Add a string to your bow at Hwanghakjeong

This is the 27th in a series of articles highlighting tourism spots in Seoul. The guide for planning weekend trips in the capital city will help readers rediscover Seoul. - Ed.

Michael is a Canadian who lives in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. He has been living in Korea for eight years, including six months in North Korea.

Michael said he once tried archery when he was a boy scout but never Korean archery. This, despite the fact that he loves sports and traditional Korean culture - he even lives in one of Korea`s traditional "hanok."

In Seoul, there are eight archery ranges, including Hwanghakjeong behind Sajik Park and Seokhojeong at Namsan. Hwanghakjeong, literally meaning "yellow crane pavilion," is the only archery range within the four gates of Seoul. The name originates from the traditional Korean bow, which looks like a crane spreading its wings.

Archery held an important place in Korea not only for hunting and warfare but for physical and spiritual training. It was also an important subject in the military exam.

Some of the founding fathers of ancient Korea made their names as excellent archers. For instance, the name of Jumong, who established Goguryeo in B.C. 37, implies that he is a skilled archer. Yi Seong-gye, who founded Joseon in 1392, is said to have been so accurate that he could choose to hit the right or the left eye of an enemy commander. The male children of noblemen all learned archery and horseback riding when they reached 13.

In the past, the archery range closest to the Joseon palaces was Hwanghakjeong, which was built inside the palace by King Gojong in 1898. Under Japanese rule, the palace was scaled down and Hwanghakjeong moved to the foot of Inwangsan Mountain in 1922. Visitors can take archery lessons and learn some basics, including archery safety, the proper stance, etc., inside the building and practice archery outside of it. Hwanghakjeong is the place where you can "feel" the history of Korean archery as you stand in the same courtyard and shoot a bow more than a century after the first arrow was fired here.

Beginners are not allowed to practice archery in Hwanghakjeong. The shooting line is 145 meters from the target and it is unlikely that a beginner`s arrow would make it even halfway, resulting in the arrow falling in the walking trail that crosses the courtyard. At least two-months` training is required before beginners may practice at this archery range.

Michael and I went to Seokhojeong on the cherry tree-lined trail on Namsan. When we arrived, we were greeted by instructor Ahn Seong-cheol, who said that foreigners often visit.

Ahn: While modern bows use various accessories for accuracy, a traditional Korean bow does not have any such devices attached. At first sight, The Korean bow looks like a wooden bow, but it is made from a variety of materials such as water buffalo horn, cow sinew, bamboo, mulberry and an adhesive made with the air bladder of a croaker - a kind of saltwater fish. It is an elaborate hand-crafted item.

Michael: I once saw Mongolian mounted soldiers shooting arrows in a movie. How does the Korean bow differ from the Mongolian bow? Do Koreans also shoot bows from horseback?

Ahn: The Mongolian bow and the Korean bow are similar in shape and size. However, the major difference lies in shooting techniques. While Mongolian archers shot their arrows quickly while they approached their targets on horseback, Korean archers rarely shot bows on horseback except for demonstration purposes. Also, Korean soldiers usually shot in the same direction from castle walls or boats. Korean archers often had shooting events with Japanese and Mongolian archers, but it was difficult to compete because each country had its own rules.

Michael: Are the arrows made of bamboo? I was so excited to see bamboo in Korea for the first time because bamboo doesn`t grow in Canada. Bamboo arrows and fletches made from pheasant feathers are very attractive.

Ahn asked Michael to change into a uniform and handed him a modernized Korean bow for beginners. The official Korean bow weighs 23 kilograms, but the modernized Korean bow for beginners is much lighter, weighing 9 kilograms.

Ahn: When shooting an arrow, you should not pull the arrow with your fingers but with your elbow while placing your fingers on the string lightly. Stand erect, puff out your chest, and release the arrow by relaxing the fingers.

Michael followed Ahn`s instruction, but he obviously had difficulty pulling his right elbow while fully extending the left arm. His right hand was trembling and his stance was all wrong. The string was drawn towards the face so closely that it looked as if it would hit him in the cheek.

Ahn: There is an old saying that only the bow string can slap the king in his face. Sometimes that happens. However, you don`t have to be afraid if you follow my instructions carefully. Stretch your back and strain your thighs with you feet placed shoulder-width apart. Since you are using muscles that you don`t normally use, your legs will hurt later.

Michael practiced this technique, pulling the string away from the bow repeatedly without an arrow. When Michael pulled the string and released it by accident, Ahn, who was watching Michael right next to him, shouted, saying that when you "dry fire" a bow, it can severely damage the bow itself if it is a Korean bow and the string if it is a Western bow. Luckily, no damage was done.

Ahn corrected Michael`s shooting position. Archery requires repeated practice in the correct posture. When you shoot, you do not hold the bow perpendicular to the ground but twist the wrist of the bow hand slightly. Beginners practice shooting with an arrow with a string attached, because it is difficult to find arrows after they are fired. Ahn said the shooting posture is similar to golf posture, which is why some golfers practice archery to increase their driver distance.

When the archery lesson was almost over, Ahn allowed Michael to shoot five arrows without strings.

Determined not to fire the arrows into the pine woods, he carefully drew the string and shot the first arrow. The arrow flew into the turf near the target. Those watching Michael applauded him for his good performance for a beginner. Although Michael could not hit the target, he did not lose the arrows. After his archery lesson, I asked Michael how he felt.

"I`m really surprised that such a small arrow can fly that far. I thought that the palaces and Buddhist temples were the only things that show Korean tradition, but I think I experienced another aspect of Korean tradition. It is difficult to learn, but nevertheless exciting.

"I think foreign visitors will appreciate Korean traditional culture far more than department stores, shopping centers, cutting-edge amusement parks, and that kind of thing."

Michael said that he would like to learn Korean archery, adding that it would be nice if there was a program for foreign exchange students or diplomats and their families to learn archery.

By Heo Shi-myung/Travel writer

[Tidbits]

Archery class in Seokhojeong

An archery event for students was offered in Seokhojeong for three days in April in celebration of the birthday of Admiral Yi Sun shin, Korea`s foremost military hero. Seokhojeong plans to run an archery program for foreigners and students soon. Anybody who can spare for an hour a day can become a regular member of Seokhojeong for 100,000 won a month. It takes about three months for beginners to shoot an arrow without help. For more information, call Seokhojeong (02 2273 2061) or instructor Ahn Seong Cheol (011 719 4328).

Korean archery equipment

The traditional Korean bow is called a gakgung as it is made of animal bone or "gak." The Korean bow is small but powerful enough to shoot at great distances. Modern Korean bows made of fiber reinforced plastic are popular these days. Modern Korean bows with a set of arrows for beginners is priced about 300,000 won. Traditional Korean arrows are made of bamboo and pheasant feathers, but plastic arrows are used widely with modern bows. In addition, archers use a thumb ring called "gakji," which not only protects the thumb but helps the arrow fly further. The target is placed 145 meters from the shooting line. An arrow that hits anywhere on the 2m x 2.66m target is considered a hit.