Roots how many teach them
- Thread starter terryl965
- Start date
terryl965 said:
The commercial TKD school I attended (can you say McDojang?) gave a brief synopsis to beginning students that basically consisted of stuff like: "Tae Kwon Do" is a 2000 year old Ancient Korean Martial Art...". The older Korean school (the instructor had come out of the original KTA), taught us about the Kwans and even about the Occupation.
karatekid1975
Master Black Belt
We don't really hear about it, or teach it. But in a seminar (or when asked) my instructor talked abour our linage (sp?), not the history of TKD, per sa. He says it's too "scrambled" these days (he has an asian accent and he says this weird, so I think that's what he said hehehehehe). Anyways, I don't think he would have a problem telling us if we asked. But most don't care as long as we get good training.
Zepp
Master of Arts
Going on a posting frenzy Terry? 
When I showed up for first my Tae Kwon Do class, oh so long ago, the instructor gave each of us a piece of paper that had a brief history of our style and our organization (the WTA). Since it's really just the partial history of a single kwan, and one man that used to run it (Grandmaster Son), it's kind of hard to get it wrong.
Everything else I know I learned on my own and discussed some of it with my instructor later.
When I showed up for first my Tae Kwon Do class, oh so long ago, the instructor gave each of us a piece of paper that had a brief history of our style and our organization (the WTA). Since it's really just the partial history of a single kwan, and one man that used to run it (Grandmaster Son), it's kind of hard to get it wrong.
Everything else I know I learned on my own and discussed some of it with my instructor later.
Miles
Senior Master
We don't go in depth as to the history of Taekwondo, but we talk about the history of our Kwan. As students mature into the black belt ranks, they get a bit more of the historical background from me and are encouraged to explore not only Taekwondo history, but Korean history as well.
Miles
Miles
I was given the "TKD is 2000 years old" history lesson when I was 1st learning. I was jealous of my buddy in Ishin Ryu (sp?) who knew a detailed history of his art. But, I can also say that the real history of the Kwans & the people behind them didn't mean much to me until recently.
rmclain
Black Belt
This is a part of our student's education. They know the country and origin of the techniques they learn, plus the history and lineage of how the art got to them. There are written examinations in addition to the skills tests at ranks exams that quiz the student's knowledge of this.
http://www.kimsookarate.com/intro/chart.html
R. McLain
http://www.kimsookarate.com/intro/chart.html
R. McLain
We don't go into history and philosophy nearly as much as I'd like. If it were up to me, it would be part of the class cirriculum. I've learned much more here than at my school. When I come cross a topic that interests me, (which happens daily) I will approach him with it, and he'll always talk about, but I have to initiate the dialogue.
As far as the history goes, what my sabumnim has mentioned is the 2000 year old version. There's still a good bit of anomosity after the occupation and any credit given to any other country isn't going to happen. I can understand it, but I don't have to accept it. He's can be a great source of information, and it's not that I don't believe him, but he's one man and like any one man, will often give "his take" on a topic. That's why I cross reference between what he tells me and what I learn from the many knowledgable folks here.
As far as the history goes, what my sabumnim has mentioned is the 2000 year old version. There's still a good bit of anomosity after the occupation and any credit given to any other country isn't going to happen. I can understand it, but I don't have to accept it. He's can be a great source of information, and it's not that I don't believe him, but he's one man and like any one man, will often give "his take" on a topic. That's why I cross reference between what he tells me and what I learn from the many knowledgable folks here.
We have a requirements book that includes the pattern histories and moral development information from the Encyclopedia, and discuss more recent history as well, such as Gen. Choi. The Encyclopedia, as well as a senior from another organization who has made an avocation out of Korean history and language, and who has published several works on the subject, are our main sources for the information in the requirements book.
Last Fearner
2nd Black Belt
I teach Korean Martial Art history as a part of my curriculum. For children, I explain just enough for them to understand the background, and origin of their training, and give them the ability to sound like they know what they are talking about if anyone asks them about Taekwondo.
For adults, I go more in depth for their own understanding, and so that other people with misinformation, or flat out lies won't be able to confuse them in a dialogue about Korean Martial Art.
I try to present the history with a "common sense" approach. I look at the people of the time period, their ages, background training, political turmoil, and practical application of what they might have known. I consider each version of the "widely accepted" stories, then I do indepth research to see if it makes sense, or if I see a bit of personal agenda overtones, and embellishments.
I separate the modern influences of Japanese occupied Korea, and post-war kwans from the ancient development of a peninsula that required common people, and villagers turned soldiers to defend against attacks. I see three kingdoms who fought each other for control, and one kingdom that used Chinese forces to dominate, then drove the Chinese army out.
These warriors did not have advanced technology, but primative weapons at best. They were known for using kicking skills, but common sense, and research indicates that they knew well how to use their hands for blocks, fist strikes, open hand strikes, elbow strikes, grabs, controls, pressure points, groundfighting, etc. They would not have survived if they could not fight in these ways.
There have been countless real-life warriors, dying in battle, and unknown masters teaching students for thousands of years. What we have from them comes not from one person. Many have contributed to make all of Korean Martial Art a historical record of bloodshed, and triumph. For centuries, Koreans survived, not because of airplaines, huge battleships, tanks, and automatic weapons (which did not exist), but because of their Martial Art skills.
Japan attempted to wipe this out, calling the peninsula "Chosun," during the occupation (1910-1945) to deny Korean's thousands of years of successful development, and opposition to Japanese invasion. The Japanese Martial Art schools during the occupation definitely brought an influence to those Kwan leaders and their students. However, I believe the motivation of the government, and prominent people in 1955 was to erase the past half century, and reconnect with what they had before. They asked for a "new name" for the unification of all of their history, and General Choi Hong Hi suggested "Taekwon-do."
In his own words in his book "Taekwon-Do" (published 1965) Gen Choi wrote:
"Soon after the liberation in 1945, there was a movement to find
the real name of this art. In 1955 a special board of many
Taekwon-do masters, historians, and prominent leaders was formed
to solve this problem. In 1955 at the session for naming, the term
worded in "Tae" and "Kwon" which I submitted was chosen unanimously
among the many other ballots."
I would like to personally thank the late General Choi for submitting the ballot that contained the Korean words "Tae" and "Kwon." I also commend him on a life of dedication to teaching his own version of "Oh Do Kwan" through his independant organization of the ITF. He has left a legacy that will never be forgotten. As for the many other Subak, Taekyon, Hwarang-Do, Hapkido, and Taekwondo masters and Grandmasters, both senior and junior to General Choi, who lived both before Choi Hong Hi was born, and since, I commend them equally so for their contributions.
In my view, the Korean Martial Art now called "Taekwondo" represents all of them, and the skills they knew, taught, and used to defend their country. Not just one man, or one organization. The Taekwondo that I study and teach was not created in 1955 by one man, and is not at all rooted in Japanese Martial Art. I study what existed before, reassembled in its full context. and rightfully labeled "Taekwondo," The Korean National Martial Art. One art with many facets. This is my humble opinion.
Sr. Master Eisenhart
For adults, I go more in depth for their own understanding, and so that other people with misinformation, or flat out lies won't be able to confuse them in a dialogue about Korean Martial Art.
I try to present the history with a "common sense" approach. I look at the people of the time period, their ages, background training, political turmoil, and practical application of what they might have known. I consider each version of the "widely accepted" stories, then I do indepth research to see if it makes sense, or if I see a bit of personal agenda overtones, and embellishments.
I separate the modern influences of Japanese occupied Korea, and post-war kwans from the ancient development of a peninsula that required common people, and villagers turned soldiers to defend against attacks. I see three kingdoms who fought each other for control, and one kingdom that used Chinese forces to dominate, then drove the Chinese army out.
These warriors did not have advanced technology, but primative weapons at best. They were known for using kicking skills, but common sense, and research indicates that they knew well how to use their hands for blocks, fist strikes, open hand strikes, elbow strikes, grabs, controls, pressure points, groundfighting, etc. They would not have survived if they could not fight in these ways.
There have been countless real-life warriors, dying in battle, and unknown masters teaching students for thousands of years. What we have from them comes not from one person. Many have contributed to make all of Korean Martial Art a historical record of bloodshed, and triumph. For centuries, Koreans survived, not because of airplaines, huge battleships, tanks, and automatic weapons (which did not exist), but because of their Martial Art skills.
Japan attempted to wipe this out, calling the peninsula "Chosun," during the occupation (1910-1945) to deny Korean's thousands of years of successful development, and opposition to Japanese invasion. The Japanese Martial Art schools during the occupation definitely brought an influence to those Kwan leaders and their students. However, I believe the motivation of the government, and prominent people in 1955 was to erase the past half century, and reconnect with what they had before. They asked for a "new name" for the unification of all of their history, and General Choi Hong Hi suggested "Taekwon-do."
In his own words in his book "Taekwon-Do" (published 1965) Gen Choi wrote:
"Soon after the liberation in 1945, there was a movement to find
the real name of this art. In 1955 a special board of many
Taekwon-do masters, historians, and prominent leaders was formed
to solve this problem. In 1955 at the session for naming, the term
worded in "Tae" and "Kwon" which I submitted was chosen unanimously
among the many other ballots."
I would like to personally thank the late General Choi for submitting the ballot that contained the Korean words "Tae" and "Kwon." I also commend him on a life of dedication to teaching his own version of "Oh Do Kwan" through his independant organization of the ITF. He has left a legacy that will never be forgotten. As for the many other Subak, Taekyon, Hwarang-Do, Hapkido, and Taekwondo masters and Grandmasters, both senior and junior to General Choi, who lived both before Choi Hong Hi was born, and since, I commend them equally so for their contributions.
In my view, the Korean Martial Art now called "Taekwondo" represents all of them, and the skills they knew, taught, and used to defend their country. Not just one man, or one organization. The Taekwondo that I study and teach was not created in 1955 by one man, and is not at all rooted in Japanese Martial Art. I study what existed before, reassembled in its full context. and rightfully labeled "Taekwondo," The Korean National Martial Art. One art with many facets. This is my humble opinion.
Sr. Master Eisenhart
