Abstract
The purpose of this study is to establish an identity of Taekkyeon by exploring the types of social classes practicing Taekkyeon. The results of literature reviews with regard to the social classes of people practicing Taekkyeon are as follows.BR First, traces of Taekkyeon were found in children’s play. Also, 〈Namwongosa〉, which was considered to be written during the period of 1964~1869, recorded that middle class citizens called Walja practiced Taekkyeon.BR Second, testimonies were made that a majority of Gwangmu-gun (soldiers of Korean Empire Armed Forces) among the first-generation Korean immigrants to the US performed Taekkyeon. It was inferred that Taekkyeon was included in the regular curriculum of Sinheung Military School under the title of ‘Jujutsu’. In a cultural lecture titled ‘a world of Taekkyeon training of our ancestors’ aifed on KBS in 1984, master Song Duk-ki said that gangsters of the Byeolgigun (Special Army), and the Byul Soon Gum practiced Taekkyeon as well.BR Third, a gang of roughs was engaged in Taekkyeon fight, prior to a stone-throwing battle and a series of adjacent battles was fought by using sticke and performing Taekkyeon as they got fierce while throwing rocks. Hence, Maeil Sinho (Daily News) reported that they practiced certain forms of martial arts. Also, Taekkyeon contests with money at stake were witnessed by foreigners of the end of Joseon Dynasty and its supporting testimony by the master Song were found.BR Fourth, there were Gumegye among Walja. Gumegye could be explained as today’s violent street gangs.
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