Kumdo Practical application

A demonstration of the art of Kumdo

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• Kumdo
• Korea

[shungen2007]

it's kendo, not kumdo. just like it's iaido, not haidong gumdo. just admit it: they are japanese, not korean.

[somchai71]

Football (soccer) is called "Fußball" in Germany. Different language, different name. But German people do not make up history like "Fußball is the origin of football." Koreans do.

[vkvkvk1219]

@shungen2007 kumdo is just a Korean way of pronouncing the Chinese character used for kendo. 

[Bawseattak]

The formalized military philosophy possessed by the Hwa Rang is believed to have directly influenced the development of the warrior class of Japan. This ideology eventually gave birth to what was later to become the Samurai.

Whereas, Japan embraced the Samurai, in Korea, warriors were kept from interacting with the masses.

[Bawseattak]

As the sword became the key instrument of close contact warfare, it was one of the Hwa Rang's primary weapons. The techniques of the Korean sword, at this period of time, were stylistically formalized into twenty-five poses and postures that would most rapidly result in an opponent's demise. The sword styling and philosophic attitude of the Hwa Rang was first passed onto the island nation of Japan in the sixth century C.E.

[Bawseattak]

The Hwa Rang were formed during the reign of King Chin Heung. They were an elite, warrior corps, made up of young noblemen. These warriors trained their bodies and minds in all forms of martial understanding. The Hwa Rang, through refined military strategy, defeated their neighboring armies and unified the three Korean kingdoms. Throughout history, Korea has looked to the Hwa Rang for inspiration for the martial art tradition.

[Bawseattak]

At this juncture of history, Korea was divided into three warring kingdoms: Koguryo, Silla, and Paekche. These warriors embraced Buddhism and devoted themselves to the cultivation of moral values, based in Confucian ideology. These warriors took martial warfare to a new and much more refined level of understanding than had been previously embraced. Among these armies were the Kyong Dang of Koguryo and, most notably, the Hwa Rang of Silla.

[Bawseattak]

In the fourth century of the Common Era a new system of metallurgy was introduced to the Korea Peninsula from China. This introduction gave birth to a new and superior weaponry. Previously, the bow and the staff had been the primary tools of warfare. With the introduction of refined metal crafting, the sword took on new importance. This was because of the fact that this new metallurgy made the sword a much more reliable weapon, as it became more difficult to fracture during battle.

[Bawseattak]

Though Kumdo is highly influenced by the modern Japanese sword arts, it was the Korean understanding of warfare that helped lay the foundations for the Japanese Samurai. Therefore, to truly understand the history of Kumdo, we must first look to Korea's history.

[Bawseattak]

Due to the long period of Japanese occupation, the Japanese understanding of martial arts influenced most of these new systems. Kumdo, was no exception.

Kumdo. literally means, "Sword Way." Kumdo is a Korean translation of the Japanese term, "Kendo." "Ken" meaning, "Sword," and, "Do" meaning, "Way."

The Korean art of Kumdo is a direct interpretation of its Japanese counterpart. In fact, some of the early founders of Kumdo claim that there is absolutely no difference between the two arts.

[Bawseattak]

Now after reading all of your ignorant comments maybe some historical insight is needed....

The sword art of Kumdo was inaugurated in Seoul, Korea in June 1948. With Japanese occupation lifted at the end of World War II, Korea entered into a period of rapid cultural reestablishment. Martial arts, which had been banned by the occupying forces, began to be rediscovered and new schools of martial arts were formed.

[Bawseattak]

@ shungen 2007

Maybe you should research your history of sword play and find out for yourself how many times japan has tried to occupy korea and maybe read about the warring tribes of korea in the early 1200's before spouting ignorant comments....good starting point would be the hwa rang of silla