 |
| In ancient times, Korean
swordsmen held their weapon with
their hands close together (above),
but the use of longer and heavier
swords necessitated a wider grip for
added control (right). |
The Korean martial arts are often thought
to be composed of mostly kicking and
punching techniques. Taekwondo, tang soo do
and hapkido immediately come to mind.
Westerners often forget that other prominent
Korean fighting styles teach much more than
kicking and punching-and they are thriving.
One of these arts, kuk sool, is said to
encompass much of Korea's martial arts
history, including more weapons techniques
than you could shake a stick at.
One of the preferred weapons of kuk sool
practitioners is the sword, a fighting
implement that has played a crucial role in
Korea's history. That's because no country
that is squeezed between two superpowers
like China and Japan could have hoped to
repel armed invaders and maintained its
sovereignty with just its people's empty
hands. This forced Korean society to develop
along martial lines, and those have always
seemed to focus on the sword.
Cutting
Through History
The sword, which Koreans call a gum (also
spelled geom or kum), was so special to the
nation's martial arts that during the Three
Kingdom period (57 B.C.-A.D. 668), swordsmen
were honored and respected by the populace.
Many of the country's generals and leaders
were skilled practitioners.
Korea's first metal swords are described
in writings from the Paekche dynasty (18
B.C.-A.D. 668), a ruling power in ancient
Korea that had substantial contact with
Japan. It was at that time, some scholars
argue, that steel and bronze swords found
their way from Korea to Japan to feed the
island nation's thirst for metal fighting
implements.
Over the centuries sword-making
techniques were perfected in Korea, and many
martial arts families passed the knowledge
down from generation to generation. The
modernday descendent of one such family, Suh
In Hyuk, was lucky enough to learn some of
those ancient sword-making and
sword-wielding skills. He went on to found
the traditional Korean martial art known as
kuk sool, which is now one of the most
popular systems in the world.
Many kuk sool instructors and
practitioners have learned some of those
sword skills from Suh and created their own
weapons in the image of traditional Korean
blades. One such person is Barry Harmon, a
Houston, Texas-based instructor who started
his kuk sool training during the 1970s while
stationed in Korea. One of Suh's first
American students,
 |
| The Japanese sword-drawing
method, as demonstrated by Barry
Harmon, differed from the Korean
method. The sword was drawn from a
cutting-edge-up position (1). It was
raised overhead (2), where the
swordsman's second hand was applied
to the handle (3). Finally the sword
was moved diagonally downward to cut
(4). |
 |
| The Korean sword-drawing
method often started with the
practitioner in a kneeling position.
Barry Harmon prepares to unlock the
blade with his right thumb (1). As
the blade exits the sheath, he makes
an upward offensive or defensive
move (2). With both hands gripping
the handle, Harmon is then ready to
fight (3). |
Harmon has become one of the
highest-ranked kuk sool instructors in the
world - and an avid fan of swordsmanship. He
routinely demonstrates advanced sword
techniques at kuk sool exhibitions and is
renowned for his historical and technical
knowledge of the favorite weapon of the
martial arts world.
Unique
Look
Unlike in Japan or China, where swords
were crafted according to a set pattern and
shape based upon their intended use, each
Korean blade evolved as a mirror image of
the swordsman who would own it. Many Korean
martial artists made their own swords, thus
creating blades of all sizes and shapes. The
weapons varied so much that it seemed as
though there was never a standard pattern
for them.
Swords ranged from short knife-like
blades to the more common long weapons. One
famous Korean admiral, Yi Sunshin, who lived
in the late 1500s, had perhaps the longest
of all: a 77-inch, 12-pound giant of a
weapon. A common design in Korea was the
double-edged straight sword; it was similar
to the Chinese straight sword but with a
thicker, heavier blade. Two other frequently
seen designs were the curved single-edged
blade and the straight single-edged blade,
which could be wide like Chinese swords or
narrow like Japanese swords. Obviously,
modern claims that all Korean swords belong
to the straight-sword category or that they
were merely replicas of Japanese swords are
incorrect.
Several significant differences between
Japanese and Korean sword techniques can
help an observer determine whether a martial
artist is teaching Japanese methods and
calling them Korean, or actually teaching
Korean swordsmanship.
"Because of Korea's long history,
there were many different types of
techniques," Harmon says. "As a
rule, Korean swords were designed to be
carried in the swordsman's hand, rather than
in his belt as the Japanese carried their
sword. Korean swordsmen carried their sword
with the cutting edge facing down, rather
than facing up like the Japanese. Japanese
fighters were more interested in drawing the
sword and cutting the enemy in one powerful
action, whereas Korean swordsmen used their
drawing stroke as a more defensive upward
stroke which was done with one hand."
The basic grip also differs. When drawing
the sword, Korean swordsmen positioned their
rear hand approximately three fingers'
distance from the top of the scabbard, while
Japanese swordsmen grabbed near the top of
the case. In both types of swordsmanship,
the rear hand (usually the left) steadied
the scabbard and the thumb unlocked the
blade from its sheath.
Traditionally when drawing the sword in a
two-handed fashion, Korean stylists placed
their right hand next to the sword guard,
with their left hand tight against their
right. Japanese swordsmen had a more open
grip with space between their hands.
However, Harmon explains, as the sword grew
in length over the years, the Koreans also
started using a more open grip for better
control, and that gripping method is still
frequently used.
While traveling, Korean swordsmen
sometimes carried their weapon strapped
across their back. While riding horseback,
they often strapped it to the back of their
waist.
Unfortunately the Japanese occupation of
Korea (1910-1945) witnessed a huge decline
in the practice of Korean sword skills and
sword making. Many treasured weapons and
traditions that had been passed down for
generations were destroyed by the Japanese.
Those few weapons that survived the
occupation were controlled by law, and even
now in Korea, a special permit is needed to
own one.
Sword
Types
The swords that were used in Korea fall
into eight categories:
The weol do had a long, broad blade
connected to a thick, staff -like handle. It
was reserved for generals and high-ranking
statesmen. This weapon was called a kwan do
in China, where it was also used by
generals. The weol do was primarily used by
men on horseback. From a secure position on
a galloping horse, the wielder could easily
slash his way through even the most tightly
packed formation of soldiers.
The san soo do was a straight sword with
a 50-inch-long blade, with the actual
cutting edge approximately 39 inches long.
It was one of the most common Korean
military swords and laid the foundation for
many modern weapons.
 |
| To demonstrate the
effectiveness of the upward cut
shown above, Barry Harmon (left)
slices through a pine board. |
Ssang gum means "double swords"
and refers to a set of matched blades. Its
smaller brother was the wae gum, a set of
mid-sized swords that were larger than
daggers but shorter than the full-sized
ssang gum. The wae gum were popular within
Korea's royal palace and court, since they
could be easily concealed within a robe.
While the average soldier might use a san
soo do or ssang gum, those who relied
entirely upon their sword for battlefield
defense preferred the ah do. Strictly a
military weapon, it had a groove running the
length of its 39-inch-long blade for added
strength. Both edges were sharpened near the
tip, and the main cutting edge was sharpened
its entire length.
The hyup do weighed approximately 5
pounds and measured some 51 inches in
length. Its curved single-edged blade was
suitable only for the strongest of men.
The je dok gum was another military sword
that gained popularity in Korea during
Japan's first invasion attempt in 1592. At
the time China was an ally of Korea, and
some scholars argue that the Chinese
warriors who helped the Koreans ward off the
Japanese took the je dok gum back to China,
where it influenced the development of
Chinese swords.
The last notable military sword was the
yeoh do. It had a slightly curved
39-inch-long blade and a 35-inch-long
handle. As such, the bearer of this blade
certainly had enough leverage to cut through
just about any object.
 |
| Although the single-edged
sword was the most commonly seen
weapon, Koreans also used
double-edged blades of varying
lengths. |
Four types of swords were available to
Koreans who were not in the military. The
name of each one described a weapon and a
set of techniques peculiar to it: Jeong gum
refers to a sword that was used with a
linear motion; yeok gum refers to a sword
that was used in an inverted position (with
the cutting edge up); jang ssang, gum refers
to a set of long swords that were used
together; and dan ssang gum refers to a set
of short swords that were used together.
Preparation
for Training
Prior to actually training with the
sword, kuk sool students prepare by learning
five basic principles that apply to all
martial techniques. These five principles,
called ja se, help students develop control,
calmness and effectiveness. Without such
training, swordsmanship can never be
mastered.
Although ja se literally translates as
"posture" or "stance,"
it actually defines the martial artist's
position in relation to the events around
him. It can include a series of defensive
and offensive movements relating to the
situation, or it can be training in
meditation and ki (internal energy)
development. The term can also refer to each
movement within a hyung (form). Essentially,
ja se means that each body position -
external and internal-has a definite purpose
at the moment it is used.
The first component of ja se is the eyes,
which should focus the spirit outward. The
second is the spirit, which should reflect
calmness and quiet. The third is the body,
which should be kept low, smooth, soft and
supple. The fourth is the feet, which should
move slowly and precisely. The fifth is the
hands, which should be swift, agile and
precise.
By first learning proper ja se, sword
practitioners develop their ability to
control their body and weapon. This, in
turn, develops the physical reflexes and
mental attitude. Ancient Korean warriors
were required to learn ja se before they
were allowed to make decisions regarding the
life or death of an enemy, Harmon says.
The next step in learning the kuk sool
sword arts is jung shin (also spelled jeong
shin). Jung shin includes concentration of
mind and spirit, but it is far more than
that. It is also an accumulation of proper
training in etiquette and manners.
By combining all the esoteric teachings
of jung shin, kuk sool practitioners are
able to channel their concentration and
wisdom into a never-give-up attitude, which
is essential to mastering traditional
swordsmanship. Many experts believe that
jung shin is so important that it can enable
a martial artist to defeat an opponent who
has superior technique.
The next component of sword mastery is
meditation. Designed to help the mind and
body become one with the weapon, it is
practiced before, during or after sword
training. The theory is that the
effectiveness of any weapon is increased if
the practitioner's mind and body are not
separate from the weapon. In addition to
developing the student's ki, which can
ultimately be transferred into the sword,
meditation improves the ability to grip the
sword and move it smoothly.
Sword
Techniques
Once the student has been physically and
mentally prepared, Harmon explains, he
proceeds to stage three, the sword
techniques themselves. In kuk sool, those
techniques are called gum sool.
The first sword principle taught in kuk
sool-the one that forms the basis for all
sword training-is jeong gum. As mentioned
above, the term means "straight
sword," but it does not refer to the
shape of the blade. Instead, it defines the
action and movements made by the swordsman.
Jeong gum techniques include straight-line
slicing, chopping and thrusting actions.
They are not taught until a kuk sool student
reaches black-belt level.
The Korean sword can be wielded with one
or two hands. When two are used, the intent
is to generate as much striking power as
possible. Two-handed techniques include
straight slices that can be angular,
horizontal, downward or upward. Power comes
from the swordsman's muscles and from a
knowledge of the angles at which the joints
function. This helps the body function as
one unit and moves the limbs at the exact
angles at which the muscles operate most
efficiently.
Two-handed sword techniques can include
spinning and cutting actions that require
the swordsman to turn the weapon at great
speed. In ancient Korea, these techniques
were useful for cutting the neck of several
enemies at once while protecting the
swordsman's own head.
Low slicing motions directed at the
opponent's ankle are also popular jeong gum
techniques. In the days of actual combat
with bladed weapons, it was sometimes easier
to attack an enemy's foundation than to
attack his upper body. Low cuts may be
either two-handed or one-handed, depending
on the swordsman's body position at that
instant. If performed with one hand, power
must be generated from the wielder's joints
and transferred to the blade.
Korean sword techniques also include one-
and two-handed stabs. Kuk sool's jeong gum
form teaches both options. A single-handed
straight stab was useful when the
swordsman's free hand was used to block an
enemy's attack. The scabbard was sometimes
used to augment the block.
Inverted sword techniques, called yeok
gum in Korean, are in a class by themselves.
Taught after the jeong gum principles, they
involve the use of the sword with the sharp
edge facing up. In olden days, yeok gum was
a valuable method of close-range fighting
that began as a defensive action but could
be converted to an offensive technique. The
movements are circular and make use of the
swordsman's wrist, elbow and shoulder to
produce cutting power.
Although a few double-handed yeok gum
techniques are practiced, most require the
use of only a single hand to wield the
sword. The cuts are primarily poking (to the
rear or downward) and slicing techniques.
Since the movements are circular and cover a
large area, they don't require the accuracy
and precision that jeong gum techniques do.
Benefits
Although the sword is not a practical
weapon in the modern world, the forms and
techniques do have practical martial arts
applications. For instance, sword forms
teach physical precision and mental
concentration-traits that a martial artist
can apply to other aspects of his training.
In the past the sword was primarily a weapon
of death. Nowadays, it is an instrument with
which a martial artist can prepare himself
to meet the challenges he will encounter in
life. |
