Today Kumdo

1 today

1.1 philosophy
1.2 equipment
1.3 clothing
1.4 levels/ranks
1.5 training
1.6 competition
1.7 organizations
1.8 terminology

today
philosophy

as martial arts practices around world, korean kumdo imbued cultural , philosophical thought of both current society , historic past. in way sport aspects of kumdo practice seek build strong character in practitioners, while character in turn contributes ardent competitive spirit while respecting tenets of courtesy, respect, sportsmanship , fair-play. though kumdo of modern vintage, kumdo schools still invoke o-gae or 5 tenets associated silla kingdom of 3 kingdoms period. modern rendition of code follows.

loyal , faithful country , organization.
be faithful , respectful parents , elders.
be faithful , respectful friends , colleagues.
be confident , show courage when faced injustice.
be benevolent.

in modern era, additional tenets have been added, reflecting challenges common competition. known 4 poisons of kumdo these include surprise, fear, doubt (or hesitation) , confusion. regular , ardent practice encouraged steadily bring these natural responses under control. similarly, kumdo practitioners seek develop state termed emptiness (k. pyoungsangsim) wherein natural execution of method not impacted circumstances or environment. condition, known kiwi --- state of mental, physical , spiritual discipline--- seeks clarity , objectivity regarding matter @ hand. , jan sim (lit. remaining mind ) concerns steadfastness , perseverance.

equipment

the suit of modern kumdo armor, excepting scarf worn on scalp inside of helmet.

protective equipment used in kumdo called hogu(호구)---bogu in japanese--- , consists of 6 elements.

a.) myŏn-soo-goon (면수건, tenugui in japanese): cotton scarf worn under helmet absorb perspiration , prevent interference in competitors vision. can called dougong not mixed chinese definition.

b.) homyeoum (호면, men in japanese): helmet including wire grill protect face.

c.) kap (갑, dō in japanese): chest protector

d.) kapsang (갑상, tare in japanese): canvas , leather skirt worn around waist protect hip , groin area

e.) howan (호완, kote in japanese):(pair) formed mitts cuffs used protect hand , wrist area.

as modern contact sport, use of mouthguard (k. eep bohodae ) encouraged.

in addition individual use bamboo sword or juk-to strike or thrust @ opponent while fending off attacks.

1.) pommel: though identified part of sword not accepted point of contact in regulation play.

2.) ko-dûng-i: (코등이, tsuba in japanese) w/ rubber retaining washer: hilt or guard of sword intended offer protection hands, more commonly used point of contact in close-quarters contest.

3.) kalnal: (칼날) --- blade of sword suggested side of juk-to opposite duengjul (lit. cord )and two-thirds portion of juk-to forward of guard.

4.) duengjul: yellow string stretches form guard tip of sword , signifies spine of sword.

5.) joonghyuk: leather band marking proximal limit of recognized striking area of sword.

6.) sunnhyuk: leather cap representing tip of sword. use of thrusts in competition infrequent recognized when contact made solely part of sword.

a.) byounghyuk: represents handle of sword

b.)

c.) ta-dol-bu: area between sunnhyuk , joonghyuk representing first third of sword blade. in competition, strike counted when point of contact solely area of sword.

a standard juk-to 120 cm (47 inches) adults, male item weighing 500g , female item weighing 420g. traditionally made of 4 bamboo strips , bound leather, advances in technology have produced items made of high-impact plastics , carbon fibers. proportionately smaller items available child competitors.

lastly kumdo practitioner use mok geom (lit. wooden sword). though used historically competition, potential injury including likelihood of death has caused item relegated highly structured individual , paired form-work substitute using steel swords.

clothing

kumdo practitioners wear dobok (도복, 道服; lit: clothing way ) or uniform closely resembles worn kendo practitioners, indigo-blue in color. many kumdo practitioners wear paji ( 바지; lit. training pants ) billowy pants legs after fashion of japanese hakama without koshiita though ankles not secured after fashion of korean hanbok or traditional dress. heavy cotton double-weave jacket (k.otdori; 옷도리) worn , traditionally closed tie (k. maettiôp); (매띠업) though linen ties, after fashion of japanese traditions, giving way velcro fastenings. belt (k.dhee; 띠), signifying individuals rank or standing completes uniform. in national tournaments, korean national team typically wears white keikogi black trim , stripes on hakama, in contrast indigo-blue worn kendo practitioners.

by comparison, required dress @ training in classroom may less formal , idiosyncratic values of given school or teacher. in way, more common martial arts uniform of, white and/or black pants , jacket, bound belt common. there has been growing trend towards recognizing korean nature of art binding uniform pants legs @ ankle after fashion of korean hanbok. though formerly accomplished laces, velcro fastening used.

levels/ranks

kumdo practitioners begin @ lowest level - 10th geup - , advance in knowledge , skill 1st geup. requirements advancement may differ depending on school or organizational affiliation, goal of these levels imbue practitioner fundamentals of conditioning, body motion, strategy , competition. after geup levels, practitioners may continue progress through series of advanced ranks termed master or dan beginning 1st dan level. geup levels, students may progress higher dan levels passing required examinations , demonstrating prowess in competition, both of closely observed , assessed cadre of school , organization.

training

though training varies school school , organization organization general patterns witnessed across kumdo groups. korean practice interactions between , among students , teachers closely governed neo-confucian sensitivity respect , position. in way students , teachers regularly bow 1 when entering , leaving school, entering , leaving workout area, before , after notable event (ie competition; drill; instruction) , both @ beginning , ending of class. typical class of hour hour , half can divided quarters. first quarter warm-up period focuses on brief period of stretching , aerobic activities. second quarter involves use of bamboo sword (k. juk-to) drills , striking targets. third quarter involves donning protective armor , participating in sparring. alternately, third portion of class may used practice standardized individual (k. hyung) or paired (k. bon) form work. though not standard, classes conclude cool-down activity. forms practiced kumdo practitioners include bonguk geombeop (본국검법, 本國劍法), joseon saebeop (조선세법, 朝鮮勢法) , ten bon or kendo no kata (검도의본, 劍道形), forms standardized fik. first 2 forms, bonguk geombeop , joeson saebop unique in practiced korean kendoists , not practiced japanese practitioners. proficiency these forms required rank promotion tests conducted korea kumdo association, de facto governing body korean kumdo, , overseas affiliates. bon practiced in kumdo may of 2 types: standard set of 10 kata originating kendo and/or set of 15 engagements originating in korean swordsmanship (k. geom beop). commonly, either set performed without sonkyo bow, unique japanese gesture, , using korean names , terminology in place of original japanese. joseon saebeop , bonguk geombeop serve kumdo s practical historical link korean swordsmanship previous eras, while bon , overall training , sparring style reflect japanese influences on modern kumdo. recently, few kumdo dojang or schools incorporate kuhapdo forms, korean variant japanese iaido - art focused on simultaneously drawing , cutting - in curriculum.

competition

korea sends team world kendo championships or wkc held every 3 years , have been strong competitors in past wkcs. during 13th world kendo championships held in taipei, taiwan december 8–10, 2006, korea defeated united states win men s team championship first time, first country other japan win title @ wkcs. united states had earlier eliminated japanese team during semi-finals. in competition, main differences between kendo , kumdo stylistic. kumdo practitioners favor dynamic style of play, focusing on using fast, aggressive, , effective small motion strikes create openings attacks more in line battlefield use. kendo practitioners however, general focus on perfect single strike, waiting patiently opening , correct timing land decisive attack. in recent years, frequent contact between kendo , kumdo stylists through cross-training , competition, distinction has blurred, individual practitioners of either kendo , kumdo have preferred styles of play.

engagements conducted between 2 individuals @ time, each wearing body armor , using bamboo swords. court typically square or rectangle 9 11 meters on side - surrounded additional margin of 1.5 meters - , presided on referee , 2 corner referees. during engagement — five-minute period possibility of three-minute extension — competitors may accrue points striking opponent prescribed attack or thrust. though infrequently studied in classroom , seen in local competitions, use of disarms followed throw or joint-lock not allowed in international competition. judgments regarding nature or quality of attack, general comportment of competitors, signaled referees , require majority agreement make determination. minor stylistic differences (ie.kumdo judges use blue , white flags instead of red , white flags found in kendo) these rules followed both kumdo , kendo organizations in both national , international play.

organizations

the dae han kum sa association (대한검사회), predecessor dae han kumdohoe (the korea kumdo association, 대한검도회) organized on may 20, 1948. @ time, 100 masters, including suh chong hac, kim yong dal, ho ik yong, chung tae min, lee chung ku, ho mun, kang nak-won, pak chong-kyu , kim yong-bae met on grounds of changdok palace , formed taehan kumsa association. in 1953, korean kumdo association founded chong hac suh in cooperation kendo practitioners both in korea , japan. later, suh relocate bettendorf, iowa in united states , establish world kumdo association location.
korea kumdo association (kka) - de facto governing organization kumdo in korea due size , influence through heavy promotion of art in media. art promoted them, daehan kumdo (大韓劍道), virtually identical kendo practiced in japan, noted changes reflect korean cultural influences , methodology, , kumdo koreans refer to. kka has established overseas branches in other countries have substantial korean populations , have kumdo dojangs or schools. unlike of fik affiliates, including japan, wish see kumdo/kendo become olympic sport judo , taekwondo.
the world kumdo association (wka) - founded around 2001 merger of thirteen smaller, rival kumdo organizations, critical of kka , seek become rival fik having kumdo included in olympic games them recognized governing body ahead of fik. equipment, forms, regulations , scoring same, though korean practice tends more heavy-handed, while japanese practice tends lighter. result, wka proponents of changes format , scoring system, advocating use of electric scoring fencing.

there number of kumdo dojang, or training halls outside korea, there large korean emigre populations in north america , europe. many of these dojangs choose affiliated overseas branches of kumdo organizations kka rather local fik affiliate country. example, many of kumdo dojangs in united states choose affiliate overseas branch of kka instead of seeking association united states kendo federation (auskf), fik affiliate us. however, because kka fik affiliate, rankings awarded them, honored , accepted other affiliates including auskf. while kumdo practitioners outside korea compete in kendo tournaments, many choose compete @ tournaments sponsored kumdo organization. 1 example annual bong-rim-gi kumdo tournament held each summer among kumdo schools in united states , sponsored overseas branch of kka.

terminology

kumdo uses korean language terminology exclusively, though of cognate original kendo terms. instance, criteria used determine whether point scored known gigeomche (기검체; 氣劍體), instead of ki-ken-tai-iｃchi (気剣体一致). name derives same chinese roots; gi (氣) qi or spirit, geom (劍) sword, , che (體) body. below table comparing other similar terms , corresponding chinese characters. note slight differences in appearance of characters due japanese use of shinjitai characters.