Abstract - The influence of Chinese and Japanese martial arts on the origin of Korean art of taekwondo and its identity. An outline of problems
The article shows Korean martial arts as inspired by Chinese (previously) and Japanese (in XIXth. and XXth. century) influences. Particularly – relations between taekwondo and Okinawan and Japanese karate-do. Other way – extracts, what is in taekwondo specific, originally Korean and what allows to recognize this art (and sport as well) as an durable contribution in contemporary history of Asian martial arts.
Author turns his special attention to precise definition of historical beginnings of martial arts in Korea and actual dates of taekwondo rise, which in popular literature are sometimes situated in almost mythical past. He calls (after D. Burdick from Indiana University) facts contradicting three main arguments allegedly confirming ancient taekwondo's origin: it is question of correct reading and interpretation of some painting from Koguryo Kingdom (3–427 A.D.), statue of Kumkang-Yuks and Illustrated Handbook of Martial Arts (Muye tobo tongji) dated on XVIII c. This book is really almost copy of 200 years older Chinese one.
An article – in the description of forming world “power” of taekwondo – tries in balanced way to show the reasons of division TKD movement on (firstly) two world organizations and their leaders (gen. Hong-Hi Choi in International Taekwondo Federation and dr. Un Yong Kim in World Taekwondo Federation) contribution to present popularity of this art.