Tae Kwon Do can be translated to mean the 'Way of the hand and foot' and is a relatively modern combination and derivative of older Korean fighting systems including 'Kwon Bop', 'Subahk' and 'Taekkyun' with strong external influences most 

notably from Japanese 'Karate' but also to a degree, from Chinese 'Kung-Fu'.

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Books from around the 15th Century depict Korean warriors in fighting poses with descriptions about

the techniques being shown. One such book is the 'Muyedobotongji' (무예도보통지) that details the

practice of Subahk Martial Arts training.

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After WW2 when Korea was eventually free from Japanese occupation, a growing number of Korean

Martial Arts practitioners began teaching and passing on their skills, which had been banned under the

Japanese occupation. The early schools were known as 'Kwans' and were led by different instructors.

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The first five original Kwans were:

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*  Song Moo Kwan (송무관)   -   Founded by Ro Byung Jik

*  Chung Do Kwan (청도관)    -   Founded by Lee Won Kuk 

*  Moo Duk Kwan (청도관)    -   Founded by Hwang Kee 

*  Ji Do Kwan (지도관)    -   Founded by Chun Sang Sup 

*  Chang Moo Kwan (창무관)    -   Founded by Yoon Byung-in

 

 Although our school is called 'Ildokwan' we follow, are affiliated with and certify directly under the 'Chung Do Kwan' system through the World Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan Federation in Korea.

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