KUK SOOL WON: Roots of Kuk Sool

ROOTS OF KUK SOOL

Kuk Sool stems from all three major branches of traditional oriental fighting arts:

Sahdoh Moo Sool
(Tribal or Family Martial Art)

Although the basic form of Sahdoh Moo Sool is probably as old as the human race, this martial art can be directly traced to the Koh Choh Suhn (Old Korea from 2000 B.C. to 57 B.C.).

The stone was the most important weapon in the early history of Sahdoh Moo Sool. The weapons used were stone knife, stone spear and stone axe. In fighting or hunting, throwing stone weapons and throwing sand techniques were widely used.

The invention of the bow and arrow brought a great revolution because it not only stimulated traveling for great distances for hunting, but also frequent contacts with neighbouring tribes forced them to form a confederation of tribes.

The formation of this defensive system was well developed in the Puhyoh Confederation, located at northern Korea and southern Manchuria. They celebrated Young Koh Jae, which required them to perform certain ceremonies during the early spring and autumn of each year. During these ceremonies, many religious activities were performed and they also:

1) Re-examined prisoner's cases and reduced sentences or pardoned them.
2) Competed in martial art techniques among warriors of different tribes - the winner was awarded a price from the central head.
3) They also enjoyed dancing, singing and drinking.

The code of the warrior was very strict. Each of them had to provide his own weapon and also abide by certain laws:

1) The warrior who killed another person would be executed.
2) The warrior who hurt another person would pay with agricultural goods.
3) The warrior who stole another person's goods would be become a slave of the owner.
4) The warrior who raped a woman would be executed.

In the southern part of Korea, the Doo Rae (village level military units) were very popular among the tribal confederations. Each Doo Rae had its own flag to identify its military unit and each year they competed to decide the line of order.

The major weapon of Doo Rae organisations was Tu Suk Sool (throwing stone techniques)

The Doo Rae still exist in Korean Villages today, but their function is exclusively for entertainment.

Another form of Sahdoh Moo Sool was highly developed during the Koryo Kingdom (918-1393). In order to prevent the power of local tribes from increasing, in 987 King Sung Jong ordered all weapons collected, except for those of government soldiers. The weapons that had been collected were all made into farm tools. Despite this effort, Sahdoh Moo Sool continued as a form of Sah Byuhung (private armies of certain Generals or civil officials). The function of these armies was to protect their master.

When General Suhng Kyae Lee overthrew the Koryo Kingdom tn 1393, he ordered all armies to disband. Despite anti-military policies, Sahdoh Moo Sool continued in the rural areas. When Japanese troops Invaded Korea an 1592 they met strong resistance , by tribal troops.

BOOLDOH MOO SOOL
( Buddhist Temple Martial Arts)

As part of the cultural transmission from China, Buddhism was introduced to the Koguryo Kingdom in 347 and shortly thereafter to Paekche and Silla. Booldoh Moo Sool contributed greatly to the growth of Korean Kuk Sool. Booldoh Moo Sool was developed for health first, self-defence second, and to defend the monasteries and the nation.

Since Buddhist monks engaged in extensive meditation in sitting postures on wooden floors, circulation in the legs and digestion became a problem. In order to overcome this difficulty, the monks concentrated on Ki development as a method of regulating blood circulation and digestion. Several breathing techniques were developed. Nei Kong was a method of utilising a normal breathing pattern while using the lower abdomen. Wei Kong was an opposite to Nei Kong. The lower abdomen is protruded during inhalation. Another method was Ak Kong, which required a holding of the breath. The Happy Buddha statues we frequently see are a reflection of the monks development of the lower abdomen through breathing exercises.

Another reason for practising martial art was to defend themselves. When a young monk joined the temple, he was designated a beggar monk. His duty required that he visit each house in his district to pray for happiness and receive a donation of rice, barley or other crops in return. When traveling he faced many dangers from bandits or wild animals. To assure their safety, these young monks learned self-defence. Frequently the middle staff or cane techniques were learned. It was very popular to practise martial arts to defend the monasteries and the Kingdom. Some monks were skilled in martial arts before they entered the temple. but most received training after entrance into the monastery.

In 1109, King Yeo Johng who was interested in Martial Arts, established Kuk Hahk (national university) and taught Confucianism and martial arts. Later because of corruption, the king was overthrown.

In 1170, martial arts contests between military divisions became the national annual event. Still this did not bring stabilisation to Koryo politics. Finally, General Chai Chuhng Hun, combined penmanship and swordsmanship and became Prime Minister. A great General and expert in archery, General Lee Suhng Kyae established his own kingdom by force. However, he realised the danger of his General's power and began to use anti-military policy. Be reorganised to provide strong central control. He also adopted the Gwah Goo for government workers. The Moo Gwa (martial arts tests for the military) was given to everyone of the upper class. Examinations were held at three year intervals and the test was divided into three parts. The third part was executed before the King. The test included various fields of martial art techniques, Confucianism, history, classics and military science.

At the outset of the Gwah Goo system, discrimination against the military gradually appeared. Military power was drastically reduced and traditional martial arts weakened.

In 1592, Hideyoshi invaded Korea and for many years war followed.

The Japanese invasion of Korea bolstered appreciation of martial arts training. In 1790, King Juhng Joh ordered Lee Duhk Moo to compile a book, the mooyae Dohboo Tohngji (General Introduction to korean Martial Arts Techniques).

In his first book, Lee illustrated the use of the long spear, bamboo spear, special types of spear and how to use these from horseback. His second book illustrated the use of the short sword, long sword and Japanese sword. The third book illustrated the use of special swords on horseback and also the method of using a Bohng Kwahn (pole).

The fourth book shows weaponless combat using offensive and defensive techniques. He described target areas and noted that by striking those vital points, he could kill or render his opponent helpless by controlling the power of the blow. A warrior trained in these techniques would be capable of killing a tiger. In fact, the techniques were so dangerous that he warned the instructor not to teach them if the student could not be trusted. Therefore, the student should have five principles before learning these techniques:

1) virtue
2) Trust
3) Intelligence
4) Bravery
5) Discipline

Even to this day in Kuk Sool Won these five principles are required.

Koong Joong Moo Sool
( Royal Court Martial Art)

Royal Court Martial Arts began with the creation of the three Kingdoms, Koguryo, founded in 37 B.C., Paekche, founded in 17 B.C. and Silla, founded in 57 B.C.

In Koguryo, the Suhn Bi (intelligent, brave warrior) ranked highest in the social hierarchy. They carried five short knives, Dahn Gum around their waist and a small stone to sharpen the knives. In order to be a Suhn Bi, a warrior was required to study bow and arrow, long sword, horse riding, throwing short knives, weaponless combat, swimming and fighting in water, hunting, fishing, politics, music and the classics. Those who could pass all the required tests were awarded the status of Suhn Bi.

The first king of Paekche encouraged training in martial arts. His successors gathered people at Sun Dai and frequently held archery contests among the warriors and commoners with the winners being rewarded.

As a part of military training, they trained in archery, sword fighting and horse riding. They also emphasised weaponless combat called Soo Sool. According to history books, Hae Dohng Uhn Kee the master instructor used his hands like powerful swords. General Chuhk taught this fighting art to his warriors. During the training, two contestants exchanged attack and defence techniques. If one's opponent was careless with defence the book said that ''the individual could be severely damaged by a strike," which might result in permanent injury or death. Warriors were never to neglect these defence techniques.

The kingdom of Sllla was founded in the southeast corner of the Korean peninsula. The warriors of Silla actively engaged in martial arts training to defend themselves. The warriors trained in swordsmanship as well as penmanship. The military and civil system were only one body. The governor was also the General.

Founded in Silla as an institution for training future military officers was the Hwah Rahng Do composed of young men. These youth groups believed that ''a healthy body brings a healthy spirit, and a healthy spirit also brings a healthy body", so the two were inseparable. In order to achieve this goal, these youth groups trained themselves by practising mental and physical discipline throughout the year in the wild mountains, along the big rivers or the rugged seashore. During this period, weaponless fighting was a major martial arts practice.

To guide themselves and give purpose to their Knighthood, corps members incorporated a five point code of conduct set by their country's greatest Buddhist monk and scholar. Won Kang

1) Be loyal to your king and country.
2) Be obedient to your parents.
3) Be honorable to your friends.
4) Never retreat in battle.
5) Kill Justly.

The Moo Sah (Silla warriors) were practical men. They believed that knowledge and action must balance. After you acquire knowledge, you must continue according to the knowledge you have acquired. They were required to be experts in archery, kicking, hand techniques, throws, archery from horseback, hunting and swimming.

Bee Gak Sool, an art of kicking, was an interesting technique during the Silla Period. The art divided practitioners into three grades. The average students kicked to the opponents leg; advanced students kicked to the shoulders; experts kicked to the opponents Sang Too (bound hair on top of the head).

Those who graduated from the Hwah Rahng Do became the backbone of the Sllla Army. They were state ministers and military officers. They were known through Asia for their courage and skill in battle. Even their most bitter foes held them in great respect.

After the unification of the Three Kingdoms by Silla in 688 A.D. the martial arts spirit gradually declined. In 918, the Generals overthrew the unified Silla and installed General Wahng Kuhn as the first king of the Koryo kingdom. It is from Koryo that we derive the western name for Korea.

Once again military Generals came into power. In order to balance power between military and civil officials. King Kwahng Johng established Gwah Goo (a national civil examination) in 958. Both warriors and scholars were required to take this examination.