Development of the concept of physical education in Korea (1876-1910) in comparison with Japan (1868-1915)

Abstract

I studied the development of the concept of physical education in Korea (1876-1910) in comparison with Japan (1868-1915). During these periods, many people became aware of the need for physical health, and exercise for relaxation and hygiene. This led to the concept of physical education, and after a few years, the term "Physica1 Education" was coined. The process by which the concept of physical education developed in Korea (1876-1910) in comparison with Japan (1868-1915) was as follows: 1) "Yojo(養生)", which means physical education, appeared in Japan in 1873, while "Yang Sung(養生)" was first advocated by Park Younghyo, who had come to Japan as a political refugee in 1888. 2) "Shintai Kyoiku(身体教育)", which simply expresses the concept of physical education, appeared in 1875. This was followed in 1873 by "Karada no oshie(体の教)", which represents "Education for the Body", and then by "Shinkyo(身教)" in 1875. Later," Karada no kyoiku(体の教育)" appeared in 1878, and "Ikutai(育体)" in 1878. However there was no shortening process of "Physica1 Education" in Korea. Instead the term "Supsang(摂生)", which expresses the concept of physical education, and "Cheyang(体養)", which expresses three forms of training ideology, i.e. training for morality, body and wisdom, appeared in Korea in 1895 and 1905, respectively. 3) Fina11y the term "Physical Education", shortened from "The Education Physical" appeared in Japan in 1876, and the term was popularized after the foundation of the "taiso denshusho(体操伝習所)" gymnasium. The term "Physical Education" was first introduced by the Japanese in Korea in 1895. In addition, in Japan physical education by means of exercise first appeared in 1879, while in Korea physical education was introduced in 1897 by people who had been studying in Japan. Physical education by means of exercise was introduced by Korea in 1900. In this way, the first concept of physical education in Korea was considered to be education for physical training through exercise. Meanwhile, the concept of physical education, meaning education for the body and spirit through exercise, appeared in Japan in 1884, whereas it did not appear in Korea until 1906. There after, physical education meaning sports or exercise itself appeared in Japan in 1892, but not unti1 1906 in Korea. 4) In Japan "The Education for Physical(身体教育)", emphasizing physical education, appeared in 1881 and 1886, while in Korea this was introduced by a Korean studying in Japan in Korean studying in Japan in Korea in 1908. As mentioned above, the development of the concept of "Physical Education" in Korea (1876-1910) did not show any shortening process from "The Education for Physical". In addition, the periods of emergence of "Physical Education" were different from each other because "Physical Education" in Korea was initially imported by Japanese, and even "The Education for Physical" was introduced by people studying in Japan. Accordingly the concept of "Physical Education" meaning "The Education for Physical" through exercise and sanitation, meaning education of the body and spirit through exercise, and sports or exercise itself, appeared in Korea 28 years later than in Japan. Also in Korea "The Education for Physical" appeared after "Physical Education" had been founded. Thus the process was opposite to that in Japan. In conclusion, although the process showed a different order, the development of "Physical Education" in Korea (1876-1910) was influenced by that in Japan (1868-1915).