Purpose of establishment | Origin of the 24 miliratary arts | Composition of the 24 military arts
The characteristics of 24 military arts | The meaning of "Gyungdang"


Some of the East's martial art's originated during the Koguryo Dynasty. The purpose of martial art's training was to develop a military or disciplined mind and spirit. It was also used to promote devotion to the welfare of mankind and make the world a better place.
 

The "Gyung Dang" dojang has inherited this spirit of devotion to the welfare of mankind. This spirit has been expressed since the birth of our nation. During the Koguryo period martial arts emphasized:independence, self sufficiency and self-improvement. Gyung Dang's purpose is to cultivate our youths ability to contribute to the reunification of our divided country, to build a healthy society and to foster a sound mind and healthy body. The "Gyung Dang" dojang consists of 24 military arts based upon on developing national spirit, culture and history. Through this training we hope to enhance the physical ability and mental capabilities of our youth.



 


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Mu Ye Do Bo Tong Ji

 
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The ceremony of
Gyung Dang Gymnasium
 

 The 24 military arts practiced in Gyung Dang
originated around the time of the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592.
Korea had led a peaceful life for 200 years prior to this foreign invasion. Korea experienced a disastrous defeat from the highly trained Japanese troops.
During the course of the war, during the Li Dynasty, Korean martial arts began to develop with the assistance of elite martial artists from China and Japan.  After the war between 1569 and 1790, two kings successively refined the above mentioned military arts. Two famous scholars, Je-Ga Park and Duck-Mu Li, deeply versed in practical science, published a military arts book containing 24 military arts(the name of book is
Mu Ye Do Bo Tong Ji.)

 These 24 military arts were a compulsory requirement for regular Army troops until the annexation of Korea by Japan in 1910. Even after the annexation, loyal troops fighting for independence relied heavily on the 24 military arts.

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The inner view of Gyung Dang Gymnasium

Jang Chang (long spear)
Juk Jang Chang (long bamboo spear)
Ghi Chang (flag spear)
Dan Pa
Nang Sun (fox bamboo spear)
Ssang Su Do
Ye Do
Wae Ghum
Gyo Jun
Je Do Ghum
Bon Kuk Ghum
Ssang Ghum (a pair of swords)
Ma Sang Ssang Ghum(a pair of swords, horseback)
Wahr Do (moon-sword)
Ma Sang Wahr Do (moon-sword on a horse)
Hyup Do
Deung Pae (a sword wisteria-shield)
Ghwun Bup (boxing)
Ghon Bang (a long club with a small edge)
Pyun Ghon (a club with a joint and a long club)
Ma Sang Pyun Ghon (a Pyun Ghon on horse)
Ghi Chang (spear on horseback)
Gyuk Gu (eastern polo)
Ma Sang Jae (sword on horseback/polo) 

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 The 24 Military Arts are composed of 1026 techniques and various weapons. Individually each technique is simple and plain. But when combined the techniques become intricate and diverse. Included among the 24 military arts weapons are:  a 1.35 meter sword weighing 2.5 kilograms, spears ranging from 2 - 6 meters, are both solemn and impressive. These military arts were developed and refined through scholastic studies and tested in two wars with neighboring countries. i.e, the Japanese invasion in 1592 and the Manchu invasion in 1636. The 24 military arts are practical and efficient having been developed, and refined through utilization in actual combat.


 "Gyung Dang" originated as an educational system during the Koguryo period. Common youths in every village throughout the country gathered together to study in military arts. Thus they would be prepared to engage in battles in time of war. The present military art "Gyung Dang" is intended to continue this traditional training of the Koguryo period. The training is practical and builds a sound mind and healthy body for daily life. The main training center is located in Kwang-Ju and there are 15 branch schools Seoul, Taegu and Pusan. In the future we plan to establish schools overseas.

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