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I am Tae-Hyun, my rank is Do Joo Nim (Supreme Grandmaster, Owner of the Way). My specialized fighting technique is the Jang Bong (long staff), and the Muk Gum (sword). I am Hwarang warrior of the Korean Silla knighthood. and I bid you welcome to the Shinson-sa! Shinson means "Spirit of Supernatural Being." Hwarang is often translated to mean "flower knights," though it literally means "flower of manhood," or "flowering manhood."
Some believe that Hwarang-do and Japanese Bushido are similar ways of warriorship, but the Hwarang movement pre-dates Bushido, and did not gain the political influence of the Samurai class. Silla youth did not remain Hwarang for life, as did the Samurai, and were not born into the class and its privileges. Instead, Koreans and practitioners of Korean martial arts may take special pride in the heritage of the Hwarang movement - a unique spiritual and physical training that has never been duplicated in Korea or anywhere else in the world.
The Hwarang are a group of aristocratic young men who gather to study, play and learn the arts of war. Though the Hwarang are not a part of the regular army, their military spirit, their sense of loyalty to king and nation, and their bravery on the battlefield contributed greatly to the power of the Silla army.
It should be noted the Hwarang-do is a philosophical and religious code followed by valiant warriors - not a fighting style or combat technique in itself. Generally, King Chinhung (534-576; 24th Silla King, reigned (540-576) is acknowledged to have organised Hwarang-do as a philosophical study in the 37th year of his reign. The Hwarang spread their influence throughout the Korean peninsula and excelled in archery - mounted and unmounted. Though they practised fencing, no set fencing or unarmed combat styles developed from the Hwarang warriors. Instead, they focused on studying Chinese classics and military strategies, as well as the fighting arts, and in July and August, an annual national festival was conducted for the Hwarang to demonstrate martial skills.
But it is their devotion to furthering the unity and well-being of the nation as a whole that the Hwarang plays their most important role. They go in groups to the mountains - for physical training, to enjoy the beauties of nature, and to make their peace with the Spirit of the Mountain. They are highly literate, and they compose ritual songs and performe ritual dances whose purpose is to pray for the country's welfare. They also involve themselves directly in intellectual and political affairs.
The Hwarang movement is a type of schooling for the sons of Silla's aristocrats; however, there are cases of sons of low ranking parents belonging to this elite group. The movement is certainly royally supported as kings themselves serve as Hwarang before taking their responsibilities on the throne. The Hwarang movement is a Korean warrior corps that adheres to strict philosophical and moral codes. Most of the great military leaders of the Silla Dynasty have been Hwarang. Their exploits are recorded in The Records of the Hwarang (Hwarang Segi) by the Eighth Century scholar Kim Tae-mun. Although this book has not survived, passages and synopses were recorded by Kim Pu-sik (1075-1151), the Koryo historian said to have compiled the History of the Three Kingdoms (Samguk Sagi) in 1145.
Today many Korean novels and films have portrayed the Hwarang as a zealous military strategist whose unflinching goal was the unification of Silla and protection of the kingdom. In modern Korea, the Hwarang ideal continues in unfailing patriotism and military prowess. The modern martial art, Hwarang-do, claims its roots from this ancient practice and attempts to continue some of its ideals.
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