Essay About History Of Taekwondo And Military Academy

History of Taekwondo
Essay title: History of Taekwondo
Before I get into the history of Taekwondo, I would like to define what it means. I
read the definition from many books and the one that I like best comes from the
book Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts written by Donn F. Draeger and
Robert W. Smith. “Taekwondo is an empty-hand combat form that entails the
use of the whole body. Tae means “to Kick” or “Smash with the feet,” Kwon
implies “punching” or “destroying with the hand or fist,” and Do means “way” or
“method.” Taekwondo thus, is the technique of unarmed combat for self defense
that involves the skillful application of techniques that include punching, jumping
kicks, blocks, dodges, parrying actions with hands and feet. It is more than a
mere physical fighting skill, representing as it does a way of thinking and a
pattern of life requiring strict discipline. It is a system of training both the mind
and the body in which great emphasis is placed on the development of the
trainees moral character.”Taekwondo is a martial art that in “todays” form of self
defense has evolved by combining many different styles of martial arts that
existed in Korea over the last 2,000 years and some martial arts styles from
countries that surround Korea. Taekwondo incorporates the abrupt linear
movements of Karate and the flowing, circular patterns of Kung-fu with native
kicking techniques. Over fifty typically Chinese circular hand movements can be
identified in modern Taekwondo.(1) A few of the earlier martial arts styles that
contributed to Taekwondo are: Tang-su, Taek Kyon, also known as Subak, Tae
Kwon, Kwonpup and Tae Kwonpup. There are also influences from Judo,
Karate, and Kung-fu.”The earliest records of Taekwondo practice date back to
about 50 B.C. During this time, Korea was divided into three kingdoms: Silla,
Koguryo, and Paekche. Tae Kyon ( also called Subak) is considered
the earliest known form of Taekwondo. Paintings from this time period have
been found on the ceiling of the Muyong-chong, a royal tomb from the Koguryo
dynasty. The paintings show unarmed people using techniques that are very
similar to the ones used by Taekwondo today.Although Taekwondo first
appeared in the Koguryo kingdom, it is the Sillas Hwarang warriors that are
credited with the growth and spread of Taekwondo throughout Korea. Silla was
the smallest of the three kingdoms and was always under attack by Japanese
Pirates. Silla got help from King Gwanggaeto and his soldiers from the Koguryo
kingdom to drive out the pirates. During this time a few select Sillan warriors
were given training in Taek Kyon by the early masters from Koguryo. The Taek
Kyon trained warriors then became known as the Hwarang. The Hwarang set up
a military academy for the sons of royalty in Silla called Hwarang-do, which
means “The way of flowering knight, or manhood.” The Hwarang studied Taek
Kyon,
history, Confucian Philosophy, ethics, Buddhist Morality, and military tactics. The
guiding principles of the Hwarang warriors were loyalty, filial duty,
trustworthiness, valor, and justice, you could very much compare the Korean
Hwarang to the Japanese Samurai. The makeup