Korean Martial Arts
Taekwondo, Hapkido, Ssireum — traditions of the Korean peninsula.
6 articles
Korea ·1948 (Choi Yong-sul returns to Korea)
Hapkido — The Korean Way of Harmonious Power
Hapkido is Korea's art of harmonious power — a complete combat system of joint locks, throws, and kicking techniques rooted in the Japanese Daito-ryu tradition.
Korea ·1958 (founding); Korean roots: centuries old
Kuk Sool Won — Korea's Most Complete Martial Arts System
Kuk Sool Won is Korea's most complete martial arts system — synthesized in 1958 by In Hyuk Suh from centuries-old Royal Court traditions, Buddhist arts, and folk martial arts.
Korea ·Goguryeo period (37 BCE–668 CE); documented from the 4th century
Ssireum — Korea's Traditional Wrestling
Ssireum is Korea's traditional wrestling — practiced since the 4th century, fought with belts around hip and thigh in a sand ring, deeply embedded in Korean folk culture.
Korea ·Joseon period (1392–1897) and earlier; documented from the 18th century
Taekkyeon — Korea's Oldest Living Martial Art
Taekkyeon is Korea's oldest living martial art — rhythmic, dance-like, nearly wiped out by Japanese occupation, and in 2011 the first martial art awarded UNESCO Cultural Heritage status.
Korea ·1955 (official name)
Taekwondo — The Way of the Foot and Fist
Taekwondo is Korea's premier martial art — defined by explosive kicking techniques and dynamic athleticism, an Olympic discipline since the Sydney 2000 Games.
Korea ·1945 (Moo Duk Kwan founded); 1950s naming as Tang Soo Do
Tang Soo Do — Korea's Classical Striking Art
Tang Soo Do is Korea's classical striking martial art — synthesized by Hwang Kee from Korean, Chinese, and Okinawan sources, precursor to modern Taekwondo.