Muye Dobo Tongji : The Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts of Ancient Korea [Hardcover]

Sang H. Kim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2000

In 1789, King Chongjo, ruler of the Yi dynasty, ordered General Yi Duk-moo to compile an official textbook on all martial art forms then present in Korea to preserve them for future generations. The result, the Muye Dobo Tongji, is the only surviving classical text on the Korean arts of war. Based on the earliest known Korean martial arts treatise, the Muye Chebo written in 1599, the Muye Dobo Tongji clearly shows the influence of the neighboring Japanese and Chinese armies.

Through hundreds of wars and invasions, Korean soldiers adapted battlefield skills and tactics from their enemies, creating a unique system of their own. Organized into 24 distinct disciplines comprised of empty hand fighting, weaponry and horsemanship, this book is an accurate historical snapshot of the warrior arts of the hermit kingdom in the late 18th century.

The release of The Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts of Ancient Korea marks the first time this volume is available in English. Carefully translated from the original text and illustrated with reproductions of ancient woodblock carvings, this book provides fascinating insights into Korea’s martial arts legacy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Carefully translated from the orginal, this book provides fascinating insights into Korea's martial arts legacy. -- Martial Arts Combat Sports Magazine, February 2001

About the Author

Ye Duk-moo and Park Je-ga were military scholars and advisors to King Jungjo during the 18th Century (Yi Dynasty) in Korea. They compiled the material in this book from many sources, interpreting and translating documents from the Chinese and Japanese military manuals as well as Korean historical records. They also tested and adapted the skills of the Chinese and Japanese warriors to suit the needs of the contemporary Korean military forces.

When completed, their work spanned five books. It was made part of the Royal Library and used as the basis for military training in the Korean branches of the infantry, cavalry and navy during the Yi Dynasty. The Muye Dobo Tongji was the final military manual published during this period.

Sang H. Kim is an internationally respected author of eight martial arts books, including the best sellers Ultimate Fitness through Martial Arts and Teaching Martial Arts. He is also the translator for the ground breaking book on the Olympic sport of taekwondo, Taekwondo Kyorugi: Olympic Style Sparring. He holds a B.A. degree in English Literature, an M.S. degree in sports science and Ph.D. in media studies.

With over 30 years experience in Korean martial arts, Sang H. Kim brings unique insight and interpretation to the work of Park Je-ga and Yi Duk-moo. This historical first English translation of the Muye Dobo Tongji is the result of many years of work and study in an effort to bring the most significant book on Korean martial history to the Western world.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Turtle Press (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880336537
• ISBN-13: 978-1880336533
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,890,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Good by itself, Awesome with the DVD, August 30, 2007

By 

Paul Trogen (Johnson City, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Muye Dobo Tongji : The Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts of Ancient Korea (Hardcover)

Dr. Sang H. Kim has made a very accessible translation of a military text written in 1790. This text contains martial arts forms that contain the weapon techniques existing in the far east at that time. The Korean Peninsula is a dangerous place, near larger, more powerful neighbors including: China, Mongolia, Manchuria and Japan. All these countries have long military traditions. While the military tradition flourished in Japan among the Samurai, during the 1300s the Koreans embraced Confucianism, which lead to a reduced emphasis on the military arts. A Japanese invasion in 1592 demonstrated an urgent need for the neglected military arts. A Chinese manual was acquired. After the Manchu invasions of 1627 and 1636, military preparedness again became important, and two more additions were made to the text, including Japanese techniques. The result is a well rounded manual of the weapon techniques which existed up to 1790.

The ancient Koreans put their military techniques into forms, in which these techniques could be practiced. This manual includes forms showing techniques with various weapons including short sword, long sword, twin sword, crescent sword, spear, flag spear, long stick, and even an early from of hand-and-foot techniques. The brief introduction to each form includes either some information about the weapon or the historical background surrounding the form. This book faithfully reproduces the diagrams and illustrations of the original text, with English translations of the movements. As any student of the martial arts knows, it is virtually impossible to learn a form from the printed description. This text is no different. Furthermore, some of the terms, such as "goose posture," "military messenger posture," and "single horned bull combat position," are unfamiliar to today's readers. Fortunately, the publisher also has a DVD titled "Ancient Korean Sword and Weapon Arts," Korean Sword and Weapon Arts DVD in which Korean masters demonstrate most of the forms in this book (excluding the forms on horseback). The DVD illustrates the postures, and the forms, just as the book explains the weapons and the background. This book, together with the DVD, provides a wealth of information for a student of the martial arts, especially for the sword student as about half the forms use some kind of sword. This book and DVD cut through the myths of martial arts schools and shows how martial arts were actually practiced in the far-east in ancient times. One rarely finds a bargain in the martial arts. This book, together with the DVD, are a best value and a valuable resource for the student of ancient weapons.

Paul Trogen, Ph.D.