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Karate (空手,
Karate?)
(listen (help·info))
(or karate-dō (空手道,
karate-dō?))
is a
martial art developed from
Chinese kenpō[1]
(in particular,
Southern Chinese kung fu) and indigenous fighting methods from the
Ryūkyū Islands[2].
It is primarily a striking art, featuring punching, kicking, knee and elbow
strikes, and open-handed techniques, but grappling, joint manipulations, locks,
restraints, throws, and vital point striking are also taught, depending on the
style.[citation
needed] A karate practitioner is called a
karateka.
Taekwondo (IPA:
/tɛkwɒndoʊ/) is a
Korean
martial art and
combat
sport. Taekwondo is the
national sport of
South
Korea and
sparring, kyeorugi, is an
Olympic sporting event. In
Korean hanja,
tae (跆) means feet or kicking; kwon (拳) means hands or striking; and
do (道) means art,
path, way, or method. Hence, taekwondo is loosely translated as the way
of the foot and fist.
Taekwondo's popularity has resulted in the divergent evolution of the
martial art. As with many other martial arts, taekwondo is a combination of
combat techniques,
self-defense,
sport, exercise, and
philosophy.
Although there are great
doctrinal and technical differences among taekwondo organizations, the art
in general emphasizes kicks thrown from a mobile stance, using the leg's greater
reach and power to disable the opponent from a distance. In sparring,
turning,
front,
reverse turning, and side kicks are often used, as well as the
backfist and reverse
punch; advanced kicks include jumping, spinning, sliding, and skipping
kicks, often in combination. Taekwondo training generally includes a system of
blocks, punches, and open-handed strikes and may also include various take-downs
or sweeps, throws, and joint locks.(sweeps, throws, and holds are considered
illegal in sparring)
The oldest Korean martial art was an amalgamation of unarmed combat styles
developed by the three rival Korean kingdoms of
Goguryeo,
Silla and
Baekje.[1]
Young men were trained in unarmed combat techniques to develop strength, speed,
and survival skills. The most popular of these techniques was
subak, with
taekkyeon
being the most popular of the segments of subak
As the
Goguryeo
kingdom grew in power, the neighboring
Silla kingdom
became comparatively weaker, and an effort was undertaken among the Silla to
develop a corps of special warriors. The Silla had a regular
army but its
military training techniques were less advanced than those of the Goguryeo, and
its soldiers were generally of a lesser caliber. The Silla selected young men,
some as young as twelve, and trained them in the
liberal
arts. Those who demonstrated strong natural aptitude were selected as
trainees in the new special warrior corps, called the
Hwarang. It
was believed that young men with a talent for the liberal arts may have the
grace to become competent warriors. These warriors were instructed in academics
as well as martial arts, learning philosophy, history, a code of ethics, and
equestrian sports. Their military training included an extensive weapons program
involving swordsmanship and archery, both on horseback and on foot, as well as
lessons in military tactics and unarmed combat using
subak.
Although subak was a leg-oriented art in
Goguryeo,
Silla's influence
added hand techniques to the practice of subak.
In spite of Korea's rich history of ancient and traditional martial arts,
Korean martial arts faded into obscurity during the
Joseon Dynasty. Korean society became highly centralized under
Korean Confucianism and martial arts were lowly regarded in a society whose
ideals were epitomized by its scholar-kings.[2]
Formal practices of traditional martial arts such as
subak and
taekkyeon
were reserved for sanctioned military uses. However folk practice of taekkyeon
as a kicking game still persisted into the 19th century
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