Mountain Tae Kwon Do School

Tae Kwon Do is the Republic of South Korea's national martial art. It is the use of one's unarmed body (hands & feet) to repel an attacker and defend oneself. Literally translated, the Korean word "tae" means "to kick" or "squash with the foot." "Kwon" implies "a hand or fist to block, punch, strike, or destroy." "Do" denotes an "art" or a "way." Thus, "Tae Kwon Do" means "the art of kicking, blocking and punching."

Tae Kwon Do is a system of symmetrical body exercises and techniques (or system of techniques) designed for self-defense and counterattack in unarmed combat, making use of the hands and feet as weapons. However, Tae Kwon Do is not merely a physical fighting skill - it is rather, a way of thought and life. Through discipline, Tae Kwon Do trains both the mind and body, placing great emphasis on the development of moral character. In other words, control of the mind, self-discipline, kindness and humility must accompany the physical grace.

Tae Kwon Do training consists of hardening the body through the practice of the various attack and defense forms. This system of unarmed combat involves the skillful application of punching, jumping, kicking, dodging, blocking, and parrying actions, directed toward the goal of neutralizing an aggressor. Its techniques are essentially linear motions, but also include the use of circular hand movements, joint locks, pressure points, throwing and falling techniques. An essential characteristic used in meeting an attack is the mastery of breathing and the development of "jiptjung" (power gathering) to unify the body force.

Modern day Tae Kwon Do evolved from the ancient martial arts of subak and tae-kyon. These forms can be traced back to the Koguryo Dynasty, (37 BC-668 AD) and were composed predominantly of leg exercises and kicking forms, with an emphasis on jumping kicks. Tae-kyon reached its peak of development during the period when Korea was split into three kingdoms known as Koguryo, Paekche, and Silla. During the time when these military arts were developing, the kingdom of Koguryo, with support from China, became very powerful. In the later part of this period Buddhism and the "Shaolin-ssu martial arts" were introduced to Korea by the Buddhist monks of China.

Shaolin kung fu at first flourished only on temple grounds with the spiritual aspects intricately entwined with the physical techniques. They soon became connected with the native Korean techniques and spread all over the country. Only in Silla, however, was there really enthusiastic application of martial arts methods. Silla was a small kingdom at the southeast end of the Korean peninsula. Being the smallest of the three kingdoms, Silla was constantly harassed by invaders from Koguryo and from Paekche and its ally, Japan. The times were especially violent due to the intense quarreling and outbursts of fighting between the kingdoms.

In 500 AD, the king of Silla, Chin Hung, originated a military youth movement known as the hwarang-do. The primary function of the hwarang-do was to instruct the country's outstanding youth in archery, swordsmanship, and the art form of Tae-Kyon. The members led an existence which was conducive to moral improvement as they traveled throughout the country training their bodies and spirits. Tenets of their moral code, which resembled that of the samurai of Japan, were as follows: loyalty to the king; faithfulness to one's friends; devotion to one's parents; bravery and absolute obedience on the battlefield; a prohibition against wanton killing of any form of life.

One hundred and sixty-eight years later, general Kim Yu-sin, leader of the hwarang-do, developed an armed force powerful enough to overcome both Koguryo and Paekche. This unified the entire Korean peninsula under a central government and began the Silla Dynasty (668-918 AD).

When Silla was overthrown by the warlord Kyonghum, the Koryo Dynasty began (918-1392 AD), and the nation as a whole adopted the Silla fondness for the martial arts. A so-called Koryo-period martial system developed which produced some of the nations finest soldiers. These soldiers successfully defended their homeland time after time against invaders. Being dedicated students of tae-kyon, the men sometimes trained by slamming their fists into walls or blocks of wood in order to strengthen their hands. This practice is still performed by many devotes of Tae Kwon Do. The Koryo Dynasty ushered in a golden age for the Korean peninsula and the cultural aspects of Korean life achieved a high state of refinement.

The Yi revolt brought about the ruin of the kingdom of Koryo, and the establishment of the Yi Dynasty (1392-1910). During the Yi Dynasty, a book was written to teach tae-kyon as a martial art. This step ended the monopoly which the military society exercised on tae-kyon and gave it to the people. The Yi Dynasty held learning and scholarship in highest esteem; Confucianism replaced Buddhism as the state religion and the military arts fell into disrepute.

In the later part of the of the Yi Dynasty, tae-kyon's importance as a martial art declined, but it retained its popularity as recreation for common people. The subsequent occupation of Korea by Japan during the early 1900's saw an end of the Yi Dynasty and a ban on the practice of tae-kyon was initiated; Only in the remote rural areas did the practice of tae-kyon continue. The war lasted seven years leaving the country in desolation. Finding their life oppressive at home, many Koreans left to study and work in China and Japan, where there were no restrictions on the practice of martial arts. As a result, for the first time in over a thousand years, the practitioners of tae-kyon were exposed to other forms of martial arts.

The end of World War II brought an end to Japan's thirty-six year occupation of Korea. It also brought home thousands of Koreans who were fired by intense feelings of patriotism and national pride. As part of the national movement to restore Korean traditions, interest in self-defense methods was revived and many experts opened dojangs (practice halls - meaning "sacred halls of learning"). They returned from all parts of the Orient, bringing with them many new martial arts techniques. Wisely, they proceeded to blend the various new and old styles into the modern Korean system practiced today.

The leaders of the dojangs decided to search for a new and more meaningful name for the Korean art of self-defense. Various names such as tang-soo, kong-soo, hwa-soo and kem-pho were used to describe this fighting style. In 1955, the term Tae Kwon Do was adopted by the leading masters of the art.

During the outbreak of the Korean conflict, Tae Kwon Do reached a high point of development and proved to be an efficient weapon of war. In the decade that followed, Tae Kwon Do emerged as Korea's most popular art and sport. It is practiced by young and old alike. Tae Kwon Do is included as part of the school curriculum from the first grade through college. Tae Kwon Do was introduced to the United States during the latter part of the 1950's and has since spread in popularity.

In 1972, Master Un Yong Kim was elected president of Kuk Ki Won, the National Central Academy which was built in Seoul to train advanced students and instructors. Kuk Ki Won provides a testing center for black belt promotions, serves as a research center for the advancement of Tae Kwon Do, and is used to hold national and international Tae Kwon Do championship tournaments.

In May, 1973, the first World Tae Kwon Do Championship was held at Kuk Ki Won, in which approximately 30 counties participated. In team competition, Korea won first place, the United States won second place, and Mexico and the Republic of China tied for third place. The World Championship is held bi-annually.

In May, 1974, Tae Kwon Do was officially recognized as a sport in the United States and was accepted as a member of the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union).

In May, 1981 the IOC approved the inclusion of Tae Kwon Do in the 1988 Olympic Games, Seoul, Korea, as a demonstration game. In 1988, Tae Kwon Do was voted to be included in the 1992 Olympic Games held in Spain, as a demonstration game again and could possibly become an official sport of the Olympic Games.