Korean Martial Arts History

Korea
is situated between Japan and China, which is why many Korean martial arts look a little like the arts of both neighbors. Many of the high kicks seen in Tang Soo Do resemble the high kicks of China’s northern shaolin, while Tang Soo Do punches look very close to Japan’s karate punches.

Martial arts in Korea were extensively recorded during the Three Kingdom era (approximately 100 BC-AD 900). The Three Kingdoms were Koguryo, Paekche and Silla. Koguryo was the largest kingdom, consuming the bulk of the Korean peninsula. Koguryo was a strong military power that sponsored martial arts based on military skills, such as archery, ornate swords and swordsmanship and empty hand grappling techniques.

Paekche Kingdom, sharing the southern tip of the Korean peninsula with Silla, was more of a cultural and religious society than its large northern cousin, Koguryo. Paekche had a trading partner – Japan. Fine Paekche swords were exported to Japan, leading some martial art historians to believe that some of Japan’s superior sword making technology came from the Paekche Kingdom.

Another military-oriented kingdom, Silla got its start as a tribal group seeking to rule itself as a kingdom. Eventually, Silla leaders formed a treaty with Tang Dynasty China and adapted Chinese methods of warfare. One result of the heavy emphasis on Chinese military philosophies was a code called hwarang-do, a military-religious school for young noblemen. Translating to way of the flower of manhood, hwarang-do is thought by some to be the foundation of Japanese bushido. Hwarang warriors were the military and martial art elite of ancient Korea.

Modern day Korean martial arts show a special creativity, not seen as much in the arts of other countries. For instance, Korean martial arts like Tang Soo Do a combination of Striking, joint locking, Advanced kicking techniques, and Sparring, which make Tang Soo Do a well balanced self defense art.