Saju Makgi

Number of Movements:  16

Advancement:  This is the pattern required to advance from 10th Kup White Belt to 9th Kup White Belt with Yellow Tag 

Meaning of Pattern:  Four direction block.

It begins in a PARALLEL READY STANCE

The illustrations for this pattern assume that the student is standing on line AB and facing D.

1. Move the right foot to C forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a low block to D with the left knife-hand.

2. Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a middle side block to D with the right inner forearm.

3. Move the right foot to A forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a low block to B with the left knife-hand.

4. Move the right foot to B forming a right walking stance toward B while executing a middle side block to B with the right inner forearm.

5. Move the right foot to D forming a left walking stance toward C while executing a low block to C with the left knife-hand.

6. Move the right foot to C forming a right walking stance toward C while executing a middle side block to C with the right inner forearm.

7. Move the right foot to B forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a low block to A with the left knife-hand.

8. Move the right foot to A forming a right walking stance toward A while executing a middle side block to A with the right inner forearm.

END OF RIGHT SIDE: Bring the right foot back to a ready posture.

9. Move the left foot to C forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a low block to D with the right knife-hand.

10. Move the left foot to D forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a middle side block to D with the left inner forearm.

11. Move the left foot to A forming a right walking stance toward B while executing a low block to B with the right knife-hand.

12. Move the left foot to B forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a middle side block to B with the left inner forearm.

13. Move the left foot to D forming a right walking stance toward C while executing a low block to C with the right knife-hand.

14. Move the left foot to C forming a left walking stance toward C while executing a middle side block to C with the left inner forearm.

15. Move the left foot to B forming a right walking stance toward A while executing a low block to A with the right knife-hand.

16. Move the left foot to A forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a middle side block to A with the left inner forearm.

END OF LEFT SIDE: Bring the left foot back to a ready posture.

In his encyclopaedia General Choi told us:   Chon-Ji literally means Heaven and Earth.
In the orient it is interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human
history, therefore it is the first pattern played by the beginner.
It comes in two equal parts, one to represent Heaven and the other Earth.

What I’ve discovered

It is interesting that in this pattern meaning the Chinese theory of Yin-Yang, or opposites is evident.

As this pattern is learned by the White Belt at the beginning of his journey to earn the coveted Black Belt, we can begin to see how this theory permeates through Eastern philosophy.   The symbol which represents Yin-Yang can be found on the Korean national flag, T’aeguk-ki, which also uses symbols representing the opposites of Heaven and Earth, Fire and Water.

Chon-Ji also has another spiritual interpretation as Lake Chon-Ji is said to be the spiritual home of the Korean people, as Korea herself traces her beginnings to Chon-Ji so the student begins with this pattern.

It is never easy to translate Korean words into English, but ‘Chon’ can mean Heaven while ‘Ji’ can mean Earth.

The two words combined together, however can have slightly different meanings, Lake Chon-Ji is the ‘Heavenly’ Lake, located in a crater on Paektu-San (White Headed Mountain also Ever-White Mountain) located on the border between China and North Korea, which was the first residency of the legendary Dan-Gun before he established his capital at Asadal (now Pyongyang) in 2333 B.C.

Lake Chon-Ji said to be where Heaven and Earth meet due to the reflection on the water’s surface.

Ready Posture - PARALLEL READY STANCE

The illustrations for this pattern assume that the student is standing on line AB and facing D.

1.Move the left foot to B forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a low block to B with the left forearm.

2.Move the right foot to B forming a right walking stance toward B while executing a middle punch to B with the right fist.

3.Move the right foot to A, turning clockwise to form a right walking stance toward A while executing a low block to A with   the right forearm.

4.Move the left foot to A forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a middle punch to A with the left fist.

5.Move the left foot to D forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a low block to D with the left forearm.

6.Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a middle punch to D with the right fist.

7.Move the right foot to C turning clockwise to form a right walking stance toward C while executing a low block to C with   the right forearm.

8.Move the left foot to C forming a left walking stance toward C while executing a middle punch to C with the left fist.

9.Move the left foot to A forming a right L-stance toward A while executing a middle block to A with the left inner forearm.

10.Move the right foot to A forming a right walking stance toward A while executing a middle punch to A with the right fist.

11.Move the right foot to B turning clockwise to form a left L-stance toward B while executing a middle block to B with the
right inner forearm.

12.Move the left foot to B forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a middle punch to B with the left fist.

13.Move the left foot to C forming a right L-stance toward C while executing a middle block to C with the left inner forearm.

14.Move the right foot to C forming a right walking stance toward C while executing a middle punch to C with the right fist.

15.Move the right foot to D turning clockwise to form a left L-stance toward D while executing a middle block to D with the
right inner forearm.

16.Move the left foot to D forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a middle punch to D with the left fist.

17.Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a middle punch to D with the right fist.

18.Move the right foot to C forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a middle punch to D with the left fist.

19.Move the left foot to C forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a middle punch to D with the right fist.

END: Bring the left foot back to a ready posture.

In his encyclopaedia General Choi told us: Dan-Gun is named after the Holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333 B.C.

What I’ve discovered

Students are usually quite pleased that this pattern meaning is short, however the legend of Dan-Gun is quite complex:

It is believed that the earliest Korean people came from Manchuria, China and Mongolia and that these separate peoples collectively became known as ancient Korea or Chosun, (also Joseon) meaning ‘The Land of the Morning Calm’. The most powerful of these peoples were the Bear Totem family where it is argued the legend of Dan-Gun began.

There are two ancient texts that refer to the legend of Dan-Gun and these are the ‘Samguk-Sagi’ 12th Century written by Kim Pu-Sik and the ‘Samguk-Yusa’ late 13th Century written by the Buddhist Monk Ilyon, but even these ancient texts are many thousands of years after the events described.

The legend of Dan-Gun was revived in order to help to maintain a national identity in the face of the constant threats of invasion from China, Japan and Mongolia after the 12th Century.

The number three is very important in Korea and considered to be very lucky; this is why 2333B.C. was assumed as the year of Korea’s founding.

Dan-Gun day is celebrated on the 3rd October each year.

The Legend itself speaks of the Son of the Creator, Hwanung (also Whan-Ung), who came to earth and lived atop Mount Paektu, with his 3 Generals and 3000 followers. (Note the use of the number 3 here)

It is said that he one day overheard a Bear and a Tiger talking and wishing that they themselves could become human. Hwanung gave them 20 pieces of garlic and some mugwort to eat and told them to retire from the sunlight for 100 days (sometimes recorded as 21 or 40).

The Tiger could not complete the task and emerged early from the cave.  It is said that only the bear’s nature allowed it to endure the task and that as a reward after 21 days  (or 3 weeks), the bear was turned into a woman.  The woman’s first wish was to have a child and Hwanung also heard this and granted her wish. That child was Dan-Gun the legendary founder of Korea, known as the human form of Hwanung.

Dan-Gun is said to have united the peoples of Korea into the nation known as the Kingdom of Ancient Chosun, eventually leading the people south from his first residence on Mount Paektu, Dan-Gun established his capital at Asadal (now Pyongyang) in 2333 B.C.

Dan-Gun is said to have ruled for 1,500 years.

Ilyon claimed that when the Chinese King Wu of Chou put Kija on the throne of Korea, Dan-Gun eventually returned from Asadal, and at the age of 1,908 became a mountain god.

In the face of continuous threats of foreign domination the legend of Dan-Gun, was instrumental in reviving national unity after the twelfth century.

N.B. Gom in Korean means King, but in Old Korean Gom also meant Bear.

The legend is therefore thought to originate from the ancient Bear Totem Clan.

The three punches philosophically represent the 3 weeks the bear fasted.  On a more practical level, 3 punches to the same target would be devastating.

Ready Posture - PARALLEL READY STANCE

1.Move the left foot to B forming a right L-stance toward B, at the same time executing a middle guarding block to B   with a knife-hand.

2.Move the right foot to B forming a right walking stance toward B while executing a high punch to B with the right   fist.

3.Move the right foot to A turning clockwise to form a left L-stance toward A, at the same time executing a middle
  guarding block to A with a knife-hand.

4.Move the left foot to A forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a high punch to A with the left fist.

5.Move the left foot to D forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a low block to D with the left forearm.

6.Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a high punch to D with the right   fist.

7.Move the left foot to D forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a high punch to D with the left fist.

8.Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a high punch to D with the right fist.

9.Move the left foot to E, turning counter clockwise to form a right L-stance toward E while executing a twin forearm   block to E.

10.Move the right foot to E forming a right walking stance toward E while executing a high punch to E with the right   fist.

11.Move the right foot to F turning clockwise to form a left L-stance toward F while executing a twin forearm block to   F.

12.Move the left foot to F forming a left walking stance toward F while executing a high punch to F with the left fist.

13.Move the left foot to C forming a left walking stance toward C while executing a low block to C with the left   forearm.

14.Execute a rising block with the left forearm, maintaining the left walking stance toward C. Perform 13 and 14 in a   continuous motion.

15.Move the right foot to C forming a right walking stance toward C, at the same time executing a rising block with the   right forearm.

16.Move the left foot to C forming a left walking stance toward C, at the same time executing a rising block with the   left forearm.

17.Move the right foot to C forming a right walking stance toward C, at the same time executing a rising block with the   right forearm.

18.Move the left foot to B turning counter clockwise to form a right L-stance toward B while executing a middle   outward strike to B with the left knife-hand.

19.Move the right foot to B forming a right walking stance toward B while executing a high punch to B with the right   fist.

20.Move the right foot to A turning clockwise to form a left L-stance toward A while executing a middle outward strike   to A with the right knife-hand.

21.Move the left foot to A forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a high punch to A with the left fist.

END: Bring the left foot back to a ready posture.

In his encyclopaedia General Choi told us: Do-San is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho (1876-1938). The 24 movements of this pattern represent his entire life, which he devoted to furthering the education of Korea and its Independence Movement.

What I’ve discovered

 

Ahn Chang-Ho was a prominent member of the Independence Club.  During 1899 he founded a school before having to leave Korea for America; he was active at a time when Japan had once again invaded Korea.  In his book ‘Introduction to Korean History and Culture’; Andrew C. Nahm refers to the period 1910-1945 as ‘The Struggle for National Liberation and Restoration’.

 

From 1905 Japanese military forces were present in Korea.  The ‘Treaty of Annexation’ dated 22 ^nd  August 1910, did not provide the prosperity it supposedly offered to Koreans, instead it was a time of strict military rule.  The occupying Japanese banned the use of the Korean language, and gave the Koreans Japanese surnames, even so they were not treated like Japanese citizens.  The Japanese also closed schools. Confucius taught that education was the most important thing in life; and this is probably why Ahn Chang-Ho found himself active in the Independence Movement of Korea.

 

Returning to Korea in 1907 he established the Sinminhoe (New People’s Society).  In 1908 the Sinminhoe established the Taesong School, but the Japanese finally forced its closure in 1913.  Even those in exile from Korea were divided and it was Ahn Chang-Ho’s wish to unite his country’s leaders in order to find a common purpose.

 

After World War I, Ahn Chang-Ho returned to the United States with Dr. Syngman Rhee, he worked with Dr. Rhee, who was attempting to gain American recognition for the provisional government of Korea, which had been set up in Shanghai in 1919 by Dr. Rhee, Ahn Chang-Ho and Kim Ku.

 

On 1 ^st  March 1919 the provisional government declared its independence from Japan, the resulting demonstrations led to the arrest, torture and even the deaths of many thousands of Koreans.

 

Ahn Chang-Ho was re-arrested in 1937 and died the following year having spent most of his adult life attempting to preserve Korean culture, history, education and identity.

 

Movements - 24
Ready Posture - PARALLEL READY STANCE

1.Move the left foot to B, forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a high side block to B with the
left outer forearm.

2.Execute a middle punch to B with the right fist while maintaining a left walking stance toward B.

3.Move the left foot on line AB, and then turn clockwise to form a right walking stance toward A while executing a
high side block to A with the right outer forearm.

4.Execute a middle punch to A with the left fist while maintaining a right walking stance toward A.

5.Move the left foot to D, forming a right L-stance toward D while executing a middle guarding block to D with a
knife-hand.

6.Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a middle thrust to D with the
right straight fingertip.

7.Twist the right knife-hand together with the body counter clockwise until its palm faces downward and then
move the left foot to D, turning counter clockwise to form a left walking stance toward D while executing a high
side strike to D with the left back fist.

8.Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a high side strike to D with the
right back fist.

9.Move the left foot to E, turning counter clockwise to form a left walking stance toward E while executing a high
side block to E with the left outer forearm.

10.Execute a middle punch to E with the right fist while maintaining a left walking stance toward E.

11.Move the left foot on line EF, and then turn clockwise to form a right walking stance toward F while executing a
high side block to F with the right outer forearm.

12.Execute a middle punch to F with the left fist while maintaining a right walking stance toward F.

13.Move the left foot to CE forming a left walking stance toward CE, at the same time executing a high wedging
block to CE with the outer forearm.

14.Execute a middle front snap kick to CE with the right foot, keeping the position of the hands as they were in 13.

15.Lower the right foot to CE forming a right walking stance toward CE while executing a middle punch to CE with
the right fist.

16.Execute a middle punch to CE with the left fist while maintaining a right walking stance toward CE. Perform 15
and 16 in a fast motion.

17.Move the right foot to CF forming a right walking stance toward CF while executing a high wedging block to CF
with the outer forearm.

18.Execute a middle front snap kick to CF with the left foot, keeping the position of the hands as they were in 17.

19.Lower the left foot to CF forming a left walking stance toward CF while executing a middle punch to CF with the
left fist.

20.Execute a middle punch to CF with the right fist while maintaining a left walking stance toward CF. Perform 19
and 20 in a fast motion.

21.Move the left foot to C forming a left walking stance toward C, at the same time executing a rising block with
the left forearm.

22.Move the right foot to C forming a right walking stance toward C while executing a rising block with the right
forearm.

23.Move the left foot to B, turning counter clockwise to form a sitting stance toward D while executing a middle
side strike to B with the left knife-hand.

24.Bring the left foot to the right foot and then move the right foot to A forming a sitting stance toward D while
executing a middle side strike to A with the right knife-hand.

END: Bring the right foot back to a ready posture.

In his encyclopaedia General Choi told us: Won-Hyo was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla dynasty in 686 A.D.

What I’ve discovered

Won-Hyo (617-686 A.D.) born as Sol-Sedang was said to be wise from birth.

The pen-name Won-Hyo meaning ‘Dawn’ was derived from his nickname (Sedak), which had the same meaning.  In Korea people often had many names: an official name, nickname, pen-name, pseudonym, posthumous title and monks or apprentices were often awarded another name from their Master.  At 20 years old he became a Buddhist monk and turned his home into a temple.

Ilyon claims that ‘Won-Hyo’s native home, Pulji (Buddha Land), his temple’s name, Ch’ogae (First Opening) and his religious name Won-Hyo (Breaking Dawn) all refer to the first dawning of the Buddhist faith on earth.’

In his encyclopaedia General Choi told us: Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of the great Philosopher a scholar Yi I (1536-1584) nicknamed the Confucius of Korea. The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 38º latitude and the diagram represents the scholar.

What I’ve discovered

Yi I was born on 26th December 1536, in Kangwon province, he was a child prodigy and could read Chinese script at just three years old.  Yul-Gok had a very talented mother who was an excellent painter and he is said to have composed an essay at the age of seven by which time he had completed his study of the Confucian classics.

He passed the Civil Service literary exam at the very young age of thirteen.

At twenty-nine he passed the higher Civil Service exam gaining full marks, and then began his government service.

Some sources claim that it was the death of his mother, which resulted in his seeking refuge in a Zen Buddhist monastery.  His mother died when he was 36 and he spent time on Kumgang-San(Diamond Mountain) after a year of study and meditation he is said to have left the monastery and devoted himself to the study of Confucianism.

Yul-Gok (Chestnut Valley) was a leading Neo-Confucian scholar; he emphasized the principle of the energising element known as ki (also chi the matter or vital force).  It was the philosophy of the 12th Century Confucian scholar Chu-Hsi, which Yul-Gok developed into his own school of thought.

Yul-Gok emphasised the value of practical applications for knowledge, he is said to have been unusual for a scholar in that he carried out manual labour.

Unfortunately all Yul-Gok’s efforts to improve Korean government were marred by the division that subsequently arose between his followers and those of another great Confucian scholar, Yi Hwang (see also Toi-Gye).

Yul-Gok advised the raising of a 100,000 strong army, but to his dismay, his warnings were ignored.

In 1575 the Korean government was in inner turmoil as the Eastern Men (Yi Hwang’s supporters) and Western Men (Yi I’s supporters) were in constant disagreement.

These inner battles and their refusal to act on Yi I’s advice, adversely affected the government’s ability to repulse the Japanese forces during the Hideyoshi invasions beginning eight years after his death in 1592.

(See pattern Choong-Moo for more details).

Buddhism

Buddhism had been introduced to Silla previously, but had been confined to the Royal family and rejected by the people.  With many scrolls that needed to be read only available in Chinese it was not accessible to the general population of the time.  Buddhist monks traditionally journeyed to China to complete their study, but it is recorded that Won-Hyo set out on this journey but did not complete it, thus becoming the only monk in his day who did not study in China.

Writing

Won-Hyo wrote around 240 volumes covering 100 different types of literature,  unfortunately constant invasions mean that much of historical value has been lost and only 25 volumes of 20 of his works survive to this day.  One of Won-Hyo’s works ‘Sipmun Hwajong-Non’ or  ‘Treatise on the Harmonious Understanding of the Ten Doctrines’ was a plea for the uniting of the Buddhist sects.  Won-Hyo’s posthumous title ‘Hwajong Kuksa’ was derived from this work.

Family

After a Royal invitation to reside at the palace, Won-Hyo married the widowed princess Kwa, a daughter of King Muyol.

The King approved this union even though at this time widows were forbidden to remarry, because he felt that any child produced would be of great benefit to the kingdom.  Their son Sol-Chong became one the Ten Confucian Sages of the Silla era.

Sol-Chong developed a form of translation for Chinese texts, the Idu system simplifying Chinese characters into phonetic signs which could convey the Korean language; this made them more accessible to the general population.

In 661 A.D. Won-Hyo began the ‘Chongto’ or Pure Land Sect, Won-Hyo believed that salvation could be found through prayer alone, this sect opened Buddhism up to the general populace and in 662 A.D. he left the priesthood to travel the country teaching the people.

Ilyon records Won-Hyo performing the ‘Gourd dance’ and composing a song which enabled him to bring his teaching to even the most despised of the low born people;  he also records that his marriage to a widow, which was forbidden meant that he had to leave the priesthood.

In 668 A.D. the Three Kingdoms of Korea were finally united under Silla.

Won-Hyo’s efforts made Buddhism finally available to all Koreans and he died in 686 A.D.

In his encyclopaedia General Choi told us: Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of the great Philosopher a scholar Yi I (1536-1584) nicknamed the Confucius of Korea. The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 38º latitude and the diagram represents the scholar.

What I’ve discovered

Yi I was born on 26th December 1536, in Kangwon province, he was a child prodigy and could read Chinese script at just three years old.  Yul-Gok had a very talented mother who was an excellent painter and he is said to have composed an essay at the age of seven by which time he had completed his study of the Confucian classics.

He passed the Civil Service literary exam at the very young age of thirteen.

At twenty-nine he passed the higher Civil Service exam gaining full marks, and then began his government service.

Some sources claim that it was the death of his mother, which resulted in his seeking refuge in a Zen Buddhist monastery.  His mother died when he was 36 and he spent time on Kumgang-San(Diamond Mountain) after a year of study and meditation he is said to have left the monastery and devoted himself to the study of Confucianism.

Yul-Gok (Chestnut Valley) was a leading Neo-Confucian scholar; he emphasized the principle of the energising element known as ki (also chi the matter or vital force).  It was the philosophy of the 12th Century Confucian scholar Chu-Hsi, which Yul-Gok developed into his own school of thought.

Yul-Gok emphasised the value of practical applications for knowledge, he is said to have been unusual for a scholar in that he carried out manual labour.

In his encyclopaedia General Choi told us: Joong-Gun is named after the patriot Ahn Joong-Gun who assassinated HiroBumi Ito the first Japanese Governor-General of Korea, known as the man who played the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger. There are 32 movements in this pattern to represent Mr Ahn’s age when he was executed at Lui-Shung prison in 1910.

What I’ve discovered

At a turbulent time in Korean history, Ahn Joong-Gun (also An Chung-gun) sacrificed himself in order  to assassinate HiroBumi Ito, the man regarded as the chief architect of the Japanese plans to  occupy and rule Korea.

HiroBumi Ito had been the first Japanese Resident-General of Korea, from 1905 to 1909.  On 19th November 1905 Ito pressured the Korean government into signing the ‘Protectorate Treaty’,  which gave Japan the right to occupy Korea.  After news of this leaked out the Korean people began to form anti-Japanese guerrilla groups.

As a well known educator, Ahn Joong-Gun had established his own school, Sam-Heung (Three Success)  school. As the oppression of his country worsened he went into self-exile in Manchuria where he set up  his own 300-man guerrilla army.

Knowing that he would have no possible means of escape, disguised as a Japanese, Ahn Joong-Gun lay in wait at Harbin Station, Manchuria.  As Ito stepped off the train on 26th October 1909, Ahn Joong-Gun shot him.  Ahn was captured and imprisoned at Lui-Shung prison (Port Arthur), despite five months of barbaric torture his spirit never broke and on 26th March 1910, he was executed.

Unfortunately, as with other attempts to highlight the plight of the Korean people, this event only served to make the Japanese more determined to clamp down on Korean activists and culminated in the Japanese troops being deployed to surround the palace.

On August 22nd 1910, with no means of escape Emperor Sunjong was forced to approve the treaty of annexation, which had already been signed by his ministers. This brought the Yi dynasty to an end after 519 years.

Mr Ahn’s love for his country was preserved in the calligraphy found in his cell it simply said, ’The Best Rivers and Mountains’; he reputedly wrote this in his own blood after severing a finger.

Unfortunately all Yul-Gok’s efforts to improve Korean government were marred by the division that subsequently arose between his followers and those of another great Confucian scholar, Yi Hwang (see also Toi-Gye).

Yul-Gok advised the raising of a 100,000 strong army, but to his dismay, his warnings were ignored.

In 1575 the Korean government was in inner turmoil as the Eastern Men (Yi Hwang’s supporters) and Western Men (Yi I’s supporters) were in constant disagreement.

These inner battles and their refusal to act on Yi I’s advice, adversely affected the government’s ability to repulse the Japanese forces during the Hideyoshi invasions beginning eight years after his death in 1592.

(See pattern Choong-Moo for more details).

In his encyclopaedia General Choi told us: Toi-Gye is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16 ^th  Century), an authority on neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 37º latitude and the diagram represents the scholar.

What I’ve discovered

 

Yi Hwang was born in Kyeongsang province on 25 ^th  November 1501, he was a child prodigy.

 

At the age of six a gentleman neighbour began to teach him from ‘The Book of One Thousand Letters’.  His Uncle taught him from the ‘Analects of Confucius’ when he was twelve years old.

 

At nineteen he experienced a great awakening when he began to study the great Neo-Confucian volumes ‘Seongni Taejeon’.

 

A well-respected and intelligent man, Yi Hwang (1501-1570) passed the state exam for civil service at 34 a much earlier age than was usual. He acquired the pen name of Toi-Gye (Returning stream/creek) during his youth.

 

Yi Hwang worked relentlessly in government he was a man of great integrity; he was determined to eradicate all corruption from the government officials.

 

Yi Hwang’s philosophies and writings had a great influence on neo-Confucianism; he stressed the importance of I (Li), which he believed was the controlling agent in the universe, governing human nature and behaviour.

In his encyclopaedia General Choi told us: Hwa-Rang is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group, which originated in the Silla Dynasty in the early 7 ^th  century. The 29 movements of this pattern refer to the 29 ^th  Infantry Division, where Taekwon-Do developed into maturity.

What I’ve discovered

 

There are two references in this pattern meaning, the first part refers to the Hwa-Rang and it is here that I will begin.

 

The Hwa-Rang (flowering youth) were selected from the young sons of the Silla nobility; this idea had developed after the most beautiful females had been sought in a kind of beauty contest, which had ended in bitter rivalry and murder.

 

At around 576 A.D. the King converted the Hwa-Rang groups into elite military units, they were taught the ‘Five Injunctions for Mundane Life’, written by a Buddhist Monk.

 

The male youths were trained in art, literature, dance, science and of course combat, archery, charioteering and warfare. They were the elite fighting force of the day.

 

Often said to be the predecessor of the Samurai, the Hwa-Rang were surrounded by legend and lived by an honour code comparable to the Knights of King Arthur.

 

Many of the Great Korean military tacticians were Hwa-Rang.

 

The art of foot fighting had been practised in Korea for many years, however the Hwa-Rang refined it and developed it, renaming it Tae-Kyon.

 

The hand to hand combat learned was based on the Buddhist principles of Um-Yang (Yin-Yang in Chinese), this philosophy included the blending of hard and soft techniques and linear and circular techniques.

 

The rank Hwa-Rang was awarded after the position of teacher in the martial arts had been achieved; the Hwa-Rang would then be put in command of between 500 and 5000 students, or Hwarang-Do as a Kuk-Son.

 

Code of the Hwarang:  Sesok Ogye

 

Loyalty to the King

Obedience to Parents

Trust among friends

Never retreat in Battle

Justice in killing

 

The 29 movements in the pattern refer to the 29 ^th  infantry division, this is the division commanded by General Choi Hong Hi (9 ^th  Dan). This division was also known as the fist division and its symbol was a fist on the Korean peninsular representing the desire to end the division of the country.

 

The number 2 represents the divided Korea and the 9 represents the fist.

 

It was in this military division and under General Choi’s command that Taekwon-Do developed into its modern form, after a blending of Tae-Kyon and Karate.

In his encyclopaedia General Choi told us: Choong-Moo was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Sun-Sin of the Lee Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship (Kobukson) in 1592, which is said to be the precursor to the present day submarine. The reason why this pattern ends with a left hand attack is to symbolise his regrettable death, having no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality, checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the king.

What I’ve discovered

 

A particular favourite of mine, Admiral Yi Sun-Sin (1545-1598) was a man of great honour, courage and loyalty.  In his war diaries I read of a man completing his duties in spite of life’s problems; be it a common cold  or the death of his mother.

 

Admiral Yi won the hearts of his men and designed the famed turtle boats (Kobukson), which were like  floating fortresses, over 30 metres long and armour plated, they had spikes on top to prevent the  enemy boarding.

 

The Kobukson had a form of smoke screen, which came out of the ‘dragon’s mouth’ at the front of the  boat and also shot flames of sulphur and gunpowder, like an ancient flame-thrower.

 

Admiral Yi had his men make salt in order to provide the money for all of his supplies.

 

His Kobukson were able to destroy a great number of enemy ships in many encounters; one of these  famous encounters was the Hansan-do sea battle where 73 Japanese ships were destroyed using Yi’s  famous ‘Crane Wing’ formation.

 

Much free time was spent in practising archery and this time was proven well spent, when Yi’s best  archer shot an arrow through the Japanese Admiral’s throat while he sat aboard his ship; thus  scattering the fleet in a panic.

 

Yi’s tactics were to pursue and ram the Japanese, his traps and inventions were the keys to his success  and he was able to prevent the enemy receiving supplies and reinforcements.

 

It was at this time that the inner court of the Korean Government was in inner turmoil with disputes  making any kind of decision-making very difficult.

 

Admiral Yi faced constant enmity from the jealous Admiral Won Kyun, who repeatedly falsified

reports and orders in order to harm Admiral Yi in the eyes of the Court.

 

Admiral Won got the title Supreme Naval Commander after false accusations finally resulted in  Admiral Yi’s imprisonment.

 

Admiral Yi was accused of: ’Stealing the hearts of the people and attempting to usurp the throne of  the king.’ (Korea- Forty Three Centuries, Tae Hung Ha)

 

Because of Admiral Yi’s many victories over the Japanese navy he had many supporters at Court,  instead of facing the death sentence for treason; Yi was imprisoned and demoted to a common foot  soldier.

 

Yi Sun-Sin took this demotion with humility and continued to serve his country as best he could.

 

Admiral Won Kyun was repeatedly beaten by the Japanese fleet; his failure to defeat the Japanese,  resulted in his capture and beheading.

 

The Court finally found Admiral Yi to be innocent of all charges.

 

It was after this that Admiral Yi was once again promoted to Supreme Naval Commander; with only 12  of his ships remaining and gathering 120 of his men en route; he was again victorious in battle at sea.

 

He finally died during yet another battle, when at the moment of victory, he was caught by a stray  bullet and Admiral Yi is reported to have requested that his men not be told until

after the battle was over.

 

 ‘Do not weep! Do not announce my death! Beat the drum! We are still fighting!

Finish the enemy to the last one!’.

 

The posthumous title awarded in 1643, Choong-Moo represents Loyalty and Chivalry.