Like flowing water and blowing wind
An interview with Taekyon Grand Master Ki-Hyun Do
Taekyon, Taekkyon or Taekkyeon is a Korean martial art that is sometimes referred to as the precursor to Taekwondo. Outside Korea, Taekyon is not yet very well known, but it is gaining more and more followers, especially in France, the Czech Republic and Germany. This interview aims to provide an insight into this important part of traditional Korean culture, which may be of particular interest to Taekwondo practitioners.
Martin Minarik: Grand Master Do, as someone who has practised Taekyon intensively and researched it, how would you describe this martial art to people who are not yet familiar with it?
GM Ki-Hyun Do: Taekyon is the only one of Korea’s many unarmed martial arts that is recognised as an important intangible cultural asset. It received this distinction back in 1983, which underlines its cultural significance. Taekyon was also the first martial art to be recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011.
Taekyon is a traditional martial art that represents Korea. The reason for this is that Taekyon, as a form of physical culture, reflects authentic Korean philosophy and movement characteristics. It focuses mainly on kicks and stand-up grappling, but also uses a variety of self-defence techniques known as ‘yet beop’ or ‘old techniques’.
Martin Minarik: Taekyon seems to have certain characteristics that are not found in other martial arts, such as rhythmic, dance-like basic steps. Why do you think Taekyon has developed in this way?
GM Ki-Hyun Do: Taekyon is much gentler and more pleasant than other martial arts, which is why it looks like a dance, and it is true that it consists of movements that are not common in other martial arts.
There are two main reasons for this. The first is that it has adopted the unique philosophy and way of movement of Koreans, naturalism, which favours a calm, cheerful spirit and curved, natural lines over straight lines and rigid angles.
Secondly, unlike other Asian martial arts, which developed systematically on the basis of forms, Taekyon, which developed mainly through sparring and combat, is very aware that the best way to fight is to move fluidly and comfortably, using evasive manoeuvres and feints.
Martin Minarik: What do you like about Taekyon and why did you start practising it?
GM Ki-Hyun Do: Taekyon is a traditional Korean martial art that is practised with joy and fun. Japanese martial arts are often practised quickly and seriously, Chinese martial arts slowly and elegantly. For me personally, that is the greatest appeal of Taekyon.
The motivation for my first Taekyon training was that I simply wanted to try an old traditional martial art.
Martin Minarik: When you trained Taekyon in your youth, what did a typical training session look like? How do you teach Taekyon today?
GM Ki-Hyun Do: The most important thing in Taekyon training is to train with a relaxed and comfortable mind so that the body is not overstrained.
Today, I teach the way I learned from my teacher. Instead of training with patience and effort, we train with a joyful heart, and I teach my students that the purpose of Taekyon training is to be happy.
Martin Minarik: Sparring plays a big role in Taekyon training. What do you like about Taekyon sparring compared to other martial arts and combat sports?
GM Ki-Hyun Do: It is not known exactly when, where and how Taekyon originated. However, we do know that it is a unique Korean martial art that has been practised in Korea for a very long time. Grand Master Duk-ki Song, who lived from 1893 to 1987 and was the first representative of the intangible cultural heritage of Taekyon, introduced it to the modern world. Taekyon mainly consisted of martial arts competitions in which people from village communities competed against each other. The form of Taekyon in which practitioners fight for the honour of their village is called Kyolyon Taekyon and was recognised as an intangible cultural heritage by the Seoul City Council in 2021. It is a type of team competition in which five players from one village compete against five from another village. While the actual fight is one-on-one, the winner remains in the ‘ring’ and the other team sends in the next player until one team has no players left. A fight can be won by kicking the opponent in the head, throwing them to the ground or causing them to fall. There is no scoring system or weight classes as in conventional competition, which is very inclusive and encourages the use of different tactics and strategies depending on physique.
In general, Taekyon can be used for various purposes depending on individual needs, but since it has developed into a martial arts competition, sparring is the basis of Taekyon.
Martin Minarik: What can practitioners of other styles learn or gain from experiencing Taekyon?
GM Ki-Hyun Do: When you train Taekyon, you can experience the unique movements of this martial art. Above all, you can experience a new world view of Oriental martial arts that is completely different from what you have thought before. I don’t believe that Taekyon is better than other martial arts, it’s just something different.
However, I personally believe that the unique martial arts philosophy of Taekyon, which is based on naturalism, is best suited to the postmodernism of the 21st century.
Martin Minarik: You also teach a weapon art called Hopaesool, which uses a wooden or soft rubber stick attached to a string. Can you tell us more about this art?
GM Ki-Hyun Do: In the Chosun Dynasty, the Hopae was a badge worn by men over the age of 16. Nobles used Hopae made of ivory, while commoners used ones made of wood. Sometimes the Hopae was used as a martial arts weapon in emergency situations. Later, it was systematically developed into a martial art.
Martin Minarik: Hopaesool also includes sparring, which is surprisingly safe and playful. Can you tell us more about sparring in Hopaesool?
GM Ki-Hyun Do: The hopae, the weapon used in Hopaesol, is basically made of wood. However, wooden hopae are so dangerous that we use rubber hopae during training. Only the face is protected; other parts of the body are not easily injured when hit by a rubber Hopaesool. The Hopaesool competition has simple rules, making it safe and fun for everyone, regardless of age or gender. The many exercises help with weight loss, but above all, the beautiful movements can make it an artistic experience.
Martin Minarik: Why should people try Hopaesool?
GM Ki-Hyun Do: Even if you practise martial arts, it is difficult for a weak person to fight and defeat a very large or strong person, unless you are a very experienced martial artist. It is particularly difficult for women to defend themselves against men.
However, Hopaesool is a very effective and powerful martial arts weapon technique that allows you to easily overcome much stronger opponents after only a few months of training.
The biggest advantage of Hopaesool is that the weapon, the Hopae, is small and can be carried with you at all times. Even if you are a master swordsman, you cannot carry a sword with you every day. That is why Hopaesool prides itself on being the best self-defence technique for weak people to protect themselves.
Martin Minarik: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
GM Ki-Hyun Do: Sometimes people ask me why I train Taekyon so hard.
I simply reply that I want to be happy. People often say that happiness is the goal of life. But for me, happiness is not a goal, but a process in my life. That is why I am happy that I practise martial arts.
I want you to be happy too. Why not try Taekyon and Hopaesool?
Info: Grand Master Ki-Hyun Do, PhD Grand Master Do is one of the oldest Taekyon practitioners in Korea and one of the few who learned Taekyon directly from Grand Master Duk-Ki Song, the last active Taekyon teacher from the Joseon Dynasty, who saved Taekyon during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Grand Master Do is president of the Kyolyon Taekyon Association in Korea, based in Insadong, Seoul. He holds a doctorate in sports science and teaches at Yonsei and Baewha Universities. Dr Martin Minarik The interview was conducted by Dr. Martin Minarik, research assistant at the Institute of Sports Science at Georg August University in Göttingen. He is spokesperson for the ‘Martial Arts and Combat Sports’ commission of the German Association for Sports Science, European representative of the Kyolyon Taekyon Association and holder of a 4th dan in Taekwondo (Kukkiwon). Further information www.taekyun-germany.com www.taekyun.org Further reading: Hendrik Rubbeling: Taekkyon – Like Water and Wind (BoD: 2017)