Keeping up with the Taegeuks (Oh Do Kwan versions and not Taegeuk poomsae)

Not sure if the headline makes sense. I have worked on Taegeuk 1-3 as documented in "Better Karate for Boys" by Sihak Henry Cho in 1970 and published them little by little over May 2025. I thought it was important to get them out there because I was sitting on what might be the only verifiable Ji Do Kwan Hyung as practised in Ji Do Kwan in the Kwan era. I was actually afraid something would happen to me so I could not finish and then the forms would have died out. Now I know at least two people will keep training and teaching them :-) But working with the Taegeuk Hyung of Ji Do Kwan made me very curious about the Oh Do Kwan variations. 

You see in the 1965 book on Taekwondo which Choi Hong Hi published they are not mentioned nor included in the text, despite many of the Karate Kata still being included at that point. When looking at the older forms of the Oh Do Kwan most people gravitate toward the 1965 book simply because it is easy to get, and because it is written in english. The 1959 book which Choi Hong Hi also wrote but in Korean is also a great resource, but since it is in Korean most people who get to it look at the pictures but dont really take a deep dive into it. It might come as a surprise to those reading the 65 book that the 59 book does contain instructions (and illustrations) on the three taegeuk forms, but this time it is obviously the Oh Do Kwan versions of the forms. Were they copied directly from Shotokan? Did Choi Hong Hi and his team at Oh Do Kwan change them in any way? Read on if you want to learn the Oh Do Kwan versions or simply get an idea of how Taegeuk Hyung 1-3 were practised in different Kwan. 

Disclaimer (I am not fluent speaker and I am not a professional translator)

I want to come with a few disclaimers when it comes to me working on Korean text. I am a Norwegian born and rised citizen, so I speak norwegian. I learned english (and german) in school. I lived in Korea for 1 year and I have also done about 15 trips to Korea for a few weeks to a month at a time. I therefore know basic Korean but I am in no way fluent in it. I have worked on this text to the best of my ability, and on my own time, since I am doing this "for fun". Therefore if there is any mistakes made I am responsible, and it is my fault. That being said I have checked and double checked to the point I was seeing flashing hangul infront of my eyes when trying to sleep :-P  

The Taegeuk forms (Hyung, not poomsae)

The Taegeuk forms are documented in Choi Hong Hi's 1959 book on page 132-139 (Taegeuk 1), 139-140 (taegeuk 2) and 140-143 (taegeuk 3). Now when we see different Kwan using different Taegeuk forms you understand why the first Poomsae set by the KTA were called Palgwe and not Taegeuk? :-P 

I asked around a little and the general consensus was not a literal translation, but a short and sweet translation or summary/simpliefied was what was wanted. If there is any demand for a sentence for sentence translation I am up for the task now, but below you will find the instructions for Taegeuk 1. What is missing is most often comments on the importance of keeping you balance and structure while turning etc. The picture with the diagram is used for all 3 taegeuk forms and shows the directions we are heading in. I have carefully read through the original Korean text, movement for movement to verify that this is as accurate representation of the Oh Do Kwan Taegeuk 1 according to the 1959 book we can get. I have kept the references to the directional points A, B, C, D, E, F.  

Introduction to the Taegeuk forms from page 127:

Orginal Korean text from the book:

第1절 태극형 (太極型)

태극형에는 一형, 二형, 三형이 있다.

이는 초심자에게 적합한 형으로서

태권의 기본이 되는 찌르기와 막기로서 혼합 구성된 것이므로

이를 완전히 습득한다면 몸의 균형을 이루며

사지의 활동을 민활하게 할 수 있다.

Translation to English, paranthesis is text added by me):

«There exists 3 Taegeuk Hyung, Taegeuk 1, Taegeuk 2 and Taegeuk 3. These forms are suited for beginners, and (they are) comprised of basic thrusting (striking/punching) and defensive techniques that make up the foundation for taekwon (Note the original text does not make use of the full name taekwondo here). If these forms are mastered they will achieve bodily balance and speedy/agile limbs.» - Choi Hong Hi 1959 Taekwondo book page 127. 

The headline uses the Hanja for Shaolin style, and the excerpt I shared here begins with section 1, Taegeuk Hyung. So It seems like Choi Hong Hi used to divide forms into three groups in this book, Shaolin (Sorimryu), Suryungryu and Changhonryu. I think the contents and classification of forms in the 1959 book warrants a post on its own seeing as how we are looking at the Taegeuk forms specifically for now :-)

Taegeuk il hyung

Ready posture: Begin in ready stance (joonbi) in point D (facing C)

Movement 1: 

Move the left foot to point A, assume a left front stance and perform a low block with the left fist. (A left front stance implies the left leg is forward, the right leg is backward)

Movement 2:
Step forward with the right foot to point A, assume a right front stance, and punch to the middle section with the right fist. (right front stance implies the right leg is forward)

Movement 3:

Pivot on the left leg, turn to face B, assume a right front stance, and perform a low block with the right fist.

Movement 4:

Step forward with the left foot to point B, assume a left front stance, and punch to the middle section with the left fist.

Movement 5:

Pivot on the right leg, moving the left foot to point C, assume a left front stance and perform a low block with the left fist.

Movement 6:

Step forward with the right foot to point C, assume a right front stance, and punch to the middle section with the right fist. 

Movement 7:

Step forward with the left foot to point C, assume a left front stance, and punch to the middle section with the left fist. 

Movement 8: 

Step forward with the right foot to point C, assume a right front stance and punch to the middle section with the right fist, with a KIHAP.

Movement 9:

Pivot on the right foot to face point F, assume a left front stance and perform a low block with left fist.

Movement 10:

Step forward with right leg to point F, assume a right front stance and punch to the middle section with the right fist. 

Movement 11:

Pivot 180 degrees on the left leg, move the right leg to face E, assume a right front stance and do a low block with right fist. 

Movement 12:

Step forward with left leg toward E, assume a left front stance and punch to middle section with left fist. 

Movement 13:

Pivot on the right leg, move left foot and face D, assume left front stance and do a low block with left fist.

Movement 14:  

Move right foot toward D, assume a right front stance, and do a middle section punch with right fist. 

Movement 15:

Move left foot toward D, assume left front stance and do a middle section punch with left fist.

Movement 16:

Move right leg forward toward D, assume right front stance and do a middle section punch with right fist, with KIHAP.

Movement 17:

Pivot on the right leg (270 degrees), and move the left leg to face A and assume a left front stance, and do a low block with left fist.

Movement 18:

Move the right foot forward toward A and assume a right front stance, and do a middle section punch with right fist.

Movement 19:

Pivot on the left leg, move the right foot 180 degrees to face B, assume a right front stance and do a low block with right fist.

Movement 20:

Move the left leg forward toward B, assume a left front stance and do a middle section punch with left fist.

Closing instructions:
At the command "Geuman" ("stop"), keep the right foot in place, and move the left foot beside it, and return to the ready position. At the command "Swi-eo" ("At ease") the form concludes.  

Image from Choi Hong Hi’s 1959 Taekwondo textbook, used for historical reference.

Taegeuk i hyung

As for the second taegeuk form, Choi Hong Hi does not provide any illustrations, and the only instructions we get is a sentence telling us that Taegeuk 2 is the same as Taegeuk 1, except all punches are delivered to high section. 

This saved him a ton of space in the book, and as pictures and page count are factors in making a book more expensive to make it seems like a good idea to do it this way. I have therefore not included a seperate list for Taegeuk 2 move for move, keeping in spirit of the 1959 book :-) Just do Taegeuk 1 but have all punches to the high section and you are good :-) 

Taegeuk sam hyung 

This form shares the same structure with the earlier ones, but it does introduce some new things. In the horizontal lines of the floor pattern you do a back stance (Dwitkoobi in modern terminology) and a middle block. If the text says right back stance it implies that the right leg is back and the left leg is forward. The original 1959 book simply says middle block for move 1, 3 and the other instances it appears. This is confusing for modern readers. I have chosen to stick with the original text, but i confirm here and now that the technique refered to as middle block is in modern taekwondo terminology the an palmok bakkat makki, or the outward middle block using the thumb side of the forearm. Same technique you see in the second half of Chon-Ji Tul or the first movement of Jitae Poomsae.  

Image from Choi Hong Hi’s 1959 Taekwondo textbook, used for historical reference.

Ready posture: Begin in ready stance (joonbi) in point D (facing C)

Movement 1: 

Move the left foot to point A, assume a right back stance and perform a middle block with the left fist. (A right back stance implies the right leg is backward, the left leg is forward)

Movement 2:
Step forward with the right foot to point A, assume a right front stance, and punch to the middle section with the right fist. (right front stance implies the right leg is forward)

Movement 3:

Pivot on the left leg, turn to face B, assume a left back stance, and perform a middle block with the right fist.

Movement 4:

Step forward with the left foot to point B, assume a left front stance, and punch to the middle section with the left fist.

Movement 5:

Pivot on the right leg, turn 90 degrees to your left, moving the left foot to point C, assume a left front stance and perform a low block with the left fist.

Movement 6:

Step forward with the right foot to point C, assume a right front stance, and punch to the high section with the right fist. 

Movement 7:

Step forward with the left foot to point C, assume a left front stance, and punch to the high section with the left fist. 

Movement 8: 

Step forward with the right foot to point C, assume a right front stance and punch to the high section with the right fist, with a KIHAP.

Movement 9:

Pivot on the right foot to face point F, turning 270 degrees, assume a right back stance and perform a middle block with left fist.

Movement 10:

Step forward with right leg to point F, assume a right front stance and punch to the middle section with the right fist. 

Movement 11:

Pivot 180 degrees on the left leg, move the right leg to face E, assume a left back stance and do a middle block with right fist. 

Movement 12:

Step forward with left leg toward E, assume a left front stance and punch to middle section with left fist. 

Movement 13:

Pivot on the right leg, move left foot and face D, turning 90 degrees, assume left front stance and do a low block with left fist.

Movement 14:  

Move right foot toward D, assume a right front stance, and do a high section punch with right fist. 

Movement 15:

Move left foot toward D, assume left front stance and do a high section punch with left fist.

Movement 16:

Move right leg forward toward D, assume right front stance and do a high section punch with right fist, with KIHAP.

Movement 17:

Pivot on the right leg (270 degrees), and move the left leg to face A and assume a right back stance, and do a middle block with left fist.

Movement 18:

Move the right foot forward toward A and assume a right front stance, and do a middle section punch with right fist.

Movement 19:

Pivot on the left leg, move the right foot 180 degrees to face B, assume a left back stance and do a middle block with right fist.

Movement 20:

Move the left leg forward toward B, assume a left front stance and do a middle section punch with left fist.

Closing instructions:
At the command "Geuman" ("stop"), keep the right foot in place, and move the left foot beside it, and return to the ready position. At the command "Swi-eo" ("At ease") the form concludes.  

Ending notes:

Choi Hong Hi learned Shotokan Karate in Japan, and according to sources he even taught Karate in Japan before moving back to Korea. The source for this is a comment by George Vitale, a phd taekwondo historian. Gichin Funakoshi and or Yoshitaka "Gigo" Funakoshi introduced the Taikyoku Kata in the 1930s. I have seen 1938 as one suggestion for wen they were introduced but we do not know exactly when. Funakoshi's 1935 book does not contain them. The first time they appear in a book as far as I know is 1958, which is the year after Funakoshi died. This Japanese book is the source where the most readily available Karate Do Kyohan english language translation is from. We do not know exactly who Choi Hong Hi's instructor was, but what I can say is that these three Taegeuk forms are the same (and identical) to Shotokan's Taikyoku Kata. There is no variation here. I have no idea if this holds true going forward with the other Karate forms in the 1959 book, but I am looking forward to find out. I do know there is some variations in the 1965 book karate kata with the Karate Do Kyohan counterpoints. If this is because there always were differences between Oh Do Kwan karate kata and the JKA Shotokan Karate or if they evolved slightly in Korea until 1965 I do not know. 

Special thanks 

Special thanks for all those who have (tried) teaching me Korean, Taekwondo and martial arts in general. Without that knowledge and the historical/cultural context doing any translation from a Korean book from 1950s will be if not impossible then at least a great undertaking. Thanks to Master Christian Bjørnsrud who encouraged me in this work, and I also need to thank Master Nathan Doggett (WT) who made the rare gem of a book (Choi's 1959 book) available for everyone, George Vitale who made sure it was easily found online and to Master Nick Campbell who made the physical copy I am reading from a reality. Any work in the Martial Arts is a chain in a long link of people, going both back in time and outward in space (distance). I think we all need to do a lot more thanking in our lives :-) 

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