Subakhui is a kind of martial art to strike the opponent or block his attack using hands.
The scenes of performing this Korean-style martial art are depicted vividly in old tomb murals.
They include the three-chamber tomb, dance tomb and the Mausoleum of King Kogugwon from the period of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668).
Figures in the murals take different postures: one lifting a hand high to strike the opponent, another one hitting down at the opponent and the other one preparing to block an attack by the opponent.
The scenes are similar to the illustrations from the 18th century explaining subakhui and the art of fist fight.
This shows that subakhui was handed down steadily since the period of the Koguryo Kingdom. The martial art was often practised mainly by soldiers in the period of Koryo (918-1392). It was widely propagated among the people during the feudal Joson dynasty (1392-1910).
Since subakhui is a game of striking down the opponent, the winner is decided according to how and where to strike the opponent.
That is why the main method of subakhui was to hit the vitals of the opponent with strong strikes and bring him down, and correctly find out his weak points and concentrate the strike on them. And players had to block or dodge the opponent’s attack in a clever way and should not discontinue attack by displaying perseverance, even if they were hit.
Therefore, they had to grasp the knacks, build up physical strength and cultivate patience through everyday practice.
In the latter half of the feudal Joson dynasty, the use of feet was added to it and therefore it developed into thaekkyon and famous nalpharam of the Pyongyang area.
Thaekkyon was to strike the opponent using hands and feet, while nalpharam was to hit the opponent using mainly hands and also feet and head.
Such practices helped build up a healthy body and contributed to the defence of the country.
More From Pyongyang Times
The military provocations being committed in a frantic way in the ROK from the first month of the new year serve as an occasion
February 10, 2025
The military provocations being committed in a frantic way in the ROK from the first month of the new year serve as an occasion
The Eleventh Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea called on all the officials and
February 10, 2025
The Eleventh Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea called on all the officials and
Commanding officers of the Korean People’s Army held a sports competition on February 8, the 77th anniversary of the KPA. The
February 10, 2025
Commanding officers of the Korean People’s Army held a sports competition on February 8, the 77th anniversary of the KPA. The
People's delegations composed of senior Party and government officials, officials of ministries, national agencies and local Party
February 10, 2025
People's delegations composed of senior Party and government officials, officials of ministries, national agencies and local Party
The modern regional-industry factories built in different parts of the DPRK are bringing about an upswing in production. The
February 10, 2025
The modern regional-industry factories built in different parts of the DPRK are bringing about an upswing in production. The
Sword dance is an age-old folk dance reflecting the Korean ancestors’ spirit of attaching importance to military affairs.Widely di
February 10, 2025
Sword dance is an age-old folk dance reflecting the Korean ancestors’ spirit of attaching importance to military affairs.Widely di
A music and dance performance was given at the April 25 House of Culture on February 8, the 77th anniversary of the founding of
February 10, 2025
A music and dance performance was given at the April 25 House of Culture on February 8, the 77th anniversary of the founding of
On the occasion of the 77th founding anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army, all the service personnel and people of the
February 10, 2025
On the occasion of the 77th founding anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army, all the service personnel and people of the
A reception was given on February 8 to mark the 77th founding anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army. Present there were
February 10, 2025
A reception was given on February 8 to mark the 77th founding anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army. Present there were
Officials, service personnel, working people, students and schoolchildren visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and
February 10, 2025
Officials, service personnel, working people, students and schoolchildren visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and
European countries are now in a serious situation. In France prime minister was replaced several times in a year, and in Germany
February 09, 2025
European countries are now in a serious situation. In France prime minister was replaced several times in a year, and in Germany
The heroic Korean People’s Army, which has remained faithful to its sacred mission of firmly defending the sovereignty and
February 09, 2025
The heroic Korean People’s Army, which has remained faithful to its sacred mission of firmly defending the sovereignty and
The delegation of Kim Chaek University of Technology led by President Pak Ji Min returned home on February 7 after visiting
February 09, 2025
The delegation of Kim Chaek University of Technology led by President Pak Ji Min returned home on February 7 after visiting
Shortly ago, NATO and the European Union let loose sophism without common sense ignoring the reality to make the world laugh at
February 09, 2025
Shortly ago, NATO and the European Union let loose sophism without common sense ignoring the reality to make the world laugh at
The 13th National Cookery Competition took place at the Pyongyang Noodle House from February 4 to 7 on the occasion of the
February 09, 2025
The 13th National Cookery Competition took place at the Pyongyang Noodle House from February 4 to 7 on the occasion of the
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
February 09, 2025
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
Modern regional-industry factories have successfully been built in Unsan County, North Phyongan Province, under the energetic
February 09, 2025
Modern regional-industry factories have successfully been built in Unsan County, North Phyongan Province, under the energetic
Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and premier
February 09, 2025
Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and premier
The 38th Science and Technology Festival of Kim Chaek University of Technology took place from February 4 to 7. The festival was
February 09, 2025
The 38th Science and Technology Festival of Kim Chaek University of Technology took place from February 4 to 7. The festival was
After regional-industry factories were built in Songchon County, the first entity in the implementation of the Regional
February 09, 2025
After regional-industry factories were built in Songchon County, the first entity in the implementation of the Regional
More Articles