I wonder if the v-neck jackets we see a lot of taekwondo folks wearing is a result of lapel confusion.
I would just apply Occam's famed razor, and say that the jackets are worn "wrong" through simple ignorance of old Japanese/Korean custom.
As for V-necks, that style is the one introduced by the WTF (South Korea's official taekwon-do organization), and my guess is that it was created to move TKD even farther away from its Japanese-karate roots, make it simpler to dress, and maybe because v-necks look "cool."
Cady Goldfield
Brian,
Yeah, I don't know why I stuck "/Korean" in there.
My thought was more that living Koreans wear wrap-like jackets left-over-right, and it's considered improper to wear it right-over-left.
When I trained in "old" taekwon-do (i.e. Gen. Choi's system), we wore karate-type doboks with jackets that tied left-over-right. This might have been because TKD essentially was Shotokan karate, and Gen. Choi simply took it, with all the Japanese protocols and taboos attached, to Korea during the Occupation. That would include the uniform (dobok), which was modeled after Jigoro Kano's adaptation of workmen's clothing for durable judo attire. However, Korean TKD people say today that the dobok (uniform) was modeled after the traditional Korean hanbok, which is worn left-over-right. My Korean instructors told me on several occasions that it was improper to wear the dobok tied right-over-left. Likewise, Korean Buddhist garments, such as the meditation jacket used in Sun (Zen) Buddhism, ties and buttons left-over-right. I don't know whether Koreans did or do consider it taboo to wear wrapping garments right-over-left, but in my experience the Korean folks I've known were very particular about not wearing clothing that way, though they didn't say why.
Last edited by Cady Goldfield; 16th September 2013 at 16:39.
Cady Goldfield
Some people claim the forums are dead.
Nope, only the karate-gi wearers are dead.
self-defence-girl-18503900.jpg
Last edited by Andrew S; 16th June 2014 at 20:33.
Andrew Smallacombe
Aikido Kenshinkai
JKA Tokorozawa
Now trotting over a bridge near you!
I wonder if the 'L' she's forming with her hand has any significance?
Paul Smith
"Always keep the sharp side and the pointy end between you and your opponent"
Even headgear won't protect you from the karate undead!
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Last edited by Andrew S; 17th June 2014 at 20:54.
Andrew Smallacombe
Aikido Kenshinkai
JKA Tokorozawa
Now trotting over a bridge near you!