Rising Sun Martial Arts provides instruction in Haidong Gumdo. Haidong Gumdo is the study of one Korean Method of Swordsmanship. Haidong Gumdo is a Korean sword art that traces its roots to the 3rd century when General Yu Yu of the Koguryo Kingdom founded the Jangbaekryu sword art.
For centuries, sword fighting was practiced by Korean Samurai as a primary means of defense. As time passed, the sword was no longer practical from combat and its practice became structured as an art for mental and physical development.
Modern haidong gumdo practice is structured in a variety of ways including fundamentals, forms, combat drills and cutting of objects like bamboo and straw bundles. Beginners practice with the wooden training sword to develop fundamentals. Advanced practitioners train with both the wooden training sword and the forged steel sword.
Practitioners of Haidong Gumdo engage in the practice of basic techqniues (kibon), forms (gumbub), step sparring (yaksuk daeryun), sparring (hada), sparring with live blades (jingeom gyeokgeom), energy building exercises (gi gong) and cutting practice (begi).
Basic practice is done with the mokgum (wooden sword). Sparring practice begins with the jukdo (bamboo sword) and progresses to mokgum and jingum.
Pumse within Haidong Gumdo were derived from the mechanics of gicheon (a Korean form of martial arts similar to Tai Chi Chuan), and various sword patterns found within the Muye Dobo Tongji (Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts). Baldo and chakgeom forms (drawing and sheathing the sword) were also developed.
While indigenous Korean sword forms are
contained in the Bonguk Geombeop
(Korean sword method), other geombup
are taught within Haidong Gumdo curricula,
including:
쌍수검법 Ssangsu
Geombup (method of using the double
handed sword)
심상검법 Simsang
Geombup (method of the heart of
swordsmanship)
예도검법 Yedo
Geombup (method of using strategy
and tactics with the sword)
제독검법 Jedok
Geombup (Admiral's sword method)
장백검법 Jangbaek
Geombup (the Jangbaek method)
왜검법 Wae
Geombup (Japanese method)
외수검법 Wuisu
Geombup (method of using the sword
with one hand)
쌍검검법 Ssanggeom
Geombup (The method of using two
swords)
Haidong Gumdo 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
endlessly. Probably the best way to
characterize the main difference between
Japanese Kendo and the Korean Haidong Gumdo
styles is through training philosophy:
The Japanese technique primarily
focuses on one-versus-one, or individual
combat.
The Korean technique primarily focuses
on one-versus-many, or battlefield
combat.
The essence of Haidong Gumdo is in shimgum,
a concept similar to the that of the Spanish
duende, as coined by the Spanish
poet, García 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. One
may also be technically imperfect and still
achieve shimgum. Shimgum is what
makes Haidong Gumdo not only a martial
science but also a martial art.
