The Taekwondo Uniform - Dobok by Master Doug Cook
This article appeared in Totally Taekwondo Times online magazine issue #57 November, 2013
Nurses, soldiers, police officers and baseball players all have one thing in common; they wear uniforms. A uniform distinguishes the wearer from others while at the same time, by its very nature, largely unifies a group of individuals within a profession or organization. Aside from acting as a symbolic garment, uniforms tend to serve other purposes as well. They often
are well suited to reflect the work required by the individual. For instance, uniforms worn by fire fighters are uniquely constructed to avoid injury. Likewise, the clothing favored by surgical doctors emphasizes cleanliness and the sanitary conditions necessary to repel infection. Uniforms can also minimize distraction as evidenced by those worn by youngsters in some private schools. So, it should come as no surprise that people practicing classical martial arts within an institutional setting, are required to wear uniforms.
The uniforms worn by the martial artist are ripe with meaning and purpose. They amplify tradition by remaining consistent with those worn by forbearers of a given art. They mirror deep seated philosophical doctrines and maximize the ability to endure extreme and frequently, violent motion. Finally, they serve as great equalizers of status whereby the university professor cannot readily be discerned from the elementary school student, the corporate president from the office worker.Nomenclature for the uniform varies from culture to culture and thus, discipline to discipline. In taekwondo, the V-neck attire is referred to as a dobok; do translated as “the Way” and bok, “robe” or “training clothes”.Author’s Note: All photographs, except where stated, are courtesy of Dynamics, Inc., 245-14 Jericho Turnpike Floral Park, NY 11001. 800-538-1995. www.dynamicsworld.com.
Master Doug Cook , a 6th dan black belt, is head instructor of the Chosun Taekwondo Academy located in Warwick, New York, a senior student of Grandmaster Richard Chun, and author of four best-selling books entitled: Taekwondo…Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Warrior, Traditional Taekwondo - Core Techniques, History and Philosophy, Taekwondo–A Path to Excellence, and Taekwondo Black Belt Poomsae: Original Koryo and Koryo, co-authored with Grandmaster Chun. Master Cook can be reached for lectures, workshops or questions at www.chosuntkd.com or info@chosuntkd.com.
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Nurses, soldiers, police officers and baseball players all have one thing in common; they wear uniforms. A uniform distinguishes the wearer from others while at the same time, by its very nature, largely unifies a group of individuals within a profession or organization. Aside from acting as a symbolic garment, uniforms tend to serve other purposes as well. They often
are well suited to reflect the work required by the individual. For instance, uniforms worn by fire fighters are uniquely constructed to avoid injury. Likewise, the clothing favored by surgical doctors emphasizes cleanliness and the sanitary conditions necessary to repel infection. Uniforms can also minimize distraction as evidenced by those worn by youngsters in some private schools. So, it should come as no surprise that people practicing classical martial arts within an institutional setting, are required to wear uniforms.The uniforms worn by the martial artist are ripe with meaning and purpose. They amplify tradition by remaining consistent with those worn by forbearers of a given art. They mirror deep seated philosophical doctrines and maximize the ability to endure extreme and frequently, violent motion. Finally, they serve as great equalizers of status whereby the university professor cannot readily be discerned from the elementary school student, the corporate president from the office worker.Nomenclature for the uniform varies from culture to culture and thus, discipline to discipline. In taekwondo, the V-neck attire is referred to as a dobok; do translated as “the Way” and bok, “robe” or “training clothes”.Author’s Note: All photographs, except where stated, are courtesy of Dynamics, Inc., 245-14 Jericho Turnpike Floral Park, NY 11001. 800-538-1995. www.dynamicsworld.com.
Master Doug Cook , a 6th dan black belt, is head instructor of the Chosun Taekwondo Academy located in Warwick, New York, a senior student of Grandmaster Richard Chun, and author of four best-selling books entitled: Taekwondo…Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Warrior, Traditional Taekwondo - Core Techniques, History and Philosophy, Taekwondo–A Path to Excellence, and Taekwondo Black Belt Poomsae: Original Koryo and Koryo, co-authored with Grandmaster Chun. Master Cook can be reached for lectures, workshops or questions at www.chosuntkd.com or info@chosuntkd.com.
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