uniforms, later designed for various Martial Art systems, were influenced by this, but were clearly improved and specifically designed to be more baggy for ease of movement, and sturdier for durability in grappling. It is probably a more accurate description that the modern uniform is a replacement for the earlier lack of a specific designed garment when samurai trained in their under clothes.

The belt system of student grades and Black Belt degrees was a creation of Jigoro Kano for his system of Judo. This idea was not entirely different from previous rank structures in the military, or grades in public schools. However, the specific division of grades (Japanese "kyu" / Korean "geup"), and degrees ("dan") was borrowed by Jigoro Kano from a Japanese game, and the correlating color belts was reportedly inspired by colored caps worn by swimmers in competition.

This idea of color belt ranking to serve as a visible representation of the student's grade and level of progression was borrowed by instructors in Japanese Karate-do (such as Gichen Funakoshi's Shotokan), and spread to most other systems of Asian Martial Art. The restructuring of Korean Martial Art following World War II, when the name Taekwondo was first chosen, was organized by several Korean Martial Art Masters. These Masters had been previously trained in a variety of Chinese, Japanese, and native Korean methods.

Won-Kuk Lee, having founded the Chung Do Kwan in 1944, was the highest ranked Black Belt (3rd Degree) in Shotokan Karate-do under its founder, Gichen Funakoshi), as well as being proficient in other systems. He had retained the practice of belt ranking for his unique Korean system. Korean Army General, Hong-Hi Choi had formerly been a Black Belt under Gichen Funakoshi, and after WWII ended (between 1945 - 1955), he had been a student of the Chung Do Kwan under Grandmaster Won-Kuk Lee. Choi was one of two Chung Do Kwan student who researched and submitted the name change to "Taekwon-do" at a meeting held on April 11, 1955.

In 1961, the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA) was officially formed through a unification of several of the main Kwan (schools), and Hong-Hi Choi was elected as the first President. Choi also led the teaching of his version of Taekwondo (Chang Hon system) to soldiers in the ROK Army. He later founded the Oh Do Kwan, and spread his method internationally under the banner of the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF). The Kukkiwon was built in 1972 as the National Taekwondo Academy in Seoul Korea, and stands as the World Taekwondo Headquarters with a large gymnasium, museum, and offices for the KTA, Korea Olympic Committee (K.O.C.), and the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF - the sports governing body which has since moved to its own location).

Many different Taekwondo organizations have been created (both accredited and independent), each having their own variations of the belt grading systems, and wearing whatever color and design uniforms they choose. Some still retain the cross-lapel of Karate, but the Kukkiwon only authorizes an all white v-neck (black collar for Black Belts). The WTF has approved this same dobok for competitions, but has recently designed a variety of multi-colored sport uniforms that are different for men and women, and also different for forms (poomsae) as opposed to sparring (gyorugi) competitors.