Yul Gok

 

Yul Gok means Cheasnut Valley.  It’s the pen name of Yi I.

Yi I was born in Gangneung, Gangwon Province in 1536. His father was a Fourth State Councillor and his mother, Shin Saimdang, the accomplished artist and calligraphist. It is said that by the age of seven he had finished his lessons in the Confucian classics, and passed the Civil Service literary examination at the age of 13. Yi I secluded himself in Kumgang-san following his mother’s death when he was 16 and stayed for 3 years, studying Buddhism. He left the mountains at 20 and devoted himself to the study of Confucianism.

He married at 22, went to visit Yi Hwang at Dosan the following year. He passed special exams with top honors with a winning thesis titled Cheondochaek , which was widely regarded as a literary masterpiece, displaying his knowledge of history and the Confucian philosophy of politics, and also reflecting his profound knowledge of Taoism. He continuously received top honors on civil exams for a consecutive 9 times. His father passed away when he was 26. He served in various positions in government from the age of 29, and visited the Ming Dynasty as seojangwan  in 1568. He also participated in the writing of the Myeongjong Annals and at 34, authored Dongho Mundap, an eleven-article political memorial devoted to clarifying his conviction that a righteous government could be achieved.

Due to his vast experience in different offices over the years, Yi I was able to garner a wide vision of politics and with the deep trust of the king, became one of the central figures of politics by the time he was 40. His many documents and theses were presented to the royal court but when political conflicts escalated in 1576, his efforts proved fruitless and he returned home. Following his return, he devoted his time to studies and education of his disciples and authored several books.

He returned to office at 45 and while holding various minister positions, produced many writings which recorded crucial political events and showed his efforts to ease the political conflicts that were rampant at that time. However, King Seonjo was noncommittal in his attitude and it became difficult for Yi I to remain in a neutral position in the conflicts. He left office in 1583 and died the following year.

According to legend, he had a pavilion built near the ford of the Imjin River in his lifetime and instructed his heirs to set it ablaze when the king had to flee northward from Seoul, to provide a guiding beacon. This took place during Hideyoshi’s invasions of Korea at the Battle of the Imjin River (1592).

Yi I was not only known as a philosopher but also as a social reformer. He did not completely agree with the dualistic Neo-Confucianism teachings followed by Yi Hwang. His school of Neo-Confucianism placed emphasis on the more concrete, material elements; rather than inner spiritual perception, this practical and pragmatic approach valued external experience and learning. Unlike Yi Hwang, who suffered through tumultous times and did not enjoy being in politics, Yi I was an active official who thought it important to implement Confucian values and principles to government administration. He emphasized sage learning and self-cultivation as the base of proper administration.

Yi I is also well-known for his foresight about national security. He proposed to draft and reinforce the army against a possible Japanese attack. His proposal was rejected by the central government, his worry was found to be well-founded soon after his death, when Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s Japanese forces invaded Korea in 1592.

Yul-Kok Hyung     (38 movements)

Direction	Movement	Stance	Action
N	—	Feet together	Ready position
N	Lf toward W	Horse stance (chest-N)	L middle straight punch <Slowly & Exhaling>
N	—	<same>	R middle straight punch
N	—	<same>	L middle straight punch
N	Lf -> Rf, then Rf toward E,  stomping the foot	Horse stance (chest-N)	R middle straight punch <Slowly & Exhaling>
N	—	<same>	L middle straight punch
N	—	<same>	R middle straight punch
NE	Shift Rf toward NE	R front stance	R high outward forearm block (radius side)
NE	Lf –>	—	L front kick
NE	Drop Lf forward	L front stance	L middle straight punch
NE	—	L front stance	R middle reverse punch
NW	Lf toward NW	L front stance	L high outward forearm block (radius side)
NW	Rf –>	—	R front kick
NW	Drop Rf forward	R front stance	R middle straight punch
NW	—	R front stance	L middle reverse punch
N	Rf toward N	R front stance	R knifehand hooking block  <Slowly & Exhaling>
N	—	R front stance	L knifehand hooking block  <Slowly & Exhaling>
N	—	R front stance	R middle straight punch
N	Forward	L front stance	L knifehand hooking block  <Slowly & Exhaling>
N	—	L front stance	R knifehand hooking block  <Slowly & Exhaling>
N	—	L front stance	L middle straight punch
N	Forward	R front stance	R middle straight punch <Yell!>
N	Lf -> Rf	Feet together (chest-E)	Both fists chambered at the right hip
N	Lf –>	—	L side kick
N	Drop Lf	L front stance	R horizontal elbow strike into the L open palm
S	Rf -> Lf	Feet together (chest-E)	Both fists chambered at the left hip
S	Rf –>	—	R side kick
S	Drop Rf	R front stance	L horizontal elbow strike into the R open palm
E	Lf toward E	L back stance	Twin knifehand blocks (see note for explanation)
E	Forward	R front stance	R middle vertical spearhand strike (L open hand guards under the R elbow)
W	Rf toward W, CW	R back stance	Twin knifehand blocks (as above)
W	Forward	L front stance	L middle vertical spearhand strike (R open hand guards under the L elbow)
S	Lf toward S	L front stance	L high outward forearm block (ulna side)
S	—	L front stance	R middle reverse punch
S	Forward	R front stance	R high outwad forearm block (ulna side)
S	—	R front stance	L middle reverse punch
S	hopping forward off the R foot	Crossed stance (chest-W) Rf x’d behind the Lf	L downward backfist strike <Yell!> (R fist chambered at belt)
E	Rf toward E, 270* CW	R front stance	Double forearm guarding blocks
W	Rf -> Lf, then Lf toward W	L front stance	Double forearm guarding blocks
N	Lf -> Rf	Feet together (chest-N)	Ready position.