Subak

Subak
Hangul	수박
Hanja	手搏
Revised Romanization	Subak
McCune–Reischauer	Subak

Subak is either a specific or generic ancient Korean martial art. Historically this term may have specified the old Korean martial art of taekkyeon, but it is unsure.

Originally, Korea was divided into three kingdoms: Silla in the southeastern part of the country, Goguryeo (Koguryo) in the northern part, and Baekje located west of Silla.

In the 18th century, even the king practiced Subak, as the text Dongsa-gangmok (동사강목) from this time suggests:

The king himself made a Subak tournament (왕이 직접 수박희를 하였다)

It was a style that utilizes hand strikes, kicks, jointlocks, and throws. The mountainous terrain of Goguryeo may have made its people's legs strong.

The word Seonbae (also romanized as sonbae, literally: "elders" - 先輩/선배) is sometimes translated to mean "a man of virtue who never retreats from a fight" because it was the term used to signify a member of Koguryo's warrior corps. Members of the Seonbae lived in groups and learned archery, Gakju (ancestor of ssireum) and Subak (ancestor of taekkyon), history, literature, and other liberal arts. Although they were constantly training in combat, during peace time they helped construct roads and fortresses, assisted after natural disasters and so on.

In the year 400, in an attempt to dominate the entire southern portion of the country, Baekje invaded Silla. King Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo is said by some accounts to have sent 50,000 Seonbae troops to Silla's aid. Later he would attempt to dictate Silla's internal affairs because of this assistance.

It was around this time that the people of Silla formed an elite officers' corps called Hwarang. The Hwarang may have utilized techniques from Subak in addition to training in spear, bow, sword, halberd and various forms of hand and foot fighting.

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