Kumdo and Korea: breaking from japan

By David Pearson

Currently Kumdo is partice all over the world and uses "juk do"(a 4 split bamboo sword) and the "ho goo"(the head and body gear) as its basic pieces of equipment the aequitment that is used in kendo. Under the traditional regulations of Kumdo, if you receive a blow, the match ends. When one considers the speeds that are involved in a match it becomes evident as to why one's understanding of the principles behind the art and one's spiritual understanding are a fundamental requirement. . The old adage of "never underestimate your opponent" cannot be more true than in Kumdo. Once it is known that your opponent posses the same skill and training as yourself; one can easily see how this is truly an art.

The art of the sword in Korea evolved from a martial art heritage reaching back more than three thousand years to the time of the Bronze Age. In 1896 during the era of modernization, the art of the sword, also known as "Ghihuck-Gum," was selected as a mandatory training requirement for the newly established police academy. From there on, Kumdo, the modern amalgamation of "the art of the sword" and "the way of righteousness" from the Taoist philosophy, was developed to be practiced by some as a sport and by others as a means of character development or spiritual refinement. By the early 20th century, Kumdo training had adopted and utilized a practice weapon made of bamboo and lightweight armor that had been developed by the Japanese. This method of practice largely replaced the earlier, more dangerous, methods of training. Yet, the Kumdo popularity had been limited until early 1960 when the practice armor could be mass produced with the latest materials.

A direct translation of "Kumdo" is "the way of the sword." The art of the sword in Korea evolved from a martial art heritage reaching back more than three thousand years to the time of the Bronze Age. Archeological records indicate that the sword and its art were a part of daily life in Korean history to defend territorial holdings extending from Manchuria to the Korean peninsula and early settlements in the Japanese main island.

About two thousand years ago at the time of the early Three Kingdoms period, the unique sword techniques called "Bon Gook Gum Bup, " or "Native Sword," were developed by Shilla's Hwa Rang warriors. The Three Kingdoms period marks a contentious period in which Koguryo, Paekche, and Shilla were in contention with each other and the Han Chinese for control of East Asia. Warriors in this period and the following Unified Shilla, Palhae, and Koryo Dynastic periods were known to be sword-bearing and to conduct their daily lives with strictly disciplined and moral manners. For every warrior the moral code was strict, but the discipline was stricter for those who cherished honor above everything else including their own lives.

Many good examples of the warrior culture can be found in the Palhae and Koryo Dynastic periods from the 7th to 15th century C.E.. In particular, the Palhae Dynasty was found and ruled by the former Koguryo warrior class after the fall of Koguryo in 668 C.E. With the art of the sword and the disciplined warrior's spirit, Palhae was successful to conquer and to extend their territory from the Sungari and Amur rivers in northern Manchuria all the way down to the northern provinces of the modern Korean peninsula at the first half of the 9th century C.E., in the height of its power.

At the beginning of the Choson Dynasty in the 15th century C.E. following the fall of the Koryo Dynasty, some 500 years after the fall of the Unified Shilla and Palhae, the political and ideological foundations changed dramatically. These changes brought the elimination of the warrior class and their power bases in private soldiers. Thus, gradually, the art of the sword was limited to the state military which was regarded as inferior by the scholars. Until the end of Choson Dynasty, the art was practiced and taught mostly by individuals in the state military who refined and developed the art under the name of "Ghihuck-Gum."

Kumdo is both a physically and mentally demanding martial art. A Kumdo bout with a skilled opponent is an intense experience. For a moment, as one opponent faces another, concentration is absolute, conscious thought is suppressed, and action is instinctive. Such training develops the power of resolution and endurance under pressure which frequently affects Kumdo students' lives beyond the confines of the training hall.

The Purpose of Practicing Kumdo

The purpose of practicing Kumdo is: To mold the mind and body, to cultivate a vigorous spirit, and through correct and rigid training, to strive for improvement of Kumdo, to hold in esteem of courtesy and honor, to treat others with sincerity, and to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself. Thus, one will be able: to be a patriot of righteousness in the highest form, to respect and honor one's parents, to trust, honor and be loyal to friends, to perceive and never retreat from challenges, and to respect all lives and living things.

As mentioned in the opening to this paper Kumdo is an art form. When a match is observed between two skilled opponents one can not help but be in awe at the majestic movements. The fluidity of it captures the imagination and the respect between the two opponents for each other is truly inspiring. What does it say of both a culture and an art form, of self-defense no less, that while knowing that these two warriors of art, the artisans of culture, and still yet ambassadors of honor; that such regard for the other is in the fore front of their thoughts while locked in mortal combat. What then of when Kumdo was not just an art but was actually still used in defense of oneself? Knowing that this code of honor and ethics still existed between two warriors invokes such vivid images of courage and honor at its utmost at its purist state that this author at least can not help but be completely humbled by such an existence in men. The fact that such a code exists at all is truly one of the best testaments to the good that can be found in any man.