| EUI-AM Movements - 45 Ready Posture - CLOSED READY STANCE D Pattern Meaning EUI- AM is the pseudonym of Son Byong Hi, leader of the Korean independence movement on March 1, 1919. The 45 movements refer to his age when he changed the name of Dong Hak (Oriental culture) to Chondo Kyo (Heavenly way religion) in 1905. The diagram represents his Indomitable Spirit, displayed while dedicating himself to the prosperity of his nation. |
EUI-AM
| II |
Blue Cottage Taekwon-Do
Son Byong-hi (April 8, 1861 - May 19, 1922) was a Korean nationalist. He was born in Cheongju, in
Chungcheong province. In 1884 he heard of the Donghak religion and its ideals of supporting the
nation and comforting the people, and decided to become a member.
After joining Donghak, Son entered into a period of profound training that included reading and
reciting the Donghak "Incantation of Twenty-One Letters" thirty thousand times a day. In addition he
made straw sandals, which he sold at the market in Cheongju. He is thought to have lived in this
manner for roughly three years.
After this period, Son Byong-Hi became the student of Choe Si-Hyung, who was the second leader of
Donghak, and entered a life of devoted study. In 1894 Choe Si-Hyung led the Gabo Donghak
Revolution in protest at the corruption of the Joseon government, and Son Byong-Hi served as a
commander. This revolution quickly grew into a resistance struggle against foreign invasion and
occupation, in which Japan was the principal target. Choe's forces met defeat in 1895, however, and
the revolution was put down at the hands of Japan's superior modern weaponry. After living for some
years as a fugitive, Choe Si-Hyung was captured by pursuing government troops in 1898 and
executed, although he had foreseen that his time was marked, and on December 24, 1897 he ordained
Son Byong-Hi as the 3rd Great Leader of Donghak.
In 1898, following the execution of Choe Si-Hyung, Son Byong-Hi sought political asylum in Japan.
After the Russo-Japanese War in 1904, he returned to Korea and established the Chinbohoe
("progressive society"), a new cultural and reformist movement designed to reverse the declining
fortunes of the nation and to create a new society.
Through Donghak he conducted a nationwide movement that aimed at social improvement through
the renovation of old customs and ways of life. Hundreds of thousands members of Donghak cut their
long hair short and initiated the wearing of simple, modest clothing. Non-violent demonstrations for
social improvement organised by members of Donghak took place throughout 1904. This coordinated
series of activities was known as the Gapjin reform movement.
Members of Donghak were severely persecuted by the Japanese government, and so, on December
1, 1905, Son decided to modernise the religion and usher in an era of openness and transparency in
order to legitimise it in the eyes of the Japanese. As a result he officially changed the name of Dong
Hak to Cheondogyo ("Heavenly Way"). The following year, Cheondogyo was established as a modern
religious organisation. Its central headquarters were based in Seoul.
Over the years of Japanese colonial rule since the annexation in 1910, Son Byong-Hi, like all Koreans,
longed for freedom and independence. As a result of these years of oppression, he helped to set up
a systematic underground anti-Japanese movement throughout 1918 which saw uprecedented
cooperation between Cheondogyo, Christians and Buddhists as they united under a common cause.
Son's Cheondogyo gave financial support to the whole movement, and he insisted that the
independence movement must be popular in nature and non-violent. A Declaration of Independence
was prepared and 33 national leaders selected, 15 of which were members of Cheondogyo. Son
Byong-Hi was the most prominent of these.
The climax came on March 1, 1919 when, during a period of public mourning for the recently deceased
Emperor Gojong, the Declaration of Independence was publicly proclaimed at Pagoda Park in Seoul—
this was known as the March 1st Movement, or Samil Movement.
This spark ignited the public, who took to the streets and demonstrated, calling for Korean
independence. This initiated a nationwide movement in which many people took part, regardless of
locality and social status, but the Japanese immediately mobilised their police and army and brutally
put down the demonstrations, despite their peaceful nature. More than 7,500 Koreans were killed,
nearly 17,000 wounded, and around 47,000 arrested, including Son Byong-Hi.
While in prison, Son became ill and was eventually released from custody on sick bail. His illness
worsened, however, and in 1922 he died at home in Sangchunwon, just outside the Dongdaemun gate.
The Taekwondo pattern Eui-Am was named in honor of Son Byong-Hi after his respectful title of Eui-am
Seong-sa.
Chungcheong province. In 1884 he heard of the Donghak religion and its ideals of supporting the
nation and comforting the people, and decided to become a member.
After joining Donghak, Son entered into a period of profound training that included reading and
reciting the Donghak "Incantation of Twenty-One Letters" thirty thousand times a day. In addition he
made straw sandals, which he sold at the market in Cheongju. He is thought to have lived in this
manner for roughly three years.
After this period, Son Byong-Hi became the student of Choe Si-Hyung, who was the second leader of
Donghak, and entered a life of devoted study. In 1894 Choe Si-Hyung led the Gabo Donghak
Revolution in protest at the corruption of the Joseon government, and Son Byong-Hi served as a
commander. This revolution quickly grew into a resistance struggle against foreign invasion and
occupation, in which Japan was the principal target. Choe's forces met defeat in 1895, however, and
the revolution was put down at the hands of Japan's superior modern weaponry. After living for some
years as a fugitive, Choe Si-Hyung was captured by pursuing government troops in 1898 and
executed, although he had foreseen that his time was marked, and on December 24, 1897 he ordained
Son Byong-Hi as the 3rd Great Leader of Donghak.
In 1898, following the execution of Choe Si-Hyung, Son Byong-Hi sought political asylum in Japan.
After the Russo-Japanese War in 1904, he returned to Korea and established the Chinbohoe
("progressive society"), a new cultural and reformist movement designed to reverse the declining
fortunes of the nation and to create a new society.
Through Donghak he conducted a nationwide movement that aimed at social improvement through
the renovation of old customs and ways of life. Hundreds of thousands members of Donghak cut their
long hair short and initiated the wearing of simple, modest clothing. Non-violent demonstrations for
social improvement organised by members of Donghak took place throughout 1904. This coordinated
series of activities was known as the Gapjin reform movement.
Members of Donghak were severely persecuted by the Japanese government, and so, on December
1, 1905, Son decided to modernise the religion and usher in an era of openness and transparency in
order to legitimise it in the eyes of the Japanese. As a result he officially changed the name of Dong
Hak to Cheondogyo ("Heavenly Way"). The following year, Cheondogyo was established as a modern
religious organisation. Its central headquarters were based in Seoul.
Over the years of Japanese colonial rule since the annexation in 1910, Son Byong-Hi, like all Koreans,
longed for freedom and independence. As a result of these years of oppression, he helped to set up
a systematic underground anti-Japanese movement throughout 1918 which saw uprecedented
cooperation between Cheondogyo, Christians and Buddhists as they united under a common cause.
Son's Cheondogyo gave financial support to the whole movement, and he insisted that the
independence movement must be popular in nature and non-violent. A Declaration of Independence
was prepared and 33 national leaders selected, 15 of which were members of Cheondogyo. Son
Byong-Hi was the most prominent of these.
The climax came on March 1, 1919 when, during a period of public mourning for the recently deceased
Emperor Gojong, the Declaration of Independence was publicly proclaimed at Pagoda Park in Seoul—
this was known as the March 1st Movement, or Samil Movement.
This spark ignited the public, who took to the streets and demonstrated, calling for Korean
independence. This initiated a nationwide movement in which many people took part, regardless of
locality and social status, but the Japanese immediately mobilised their police and army and brutally
put down the demonstrations, despite their peaceful nature. More than 7,500 Koreans were killed,
nearly 17,000 wounded, and around 47,000 arrested, including Son Byong-Hi.
While in prison, Son became ill and was eventually released from custody on sick bail. His illness
worsened, however, and in 1922 he died at home in Sangchunwon, just outside the Dongdaemun gate.
The Taekwondo pattern Eui-Am was named in honor of Son Byong-Hi after his respectful title of Eui-am
Seong-sa.