Muyedobotongji
Encyclopedia
In 1790, King Jeongjo
of Korea commissioned a book called the Muyedobotongji which was an illustrated manual of Korean martial arts. This book, written by Yi Deokmu (이덕무, 1741-1793) and Pak Jega (박제가, 1750-1805), described in detail Korea's martial arts of which an unarmed combat style of kicking and punching is extensively illustrated. It was published in four volumes and there is an additional volume in which the original Hanja characters are presented in the Korean script, Hangul
.
ideologies and scholarly elites frowned upon the martial arts, came from the foreign invasions of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty
. These invasions disturbed the peace of the last 200 years of the Joseon Dynasty, and brought about awareness of the need to revive Korea's military training.
(무예제보), written in 1599; the second and third volumes are based on the Muyesinbo
(무예신보), written in 1759.
The four volumes contain 23 chapters in which all 24 methods are explained. The last chapter of the third volumes described the use of the shield with two different weapons. The book also has descriptions and pictures of the uniforms for the soldiers.
The long sword is handled with both hands. These frighteningly big, heavy swords were originally called "long swords" (jangdo), or sometimes "applying sword" (yonggum) or "plain sword" (pyunggum). Swords of this type came to be known during invasions of China since they were used by Japanese pirates invading China's coastal areas. Wielding these swords, the Japanese pirates cut long spears, or even enemy soldiers, into half in a single strike. The long sword skills were therefore introduced in Korea to prepare its troops for combat against Japanese pirates.
A fighting skill using two swords with both hands, this was one of the most difficult skills to master. Double swords on horseback required even greater prowess. The fighter could attack and defend at the same time using two swords. The smaller, saber‐size swords with round hand guards (hwando) were generally used for this technique. The swordsman kept a pair of swords, one referred to as male and the other one as female, in a single scabbard to draw them quickly. The folk double swords dance (Ssanggeommu
) was derived from this skill.
's treatise on troops training, the Ji Xiao Xin Shu
(Hangul: 기효신서, Hanja: 紀效新書, "New Books of Effective Methods"). Ji Xiao Xin Shu
was written in 1561. The authors considered that although this type of training had little value for large-scale battle, it was nevertheless useful to train bodily flexibility, reflexes, hands speed, quick yet solid footwork and jumping capacity, all of which were very valuable for a warrior.
The book divides the techniques into stabbing, cutting and striking techniques, while earlier books divided them into long and short weapon skills. The old classification method had to be abandoned with the development of firearms. The long spear had lost its function as a long-range weapon by the time the book was written. Quite clearly, first bow and arrow, and later the advent of firearms, rendered the long spear obsolete in this role.
There are however several groups that study the Muyedobotongji and try to reconstruct the techniques. The most famous of these groups being Shippalgi
; 18 methods of fighting, and Muye24gi, 24 methods of fighting.
Jeongjo of Joseon
King Jeongjo was the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He made various attempts to reform and improve the nation of Joseon. He was preceded by his grandfather King Yeongjo and succeeded by his son King Sunjo...
of Korea commissioned a book called the Muyedobotongji which was an illustrated manual of Korean martial arts. This book, written by Yi Deokmu (이덕무, 1741-1793) and Pak Jega (박제가, 1750-1805), described in detail Korea's martial arts of which an unarmed combat style of kicking and punching is extensively illustrated. It was published in four volumes and there is an additional volume in which the original Hanja characters are presented in the Korean script, Hangul
Hangul
Hangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
.
Motivation
The motivation for this major publication, especially in a kingdom whose Korean confucianismKorean Confucianism
Korean Confucianism is the form of Confucianism developed in Korea. One of the most substantial influences in Korean intellectual history was the introduction of Confucian thought as part of the cultural influence from China...
ideologies and scholarly elites frowned upon the martial arts, came from the foreign invasions of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
. These invasions disturbed the peace of the last 200 years of the Joseon Dynasty, and brought about awareness of the need to revive Korea's military training.
Volumes
The first volume of the Muyedobotongji is based on the earliest known Korean martial arts treatise, the MuyejeboMuyejebo
The Muyejebo is a Korean martial art manual written during the reign of King Seonjo in 1598.-History:As the Imjin war dragged on for years, Korea needed a way to effectively train a large number of troops, and the Korean military adopted a training methodology based on a Chinese military manual...
(무예제보), written in 1599; the second and third volumes are based on the Muyesinbo
Muyesinbo
The Muyesinbo is Korean martial arts manual published in 1759. The book is a revision of the older Muyejebo and adds twelve methods of both armed and unarmed fighting to the original six which were descbribed in the Muyejebo...
(무예신보), written in 1759.
The four volumes contain 23 chapters in which all 24 methods are explained. The last chapter of the third volumes described the use of the shield with two different weapons. The book also has descriptions and pictures of the uniforms for the soldiers.
Volume 1
- Long spear or lance - Jang changJangchangThe Jangchang, literally long spear, is a Korean weapon first described in the martial manual Muyejebo from the 16th century. The weapon was preferably made from the yew tree, but other wood could be used as well, like wood from the oaktree and chestnut....
(HangulHangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 장창, HanjaHanjaHanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 長槍) a 5 feet (1.5 m) spear made from the wood of the yew tree. It can also be made from a similarly soft wood, including bamboo in the right climate. It was considered the most effective conventional weapon on the battlefield due to its flexibility and length. The jang chang was widely used in the battle to retake Pyong-yang Fortress during the 1592 war between Chosun (Korea) and Japan. - Long bamboo spear - Juk jang changJukjangchangThe jukjangchang, literally bamboo long spear, is the name of Korean weapon which is first mentioned in the Muyesinbo . As the name suggests, the spear was made from bamboo and quite long, about 4.2 meters. Sometimes the jukjangchang would be made of either whole bamboo stalk or pieces of bamboo...
(Hangul: 죽장창, Hanja: 竹長槍) 20 feet (6.1 m) spear tipped with a 4 inch blade where the shaft was made of bamboo which gave more flexibility. - Flagspear - Gi changGichangThe Gichang is a Korean weapon which is first described in the Muyesinbo, a Korean martial arts manual published in 1759. It later also found its way into the Muyedobotongji ....
(Hangul: 기창, Hanja: 期槍) A 9 feet (2.7 m) staff with a 9 inches (228.6 mm) blade at the end. - Trident - Dang paDangpaDangpa is the Korean name for a three-pronged spear first described in the Muyejebo, a 16th century martial arts manual from the Joseon Dynasty.-Types:...
(Hangul: 당파, Hanja: 鐺鈀) Trident. The middle spear was longer for deeper penetration. It is between seven feet, six inches and eighteen feet long and has either an iron or wooden tip. - Spear on horseback - Gi chang (Hangul: 기창, Hanja: 騎槍) Use of the Ki chang on horseback.
- Thorny spear - Nang seonNangseonThe nangseon was a branched spear with many thorns attached to the branches. It is also called 'multi tip spear'. The blades could be dipped in poison. The nangseon was a perfect weapon for defense. It would be difficult for the opponent to get near the person holding the nangseon without getting...
(Hangul: 낭선, Hanja: 狼先) Spear with nine to eleven branches or thorns extending out from the main shaft, each studded with small metal hooks. These thorns could be dipped in poison
Volume 2
- Long sword - Ssang su do (Hangul: 쌍수도, Hanja: 雙手刀) Sword that had to be handled with both hands.
The long sword is handled with both hands. These frighteningly big, heavy swords were originally called "long swords" (jangdo), or sometimes "applying sword" (yonggum) or "plain sword" (pyunggum). Swords of this type came to be known during invasions of China since they were used by Japanese pirates invading China's coastal areas. Wielding these swords, the Japanese pirates cut long spears, or even enemy soldiers, into half in a single strike. The long sword skills were therefore introduced in Korea to prepare its troops for combat against Japanese pirates.
- Sharp sword - Ye do (Hangul: 예도, Hanja: 銳刀) Also known as dando or hwando. A double-edge sword was called a geom while a single-edged sword was called a do.
- Japanese sword - Wae geom (Hangul: 왜검, Hanja: 倭劍) This chapter describes the use of Japanese swords. Their use was studied during the Imjin Waeran.
Volume 3
- Commander sword - Jedok geomJedok geomJedok geom or Admiral sword or Commander sword is the name of sword-skill introduced by the Chinese commander Li Rusong who fought during the Imjin waeran on Korea's side against the Japanese. Li Rusong was of Korean descent.-Technique:...
(Hangul: 제독검, Hanja: 提督劍) Was, just like the Yedo, carried around the waist. This swords thanks his name to commander Li RusongLi RusongLi Ru-song was a Chinese general of Ming empire who is from the town of Tieling , LiaoDong Li Ru-song (1549–1598) was a Chinese general of Ming empire who is from the town of Tieling (Chinese:鐵嶺衛), LiaoDong Li Ru-song (1549–1598) was a Chinese general of Ming empire who is from the town of...
. - Korean sword - Bonguk geomBonguk geomThe Korean word Bonguk geom refers to both a sword and a sword skill which are said to have originated from the sword skills of the Hwarang from the Silla Dynasty. This is why the sword is also called Silla sword or singeom...
(Hangul: 본국검, Hanja: 本國劍) Also known as sin geom (신검). Represented the swords use by the hwarangHwarangThe Hwarang, or "Flower Boys"., were an elite group of male youth in Silla, an ancient Korean kingdom that lasted until the 10th century. There were educational institutions as well as social clubs where members gathered for all aspects of study, originally for arts and culture steeped mainly in...
from the SillaSillaSilla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
dynasty. It bore close resemblance to the double edged sword of the Eastern Han - Double sword - Ssang geom (Hangul: 쌍검, Hanja: 雙劍) A set of equally sized swords.
A fighting skill using two swords with both hands, this was one of the most difficult skills to master. Double swords on horseback required even greater prowess. The fighter could attack and defend at the same time using two swords. The smaller, saber‐size swords with round hand guards (hwando) were generally used for this technique. The swordsman kept a pair of swords, one referred to as male and the other one as female, in a single scabbard to draw them quickly. The folk double swords dance (Ssanggeommu
Geommu
Geommu is a traditional sword dance practiced in Korea. Geommu is performed with special costume, dance motions, and music. The dance is known for its grace in performance. Extra emphasis is placed on the movement of the costuming, notably the sleeves, in harmony with the movements of the dancer...
) was derived from this skill.
- Double sword on horseback - Masang ssang geom (Hangul: 마상쌍검, Hanja: 馬上雙劍) This chapter describes the use of ssang geom on horseback.
- Halberd - WoldoWoldoThe Woldo , was a Korean pole weapon that closely resembled the Chinese guandao , though proportionally smaller. It was so named because of its curved blade...
(Hangul: 월도, Hanja: 月刀) A weapon that closely resembles the European halberdHalberdA halberd is a two-handed pole weapon that came to prominent use during the 14th and 15th centuries. Possibly the word halberd comes from the German words Halm , and Barte - in modern-day German, the weapon is called Hellebarde. The halberd consists of an axe blade topped with a spike mounted on... - Helberd on horseback - Masang woldo (Hangul: 마상월도, Hanja: 馬上月刀) This chapter desbribes how to use the wol do on horseback
- Short halberd - HyeopdoHyeopdoThe Hyeopdo was a pole weapon used in Korea. It is very similar to the Japanese naginata. It was also called micheomdo , which could be translated as 'eyebrow sword' because the curved blade resembled an eyebrow...
(Hangul: 협도, Hanja: 挾刀) Shorter version of the wol do. - Shield - DeungpaeDeungpaeThe Deungpae is a shield made of wisteria and bamboo which was used by the military of the Joseon Dynasty. The earliest Korean description can be found in the Muyejebo.-Use:...
(Hangul: 등패, Hanja: 藤牌) The use of a shield with a throw sword or throwspear. This chapter counts for two separate methods.
Volume 4
- Unarmed fighting - Gwonbeop (Hangul: 권법, Hanja: 拳法) This chapter contains eighteen forms for unarmed fighting.
- Stick - Gon bong (Hangul: 곤봉, Hanja: 棍棒) This chapter describes how to use the long stick in battle. Staff techniques entail strike, stab, block, parry etc. These techniques are fundamentals of all weapon techniques. After mastering staff skills, the study of other pole arms such as spear, sword, trident, moon sword etc. is accessible.
- Flail - PyeongonPyeongonThe pyeongon is a nunchaku-like weapon used by the Joseon army and is first mentioned in a martial arts manual called Muyesinbo. The weapon was inspired by the farmer's flail to thresh rice with. In the west it mostly known as a Two Section Staff....
(Hangul: 편곤, Hanja: 鞭棍) This weapon is made out of a long and short stick connected with a piece of rope or chain. Instead of a steel ball of spikes, the short stick acted as a flail, overfitted with a steel skin that had many painful protrusions. - Flail on horseback - Masang pyeon gon (Hangul: 마상편곤, Hanja: 馬上鞭棍) This chapter described how to use the flail while riding a horse.
- Korean polo - Gyeok gu (Hangul: 격구, Hanja: 擊毬) A game that resembles poloPoloPolo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Sometimes called, "The Sport of Kings", it was highly popularized by the British. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a...
. Used to upgrade the riding skills of the cavalry, this sport was uniquely played by the GoguryeoGoguryeoGoguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
cavalry as early as 400AD. The ball must be scored in a goal, but players must ride, hang or be in whatever position on a horse without touching the ground. Players may only touch the ball with a stick with a tightly bent loop on one end. They can balance the ball on the loop while riding, or throw it. - Equestarian skills - Masang jae (Hangul: 마상재, Hanja: 馬上才) Six equestarian skills that the cavalry should master. This includes standing upside down on the horse, repetitively jumping from one side of the horse to the other, riding under the horse, riding two horses simultaneously, etc.
Sources
Earlier sources can be traced to Chinese General Qi JiguangQi Jiguang
Qi Jiguang was a Chinese military general and national hero during the Ming Dynasty. He was best remembered for his courage and leadership in the fight against Japanese pirates along the east coast of China, as well as his reinforcement work on the Great Wall of China.-Early life:Qi Jiguang was...
's treatise on troops training, the Ji Xiao Xin Shu
Ji Xiao Xin Shu
The book Ji Xiao Xin Shu was written by the Chinese general Qi Jiguang of the Ming Dynasty. The title can be translated as New Book Recording Effective Techniques....
(Hangul: 기효신서, Hanja: 紀效新書, "New Books of Effective Methods"). Ji Xiao Xin Shu
Ji Xiao Xin Shu
The book Ji Xiao Xin Shu was written by the Chinese general Qi Jiguang of the Ming Dynasty. The title can be translated as New Book Recording Effective Techniques....
was written in 1561. The authors considered that although this type of training had little value for large-scale battle, it was nevertheless useful to train bodily flexibility, reflexes, hands speed, quick yet solid footwork and jumping capacity, all of which were very valuable for a warrior.
Improvements
As a manual, the Muyedobotongji made several improvements over its Chinese sources since many practical comments on training and the value of the described techniques were added, and shows the influence of the neighboring Chinese martial traditions on the Korean peninsula.The book divides the techniques into stabbing, cutting and striking techniques, while earlier books divided them into long and short weapon skills. The old classification method had to be abandoned with the development of firearms. The long spear had lost its function as a long-range weapon by the time the book was written. Quite clearly, first bow and arrow, and later the advent of firearms, rendered the long spear obsolete in this role.
Revival
Many modern Korean martial arts claim a relationship between their techniques and those found in the Muyedobotongji. Proof for this is however often not given.There are however several groups that study the Muyedobotongji and try to reconstruct the techniques. The most famous of these groups being Shippalgi
Shippalgi
Shippalgi is a kind of Korean martial arts, a system of eighteen traditional martial practices followed in Korea since 1759...
; 18 methods of fighting, and Muye24gi, 24 methods of fighting.