Taekwondo. Doug Cook

taekwondo is a comprehensive art or way, replete with virtue, discipline, and vigorous motion, it has the ability, if taught with passion and sincerity, to fill the vacuum created by the exclusive practice of competitive sport or the dogmatic pursuit of confounding philosophical paradigms.

      In his delightfully entertaining book Iron and Silk, author and martial artist Mark Salzman attempts to make sense of the enormous time and effort he invests in his wushu training. One day, accompanied by his teacher, he visits a Taoist temple high in the mountains of China. There he witnesses a group of young women performing a traditional dance while waving silk handkerchiefs in their hands. Later, upon completing his taijiquan session, he questions Teacher Hei about the need for such perseverance in the martial arts since he had never been engaged in a fight nor did he consider himself a fighter. Teacher Hei responds by saying that if he were truly training for combat he would become a soldier. He further points out that the long spear they are wielding has degraded into nothing more than a cultural artifact with no practical value to the modern warrior. Yet he reminded Salzman that it would be tragic to squander skills accumulated over centuries by masters of the art simply in the name of expediency. “I guess I see what you mean,” Salzman allows, “but still, what reason can I give myself for all this effort?” Shrugging his shoulders, his teacher admits, “I don’t know—why dance with handkerchiefs?”¹⁸

      I am an avid believer in the practical, realistic application of traditional taekwondo technique during the performance of poomsae, when executing basics and while sparring in the ring. If the serious student is to embrace taekwondo in its fullness, an appreciation for precise motion, body placement, and personal expression within the boundaries of technical integrity as it corresponds to the art of taekwondo are all essential ingredients of holistic training. Admittedly, even on today’s electronic battlefield filled with exotic firearms and tactical weapons, empty-hand combat techniques can prove useful in tight, urban warfare. The majority of our civilian population will hopefully never experience the dangers of hand-to-hand combat. Personally, I practice traditional taekwondo for its inherent defensive aspects coupled with the moral and physical stamina it evokes. But, like many of us, the more I practice, the more I realize I have less to defend against. Not surprisingly, over the course of time constant daily drilling has evolved into a Zen-like state of moving meditation. More and more I find myself performing blocks, kicks, and strikes simply for the art of it. Is this wrong? Should I and others like me ultimately be practicing ballet or some other form of artistic dance instead? I think not. Certainly there is a fiercely practical component to our training, but practicality must be, according to the Um/Yang, that ancient icon depicting harmony between opposites, balanced by impracticality, and frankly, art is often impractical. Think of Jackson Pollock, Martha Graham, and, yes, even traditional Chinese performers waving silk handkerchiefs while they dance.

      The traditional art of taekwondo today clearly provides more than proficiency in combat skills; it instills a sense of self-worth and well being. Hope in life is revived inasmuch as seeds of passion are planted from the day the student first begins training and is nurtured through years of vigorous, enthusiastic practice. By remaining steadfast in our search for excellence, we become sufficiently confident in our abilities to convey the spirit through artful expression and living the martial way.

      Yet, in spite of artistic articulation, diverse influences projected by rival nations, master instructors convinced of the authenticity of their individual styles, and staggering cultural whirlwinds, taekwondo claims a legacy all its own. This unique heritage can be traced back to an era when scholar-warriors roamed the countryside defending against the onslaughts of imperialistic forces bent on regional domination. Consequently, as we shall see, their triumphs are in no small part responsible for the growth and permanence of traditional taekwondo and the nation we know today as Korea.