Taekkyon is a hand-to-hand combat system, self-defense skill, martial art and a form of dynamic Qi Gong (a system for controlling the energy potential in the Micro and Macro Cosmos). The art of Taekkyon can be defined as a traditional method of self-defense, based on the principles of the most intensive and harmonious development of the physical and spiritual qualities of the personality. Externally, Taekkyon is characterized by natural and soft movements, but its internal content is very strong and even “sharp”. The masters picturesquely compare it with “an iron hand in a velvet glove”.
Translated in meaning, Bae Ge Taekkyon, as Taekkyon’s full name is, means “The Fighters in White Clothes”. This martial art is known in Japan under the name Shai Jus (High Art). The white color symbolizes the high moral and moral virtues and the purity of the “empty mind” – inherent conditions for mastering the spiritual and physical aspects of this art. The white color embodies death in the Eastern worldview, because Taekkyon in the past was the most cruel martial art ever practiced on the Korean Peninsula.
For various reasons, until a few years ago, Taekkyon’s art was not known to a wide audience of Korean martial arts practitioners both in Korea and abroad. Several highly skilled craftsmen have trained a small number of students. Against the backdrop of the rapid development of Taekwondo, Taekkyon remained in the shadows. Although today this style is gaining more and more adherents and popularity internationally, its main characteristics are still almost unknown to the majority of martial arts fans.
Unlike most modern Korean styles, created “expressly” by different masters, Taekkyon was formed gradually and over time. Its evolution has been influenced by Korean folk games, folklore rituals and ancient martial arts. In this sense, Taekkyon is not the creation of one person, but a style that has gathered the essence of the Korean national school. Taekkyon has left an imprint on styles such as Subak, Sirum and Do Sul (The Path to Power), and more recently, techniques from Taekkyon have also taken over martial arts such as Hapkido, Taekwondo, Kyoksul and others.
According to historical records, Taekkyon originates from 2000 years ago from the regions of Madhuria and the Korean Peninsula. For the first time, the name of the style is found in the chronicle of Chae Mul Bo (Book of Treasures), compiled during the reign of the ruler Chongjo of the Joseon Dynasty.
Taekkyon as a fighting skill mainly includes punches and blocks with arms and legs, knockdowns, grips, keys and throws. Techniques are also used with the head, shoulders, elbows, knees, palms, fingers and other parts of the body. The techniques were so fantastic and powerful that today few are those who can master them in depth. Of all the Korean styles, the old form of Taekkyon is considered the most effective and destructive. Well mastered, the art of Taekkyon allowed the fighters of antiquity to defeat numerous and well-armed opponents in hand-to-hand combat. The overwhelming power of Taekkyon rests on the observance of certain principles that allow the practitioner to fully use his psychophysical potential.
Much attention is paid to breathing, energy concentration, control of the center of gravity, the development of the functions of the body’s energy centers, and also to overcoming the feeling of pain.
The movements are worked out first individually, and then in pairs. Each technique is studied in three variants: formal, sparring and combat. Through the formal version, the technique is studied and perfected on the spot; The sparring variant is designed for competitions and is trained in step; The combat variant is tougher and more dynamic, designed to quickly eliminate the opponent’s resistance.
Avoiding the attack by moving the body into Taekkyon is considered a higher skill than directly blocking and countering blows. Proper dodging of the blow makes the opponent’s attack ineffective and, regardless of its strength, turns it into an unnecessary expenditure of energy, since the blows simply fall into empty space.
Nowadays, Taekkyon is officially recognized in Korea as a valuable cultural heritage under No. 76. In 1983, the Korean government recognized the Taekkyon fighting system as an original traditional Korean martial art, part of the treasury of world culture. But centuries ago, when it was created, this system served as the main means of hand-to-hand combat and self-defense on the Korean Peninsula. Today, long after its origin, Taekkyon continues to be one of the most serious Asian fighting methods.
