Sibpalki: Classical Korean Martial Arts

by Bok Kyu Choi

Classical Korean Martial Arts Contemporary Korean martial arts, such as taekwondo, hapkido, taekkyeon, and haidong gumdo have been gaining more and more popularity not only in their country of origin but worldwide. However, it is difficult to find a book explaining their historical background on the basis of academic research. Myths and misunderstandings prevail and continue to paint a skewed image of Korean martial arts. This book provides an overview of martial arts traditions in Korea and focuses on martial arts development in relation to military tactics. During the Imjin War (1592~1598), the seeds of modern Korean martial arts were sown. Over the next 200 years, the successive Joseon monarchs laid the foundation of an illustrious martial arts system epitomized by the 18 essential skills, or Sibpalki. Sibpalki was a system based on the synthesis of martial traditions of Korea, China, and Japan from the 16th to 18th century. Therefore, understanding Sibpalki is essential to understanding Korean martial arts as well as the entire spectrum of East Asian martial arts. There are three categories in stabbing, cutting, and striking arts. They include long spear, bamboo long spear, thorny spear, flag spear, trident, shield, double-handed saber, Japanese sword, sword combat, Admiral’s sword, Silla sword, Sharp sword, double swords, moon saber, pole saber, gwonbeop, staff, and flail. The Muyedobotongji, or the Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts, which is the manual of Sibpalki compiled in 1790, was registered as a Unesco Memory of the World in 2017. Recently, Sibpalki was registered as a martial art of traditional military camps by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and it is moving into the spotlight as a cultural asset through various performances and historical reenactments. This book offers a clear view of Sibpalki as well as Korean martial arts history.

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2021