World Jangsong Kumdo Federation

Kum Do is both a physical and psychological training.

First, Kum (sword), with a sword one can exercise to improve one’s body “Do” helps one’s mental improvement. In all Kum Do helps growth of muscle, bone and energy. Kum Do is a way to self defend with physical improvement, and regulation of one’s health and longevity as well.

(Ages 10 & up) Kum Do (The Way of the Sword) is an authentic Korean sword technique. This course places an emphasis on self-discipline, strength, and flexibility. Kum Do is a sword art that is almost 2000 years old and was used by the ancient Korean armies. You will learn the honorable way of ancient Korean warriors. The beginning student will be taught techniques and styles in specific stages as he/she progresses through the various ranks of colored belts.

A Brief History of Kumdo

A direct translation of “Kumdo” is “the way of the sword.” The art of the sword in Korea evolved from a martial art heritage reaching back more than three thousand years to the time of the Bronze Age. Archeological records indicate that the sword and its art were a part of daily life in Korean antiquity to defend territorial hold extending from Manchuria to Korean peninsula and early settlements in the Japanese main island.

About two thousand years ago at the time of the early Three Kingdoms period, the unique sword techniques called “Bon Gook Gum Bup, ” or “Native Sword,” were developed by Shilla’s Hwa Rang warriors. The Three Kingdoms period marks a contentious period in which Koguryo, Paekche, and Shilla were in contention with each other and the Han Chinese for control of East Asia. Warriors in this period and the following Unified Shilla, Palhae, and Koryo Dynastic periods were known to be sword-bearing and to conduct their daily lives with strictly disciplined and moral manners. For every warrior the moral code was strict, but the discipline was stricter for those cherished honor above everything.

Many good examples of the warrior culture can be found in the Palhae and Koryo Dynastic periods from the 7th to 15th century. In particular, the Palhae Dynasty was found and ruled by the former Koguryo warrior class after the fall of Koguryo in 668 A.D. With the art of the sword and the disciplined warrior’s sprite, Palhae was successful to conquer and to extend their territory from the Sungari and Amur rivers in northern Manchuria all the way down to the northern provinces of modern Korea at the first half of the 9th century, in the height of its power.

At the beginning of the Choson Dynasty in the 15th century following the fall of the Koryo Dynasty, some 500 years after the fall of the Unified Shilla and Palhae, the political and ideological foundations changed dramatically. These changes brought the elimination of the warrior class and their power bases in private soldiers. Thus, gradually, the art of the sword was limited to the state military which was regraded as inferior to scholars. Until the end of Choson Dynasty, the art was practiced and taught mostly by individuals in the state military who refined and developed the art under the name of “Ghihuck-Gum.”
In 1896 during the era of modernization, the art of the sword, also known as “Ghihuck-Gum,” was selected as a mandatory training requirement for the newly established police academy. From there on, Kumdo, the modern amalgamation of “the art of the sword” and “the way of righteousness” from the Taoist philosophy, was developed to be practiced by some as a sport and by others as a means of character development or spiritual refinement.
By the early 20th century, Kumdo training had adopted and utilized a practice weapon made of bamboo and lightweight armor that had been developed by the Japanese. This method of practice largely replaced the earlier, more dangerous, methods of training. Yet, the Kumdo popularity had been limited until early 1960 when the practice armor could be mass produced with the latest materials. When Kumdo equipments became easily available and affordable, the Kumdo population started to grow rapidly. Kumdo became no longer the martial art of the selected few.

Kumdo is both a physically and mentally demanding martial art. A Kumdo bout with a skilled opponent is an intense experience. For a moment, as one opponent faces another, concentration is absolute, conscious thought is suppressed, and action is instinctive. Such training develops the power of resolution and endurance under pressure which frequently affects Kumdo students’ lives beyond the confines of the training hall.

To mold the mind and body,
To cultivate a vigorous spirit,
And through correct and rigid training,
To strive for improvement of Kumdo,
To hold in esteem of courtesy and honor,
To treat others with sincerity,
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.

Thus, one will be able:
To be a patriot of righteousness in the highest form,
To respect and honor one’s parents,
To trust, honor and loyal to friends,
To perceive and never retreat from challenges,
And to respect all lives and living things.

Kumdo means “the way of the sword.” The present form of using “juk do”(4 split bamboo sword) and the “ho goo”(the head and body gear) began around 18th century. With “juk do” and “ho goo” the art of Kum Do took a surprising turn in its style. Allowing more experimentation without injury, the style became more effective by allowing stronger and deadlier blow without a considerable and extensive swing of the sword. The present form that combines of the inner strength (much signified by a scream from within “ki”), the absolute and unbounded swing of the sword(“kum”), and use of one’s lower back and body(“chae”) was recently perfected. This is known as “ki-kum-chae.” Thus in tournaments one does not receive a point, although striking the opponent successfully, if the blow is not accompanied by all three components of “ki-kum-chae.”

In other martial arts the strength always has an advantage. If one is fit and strong, such a person can win over most opponents(of course giving consideration to certain level off expertise and experience). During a fight, although one is hit, he/she can come back win the battle. Not so for Kumdo. In Kumdo, one does not get a second chance. If you receive a blow, the battle is over. Under this circumstance one’s attitude and spiritual understanding of oneself is most crucial. The statement of “never underestimate your opponent” cannot be more true for Kum Do than anything else. Without the proper attitude and reverence to the art form, one opening for the opponent is all it takes to lose. Although combination of strength and speed plays a crucial role, one cannot master the art of Kum Do without the pure and unadulterated state of mind and soul.

The spiritual maturity, inner strength, calmness of the soul, and pure
heart combined with strength and speed–that is the “essence” of Kum Do. A duality of one’s identity that unites into one.