A Rare Treasure: The Book That Launched Taekwon-Do into the World

By Roy Rolstad

This week, I received something truly special in the mail.

It’s a first edition (1968) English copy of “Taekwon-Do: The Art of Self-Defence” by General Choi Hong Hi, the very book that helped ignite the global spread of Taekwon-Do. I’ve studied, taught, and lived this martial art for decades, but holding this piece of history in my hands is like touching the roots of the tree I’ve been climbing for most of my life.

This book is more than just a manual. It’s a snapshot of a moment when Taekwon-Do stepped onto the world stage, not as “Korean Karate,” but as a martial art with its own soul, shaped by the hands and mind of General Choi himself.

Let me share the incredible story behind this book and why it still matters for all of us in the ITF community, especially those of us working on the Radix project.

1968: When Taekwon-Do Spoke English

The book I received was printed in 1968, just a few years after the name Taekwon-Do was officially adopted in Korea (1955), and only two years after the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) was formed in 1966. It was part of General Choi’s effort to give the world not just a name, but a structured, documented art.

Until this point, Taekwon-Do was spreading through Korean military instructors, word-of-mouth, and demonstrations. But this book changed the game. With over 1,300 photos, detailed descriptions, and the first standardization of techniques and patterns (tul) in English, it became the foundational textbook for Taekwon-Do students and instructors outside Korea.

The Mind Behind the Movement

General Choi Hong Hi was a man of many dimensions - a two-star general, calligrapher, scholar, and martial artist. He had studied Shotokan Karate while in Japan and had exposure to Korea’s own indigenous art, Taekkyon. The blend of those two arts, the structure and precision of Karate with the fluid, kicking dynamism of Taekkyon, became the foundation of what we know today as Taekwon-Do.

Diplomacy by Kicks and Books

The book wasn’t just a reference guide. It was part of a strategy.

In 1965, Choi and his team of elite Korean instructors went on a world tour, demonstrating Taekwon-Do to officials, military units, and martial arts communities in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. These were not just shows, they were missions of martial diplomacy. And at nearly every stop, Choi handed out this very book as a symbol of goodwill and instruction.

Distributed by Ohara Publications – The Martial Arts Gateway

This edition was distributed in North America by Ohara Publications, the legendary publisher behind Black Belt magazine and the early martial arts book explosion in the West. That’s how this book found its way into libraries and dojang shelves across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Patterns, Philosophy, and Power

The book contains the early 20 patterns of Taekwon-Do, before Choi expanded them in later encyclopedias. These are the original Ch’ang Hon forms, named after Korean heroes, cultural symbols, and historical moments. With ITF Radix, we explore these patterns deeply. This book offers one of the earliest records of them, complete with step-by-step photos and philosophical insights.

What It Means for Us Today

This 1968 edition may look dated, but its message is timeless. It reminds me why the ITF Radix project matters. We’re not inventing something new, we’re rediscovering what was already there. The principles Choi laid down in this book, both technical, philosophical, and historical, are still valid. They’re just waiting to be reawakened through modern training, realistic application, and deeper study.

Principles of free sparring are still valid

I still teach some of the Hosinsul techniques exactly like they are described

The karate roots are well documented

Holding this book makes me feel connected to the moment when Taekwon-Do stopped being just a Korean martial art and became a global movement. It’s a reminder of where we come from, and why it’s so important to preserve, study, and evolve the art with care.

If you ever get the chance to hold this book, or better yet, read it, do it! You’ll see where our techniques come from. You’ll feel the voice of a founder calling out through the pages. And you’ll understand why this art, built from kicks and character, has reached millions.

We owe it to General Choi, to the early pioneers, and to ourselves, to keep learning, keep digging, and keep honoring the roots.

This book is where the seed was planted. ITF Radix is part of the tree that grew from it.

– Roy