Taekwondo and Weaponry

The Korean Peninsula was oppressed for much of it’s modern history by Japan. Koreans were unable to train in martial arts or weaponry. Martial Arts leads to confidence and the ability to defend oneself and rise up against wrongdoings; it’s not the sort of thing you want people you’re trying to control to learn.

Now Taekwondo includes weapon training. Reaching back to discover the Korean martial art of the sword: Geum-Do (검도) which was also suppressed during the occupation of Korea. Along with the art of the Bong (봉), the Korean Staff, and the art of Yi Joel Bong (이절봉), the Korean Nunchucks (Literally translated to two section sticks).

Now you may be wondering a few things..

“Didn’t these weapons originate in Japan?”

Yes, and also no! Many martial arts components lend their humble origins to China. In particular to the Shaolin monks. Through constant refinement and evolution, both Korea and Japan honed the skills to make it their own.

“Why do we need a weapons class in Taekwondo?”

“Why do we need a weapons class in 2020? These weapons are obsolete!”

Now it’s true, these weapons have not been used in battle for more than 100 years.

You wouldn’t go to an army base and see weapons training such as these.. the closest thing would be knife training!

However, this doesn’t mean that the weapons training is without merit!

Training in weaponry; requires tremendous focus and great amounts of practice to master. Honing the skills required builds the mental fortitude of the practitioners. It takes 10,000 kicks to perfect the side kick in Taekwondo; and 10,000 cuts to master the basic motions of the sword.

Now as far as obsolete—imagine if you were somehow involved in an altercation…

Wouldn’t it be better to know how to use a staff, or a sword and pick up a branch or long object lying around? Would you feel more confident in a situation such as this, with training in either sword or staff?

Is not focus and consistent training required for Taekwondo training? Would this not then, augment the training that is done in our Taekwondo training sessions?

Weapons class is useful now, as much as it was in the old days. Respect, focus, and a consistent work ethic will never go out of style. These traits will improve both your Taekwondo training and also you life off the mats.

If you’re serious about training Taekwondo as a ‘complete’ martial art, make sure you check out the the weapons components as well.

Train hard, and give it your all!👊