WonHwaDo
 | |
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| Also known as | Enwado, WHD, 원화도 |
|---|---|
| Focus | Throwing, striking, locking submissions |
| Hardness | Full contact, semi contact, light contact |
| Country of origin | South Korea  |
| Creator | Bong-Ki Han |
| Official website | http://wonhwado.org/ |
| Meaning | The way of circular harmony |
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Won Hwa Do (원화도) is a traditional Korean martial art, founded in 1972 by Bong-Ki Han. The name in Korean (Hangul) means "The Way of Circular Harmony" (Won = Circle, Hwa = Harmony, Do = Way). The basis of the art lies in circular movement by effectively utilizing full 360° rotations of the human body motion. This helps in conserving energy and reducing the risk of injury on the practitioner's joints often caused by the use of linear force and impact. Won Hwa Do is often compared to hapkido and Taekkyeon which are also national martial arts of Korea. Although similar in several aspects, Won Hwa Do's Ha-Dan/Sang-Dan Hoe-Jeon-Gong-Bang (하단/상단 회전공방) techniques are a unique trademark which is not shared by the other Korean martial arts. Ha-Dan Hoe-Jeon- Gong-Bang has the practitioner rotating arms in a forward motion and Sang-Dan has them rotating it in a backward motion. These two form the bases of strikes, throws, blocks, counters, submissions and kicks in its diverse self-defense system and are the most fundamental and basic practice of Won Hwa Do. The uniform pattern is also unique in that it contains diamond-shaped patterns with green and maroon lines painted or sewn across it. Its belt system does not follow the traditional Japanese black belt curriculum and its forms (kata) are quite short in comparison to karate, taekwondo and hapkido. Won Hwa Do is a very unorthodox martial art as demonstrated by its breaking away from these norms but takes pride in having its own unique standard.
History
Founding
Founded in 1972 by Bong-Ki Han, Won Hwa Do's origins lie in traditional Korean prayer and dance. The prayer-like movements are known as Bison(비손) which has the practitioner moving his hands in a circular path against one another as if turning a wheel.[1] This idea represents the rotating of Yin Yang within a person's mind and body thereby bringing peace and harmony to him/her.[2] Won Hwa Do at one point had a team that performed Won Hwa Do dance alongside the Famous Little Angels Children's Folk Ballet of South Korea.
Han was a monk in a temple for a short while. It is assumed that his lifestyle from these times was a deep influence on how he chose to create Won Hwa Do's techniques. Ik-Hun Cho assisted Bong-Ki Han in the early days using experiences from his days as a master of other Korean martial arts. Many old photographs show the two of them travelling around Korea spreading WonHwaDo.
Central Training Center (Chilwon Dojang)
Bong-Ki Han and his main disciples established and built the Central Training center (Chilwon dojang) in 1994. There he held many workshops, seminars and even 100-day training camps. 100-day training camps were a common tradition for those training to attain the rank of Maroon Belt (Instructor) and beyond. In 1998, The World Won Hwa Do Festival was held in which people from all over the Asia and Europe participated.[3] A follow-up festival was held in the following year of 1999. It was from this Festival that Han sent European masters to pioneer WonHwaDo in their homeland countries.[4] Chilwon in Masan, GyeongSangDo Province was a forested area of the countryside of South Korea that Won Hwa Do used for all of its major events and training workshops. However, in 2004 the Chilwon dojang would close its doors and the WWF (World Won Hwa Do Federation) would move its headquarters to Seoul.
The World Won Hwa Do Federation
In 2003, The World Won Hwa Do Federation(세계원화도연맹) was officially recognized and supported by the Korean Government as a national Martial Art.[5] Won Hwa Do during this time became well established in European countries such as Germany, Slovakia, Lithuania and the United Kingdom. Won Hwa Do also began to grow steadily in Japan as well during this period. In the year 2004, Jeon Ju(전주) Won Hwa Do training center was established by Ryu Jae Nam(류재남). After Bong-Ki Han died in 2010, he left leadership of the World Won Hwa Do Federation to his son and other leaders. Shortly following his passing, the Seoul Headquarters closed down and the training center in Jeon Ju became the WWF Headquarters.[6] Since Bong-Ki Han's passing, Ik-Hun Cho is the only person to attain the rank of Great Grand Master(Gold stripe). He helped develop, pioneer and create the many techniques of Won Hwa Do's diverse GongBang(공방) system.[7]
International development
Japan's Won Hwa Do headquarters are in Okayama prefecture but dojangs also exist in several locations across the country such as Nagoya and Osaka. Across Europe, several countries remain active albeit in a much smaller capacity than the early years of 2000. Austria, Germany,[8] Slovakia, England, Lithuania are among the few countries that still teach and practice Won Hwa Do. In order to help accelerate the growth of Wonhwado internationally,[9] Bong-Ki Han sent his disciples and students abroad to learn English whilst pioneering the art in those countries. Germany, Slovakia and England are a direct by-product of this time. Germany currently has 3 different dojangs with the headquarters being in Leipzig.
Philosophy
Circular motion to harmonise with the Universe, Heaven, People, Nature. The concept is based around the idea that all straight lines are destined to begin and end whilst circular force and motion naturally flows without ceasing.[10]
Techniques and curriculum
Won Hwa Do is considered to be a diverse and versatile martial art. For example, it employs grappling techniques for throwing and locking submissions but also has striking with punches and kicks. However, all of these diverse techniques still revolve around the fundamental principles of circular motion.[11] Won Hwa Do has a term for its techniques known as 'Gongbang'(공방). The Hangul (Korean characters) for Gong(공) means offense whilst the Hangul for Bang(방)[6] means defense. Won Hwa Do teaches to practice offense and defense simultaneously in one movement through the use of circular motion. Although seemingly peaceful, meditative and harmless in appearance the force from the circular Hadan (forward circular) strike carries a formidable impact on the target. The force comes from the theory of infusing pushing and pulling into one circular strike as if striking with a ball and chain flail weapon swinging at the end of a handle. Cho Ik Hun teaches that force and technique in the Hadan strike comes not from observation and talent but pure and patient practice of the basic Hadan circular movement for many years. He also emphasizes the importance of breathing and core hip strength in mastering the technique.
WonHwaDo Striking & Blocking
| Anglicization | Hangul(한국어) | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ha-Dan | 하단 | Forward Circular Strike/Block |
| Sang-Dan | 상단 | Backward Circular Strike/Block |
| Hoe-Jeon | 회전 | Rotational |
| Gong-Bang | 공방 | Simultaneous Attack/Defense |
| Ba-Da-Chi-Gi | 받아치기 | Counter Circular Strike |
| Anglicization | Hangul(한국어) | English |
|---|---|---|
| Miro-Cha-Gi | 밀어차기 | Front Kick (Push) |
| Ji-Ggo-Cha-Gi | 찍어차기 | Front Kick (Strike) |
| Dul-lo Cha-Gi | 돌러차기 | Round Kick |
| Dwit-Cha-Gi | 뒷차기 | Back Kick |
| Mo-Ro-Cha-Gi | 모로차기 | WHD Side Kick |
| Ha-Dan-Cha-Gi | 하단차기 | Hadan Kick |
| Mom-Dol-Ryeo-Moro-Cha-Gi | 몸돌모로려차기 | Turning Moro Kick |
| Yeo-Ro-Cha-Gi | 열어차기 | Inside-Out Kick |
| Da-Da-Cha-Gi | 닫아차기 | Outside-In Kick |
| Pyeong-Nae-Cha-Gi | 평내차기 | Leaping Round Kick |
| Kama-Cha-Gi | 감아차기 | Floor Sweeping Kick |
| Dui-Yo-Hadan-Cha-Gi | 뛰어하단차기 | Leaping Hadan Kick |
| Dwi-Hu-Ryo-Cha-Gi | 뒤후려차기 | Spinning Hook Kick |
Forms (Kata) (기본형)
Won Hwa Do has 40 Basic Forms, [1] The first set are separated into 4 directions forward, left, back and right. The second set of 20 forms consist of diagonal directions of movement. [12]
Jeong-Myeon-Gong-Bang(정면공방) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Pyeong-Woe-Gong-Bang(평외공방) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Hu-Myeon-Gong-Bang(후면공방) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Pyeong-Nae-Gong-Bang(평내공방) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Cheuk-Woe-Gong-Bang(측외공방) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Cheuk-Nae-Gong-Bang(측내공방) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Cheuk-waeGong-Bang (주외공방) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Ju-Nae-GongBang (주내공방) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Each form also has various striking, kicking, throwing, submission and locking techniques using the footwork, direction and movements based on the form.[13]
Belt structure
Won Hwa Do has a different belt system to other martial arts like judo, karate, taekwondo and hapkido. For example, usually in traditional martial arts like Karate the black belt is the symbol of an instructor or high level practitioner. However, in Won Hwa Do a person of high rank and skill wears a maroon-colored belt. The reason behind Won Hwa Do's choice of colors is that Karate's black system was rooted in Japan's martial arts history whereas Won Hwa Do chooses to base its system on Korea's Joseon Dynasty era. For example, common folk wore plain white Han boks (Korean traditional clothing) whilst captains and commanders of the military wore blue and red. Generals and Politicians would often wear purple or maroon-colored Han boks with blue, green and golden patterns.[14]
| Belt | Korean | Detail | Rank | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Belt | Start from the very basics and move forward | Beginner | ||
| Green Belt | 형화 (形和) | Require up to 3 blue stripes before taking blue belt test | Intermediate | |
| Blue Belt | 역화(力和) | Require up to 3 red stripes before taking blue belt test | Captain | |
| Red Belt | 성화(成和) | Require up to 3 maroon (or purple) stripes before taking Maroon belt test | Assistant Instructor | |
| Maroon Belt | 정화(淨和) | Required to know all forms and how to apply their movements in self-defense efficiently | Instructor | |
| Maroon Belt with Green stripe | Can have up to 2 green stripes before taking Master level | Elder instructor | ||
| Maroon Belt with Green Line | 인화(仁和) | Required to coach and train Maroon belt level practitioners and below | Master | |
| Maroon Belt with Blue Line | 충화(忠和) | Can only be approved by the World Won Hwa Do Federation | Master | |
| Maroon Belt with White Line | 원화(圓和) | Shihan level. Guiding Masters and Grand Masters | Grand Master | |
| Maroon Belt with Gold Line | 심전원화(心田圓和) | Highest possible level | Great Grand Master |
Although depending on the country system varies, the system displayed above is the general standard.
Han and Cho prefer being called by the title of simply 'Grand Master' or Teacher (seonsaengnim, 선생님) as they deem 'Great Grand Master' too long-winded.
After the death of Bong-Ki Han, Ik-Hun Cho is the only one to hold the rank of Maroon (purple) gold Grandmaster belt.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "WonHwaDo | Martial Arts Database". Mardb.com. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- ↑ "WonHwaDo.org". wonhwado.org. Retrieved 2017-01-06.
- ↑ [1] [dead link]
- ↑ "WonHwaDo Deutschland" (PDF). Wonhwado.homepage.t-online.de. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- ↑ "한성디지털大, 세계원화도연맹과 산학협력 체결 : 네이버 뉴스". News.naver.com (in 한국어). 2008-04-29. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "원화도 > 세계무술소개 | 충주세계무술축제". Martialarts.or.kr. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- ↑ "cheng : 네이버 블로그". Blog.naver.com. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- ↑ "Schulen & Dojangs". Wonhwado.de. 2015-10-27. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- ↑ "Angebote der Volkshochschule" (PDF). Wonhwado.de. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- ↑ Song, Hugo. "Mr". www.wonhwado.org. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ↑ "Remembering Grand Master Han Bong-Ki (원화도) (圓和道) English Subtiles". YouTube. 2016-09-01. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- ↑ 이현히교사 (1997) 원화도 교본
- ↑ "Die koreanische Kampfkunst WonHwaDo für Anfänger: Amazon.de: Lutz Winter: Bücher". Amazon.de. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- ↑ "WonHwaDo belt system". wonhwado.org. Retrieved 2017-07-24.
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