century. This book then is of value for all who seek excellence in their daily pursuits. Qualities, such as enduring strength, the doctrine of purpose, and respect for tradition, are as applicable to the martial artist as they are to the ordinary individual looking to navigate the adversities modern life proffers.
Still, it is traditional taekwondo based on an action philosophy that this book primarily addresses, and it gives me great comfort and satisfaction to see one of my senior students carry on the traditions I have espoused for so long. In a world of commercial expediency it is easy to fall victim to greed and compromise. Yet Master Cook has consistently taken the high road in providing his students and his readers with high quality instruction and eminent prose. I commend him for his tireless efforts and highly recommend his books to anyone interested in cultivating an enhanced lifestyle through a diligent practice of the traditional martial arts.
Grandmaster Richard Chun
9th dan black belt
President, United States
Taekwondo Association
The inspiration for this book first crystallized at thirty-five thousand feet over Arizona one Sunday morning many years ago during a flight to California. A freshly-minted novice at the time, fired with enthusiasm, I would have much preferred to be standing at attention in my taekwondo class that was coincidently just beginning back in New York rather than sitting shoe-horned into an economy seat that seemed to be shrinking by the minute. In a meager act of contrition, I began to read a celebrated work on the martial arts published over a quarter century ago. With chapters no longer than three or four pages in length and print large enough for an adult with failing eyesight to comfortably read, it still holds water to this day. The ability to pick up this modest tome and within the space of a few short minutes receive a complete dose of knowledge in one sitting was satisfying to say the least.
Since then, over the course of my training, I have read many books devoted to an exploration of the martial arts. Some qualify as true purveyors of wisdom; others less so. Nevertheless, I have endeavored on two separate occasions to contribute to the former, the success of which can only be measured by the reader. Beyond that it has been my privilege to craft frequent articles focusing on traditional taekwondo for several noted magazines. This book, my third, while loosely based on a collection of those writings, has been expanded significantly to include philosophical insights based on a doctrine of purpose as taught to me by my teacher, Grandmaster Richard Chun. This book is about a journey whose ultimate destination is the achievement of physical and spiritual enrichment through the disciplined practice of a traditional martial art. Rather than simply plotting formulas certain to score in the ring, I have attempted to impart essential, defensive elements of the art, both physical and intellectual, that conform to the principle of Do, or The Way of taekwondo. Without this crucial knowledge, practice becomes a peripheral component of existence rather than an organic ingredient supporting a meaningful life.
It is my sincere hope that this book will act as an inspiration to martial artists of all styles, levels, and ages. Although its concentration clearly rests on traditional taekwondo as opposed to its sportive mate, the philosophy within can be applied to all disciplines regardless of heritage. If the reader is driven to train with increased vigor, further investigate his art through prose, or simply enjoy his practice due to an enhanced view of its philosophical underpinnings, then I have accomplished my goal.
Master Doug Cook
5th dan black belt
TAEKWONDO—the traditional martial art and Olympic sport of Korea, an Asian discipline with over sixty-million practitioners worldwide.1 What is it about this unique way of life targeted at cultivating the mind, body, and spirit that has captured the hearts and minds of so many? Could it be that taekwondo contains over 3,200 empty-hand combat techniques with proven effectiveness on the field of battle establishing it as an authentic means of self-defense?2 Or is it the metaphysical and philosophical aspects of the art that attract those seeking more than just a simple, physical workout. Perhaps it is the fact that in a constellation of many martial disciplines, taekwondo shares the spotlight, along with judo, as being the only two recognized by the International Olympic Committee IOC and having the exclusive privilege of participating in the Olympic Games. Either way, it is clear that taekwondo has taken its place as the fastest growing, most popular martial art in the world today.
Without a doubt, the current popularity enjoyed by taekwondo, literally translated as “foot-hand-way,” or “the way of striking with hands and feet,” is largely due to the tireless efforts of several international organizations supported by seasoned master instructors who have dedicated their lives to promoting the art around the globe. Where many martial arts have attempted to attain Olympic recognition and failed, taekwondo has successfully managed to do so through an ingenious process of standardization introduced during its formative years by the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA), the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), and the Kukkiwon, center of taekwondo operations worldwide. This development required the core infrastructure of taekwondo to become unified and thus transferable wherever it is taught.
Mirroring its success as a competitive entity, the martial art of taekwondo with roots that date back to antiquity, different from the martial sport bearing the same name, has preserved its technical skills and combat integrity through the efforts of several institutions, including the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) and the United States Taekwondo Association (USTA), organizations that perpetuated taekwondo as a traditional method of self-defense.
World Taekwondo Federation, International Taekwon-Do Federation, and United States Taekwondo Association emblems.
The WTF, ITF, the Kukkiwon, and the USTA have contributed greatly to the promotion of taekwondo around the world and are virtually responsible for its vast popularity. It is essential that students become acquainted with these organizations in order to appreciate their historical significance and the important role they will play in the future.
On March 22, 1966, taekwondo assumed its rightful place as a global martial art with the founding of the ITF under the direction of General Choi Hong Hi. What began as a group of nine charter nations, including Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, West Germany, America, Egypt, Italy, and Turkey, quickly grew into a worldwide organization boasting over thirty member countries. Viewed as a stronghold of traditional taekwondo technique, the ITF flourished and continues to maintain a strong global presence to this day.
Considered the guardian of sport taekwondo, the WTF was established on June 3, 1973. This organization effectively replaced the ITF following its relocation abroad and is responsible for developing modern, innovative methods of competition while at the same time maintaining traditional technique. As with any complex organization, the WTF is composed of many specialized entities including the financial, women’s, collegiate, and referee committees. Its origin followed a meeting of the thirty delegate countries that had participated in the First World Taekwondo Championships held at the Kukkiwon in May of 1973. At this meeting Dr. Un Yong Kim was elected the first president of the new federation. Presently, with its headquarters at the Joyang Building, Seoul, South Korea, the WTF acts as a clearinghouse for tens of thousands of applicants throughout the world seeking legitimate black belt certification through their national governing bodies. Due to the stewardship of its many experienced officials,