Why is TKD synonymous with Karate?

[DWx]

I don't disagree with you mudansha, all arts evolve over time. I think TKD is a little unique in its history in some aspects though. Its so closely tied with politics and the kwans were almost forced to come together. Not to mention that after the occupation there was a drive to move away from all things Japanese.

I think I remember reading something like that too Tony. To be honest, being a student of Choi's TKD myself, can't really see a lot in common with TaeKyon, the WTF styles seem a lot closer to me. Having said that, its not all that far away from some of the other masters claiming they studied the Muyedobotongji or SuBak or quite a few say they also did TaeKyon.

[Chuck]

My two cents:

Origins of Japanese and Korean Martial Arts aside.

Tae Kwon Do means - Way of the feet and fist

Karate Do menas - Way of the empty hand

If you get down to the technical details the words Karate and TKD are not interchangable. However, Karate (in Chinese Hand Kanji) and Tangsoodo are interchange.

However, KARATE is a martial arts word that is more recognized than TAE KWON DO (in the U.S. at least).

Many Martial Arts (TDK) schools include KARATE in their title because it is more marketable. People without martial arts knowledge do not really know the difference.

Therefore, many schools market the KARATE name instead of the actual style due to the ignorance of the non-martial art literate.

Even the new KARATE KID MOVIE, which is set in CHINA isn't called THE KUNG-FU KID, because someone figured most won't really know the difference; although a billion people in China will notice.

[sensei8]

My two cents:

Origins of Japanese and Korean Martial Arts aside.

Tae Kwon Do means - Way of the feet and fist

Karate Do menas - Way of the empty hand

If you get down to the technical details the words Karate and TKD are not interchangable. However, Karate (in Chinese Hand Kanji) and Tangsoodo are interchange.

However, KARATE is a martial arts word that is more recognized than TAE KWON DO (in the U.S. at least).

Many Martial Arts (TDK) schools include KARATE in their title because it is more marketable. People without martial arts knowledge do not really know the difference.

Therefore, many schools market the KARATE name instead of the actual style due to the ignorance of the non-martial art literate.

Even the new KARATE KID MOVIE, which is set in CHINA isn't called THE KUNG-FU KID, because someone figured most won't really know the difference; although a billion people in China will notice.

Very solid post and well said!

[Toptomcat]

Even the new KARATE KID MOVIE, which is set in CHINA isn't called THE KUNG-FU KID, because someone figured most won't really know the difference; although a billion people in China will notice.

They're calling it 'The Kung Fu Kid' in China.

[KarateCroft]

one of my biggest pet peeves when I drive through town and see a Karate sign. I walk over to the dojo and theey teach tae kwon do. I think they use the word karate because it is the most widely known martial art in America. They use it to promote their school.

[Martial Walrus]

Like someone mentioned earlier, the first Korean's to bring Taekwondo to America called it "Korean Karate" since the term was more familiar with westerners. And of course, there are Taekwondo schools (as well as schools from various styles) that use the word "Karate" in their name as a form of marketing.

Looking at Taekwondo, it is pretty easy to see the connections with Karate, particularly Shotokan. However, Korean nationalists will say that it is based primarily or entirely on Taekkyeon, or that the two are even the same thing. I really don't see this. I have four years experience in Taekwondo, and I have actually had the opportunity to train in Taekkyeon on several occasions. The two are worlds apart. Taekwondo is hard and external, while Taekkyeon is soft, internal, and dance like. It's more like Tai Chi than Taekwondo. Taekwondo uses stances almost identical to Shotokan stances, but Taekkyeon does not have static stances. Instead, it has a rhythmic stepping similar to the ginga in Capoeira. Both styles use a lot of kicking, but I believe that this was an indirect influence. During the Japanese occupation, Taekkyeon was banned in an attempt to suppress Korean culture. It was almost eradicated, so it is very unlikely that any of the founders of the various Kwans would have had any significant exposure to the style. It is more likely that they trained in Shotokan and tried to imitate some techniques from Taekkyeon. This would explain why the way kicks are performed in Taekwondo is different from the way they are done in Taekkyeon. Taekwondo uses a lot of sharp movements of the knee and more defined, snapping motions as opposed to Taekkyeon's more relaxed kicks that push through the target.

[Dobbersky]

Even the new KARATE KID MOVIE, which is set in CHINA isn't called THE KUNG-FU KID, because someone figured most won't really know the difference; although a billion people in China will notice.

They're calling it 'The Kung Fu Kid' in China.

I believe it is to do with legality as to why it wasn't called 'KungFu Kid' in the west. But I suppose the Smiths were trying to monopolise the name that many generations of martial artists have come to love!

[Kodakmint]

Even the new KARATE KID MOVIE, which is set in CHINA isn't called THE KUNG-FU KID, because someone figured most won't really know the difference; although a billion people in China will notice.

They're calling it 'The Kung Fu Kid' in China.

I believe it is to do with legality as to why it wasn't called 'KungFu Kid' in the west. But I suppose the Smiths were trying to monopolise the name that many generations of martial artists have come to love!

What law would it break?

[Dobbersky]

Even the new KARATE KID MOVIE, which is set in CHINA isn't called THE KUNG-FU KID, because someone figured most won't really know the difference; although a billion people in China will notice.

They're calling it 'The Kung Fu Kid' in China.

I believe it is to do with legality as to why it wasn't called 'KungFu Kid' in the west. But I suppose the Smiths were trying to monopolise the name that many generations of martial artists have come to love!

What law would it break?

Copyright Law!