History of Martial Arts

It is evident that martial arts have been a part of history and culture for many years: "In early written records (Egyptian hieroglyphics around 4,000 B.C.) there is a form of hand and foot fighting depicted on the walls of the pyramids" (Clark 1992 p.76).

The way in which martial arts have evolved has been affected by factors such as geography, war, race and religion. Geographically, the arts probably spread through the middle east to India, China and Greece along with military hardware: "If the hardware of warfare crossed these geographical boundaries so readily it seems likely hand to hand combat methods could also cross these borders." (Clark 1992 p.77)

It would appear that modern day martial arts, in particular Taekwon - Do, have direct links to Chinese arts via both Okinawan and Japanese influences. Chinese martial arts are divided into two main groups - the "soft" internal and the "hard" external martial arts. Shaolin, Karate and TaeKwon Do are similar in that they incorporate techniques that appear hard in nature. In contrast, Tai Chi Chuan, Bagua, Ching Tse and Aikido are soft in appearance, but extremely effective as defence systems.

The original style of the higher graded members of the Association is known as TaeKwon-Do, previously known as Chung Do Kwan: one of the original Arts practiced by the Koreans that can be directly related to the Okinawan styles such as Shoryn Ryu. These Okinawan styles were introduced into Japan and Korea in the early 1900’s and are also the parents of Karate Do and Tang Soo Do martial art styles.

Due to the political and cultural nature of Korea and Japan these martial arts have since been developed to give national identity, hence each style now has a country with which it is largely associated. In some cases, the different systems have evolved from their original form. One could speculate that this is to help erase the past and develop for the future.

With the help of Professor Rick Clark, 8th Dan Ao Denkou Jitsu, 7th Dan Chung Do Kwan , we are searching for the true history of our martial art which extends far beyond the boundaries of any one art. Professor Clark holds high Dan grades in Ryukyu Kempo Karate, Judo, Arnis and is a professor in the art of Jujitsu. His specialty is the use of vital points in conjunction with grappling techniques to incapacitate assailants.

Those students that go on beyond the coveted Black Belt first Dan are introduced to combat systems from South East Asia and China.