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Archive for the ‘Korean’ Category
Information on various martial arts
Friday, April 15th, 2005Tang Soo Do
Sunday, April 10th, 2005Tangsoodo is a popular Korean martial art that was incorporated into Taekwondo.
The three Sino-Korean words translate as follows:
Tang: the Tang Dynasty of China; Tang generally refers to China in old Japanese
Soo: hand
Do: way of life
Essentially meaning: martial way of life from China. The literal translation from Korean is: The Way (”Do”) of the Chinese (”Tang”) Fist (”Soo.”)As the name suggests (its Japanese pronunciation is Karatedo), Tangsoodo is based on Japanese Karate. The previous statement has been argued about for the last fifty years. Most Tangsoodo Association state that Tangsoodo is a mix of three major styles; which are Soo Bahk Do (60%), Northern China Kung Fu (30%) and Southern China Kung Fu (10%) and the Okinawan discipline and modified katas of Karate.
This art was created by Grandmaster Hwang Kee (history of Grandmaster Hwang Kee*[1] (http://www.soobahkdo.com/fed-web/art-history.htm))(黄琦/황기) (1914 – 2002), who originally called it Hwasoodo (花手道/화수도), but later changed the name to the already popular name Tangsoodo. The full name of this art at that time was Moo duk kwan Tangsoodo (武德館唐手道/무덕관당수도). Hwang Kee was said to have had learned Chinese martial arts while in Manchuria, as well as having been influenced by Japanese karate and Korean Taekkyon (택견). Hwang Kee claims that he was also highly influenced by an old book about martial arts called the Muye dobo tongji (武藝圖譜通志/무예도보통지).
In Korea, Hwang Kee’s art is no longer called Tangsoodo, but is now called Soo Bahk Do. *[2] (http://www.soobahkdo.com/fed-web/art.htm)
After the Great Grandmaster Hwang Kee, passed away in 2002*[3] (http://www.soobahkdo.com/fed-web/federation-leadership.htm), his son, and the current President of the World Moo Duk Kwan continues to lead his father’s traditional Korean Martial Art; follow this link to see how Kwan Jang Nim H.C. Hwang plans to tour around the World and share his vision for the future of the Moo Duk Kwan with members by training and discussing the Past, Present and Future of the Moo Duk Kwan.*[4] (http://www.soobahkdo.com/fed-web/vision-tour/vision-tour-main.htm) (手博道/수박도).
For further information on the Korean Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan, link to this website, and contact the United States Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation, Inc. (see external link)
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Other Tangsoodo Groups
Grand Master Jae Chul Shin was a student of this art and brought it over to the United States before Taekwondo really became popular.
J.C Shin began his first school of Tangsoodo in Burlington, New Jersey. In 1984 he established the World Tang Soo Do Association, paralleling the popularity of Taekwondo. It is based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: see external links.
Grand Master Ho Sik Pak is an 8th Degree Black Belt and president of the Hwa Rang World Tang Soo Do Federation in Canoga Park, California USA. He has published several training materials in Tangsoodo including videos, books, and cd-rom. His book entitled Complete Tang Soo Do Manual has 2 volumes and covers all techniques from White Belt to 6th Degree Black Belt. His website is http://greatwarriorpak.com
===Forms===
Beginner Forms
Gi Cho Hyung Il Bu (基礎型一部) – Beginner Form 1
Gi Cho Hyung E Bu (基礎型二部) – Beginner Form 2
Gi Cho Hyung Sam Bu (基礎型三部)- Beginner Form 3
Pyung Ahn Forms
Animal Representation- Turtle
Pyung Ahn means,when loosely translated, ‘balance and comfort’
Pyung Ahn Cho Dan (平安初段) – Pyung Ahn Form 1
Pyung Ahn E Dan (平安二段) – Pyung Ahn Form 2
Pyung Ahn Sam Dan (平安三段) – Pyung Ahn Form 3
Pyung Ahn Sa Dan (平安四段) -Pyung Ahn Form 4
Pyung Ahn Oh Dan (平安五段) -Pyung Ahn Form 5
Bassai Forms
Animal Representation- Serpent
Means ‘breaking into a fortress’
Bassai So (抜塞小) – Bassai Form 1, ‘Lesser Serpent’
Bassai Dai (抜塞大) – Bassai Form 2, ‘Greater Serpent’
Naihanchi Forms
Animal Representation- Warrior on a Horse
Naihanchi Cho Dan (内歩進初段) – Naihanchi Form 1
Naihanchi E Dan (内歩進二段) – Naihanchi Form 2
Naihanchi Sam Dan (内歩進騎三段) – Naihanchi Form 3
Other Forms Ship Soo (十手)
Animal Representation- Bear
Means ‘Ten Hands’
Jin Do (岩鶴)
Animal Representation-Crane
Means ‘Attack and Retreat’
Kong Song Koon (観空/公相君)
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Practice
Tangsoodo can be considered quite similar to Taekwondo, but it is practiced according to more traditional guidelines.
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External links
World Tang Soo Do Association*[5] (http://www.worldtangsoodo.com)
United States Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation*[6] (http://www.soobahkdo.com)
American Tang Soo Do Association*[7] (http://www.grandmasterbyrne.com)
Hwa Rang World Tang Soo Do Federation*[8] (http://www.greatwarriorpak.com)
Tae Kwon-Do
Sunday, April 10th, 2005Taekwondo or Tae Kwon Do is the Korean national sport and martial art, and is also one of the world’s most commonly practiced sports. In the Korean language, Tae (태, Hanja 跆) means “to kick or destroy with the foot”, kwon (권, Hanja 拳) means “punch or smash with the hand or fist”, and Do (도, Hanja 道) means “way or art”. Hence, Taekwondo is taken to mean “art of hand and foot.”
Taekwondo is popular throughout the world, and the Kukkiwon-World Taekwondo Federation’s form of Taekwondo is currently an Olympic sport. Taekwondo has received criticism for not teaching enough street-effective techniques, this is often put down to Taekwondo’s emphasis on high kicks which are mostly impractical against moving and defending oppoents. It is used in unarmed combat training in some armies (the French army, for instance).
Contents [showhide]
1 History
2 Belts
3 Organizations
4 Features
5 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens
6 External links
[edit]
History
After the Choson dynasty, Korea was annexed by Japan in 1910. As a result, young Koreans were exposed to Japanese martial arts such as jujitsu, kendo, judo, karate, sumo, et cetera. Meanwhile, it has become clear that Taekwondo does not descend from Taekyon and that it is not synonymous with Taekyon, as it is still claimed officially, especially by Korean Associations.
Then after 1945, when Japan was defeated in World War II, there was clearly a concerted effort by martial arts masters to consolidate their resources and develop a uniquely Korean art once again.
General Choi Hong Hi started to learn Karate in Japan. and he absorbed the way of the skill of karate and the system of school of Shodokan karate by Funakoshi Gichin. Shodokan karate was developed as a marial art based on the hand and the fist art. so General Choi Hong Hi thought out the martial arts that are based on the foot art. That’s the why taekwondo is similar to karate except for the foot art.
Taekwondo was officially formed on April 11, 1955, when most Korean martial arts masters tried to unite all the various fighting styles (such as Karate, Gong Soo, Soo Bahk Do Tang Soo Do etc.) under the name “Tae Soo Do” . Although not every art joined in the resulting organization, an organization was created with a many of the participants and the backing of the government. Its name was suggested by 1957 9th degree black belt General Choi Hong Hi as Taekwondo.
Taekwondo integrated many aspects of karate. Choi Hong Hi was a 2nd degree black belt in karate (the Shotokan variety), so it was natural to utilize karate techniques in Taekwondo. However, many Koreans had an influence in the development of karate, an example from among them would be Choi Yong-I (Mas Oyama) who created Kyokushin Karate.
Taekwondo most likely came to America in much the same way that karate and kung fu came to the US, being carried there by Korean immigrants, who were not very populous in the US until the 1970s and 1980s, and by American military personnel, who most likely learned the art while stationed in Korea during and after the Korean War. Taekwondo is taught almost everywhere in the US, and may be the most popular martial art in the country.
It has been argued that Taekwondo originated from another Korean Martial art called Tang Soo Do. The main difference is in how the two are taught. Tang Soo Do focuses mainly on the traditional aspect, while Taekwondo focuses more on being a sport.
Tae Kwon Do came to Canada with General Choi who moved to the Moncton New Brunswick area who passed on his teachings to Dave Murray who made drastic changes to the system and founded the Maratime Martial Arts academy(www.maritimemartialarts.com) And has been teaching it for over 30 years in Fredericition New Brunswick , Canada
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Belts
The International Taekwondo Federation currently use a system of 10 or more gups and 8 (although some consider there to be 10) degrees (dans). The gups start at 10 and go down to 1, from which Degrees are then achieved, and go 1 through 9. (Ex. Someone who just promoted from 2nd gup to 1st gup is now eligible to promote for 1st degree.) The degrees 1-3 are associated with an Assistant Instructor, degrees 4-6 are associated with an Instructor, 7-8 with Master, and 9th degree is held as the rank of Grand Master. Degree grades are usually denoted by roman numerals e.g. VII, VIII, IX representing 7, 8, 9.
Even though different Taekwondo styles, associations or schools may make adjustments or additions, traditionally there are ten color belt levels (”gup,” “kup,” or “keub.”) and ten black belt levels (Dan or Poom-under 15 years age black belt, 1-3 Poom levels in Kukkiwon style). Tenth Dan had historically been reserved as a posthumous award, but in recent years has seen presentation to a few living recipients. The original colors are white, yellow, green, blue and red. Between solid colors a crossbar / stripe of the next full color is added to the belt indicating the awarded gup level. Some groups use a solid color alternative instead of stripes (camo, orange, etc.) For example, a common belt scheme assigns the following keubs: white (13), yellow (12), purple (11), orange (10), green (9), senior green (8), blue (7), senior blue (6), brown (5), senior brown (4) red (3), senior red (2), red-black/danbo (1). Gup belt records are kept by the school of origin and Dan/Poom ranks are recorded at the style headquarters registry.
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Organizations
Although there are many different federations and associations, Taekwondo can be broadly divided into two schools: International Taekwondo Federation (ITF, founded 1966), and Kukkiwon-World Taekwondo Federation (Kukkiwon-WTF, founded 1973). Kukkiwon-WTF was created in Korea when General Choi Hong Hi left Korea for Canada, moving the headquarters of ITF in 1972. The WTF is recognized as the international governing body for the sport of taekwondo by the International Olympic Committee.
Apart from its history, one difference between ITF Taekwondo and Kukkiwon-WTF Taekwondo is the patterns (the pre-set, formal sequences of movements students learn). ITF has 24 patterns (called tuls) which represent the 24 hours in a day, or the whole of a person’s life, while Kukkiwon-WTF uses the Taegeuk forms (which originate from the Chinese book, I_Ching). The main difference between these two styles of pattern is that ITF patterns use a “stepping motion” (known as the “sine wave”) — drawing on Newtonian physics — for hand techniques and some kicking techniques, which include moving the body in a sinusoidal motion in order to use bodyweight to increase the effectiveness of the techniques. Many people consider the Kukkiwon-WTF style to be more of a sport, focussing on competition sparring, while ITF is considered a true martial art which includes competition-style sparring. In practice, however, it is the instructor that will have the most influence on what and how a student practices. The ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation) had considerable success in bringing its art to the world through the ’60s and early ’70s. They currently maintain millions of members in 120+ countries worldwide. Beginning in 1972-73, Kukkiwon and the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) became the first (1980) Tae Kwon Do organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Kukkiwon-WTF is the only Taekwondo body recognized by the South Korean government and its rules have been adopted by the International Olympic Committee. Only students whose training is recognised by the Kukkiwon-WTF can take part in the Olympic games, highlighting the consideration of the Kukkiwon-WTF form as a sport.
In addition to the forms recognized for modern competition, there are also a large number of traditional forms, associated with a rich lore and history. These are becoming relatively rare in competition yet are being kept alive by some traditional masters and their students. Students trained in these traditional forms, which emphasise powerful kicks, punches, and blocks, pacing appropriate to the form, fierce concentration upon imaginary opponents, and accurate and stable stances, can do quite well when bringing these skills to their performances of the poomse style forms.
Since the death of Choi Hong Hi, the International Taekwon-Do Federation has splintered into three major groups and several smaller ones. Choi’s son, Choi Jung Hwa, is head of one headquartered in Canada; a second is headquartered in Austria; the third has its headquarters in North Korea. All three groups claim to be the legitimate successor to Gen. Choi. Various court actions are now in process.
Preparing to break a block
Enlarge
Preparing to break a block
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Features
Taekwondo is famed for its employment of leg and jumping techniques, which many believe distinguishes it from martial arts such as Karate or certain, southern styles of Kung Fu. The rationale behind this is that the leg is the longest and strongest weapon a martial artist has, and kicks thus have the greatest potential to strike without retaliation.
Taekwondo is popular with people of both sexes and of many ages. The five tenets of Taekwondo (courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit) show that, like all martial arts, Taekwondo is a mental discipline as well as a physical one. An example of the union of mental and physical discipline is the breaking of boards, which requires both physical mastery of the technique and the concentration to focus one’s strength.
Although each Taekwondo club or school will be different, a Taekwondo student can typically expect to take part in most or all of the following:
* Learning the techniques and curriculum of Taekwondo
* An aerobic workout, including stretching
* Self-defence techniques
* Free-style sparring
* Relaxation exercises
* Breaking (using the techniques to break boards for martial arts demonstrations)
* Regular gradings (tests to progress to the next grade/belt)
* A focus on discipline, honor, protocol, and self-confidence.
[edit]
2004 Summer Olympics in Athens
Main article: Taekwondo at the 2004 Summer Olympics
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External links
* The History of Taekwondo (http://www.scottshaw.com/taekwondohistory)
* http://www.kukkiwon.or.kr/ Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters
* Official site of the WTF (http://wtf.org/) the World Taekwondo Federation
* http://www.tkdchampions.com/ Official site of TKDchampions
* Taekwondo America (http://www.taekwondoamerica.org/) The official site of the Taekwondo America (TA) organization
* 1st Official Site of ITF (http://www.itf-admin.com/) the International Taekwondo Federation
* 2nd Official Site of the ITF (http://www.tkd-itf.org/) the International Taekwondo Federaiton
* 3rd Official Site of the ITF (http://www.internationaltaekwon-dofederation.com/) the International Taekwondo Federation
* Barrel.net (http://www.barrel.net/) – General Taekwondo Information
* Official site of the ATA (http://www.ataonline.com/) the American Taekwondo Association
* Biography of General Choi Hong Hi (http://miketaekwon1.tripod.com/index.general.html)
* The history of Hwarangdo and Rando warriors Hwarangdo (http://www.uwec.edu/Hwarang/archives9r.htm)
* Taekwonline.com (http://www.taekwonline.com) in Korean only
* Scholarly history of Taekwondo and its personages (http://www.indiana.edu/~iutkd/history/tkdhist.html)
* Chang Hun Taekwon-Do (ITF style) (http://changhun.1go.dk)
* Taekwondo Tutor (http://www.tkdtutor.com)
* Taekwondo Demo Team Movie(Awesome./ Long download) (http://www.taepoong.de/downloads/TKD_image_trailer.mov)
* The Maritime Martial Arts Academy Website (http://www.maritimemartialarts.com)
* Taekwondo Resource in South West England
Kuk Sool Won
Sunday, April 10th, 2005Kuk Sool Won™ (National Martial Arts Association) is a systematic study of all of the traditional fighting systems, which together comprise the martial arts history of the Korean Peninusla. As such, Kuk Sool Won™ is very well organized and seeks to integrate and explore all aspects of the traditional Korean martial arts.
As a martial arts system, Kuk Sool Won™ covers the entire spectrum of established Asian fighting systems and body conditioning techniques, as well as mental development and traditional weapons training.
The three branches of traditional Korean martial arts are Sah Doh Mu Sool, Bool Kyo Mu Sool, and Koong Joong Mu Sool. Sah Doh Mu Sool (Tribal Martial Arts) is older than Korean Culture itself, having been practiced on the Korean peninsula well before the first Korean kingdom was established in 2333 B.C. .
Bool Kyo Mu Sool (Buddhist Martial Arts) has been practiced by Buddhist monks throughout Asia. In China, the famous Shaolin Monks developed techniques and forms based on their observations of animals. In Korea, Monks practiced Bool Kyo Mu Sool for defense purposes and meditation. Today, the tenants of Bool Kyo Mu Sool are prevalent in Kuk Sool as they help teach practitioners meditation skills and the philosophies of non-violence and compassion for all living things.
Koong Joong Mu Sool (Royal Court Arts) is unique to Kuk Sool Won™. Some of the weapons used in Kuk Sool Won™ were a part of the traditional daily court life. The rope or sash, cane, fan, and short sword were all used among members of the Korean Royal court. There were also many unique open handed and joint locking principles of Koong Joong Mu Sool that are used extensively in Kuk Sool Won™.
Kuk Sool’s history can be indirectly traced to the dissolution of the Korean Royal Court and the Japanese occupation in 1910. Many leading martial arts instructors were forced into hiding. Among them was Myung Duk Suh, In Hyuk Suh’s grandfather. Before Japan took over, the elder Suh taught three types of Korean martial arts; kwan sool, a kicking and hard punching style, yu sool, a soft style with emphasis on locking and throwing techniques and yu-kwan, a combination which could be either hard or soft, but never used for force against force. During this period of Japanese rule the practice of any sort of Korean martial art was strictly forbidden. Any Korean caught practicing them (or even worse, teaching them) would be severely punished. Because of the severity and harshness of the punishment levied by the Japanese to practitioners of Korean marital arts, only a very small number of people carried on the legacy of traditional Korean martial arts. Despite the Japanese invasion, the Suh family continued its 16 generation tradition of practicing and teaching martial arts. In Hyuk Suh, was chosen by his grandfather to carry on this family legacy. By the time he was 20 years old, In Hyuk Suh had traveled to hundreds of Buddhist temples and private martial arts teachers, studying many aspects of Korean martial arts. During this intensive training-period Suh learned special breathing skills, mediation techniques and internal power (ki) knowledge, which is taught extensively in Kuk Sool schools across the globe.
In the late 1950’s In Hyuk Suh began to integrate the many scattered martial art techniques of Korea into a single martial art, Kuk Sool Won™. Suh officially founded Kuk Sool Won™ in 1961. In 1974, when Kuk Sool Won™ in Korea was becoming well known by the public, In Hyuk Suh brought his martial art to the United States. Currently the World Kuk Sool Association® headquarters is located in Houston, Texas.
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External links
* Kuk Sool Won official web site
Hapkido
Sunday, April 10th, 2005Hapkido is a Korean martial art. The name means literally “joining-energy-way” and can be rendered as “the way of co-ordinating energy”.
Contents [showhide]
1 History
2 Techniques
2.1 Core techniques
2.2 Yudo
2.3 Kicking
2.4 Hand strikes
3 Training
4 External links
[edit]
History
Hapkido history is rather confused, but Korean sources attribute it to two Koreans, Choi Yong Sul and Ji Han Jae. Primarily there are two main beliefs concerning Choi’s education in the martial arts. Choi was sent to Japan at a young age. It is claimed that Choi worked as a houseboy for the Daito-ryu Aikijutsu master Takeda Sokaku (Morihei Ueshiba, a famous student of Takeda, went on to found Aikido) and studied Daitoryu. However, Takeda Sokaku’s son Tokimune never knew such a Korean disciple. Some attribute this to the fact of prevailing racism against Koreans in Japan, but this is flatly contradicted by the fact that a number of Koreans were clearly registered by Sokaku, who kept meticulous record of such matter as he charged students for licensing of the art. So far, there is no evidence to show that Choi ever studied Daitoryu except the claim made by Choi himself.
On his return to Korea, Choi began to teach martial arts. One of his students, Ji Han Jae, claims that he incorporated traditional Korean kicking and punching techniques (from taekyon and hwarangdo) and gave the resulting synthesis the name Hapkido in 1959. Hapkido is the Korean pronunciation of Aikido and Choi Yong Sul opposed the name under which Ueshiba’s martial art existed in Japan.
Korean sources often claim that Hapkido was influenced by supposed Korean indigenous martial arts and some even deny the Aikijujutsu connection. Korean people tried to wipe out Japanese influence in Korea. The Korean tendency to deny Japanese origins stems from some animosity toward the Japanese concerning their part in the History of Korea.
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Techniques
On the “hard-soft” scale of martial arts, Hapkido stands somewhere in the middle, employing “soft” techniques similar to Aikido and “hard” techniques reminiscent of Taekwondo. Even the “hard” techniques, though, emphasise circular rather than linear movements. Hapkido is an eclectic martial art, and different hapkido schools emphasise different techniques. However, some core techniques are found in each school (kwan ), and all techniques should follow the three principles of Hapkido:
* Nonresistance (”Hwa”)
* Circular Motion (”Won”)
* The Water Principle (”Yu”)
Hwa, or nonresistance, is simply the act of remaining relaxed and not directly opposing an opponent’s strength. For example, if an opponent were to push against a Hapkido student’s chest, rather than resist and push back, the Hapkido student would avoid a direct confrontation by moving in the same direction as the push and utilizing the opponent’s forward momentum to throw him.
Won, the circular principle, is a concept to gain momentum for executing the techniques in a natural and free-flowing manner. If an opponent attacks in Linear motion, as in a punch or knife thrust, the Hapkido student would redirect the opponent’s force by simply leading the attack in a circular pattern, thereby adding the attacker’s power to his own. Once he had redirected the power, the Hapkido student could execute any of a variety of techniques to incapacitate his attacker.
Yu, the water principle, is best described if one pictures the quiet, direct strength in free-flowing water. When you touch water, it is soft; you don’t feel anything. But when it comes to water and power, water can be the most powerful thing in the world, turning huge power turbines, or cutting through solid stone to form great canyons. When water is coming down from a stream and meets a rock or other obstruction instead of crashing into it, it always goes around.
“As the flowing stream penetrates and surrounds its obstructions and as dripping water eventually penetrates the stone, so does the Hapkido strength flow in and through its opponents.”
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Core techniques
These consist of gentle or forceful throws and joint control techniques derived largely from Aikijutsu. They are similar to aikido techniques, but in general the circles are smaller. Most techniques work by a combination of unbalancing the attacker and applying pressure to specific places on the body, known as hyul. Hapkido makes use of over 700 pressure points.
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Yudo
Yudo (Judo in Japanese) techniques are throws applied at closer range than the core techniques. The techniques differ somewhat because of the smaller circles applied to combat, and because of the types of application that are practiced in Hapkido.
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Kicking
The wide variety of kicks in Hapkido differentiate it from Aikido and make it distinctly Korean. In general they are similar to Taekwondo kicks, though again circular motion is emphasised. Some varieties of Hapkido only use kicks to the lower body, but traditional Hapkido also includes high kicks and jumping kicks. The kicks in hapkido are more extensive than in most other Korean arts, including very specialized kicks for all occasions.
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Hand strikes
Like most martial arts, hapkido employs a large number of punches and other hand strikes. A distinctive example of Hapkido hand techniques is “live hand” strike,that focuses energy to the baek hwa hyul in the hand, producing energy strikes and internal strikes.
[edit]
Training
Hapkido training takes place in a dojang (Japanese dojo). While training methods vary, a typical training session will contain technique practice, gymnastics (nakbop), solo form practice (poomse), sparring and exercises to develop internal energy (ki).
Although hapkido is in some respects a “soft” or “internal” art, training is very vigorous and demanding. However, strength is not a prerequisite of hapkido; what strength and fitness is necessary to perform the techniques develops naturally as a result of training.
[edit]
External links
* The History of Hapkido (http://www.scottshaw.com/hapkidohistory)
* Hapkido – Learn All About Hapkido In Detail (http://www.ultimatefightingarts.com)
* Hapkido Family Tree (http://www.hapkido-info.net/html/hapkido_family_tree.html)
* International Hapkido Sun Moo Kwan Association – Allison Hapkido (http://www.hapkidosunmookwan.com/)
* Korea Hapkido JinJungKwan (http://www.korea-hapkido.org)
* Korea Hapkido JinJungKwan – Germany (http://www.korea-hapkido.de)
* An Interview With An American Hapkido Grandmaster (http://www.womaf.com/interview_page1.htm)
* An Interview With A Korean Hapkido Grandmaster (http://www.angelfire.com/sports/hapkido/interview.html)
Gumdo
Sunday, April 10th, 2005Haidong Gumdo, also spelled Haedong Kumdo (Hanja 海東劍道/Hangul 해동검도), is a name coined around 1982 and used for some Korean martial art organizations that use swords. They are hostile to the Korea Kumdo Association and other organizations, and cause chaos by internal divisions.
Series of trials involving Haidong Gumdo organizations has exposed the real history of Haidong Gumdo.
These organizations claim that Haidong Gumdo is rooted in Samurang of Goguryeo, which they claim were elite warriors originally trained by a master called Seolbong. However, Samurang, Seolbong and other terms can never be found in historical sources, and they do not try to explain what happened to Samurang after Goguryeo. Actually trials revealed that these stories were all fabrications.
The World Haidong Gumdo Federation, but not other organizations, claims that Kim Jeong-Ho, president of the federation, learned Haidong Gumdo from a master called Jangbaeksan (meaning Mount Baitou) in Kwanak Mountain. But it also turned out to be forged by him. Trials revealed that Haidong Gumdo was created by Kim Jeong-Ho and Na Hanil, both of whom learned Gicheonmun from Bak Daeyang and Simgeomdo from Gim Changsik. Around 1984 Na Hanil changed the name of his martial art from Simgeomdo to Haidong Gumdo. Haidong Gumdo remained unpopular until 1989 when Na Hanil played the leading character of a Korean TV drama. It considerably helped to promote Haidong Gumdo but the rapid growth of the organization led to ceaseless internal strifes.
While Haedong Kumdo is not immune from the factionous strife that characterizes much of the Korean martial arts, dedicated practitioners engage in the practice of kibun (basics), pumsae (forms), yaksuk daeryun (step sparring), sparring hada (free sparring), chingum kyukgum (sparring with live blades), kigong (energy building exercises) and begi (cutting practice). Basic practice is with the mokgum (wooden sword).
Sparrring practice begins with chukdo (bamboo sword) and progresses to mokgum and chingum. Pumsae within Haedong Kumdo is gleaned from various sword patterns found within the Muye Dobo T’ongshi (Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts), a text which the Koreans obtained from the Chinese in the early 18th Century. Paldo/Ch’akgum forms (drawing/sheathing the sword) were taken from Japanese iaido.
While indigenous Korean sword forms are contained in the Bonkuk Kumbup (Korean sword method), other kumbup are taught within Haedong Kumdo curricula, including Ssangsu Kumbup (method of using the double handed sword), Shimsang Kumbup (method of using strategy and tactics with the sword), Yedo Kumbup (method of the heart of swordsmanship), Chedok Kumbup (Admiral’s sword method), Jangbaek Kumbup (the Jangbaek method), Wae Kumbup (Japanese method), Wuisu Kumbup (method of using the sword with one hand) and Ssang Kumbup (The method of using two swords).
Korean swordsmanship may be generally characterized as exchanging multiple strikes of the sword for one strike of the sword. The one strike concept characterizes the Japanese method. The Japanese ideal of “one strike, one kill” is prevalent in Japanese kendo (kumdo), even today. The merits and limitations of each of the philosophies may be debated. In international competition, the Japanese tend to excell in sport kumdo (kendo) and the Koreans excell in begi (cutting).
The essence of Haedong Kumdo is in “shimgum,” a concept similar to the that of the Spanish “duende”, as coined by the Spanish poet, Federico Garcia Lorca. Shimgum is the unification of the mind, body and spirit expressing itself through the use of the sword. It implies a technical mastery of the sword but transcends technical limitations. One can be “technically perfect” but still not achieve shimgum. Shimgum is what makes Haedong Kumdo not only a martial science but also a martial art.
Despite the imperfect nature of the organizations which promote and the individuals who practice Haedong Kumdo, the art is gaining a wide and dedicated following throughout the world.
Here is a listing of some of the organizations and their websites:
World Haidong Gumdo Federation Headquarters 211-1, Neugpyumg-ri, Opo-up, Gwangju City, Gyunggi-do, Korea †464-892 Tel:031-714-4471~2 Fax:031-715-5433
http://www.hdgd.org/
CANADA
Canadian Haidong Gumdo Association
http://www.hdgumdo.ca/
EUROPE
European Haidong Gumdo Association
http://www.hdgumdo.com/
German Haidong Gumdo Association
http://www.haidong-gumdo.de/
UK Haidong Gumdo Association
http://www.haidong-gumdouk.com/
Official Contact: masterewanb@aol.com
French Haidong Gumdo Association (Site Coming ?) Interim Contact: jeffcapozzi@clubinternet.fr
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
American Haidong Gumdo Association
http://www.ushaidong.com/
Official Contact: Chief Master Park – ushaidong@hotmail.com
Short History of Korean Martial Arts
Sunday, April 10th, 2005Korean Martial Arts consist of a mixture of indigenous and imported styles.
Many Korean martial arts trace their lineage to both outside influences, and to several historical styles of boxing, wrestling, and kicking arts. Korea’s close relationship to China, and occupations by Japan, brought a variety of martial arts to the country. There is also much historical evidence of ancient wrestling and boxing contests in Korea. Many of those techniques and influences are said to survive even in modern Korean Martial Arts styles.