Philosophy Questions

Where does Tae Kwon Do Originate From?

Korea. Oldest known form of Tae Kwon Do dates back to around 57BC, during the 3 Rival Kingdoms of Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje. It was influenced by other martial arts styles such as taekyon, subak, chuan fa, and karate (Korean, Chinese, and Japanese martial arts). Modern day Tae Kwon Do was founded in 1944 in Seoul.

What does Tae Kwon Do Mean?

The literal translation means Hand Foot Way, in American English we know it as “The way of the hands and feet.”

Where does Karate Originate From?

Okinawa, Japan.

What Does Karate Mean?

Empty Hands.

What Three Focuses do we emphasize?

Focus of the Mind, the Eyes, and the Body.

What Does each Focus entail?

Focusing the mind: Listening to whoever is speaking, giving your 100%.

Focusing the eyes: Looking at whoever is speaking, keeping your eyes on target.

Focusing the body: Controlling yourself and your body.

What is the most important aspect of the martial arts we teach?

Respect.

What do you say when you see a black belt or at the start of class?

Oss.

What does ‘oss’ mean?

In Japanese culture it’s a way of saying “I’m ready”. When we say it, it’s a way of signifying that we understand and that we’re showing respect to whatever we’re bowing towards, be it our teachers, be it our place of learning. It has more commonly in modern Japanese culture been taken as slang for ‘hey’ or ‘sup’. It derives from the root word ‘osu’.

What is the root word of oss (osu) and what does it mean?

The root word of osu means ‘To endure’. One of the key tenets of martial arts that we strive to teach is how to push through boundaries and endure hardships through our discipline.