Yul-Gok
Yul-Gok is a pseudonym of a great philosopher and scholar Yi I nicknamed the "Confucius
of Korea". The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 38-degree
latitude and the diagram of the pattern represents scholar.
Download Instructions in PDF format
Ready Position - Parallel Ready Stance
- Move the left foot to B forming a sitting stance toward D while extending the left
fist to D horizontally.
- Execute a middle punch to D with the right fist while maintaining a sitting stance
toward D.
- Execute a middle punch to D with the left fist while maintaining a sitting stance
toward D. Perform 2 and 3 in a fast motion.
- Bring the left foot to the right foot and then move the right foot to A forming
a sitting stance toward D while extending the right fist to D horizontally.
- Execute a middle punch to D with the left fist while maintaining a sitting stance
toward D.
- Execute a middle punch to D with the right fist while maintaining a sitting stance
toward D. Perform 5 and 6 in a fast motion.
- Move the right foot to Ad forming a right walking stance toward AD while executing
a middle side block to AD with the right inner forearm.
- Execute a low front snap kick to AD with the left foot keeping the position of the
hands as they were in 7.
- Lower the left foot to AD forming a left walking stance toward AD while executing
a middle punch to AD with the left fist.
- Execute a middle punch to AD with the right fist while maintaining a left walking
stance toward AD. Perform 9 and 10 in a fast motion.
- Move the left foot to BD forming a left walking stance toward BD at the same time
executing a middle side block to BD with the left inner forearm.
- Execute a low front snap kick to BD with the right foot keeping the position of
the hands as they were in 11.
- Lower the right foot to BD forming a right walking stance toward BD while executing
a middle punch to BD with the right fist.
- Execute a middle punch to BD with the left fist while maintaining a right walking
stance toward BD. Perform 13 and 14 in a fast motion.
- Execute a middle hooking block to D with the right palm while forming a right walking
stance toward D, pivoting with the left foot.
- Execute a middle hooking block to D with the left palm while maintaining a right
walking stance toward D.
- Execute a middle punch to D with the right fist while maintaining a right walking
stance toward D. Execute 16 and 17 in a connecting motion.
- Move the left foot to D forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a
middle hooking block to D with the left palm.
- Execute a middle hooking block to D with the right palm while maintaining a left
walking stance toward D.
- Execute a middle punch to D with the left fist while maintaining a left walking
stance toward D. Execute 19 and 20 in a connecting motion.
- Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D at the same time
executing a middle punch to D with the right fist.
- Turn the face toward D forming a right bending ready stance A toward D.
- Execute a middle side piercing kick to D with the left foot.
- Lower the left foot to D forming a left walking stance toward D while striking the
left palm with the right front elbow.
Ki-Hap
- Turn the face toward C forming a left bending ready stance A toward C.
- Execute a middle side piercing kick to C with the right foot.
- Lower the right foot to C forming a right walking stance toward C while striking
the right palm with the left front elbow.
Ki-Hap
- Move the left foot to E forming a right L-stance toward E while executing a twin
knife-hand block.
- Move the right foot to E forming a right walking stance toward E while executing
a middle thrust to E with the right straight finger tip.
- Move the right foot to F turning clockwise to form a left L-stance toward F while
executing a twin knife-hand block.
- Move the left foot to F forming a left walking stance toward F while executing a
middle thrust to F with the left straight finger tip.
- Move the left foot to C forming a left walking stance toward C while executing a
high side block to C with the left outer forearm.
- Execute a middle punch to C with the right fist while maintaining a left walking
stance toward C.
- Move the right foot to C forming a right walking stance toward C while executing
a high side block to C with the right outer forearm.
- Execute a middle punch to C with the left fist while maintaining a right walking
stance toward C.
- Jump to C forming a left X-stance toward B while executing a high side strike to
C with the left back fist.
Ki-Hap
- Move the right foot to A forming a right walking stance toward A at the same time
executing a high block to A with the right double forearm.
- Bring the right foot to the left foot and then move the left foot to B forming a
left walking stance toward B while executing a high block to B with the left double
forearm.
END: Bring the left foot back to a ready posture.
Other Reources
Yul-Gok Tul performed by Jaroslaw Suska (5th Degree)
Official ITF video for Yul-Gok Tul
General Choi instructing Yul-Gok Tul
The History Behind "Yul Gok"
Yul Gok is the pseudonym of the great philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536-1584) nicknamed
the "Confucius of Korea." The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace
on the 38 degree latitude and the diagram represents a "scholar."
Yi I was born in Pukp'yong Village, Kangnung, Kangwon Province, on December 26,
1536. Yul-Gok became his pen name and he grew into a Confucian scholar, revered
as the ‘Greatest Teacher in the East.'
By the age of seven, Yul-Gok had finished his lessons in the Confucian Classics.
He became a chinsa (title conferred on scholars who passed the civil service examination
in the literary department) at the age of 13.
In winter of that year he passed another civil service examination called Pyolsi
with the highest marks. His excellent thesis on the subject of Ch'ondoch'aek struck
all the examiners with great admiration. The thesis written by Yi I was a literary
masterpiece interwoven with erudite knowledge of history and Confucian philosophy
of politics, also reflecting his profound knowledge of Taoism, especially the philosophy
of Chuang-tzu. It was when he turned 29 years of age that Yi I passed the higher
civil service examination, and his government service started in that year.
His mother's death when he was 36 years old brought him deep sorrow. Many arguments
arise on the question of Yul-Gok's temporary renunciation of the world by secluding
himself on the Diamond Mountains. He may have thought after three years of lamentation
that the Buddhist phrase, "life is transient," would ease his sorrow. He may have
understood that the Confucian teaching, "Preserve your mind and nurture your nature,"
was synonymous with the Buddhist teaching, "Open your mind and see your nature."
Finally, he may have regarded it as a pleasure simply to rest in the countryside,
as it is said that a gentleman is fond of enjoying mountains and rivers.
Yul-Gok, at age 34, authored 'Tongho Mundap,' an eleven article treatise devoted
to clarifying his conviction that righteous government could be realized even in
his days, showing measures to achieve it and his aspirations for it. In September
of the year he turned 40 years of age, he authored ‘Sohak Chibyo' (The Essentials
of Confucianism), which can be rated as a most valuable book showing examples for
a good Confucian life. The Yul-Gok Chonjip (The Complete Works of Yul-Gok) was compiled
after his death on the basis of the writings he bequeathed.