4-4-4. Matbuteum

The technical end of the approach to your opponent, namely the way of Tang is the Matbutem(keeping touched) to him. With this Matbuteum you can avoid yourself to his inside controling over him from his inside at once. At the same time, however, you also can be controled over by him, so it is very difficult.

Therefore, in Matbuteum you have to know the right direction to proceed to inside of the opponent. The direction is toward his inside and the inside of his weapon at the same time, thus the inside of his will. If he swings his fists at you you can do Matbuteum to him clutching his trunk. This, however, would rather be more dangerous if he uses a dagger and this danger comes because you still stay outside of his weapon. In this case, while you move in between his trunk and his dagger, you have to grab his wrist of his hand with the dagger, in order for the Matbuteum to his weapon. In fighting a man's will come to be centered in his weapon.

If your opponent knows when to discard(Ch.44), in Matbuteum to him it is dangerous for you to rely on only its outer appearance. Ultimately in order to go forth to inside of him you should adapt yourself to his change continuously. Buddha said: “You must not be content to stay in this burning house of the threefold world! Do not be greedy for its coarse and shoddy forms, sounds, scents, tastes and sensation! If you become attached to them and learn to love them, you will be burned up!"²⁾ which has no difference from the case of using techniques of Taekwondo.

As stated in the foregoing what the way of Tang means is to keep yourself to the objective that you intend to get, thus, it is not to avoid the danger that threaten you, so you should devote your Matbuteum only to its principle, yet you must not be attached to visible appearance. Therefore TAEKWONDO is the invisible principle that can be sought through motions.

By means of this Matbuteum you can find the distance of being far from him yet close from you. Conversely, to get this distance of Taekwondo(Ch.20) is the main key for using technique of Matbuteum. Any of keeping your wrist touched to the opponent's in Tai Chi Chuan, or pushing his trunk down continuously in Brazilian Jiu-Jitzu can be an example of this Matbuteum.

1) The first difficulty is the fear.
2) 『法華經』, 3편 비유품 36. 汝等은 莫得樂住三界火宅하라. 勿貪 弊인 色聲香味觸也라, 若貪着生愛면 則爲所燒리라.