Well, my position on some of these topics being discussed in this thread is no secret, and most of you know how I feel. The same old arguments, opinions, and lack of verifiable "proof" to back claims seems to keep everyone guessing, and relying on sparse details to form their own beliefs, or mimic those that they have heard from others.
Some interesting points have been brought up, and who knows, maybe we will eventually stumble onto something that changes most everyone's perceptions about Taekwondo. Anyhow, since you asked, Master Stoker, here is some of my thoughts on this topic.
Thread Title: "
Preception of True TKD"
Since the term "True Taekwondo" was brought up earlier, I would like to address that, and how I feel it relates to "Traditional Taekwondo." However, I will hold that for the end of my post.
Original Question:
I would love to hear everyone opinion about traditional TKD before the Kukkiwon and before the sport aspect came into play. How much was really influenced by Okinawa Karate and how much was influenced by Japanese Karate.
If this question is the main focus of Master Stoker's quest for opinions, I will respond by saying this. How much was influenced by Okinawa Karate, and by Japanese Karate? All of it, and none of it. Here is what I mean by that. I have made my opinion fairly clear before that there are three distinct eras of Taekwondo's history.
First is that time period of Korea's development, from the 1st century B.C. until the Japanese occupation in 1910. Most historians believe that the term "Taekwondo" was not used during this time period to describe the unarmed combat that was used in the old Chosen peninsula, however, if there is any doubt that a unique native unarmed combat existed, you only need to observe the fact that the Korean people are still here to know this.
They were not soldiers, warriors, or armed militia by trade, and survival from the 1st through the 19th century depended greatly on their Martial Art skills. If you are hung up on the fact that the term "Taekwondo" did not exist at that time, consider the fact that they were not even called "Koreans" then, but the ancestors of today's Koreans were not Japanese, even if Japan did occupy the country and attempt to assimilate the population.
The second era of Taekwondo's history is that time period during the occupation when most of the aforementioned "Kwan founders" were born, grew up, and started learning about the Martial Art in the first place. Naturally, there was not much option during this time period but to become a student of "Japanese Martial Art," and gain any certification of "Dan" rank from a Japanese system. These students of Shotokan, and other variations were undoubtedly 100%
influenced by Japanese and Okinawan Martial Karate, judo, jujutsu, etc. The operative word here is "influenced." This condition of being "forced" to learn Japanese culture did not change Korean history, nor did it make the future creation of Taekwondo of Japanese origins. However, the
influence on these people, and their own personal skills is undisputable
Now, if you were to begin the historical development of Korean Martial Art in 1910, and end it in 1945 when the main Kwans were started, and you called this Martial Art "Taekwondo," then I would say that Taekwondo was originally a "repackaging" of Japanese Martial Art under a new name. However, this is not what happened. Korean Martial Art did not begin in 1910, and did not stop developing in 1945. Japan's occupation had a huge influence on Korea's Martial Art, but that does not make Taekwondo a descendent of Japanese Martial Art (as much as people would like to draw that false conclusion).
I do not judge the content of an entire Martial Art by the "forms" they use, nor the terminology exchanged, nor the documentation of its participants' ranks. For example, I might have a diploma from a ballet school, but if I prefer to dance to rock and roll, and that is what I teach, then the paper certificate only shows what else I know. Forms are only tools for training and practicing skills. Skills that existed long before the Japanese influence. Japan has their native Martial Art, China has their's, and Korea has its own. Each will eventually be influenced by the other. The "occupation era" was just part of the historical process. If we were to never have had that occur, Korean Martial Art would still have striven for perfection of skills to a modern day application, and could have been called anything, so why not "Taekwondo."
I agree that it would be nice to learn as much of the "recent" history of the Kwans, their founders, and their generations of students, and what they taught, but I have a more intriguing question. Who were the teachers, and Masters of the earlier Korean Martial Art which was passed down through the centuries, and slipped through the fingers of the Japanese occupiers. Skills that have been called Taekyon, Subak, and Hwarangdo, etc. When General Choi Hong Hi said in his 1965 publication of "Taekwon-do," that his "well-known" calligraphy teacher, Mr. Han Il-Dong, was also a "veteran" of the "ancient T'ae-Kyon," from where did this come?
This is where young Choi Hong Hi began his Martial Art training;
"thus it came about that in 1936 the author took up T'ae-Kyon, which was consisting solely of foot manoeuvres." Now, the questions are, was this a "sport game" or was it a method of unarmed combat, and did it come from older Korean history? Gen Choi called it "ancient" and said that Mr. Han was a "veteran" of T'ae-Kyon. Choi was born on December 22, 1918, and began T'ae-Kyon at the age of 17-18 in 1936. Who did Mr. Han learn T'ae Kyon from, and how many other T'ae-Kyon and Subak teachers were in Korea at that time that young Choi had not met?
The third era of Taekwondo's history is the post WWII formation of the Kwans, and the various organizations of Korean Martial Art (the KTA, ITF, WTF, the Kukkiwon, and all of the other national and international associations). This is not only where practitioners of Taekwondo have been influenced by Japanese and Chinese Martial Art that had already been made popular around the world, but every other form of unarmed combat that existed everywhere. Most Martial Artists of the later part of the 20th century have done their research to compare and contrast what they know and practice with what others know. This will undoubtedly change certain techniques, and current applications, but does not influence the core principles of the art, nor does it alter the "true" history of Korean Martial Art - - whether people want to accept, or acknowledge what that is or not.
Much of the world's history is tainted by personal perspectives, individual interpretations, and outright lies. Consider the Native American Indian history which was mostly recorded by the "White" European invaders. Many cultures have little written record of what happened in their past because they were illiterate, or it was unlawful for them to learn to read or write. Much like the African slaves who were raised in captivity in early American history. Their culture was handed down by word of mouth, artifacts, and spiritual songs.
This does not mean that these things did not happen because you can not find a specific standard of historical documentation, and I would not go so far as to discount it because of this lack of evidence. Folklore might be more accurate, in some cases, than the lies told by those who won wars, and dominate other cultures.
In his 1965 book, Choi says,
"Taekwon-Do" is a modern version of the ancient art of self-defense known as T'ae Kyon." The Korean people know about their ancient Martial Art traditions, simply because it has been kept alive in the minds, hearts, and words of those who told their children, and grandchildren about it. Do we need to know every single detailed technique that was taught in ancient Taekyon and Subak in order to accept them as viable methods of training in self defense, moral integrity, and spiritual enlightenment? Do we nee to know these things in order to understand that Taekwondo is the modern manifestation of centuries of cultural struggle and oppression? I don't believe so.
By 1955, the pressure of Japanese occupation, and influence on the Korean culture, and history was finally lifted, but the pain was still there. South Korea had just established itself as a free Democracy (post Korean War), and it was ready to reclaim its past. A "
new name" for the ancient traditional Martial Art was chosen, and that name was "Taekwondo." Those modern day Kwan leaders were influenced in their own personal skills by the Japanese occupation, and there is no doubt that this will forever change the perception of "Taekwondo" and all of Korea's history. For me, it is but one chapter in a book, that began a long time ago.
What is "Traditional Taekwondo" to me? It is the same as other National Martial Art traditions. We seek to improve ourselves, value and appreciate life, and strive to protect life and fight for justice through Martial Skills that nature provides us through the Grace of God. "Tradition simply means that it
has been done before, and we
honor that memory by doing it again. We do some things the same to remember the roots, and some the same because it is core knowledge that will always work, but we do many things different to grow with the times, lest we wither and die. Everyone who studies Taekwondo today has the option to train for reality (as tradition holds) or for sport, health, hobby, or any combination.
What is "
True Taekwondo?" The same as any "True Martial Art." It is the proper training of the body, mind, and spirit in order to achieve
successful results in
life,
self defense, and for preservation and perpetuation of the art for
positive moral purposes. "Integrity" is the quality of strength achieved through the completeness of anything. A lack of integrity is the weakness which is derived from a flaw within. "
True Taekwondo" is absolute integrity. It is not a lofty goal, or a hobby, or a sport, although we can participate in those things - - "True Taekwondo" is not a mask we wear, or a uniform we don,
it is a path we follow - - it is a way of life ~ the warrior's life."
This is my humble opinion. :asian:
CM D.J. Eisenhart
