| Description |
[National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea]
Archery is a cultural phenomenon occurring around the world. It has been continuously practiced in Korea from ancient times to the present. The Korean form of archery shows distinctive characteristics in the crafting of bows and arrows, physical skills in shooting arrows with a bow, and the mental preparations for archery.
Records on archery can be found in materials from the Three Kingdoms period and later. These materials include government documents, personal collections of writings, and genre paintings. They play an important role in advancing research on the history of the martial arts.
People in Korea still perform archery as a sport or pastime using bows and arrows made from mulberry wood, buffalo horn, and ox tendons to provide exceptional elasticity. Archery has long been established as a popular form of public physical activity nationwide.
* As archery is not a skill or art relying on particular individuals or groups for its transmission, the designation of this element took place without recognizing particular holders or holder groups. This designation only applies to the type of archery practiced in a standing position (bosa 步射), the most popular form of archery in present-day Korea. |
