Why did Tae Kwon Do originate from Korea?

Answer 1

Taekwondo is a Korean Martial Art whose techniques come from a variety of sources with the core curriculum being based on former native Korean combative methods of Subak and Tae Kkyeon. Although most of the modern techniques are of recent development, they are influenced by ancient origins, and the entire art is comprised of culture, philosophy, character development and warrior training that dates back to the 1st Century BC.

The key influence on Taekwondo techniques was the tactic of using the legs as the primary weapon, followed by hand strikes, then throws & take-downs, and finally grappling and ground-fighting. Thus, the Korean Tae Kkyeon was the impetus for kicking, which was supplemented by the Japanese Judo which was transformed into Korean "yudo"; Aikido transformed into hapkido; and the hand strikes of Korean Subak, Chinese Tangsudo (Tang So Do), and Japanese Shotokan Karate-do were combined to make Taekwondo a complete and balanced system of self defense.

Taekwondo had its curriculum of techniques and tactics initiated in 1944 with the opening of the Chung Do Kwan, the first official Korean school authorized during the Japanese occupation. The Korean Army training within the Oh Do Kwan (military off-shoot of the Chung Do Kwan), provided another source of influence. The art is still being refined and modified today. The modern establishment of the national Korean Martial Art of Taekwondo started with the naming of the newly unified system on April 11, 1955, and the official establishment of the Korea Taekwondo Association in 1961. With the creation of the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters), in Seoul, Korea, in 1972, Taekwondo's international curriculum, along with Black Belt and Instructor certification became standardized worldwide.

It should be noted that over the first few decades of Taekwondo's development, several Kwans (family of schools) were created and branched out into organizations, which resulted both major federations, and independent schools that follow their own syllabus, and use a variety techniques, tactics, and strategies that differs in many ways from the origin of Korean Taekwondo, the KTA, and the Kukkiwon.

Answer 2

This is a complex issue that is highly controversial and debated among experts in the field. Many things that have been invented, created, or discovered by humans were in existence long before they were given a name. It is not uncommon that modern developments of any subject were influenced by a variety of sources from the past, and brought together in a new format. Of the original five Kwans (Taekwondo schools) the Chung Do Kwan was the first to officially open in 1944 as approved by the occupying Japanese government. This Kwan was founded by Won Kuk Lee, who instructed most of the Black Belt students who later created the other Kwans which eventually united under the umbrella term of Taekwondo and formed the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA), and the Kukkwion, World Taekwondo Headquarters in Seoul, Korea. http://www.kukkiwon.or.kr/english/index.jsp Taekwondo is a term that was chosen, and first used in recorded history on the 11th of April 1955. Instructors of Martial Art schools in Korea, known as Kwans, were teaching a variety of techniques that were influenced by Chinese systems, Japanese schools, and native Korean Martial Art. When the meeting of the original Kwan founders, historians, and political leaders voted on ballots, and choose the name "Taekwon-Do," this could be viewed as the official beginning of Taekwondo as a native Korean Martial Art. It is debated among those present at the meeting as to who first coined the term Taekwon-Do, but most agree that Major General Choi Hong Hi was the one that submitted the ballot containing the words "Tae Kwon." This is not enough to say that General Choi created Taekwondo as is known to many world wide, but he taught his own curriculum in his military Oh Do kwan (Gym of My Way) and later in the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), a civilian extension of the Oh Do Kwan. The actual formation of Taekwondo starts with influences dating back to the earliest settlements on the Korean Peninsula from 57 BC to 100 AD. These are cultural and philosophical influences that permeated the Korean people as a society, and remains unto this day. Many of the core principles of modern Taekwondo, fighting spirit, training regimen, ethical and moral conduct was rooted in the Hwarang Youth Group of the 6th Century AD. Even after the name Taekwondo was chosen, the art itself has undergone vast changes to develop into a unique fighting system that never existed before in its current structure and philosophy. This metamorphosis has taken place over the past five decades, so it is very difficult to identify exactly when Taekwondo became what it is known as today, and no one person can rightfully be credited for creating this art. There were just too many great minds and dedicated Martial Artists contributing over several decades to universally agree upon a single founder.

Answer 3

Taekwondo (also Tae Kwon Do, or Taekwon-Do) originated in South Korea.

During the Japanese occupation of the entire peninsula of Korea during World War II, Korean culture, history, and language was banned, and Korean people were forced to speak Japanese. The native Korean Martial Arts were banned, but it is believed that some practice of native arts continued in secret.

A small number of Koreans were permitted to study Japanese Martial Art systems during this time, such as Jujutsu, Judo, Aikido, Sumo Wrestling, and Karate-Do. The famed Shotokan Karate-Do Master, Gichen Funakoshi, taught in Japan and took on some Korean students who had moved to Japan to attend college there. One senior student of Sensei Funakoshi was a Korean by the name of Yi, Won Kuk (also written as Lee, Won Kuk). Another student was Choi, Hong Hi.

In the early 1940s, Yi, Won Kuk began teaching students in a unique method which he later named "Chung Do Kwan" (School of the Great Blue Wave). In 1944, he gained permission from the Japanese Government to officially run a Martial Art school in Korea - the first Korean to be authorized to do so. After the war ended in 1945, many Black Belts of the Chung Do Kwan began to open their own "Kwan" (affiliated schools) which did not remain under the direction of the Chung Do Kwan.

Choi, Hong Hi had become a prominent military leader, and eventually reached the rank of Major General. He taught his own version of Martial Art to the soldiers in the Korean Army. He broke away from the Chung Do Kwan to form the Oh Do Kwan ("Gym of My Way"). During the period following the Korean war (1950-53), more than eighteen Kwans existed in Korea, each teaching a different version of Martial Art. The leaders of the original five Kwans, plus four more Kwans struggled to organize under one name, and unite the various Kwans.

Many names of former combat systems were being used, and it was difficult to agree on a name to represent both native Korean history of Martial Art, and to include modern technical developments. Korean Martial Artists had begun to research ancient studies of early Korean warriors, and drew on a little known system of Tae Kyon which placed an emphasis on Kicking as a primary weapon. This changed the whole structure of unarmed combat strategy unlike anything that had been taught in Japan. Combining this with the philosophies and codes of early warriors, such as the Hwa Rang Youth Group, modern Korean Martial Art became a blend of the old and new.

In April of 1955, several prominent governmental officials, historians, and Kwan leaders held a meeting to vote on a name. From the many ballots submitted, the name "Taekwondo" was chosen. There is some debate as to whether this term was submitted by a Chung Do Kwan instructor named Song, Duk Son, or General Choi Hong Hi. In any event, the term was approved as a new name for the Korean National Martial Art. It took another decade before total agreement over the acceptance of this name would take hold, but the Korea Taekwondo Association was formed, and a National Academy (Kukkiwon) was built in Seoul, South Korea as the World Headquarters for Taekwondo. Removing the Japanese influences, which clearly affected the early teachings of the Korean Kwan founders, is a long a painful process, and still continues to this day, but Taekwondo has emerged as a unique Korean Martial Art that is characterized by native Korean philosophies and technical skills of a distant past in Korea's history.

Answer 4

First of all, one should understand that the term "Martial Art" is a universal concept that refers to all knowledge of training an individual for physical combat and success in life. Nature provides us with the knowledge of what works, and what doesn't, therefore all Martial Art is derived from the same source of nature's forces. There are many variations as to philosophy, strategy, techniques and tactics when teaching and applying this universal knowledge. Each unique curriculum is best described as a "system" of Martial Art (although many people use the misleading term of "style").

Every system of Martial Art in the world is a product of evolution over a long period of time (centuries) throughout which each one has "borrowed" and shared knowledge with neighboring countries and cultures. This was done so often, and without accurate record that it is impossible to know exactly what techniques, or methodology originated where. It is a process of humans discovering what nature has to offer, and since nature and the human anatomy are fairly consistent throughout the world, there will be notable similarities between all Martial Art systems without them necessarily being directly related or copied from one another. However, shared information is quite common, and mutually reciprocated.

Taekwondo is a system of Martial Art developed by Koreans with its own unique curriculum. The Korean people have a long history of being both isolated in their culture and customs, but also interacting primarily with China in the earliest history, and later with Japan. The earliest inhabitants of Korea were ancient Chinese immigrants, and through later interactions with China, the earliest Kingdoms of Korea learned how Chinese soldiers trained in unarmed combat.

Through developing their own system of military training in grappling, and hand strikes, the early Korean soldiers pioneered the concept of Kicking as a primary weapon of self defense. Throughout Japan, Sumo Wrestling and military jujutsu was most likely shared with Koreans over the centuries.

During the 6th and 7th centuries A.D., the Korean youth were trained in a system of education known as the Hwarang that prepared them for social and political leadership as well as military skills that often produced future Generals. The skills of unarmed combat of the Hwarang Knights were not well documented, but orally transmitted as resembling the hand fighting and grappling called Subak in Korea, and the prevalent kicking skills called Tae Kkyeon ("kicking method"). They also studied common military skills of that time including horseback riding, Archery, and other weapons of the day. Scholarly studies, philosophy, calligraphy, poetry, music and art were among the other skills that produced a balanced mind, body, and spirit among the Hwarang warriors. One of the most notable influences on modern Taekwondo is the warrior's code of conduct upon which most of the current Taekwondo tenets were derived, and is the basis of moral and ethical principles that form the foundation of Taekwondo's philosophy.

During the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910 to 1945), Korea's native culture was suppressed, and Japanese culture, including language and Martial Art skills heavily influenced the next generation following World War II. During that time, several Koreans, who would later pioneer and shape the development of Taekwondo, took it upon themselves to study a variety of Martial Art systems to include Chinese hand fighting, native Korean kicking, and Japanese judo, Aikido, and Shotokan Karate-Do. All of these had input on the forming of the modern Taekwondo curriculum.

In modern times, all Asian systems of Martial Art began to borrow the belt ranking method created by Jigoro Kano for his Judo. Also, the same Chinese hand fighting that had been shared with Koreans centuries before, had made its way into Okinawa, and was refined as "Okinawa-te" ("te" meaning hand). To distinguish from earlier Chinese hand, Okinawans called the Chinese system "Kara-te" ("Chinese hand" or "Tang hand" of the Tang Dynasty in ancient China). When Gichen Funakoshi mastered the Okinawa-te, and took it into Japan, the term "Kara-te" had become a generic label for all self defense. However, Japanese experts did not want to confuse it with Chinese hand fighting, so Funakoshi suggested an alternate spelling where the same pronunciation of Karate would mean "empty hand." Funakoshi's system was known as Shotokan Karate-do.

It was this system that Korean college Professor Won-Kuk Lee studied under Funakoshi to become a 3rd Dan, the highest ranked other than Funakoshi. Won-Kuk Lee also traveled to Okinawa and China to study further in temples. He had previous knowledge of Korean Tae Kkyeon (kicking) and combined all of his knowledge to open the first officially recognized Korean run school he called Chung Do Kwan (school of the Blue Wave). Lee named this curriculum "Tangsudo" (aka: Tang Soo Do) after the influence of the Chinese hand fighting of the Tang Dynasty.

Korean Martial Art did not previously use the concept of prearranged patterns as was used in Shotokan Karate-do and called "kata." Won-Kuk Lee "borrowed" this concept as a training tool in his Chung Do Kwan curriculum, but it was later discovered to be structured too much to suit Karate stances and techniques, which differed greatly from the newly forming kicks of Taekwondo. One of Lee's students, Hong-Hi Choi had also studied Shotokan from Funakoshi, becoming a 2nd Dan. Choi rose to become a General in the ROK Army and created a variation of the Karate Kata in his own system he named Chang Hon (Blue Cottage).

As Taekwondo developed toward the kicking influence of Tae Kkyeon, the old Karate Kata and General Choi's Chang Hon tul (forms) did not meet the approval of other Kwan leaders as facilitating proper Taekwondo techniques. Palgwae patterns were created based on the trigrams of the I Ching, a philosophy borrowed from the Chinese, and taught regularly to Korean school children. The Palgwae forms were later replaced with the newly configured Taeguek Poomsae based on the same I Ching design, but with more characteristics suited to modern Taekwondo. Also, the Chinese philosophy of "Tao," referring to "ideal action" and harmony in nature, is the basis of the "do" in Taekwondo and other Martial Art systems using this term and philosophy of balance in mind, body, and spirit with a path of enlightenment and a code of moral and ethical conduct.

It can also be said that modern Taekwondo is still evolving and borrowing or adapting knowledge from a variety of sources including western combative skills. However, the core principles that make Taekwondo the unique system that it is are based on centuries of Korean culture, philosophy, and kicking as a primary weapon. Everything else is just peripherals that can be adapted and modified to keep up with changing times. The Karate Kata that were "borrowed" and later modified are merely a training tool that has been adapted to teach Korean Taekwondo skills, and do not make up the core of what Taekwondo is as a Martial Art.

Answer 5

While the roots of Taekwondo are very old, and the core content comes from Korean culture, philosophy and warrior training dating back to the formation of the three Kingdoms between 57 BC and the 1st century AD, the name of Taekwondo was first chosen in Seoul, South Korea on April 11, 1955.

Answer 6

Taekwondo originated from Korea basically because it was a curriculum organized in Korea, named by Koreans, and based on Korean culture, philosophy, and warrior training and code of the Hwarang Knights with a primary tactical emphasis derived from the earlier native Korean Martial Art skills of kicking known as "Tae Kkyeon" (태껸), as well as other techniques from Korean Subak.

During the Japanese occupation of Korea (1905 - 1945), much of Korean culture, history, language, and Martial Art knowledge was suppressed, banned, and nearly obliterated. After the end of World War II, with the liberation of Korea, a rebirth of native Korean culture and national pride led to the reemergence of native Martial Art which adopted some new concepts of modern training to form a new system that could be identified as uniquely Korean, thus the name Taekwondo was chosen in 1955, and the formation of the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA) in 1961 made this art the national Martial Art of Korea.

Answer 7

The short answer is that Korean Martial Art was revived and restructured into a modern, comprehensive curriculum following Korea's liberation from Japan in 1945. This development took place in schools, known as "Kwans," located in and around Seoul, South Korea, and the name of "Taekwondo" was voted in 1955, and officially established in the Korea Taekwondo Association in Seoul, South Korea in 1961. In 1971, South Korean President, Syngman Rhee, named Taekwondo as the national martial art of South Korea.

Historical Background:

Although Taekwondo has spread world-wide, and has become popular in many countries, including surrounding Asian countries of China, North Korea, and Japan, Taekwondo has both its ancient roots, and modern foundation in South Korea.

Since the earliest migration of Asian people from northern China onto the peninsula now known as Korea, the first settlements and kingdoms from circa 57 BC, defended their boundaries with armies of soldiers who were also trained in unarmed combat. While much of the details as to specific techniques were not documented (or evidence non-existent today), it is known that they took part in grappling and hand fighting that was most likely brought with the migration, or shared via contact with their Chinese neighbors.

Over the centuries, one of the unique characteristics to develop among early Korean Martial Artists was the skill of using the feet and kicking as a primary weapon. This tactic and strategy blended with the traditional methods of punching and grappling known as "subak" and "ssireum," and remained a part of the Korean culture until the Japanese occupation and annexation of Korea (1910 - 1945) during World War II. During the later part of the war, the first official school of Korean Martial Art, Chung Do Kwan ("school of the Blue Wave"), was established in Seoul by college professor Won-Kuk Lee.

After Korea's liberation, there was a dispute over the type of government, so by 1948, two experimental models were established and divided at the 38th parallel, with the Soviet Union backed communist Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the North, and the U.S.A. backed Republic of Korea (ROK) in the South. In 1950, North Korea, invaded South Korea who was subsequently supported by the United Nations led by the United States of America. A "cease-fire" was officially agreed to in the armistice of 1953.

During the Korean War, several Black Belt graduates of the Chung Do Kwan had established a military school of Martial Art called Oh Do Kwan ("Gym of my way"), headed by ROK Army General Hong-Hi Choi. After the war, General Choi led an effort to unify the many Kwans teaching a variety of Martial Art throughout South Korea, and sought a new name for the modern curriculum. Prof. Lee, founder of the Chung Do Kwan, has stated that a few of his students had consulted a Korean dictionary, and settled on the term 태권 ("Taekwon" - roughly meaning "foot/fist"). This term was selected because it was a Korean word to represent a Korean art and philosophy, and because it was closely related to the earlier methods of kicking in ancient Korea known as 태껸 ("Tae Kkyeon" - "Kicking method").

At a meeting in Seoul, South Korea, on April 11, 1955, heads of major Kwans, politicians and historians gathered for naming the new Korean Martial Art, and the term "태권" ("Tae Kwon"), believed to have been submitted on ballot by General Hong-Hi Choi, was voted unanimously. The Korea Taekwondo Association was subsequently established in 1961. Although wide acceptance of the new term met with resistance, the name endured with the insistence of General Choi, and the art was named the official Martial Art, and Martial Sport of South Korea in 1971. By the end of 1972, construction of the World Taekwondo Headquarters and national academy in Seoul was completed, and early in 1973, it was named as the "Kukkiwon."

While many independent organizations exist today that choose not to be connected with the Kukkiwon, historically, South Korea is the birthplace of the modern system known as Taekwondo, and it was developed through a collaborative effort of many masters and pioneers contributing a wide variety of expertise and backgrounds in grappling, hand strikes, and kicking as based in native Korean tradition, and influenced by sources from China, Okinawa, and Japan.

Answer 8

Tae Kwondo is from Korea