Se-jong

Named for one of the best known Korean kings, Se-Jong (1418-1450).

King Sejong was born in 1397, and ascended the throne in 1418 at the age of 21. He was the fourth king of the Choson dynasty. He died in 1450 at the age of 54 and is buried in a tomb in Yongnung where Sejong Hall is also located.

King Sejong is best known for inventing the Korean Hangul alphabet in 1443 A.D. The hangul was later reduced from 28 to 24 letters. The hangul brought literacy to the general population, who could not read the classical Chinese language that was the official written language of Korea at the time. King Sejong had great respect for scholarship, as demonstrated in his letter to Song Sammun (1418-1456), one of the scholars working on the Korean alphabet.

"Unlike many other occupations, scholars have the greatest responsibility to the people. Their work can ultimately improve the lives of all people for many decades. But if an academic becomes lost in his study, he cannot see how his work can benefit others. Therefore, like a well-balanced fencing stance, or a reasonable argument, the scholar's life must be even and balanced."

King Sejong was a skilled swordsman and often referred to the sword. Like other warriors, he believed that life's problems could be solved in shaping the mind and body through the discipline of the sword. Similar to many modern martial artists and warriors, he pursued his craft for physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. In the same letter as quoted above, he addressed the creation of devising the phonic alphabet, again using a fencing metaphor:

"When I spar with the sword, I must judge to attack quickly, giving no quarter with ferocity, or to carefully assess my opponent's weaknesses, and land telling blows judiciously. Your problem - and indeed all of life's difficulties - can be seen in this light. I have no doubts that my sword will cut. It is up to my judgment based on experience and training to know how and when to lay the blade. I trust your experience and training will also lead you to a successful resolution of this problem."

As a true warrior, King Sejong practiced the ways of war, but preferred peace. An entry from his journal states:

"The sword is a weapon of peace. With this sword I stand ready to defend my lineage, my family, my friends, and always, always our blessed country."

The fifteenth century is remembered as an age of peace and prosperity under King Sejong's rule. His contributions to Korean society were many during his 32 year rule.  He compelled the production of a sundial, a water meter, a rain-gauge, planetariums, a celestial globe, and astronomical maps.

In 1420, King Sejong established the Chipyon chon (Hall of Worthies), a royal research institute. He gathered the foremost scholars and writers of the time and had them compile some 20 works on history, geography, astronomy, mathematics, military science, pharmacology, and agriculture, as well as encyclopedias on Chinese medicine and Korean medicine (hanyak). The collection also includes some of King Sejong's own poems praising Buddha entitled Worin Chon-gangjigok.

King Sejong governed his people with affection and virtue. He was willing to see his own mistakes and was quick to point out other's integrity, thus endearing him to his friends and subjects alike. King Sejong's strength of character and remarkable intellect were combined with genuine humility. In his journal, he wrote:

"All that I am, or will be, I have learned from my family, my friends, my teachers, and training with the sword."

Kiyup. Organizations have different places in the pattern at which a kiyup is required. Insert a kiyup at places where your organization requires one to be used.

Diagram

Diagram means "king" in Chinese writing

Number of Movements: 24 (The 24 movements represent the 24 letters of the Korean alphabet).

Start: Stand at X facing North.

Attention and Bow: As per your school's procedures.

Ready Stance: Closed ready stance.

1. Move the left foot to B, forming a left walking stance toward B at the same time executing a low block to B with the left forearm.
2. Bring the left foot to the right foot, and then move the right foot to A to form a left L-stance toward A while executing a twin forearm block.
3. Execute a middle side piercing kick to D with the right foot.
4. Lower the right foot to D, and then move the left foot to F to form a left walking stance toward F while executing a rising block with the left forearm.
5. Bring the left foot to the right foot, and then move the right foot to E to form a sitting stance toward D while executing a middle strike to E with the right knife-hand.
6. Bring the right foot to the left foot, forming a closed ready stance B toward D.
7. Jump to D to form a left X-stance toward DG while executing a high side strike to D with the left back fist, bringing the right finger belly to the left side fist.
8. Move the right foot to G, forming a right walking stance toward G while executing a high punch to G with the right fist.
9. Move the right foot on line GH to form a left fixed stance toward H while executing a high guarding block to H with the forearm.
10. Move the right foot to H, forming a right walking stance toward H while executing a middle thrust to H with the right straight finger tip.
11. Bring the right foot to the left foot, and then move the left foot to G to form a left walking stance toward G while executing a high side strike to G with the left back fist.
12. Move the left foot on line GH to form a sitting stance toward C while executing a scooping block with the left palm.
13. Execute a middle turning kick to C with the left foot.
14. Lower the left foot to C in a jumping motion, forming a left X-stance toward CF while executing a high block to C with the left double forearm.
15. Move the right foot to F to form a sitting stance toward C while extending the right fist horizontally to C. Perform in a slow motion.
16. Execute a front strike to C with the left back fist while maintaining a sitting stance toward C.
17. Bring the right foot behind the left foot, and then move the left foot to E, forming a left diagonal stance toward C while executing a pressing block with a twin palm.
18. Execute a middle block to C with a double arc-hand while forming a left walking stance toward CE.
19. Pull the left reverse footsword to the right knee joint to form a right one-leg stance toward C at the same time executing a high side block to F with the right outer forearm and a low side block to E with the left forearm.
20. Lower the left foot to D forming a right walking stance toward C while executing a pressing block with the right palm. Perform in a slow motion.
21. Pull the left instep to the hollow of the right leg to form a right one-leg stance toward C while striking the left palm with the right back forearm.
22. Lower the left foot to C, turning clockwise to form a right fixed stance toward D while thrusting to C with the left side elbow.
23. Move the right foot to A, forming a left L-stance toward A while executing a high guarding block to A with a knife-hand.
24. Bring the right foot to the left foot, and then move the left foot to B to form a right L-stance toward B while executing a middle punch to B with the right fist.

Ready Stance: Bring the left foot back to closed ready stance.

Attention and Bow: As per your school's procedures.