History of Gyeok-gu(korean polo)

Gyeok-gu can be compared with western polo or field hockey. But it has more various skills than others.

Gyeok-gu is a sport which one hit ball with a stick called Jang-si into other team’s goal post. It used to be in the past as a martial arts. It was also called ‘hitting a ball’ or ‘hitting a stick’ . There are two styles of Gyeok-gu on horse back(equestrian Gyuk-gu) and on the ground. The former is for training horsemen and the latter is for noble’s playing. Equestrian Gyeok-gu was often played with archery. We don’t know when it was started. It was very popular in Koryo dynasty. Especially Koryo soliders enjoyed Gyeok-gu to train equestrian martial arts. Later it became a national entertainment. Some kings made it prohibited because it strayed from the right path into luxury. It was also popular in Chosun dynasty. King, Se-Jong emphasized the importance of Gyeok-gu. He said  “the man who is an expert in Gyuk-gu, can be good at riding and archery and also versed in spear and in swordsmanship.” Nowadays it was restored presented by ‘Korean traditional equestrian martial arts association for the first time(1997). The tournament was held in Dec.1^st,1998. There were two teams competing in the tournament, K.E.M.A vs hockey team of Sunchoenhyang University.

Equipment

Jangsi : this is a long stick with bended tip like a spoon. It is divided into two parts si-bu(si part : bended tip) and byoung-bu(byoung part : long stick part). Juchilmokwhan : this is a wooden ball painted red. it also can be wrapped in embroider silk. Mogu : this is a ball made of pig’s bladder. Muyoungjun : it means an arrow without an arrowhead. The arrowhead is wrapped in cotton.
Various skills

Basic skills in Muyetobotongji

It describes training basic skills and a stadium in detail. Bi-I : put the stick on the neck and ear of horse diagonally. Halhyung : put the stick on horse’s breast   Bangmi : put the stick on horse’s tail laying oneself on horse back  Baeji : draw a ball near and hit the ball in the air  Jipi : push and throw the ball  Suyangsu : put the ball as one pleases after Bi-I and put the stick vertically .

Bi-I

Halhyung

Bangmi

Baeji

Jipi

Suyangta

Suyangsu

More skills made by Chung Hon Dang

These are the skills made by Kim, Young-Sup, president of K.E.M.A because the data of document records are insufficient.     Wheonghachim : turn the stick and hit under the belly     Suyangchim : turn the stick and hit the ground     Suyangta : turn the stick and hit     Chungumwi : rush being Halhyung and hit the ball backward     Deungta : rush being Suyangsu and hit the ball by left shoulder     Yongsabideung : rush being Suyangsu and raise up the ball     Bugwangsik : rush being Bi-I and Homiguli     Hojupmu : Suyangsu and place the ball on the stick     Homiguli : rush being Bi-I and push the ball behind back