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Home , Dan (rank), Dojang, Korean martial arts, Kumdo, Sparring

HAIDONG GUMDO

Starting Class and Knowing the Basics

KiMaSeh ready , or “”, heal/ toe movements, by count 1) Hai 2) Dong 3) Gum 4) Do, end with knees turned in two fists width apart

Pal Dodraw sword, one hand 45 degree cut, bring sword to defense position Chun Mung Bae Gae center (straight) cut Cha O Bae Gae left/right cuts Sam Bae Gae 3 cuts, center/left/right Wing Ging O Bae Gae cross cut (two hands), waist high and chamber Ja Bae Gae 6 cut combination, ending defense position

TaeToSeh stepping forward, into long stance (feet aligned), front bent turn (pivot 180) defense, then turn (pivot 180) cutting

Pal Sang Seh one leg stance, “rooster stance” (Ku-gae Tok Nip PalSangSeh) turn left (pivot 180), low sweeping block with (back of) sword, into TaeToSeh, turn back right (pivot 180), lift left leg, (, , knee in alignment) sword held high, stepping forward, ChaYunSeh, (one hand) cross cut, turn right (180), lift right leg, sword and arms held high, (chin, elbow, right knee in alignment, toes pointed downward)

ChiYun Seh stepping forward, “pushing” sword into defense position, Ahpro step forward , defense or cutting (BaeGae) Dwiro step back Charo step left Oro step right

Ee O BaeGae (quickly) stepping forward (Ahpro) then back (Dwiro), either cutting or defense; (variation) SaToSeh, short stance, cutting (BaeGae) to ChaYunSeh, cutting (BaeGae); then stepping left (Charo) & right (Oro), cutting (BaeGae)

SaToSeh short stance, knees bent turn (180 degrees), stepping, cutting or defense, slide feet

ChoChung Seh step forward, ChaYunSeh, 45 degree (one handed)cut left to right (pivoting120 degrees), stepping TaeToSeh, then pivot back forward while in TaeToSeh,, sword raised over head, (re-grip two hands) in front, left elbow pointing down, right arm back.

GiYunSeh step forward, into ChaYunSeh, with sword low right side, stepping Ahpro, Dwai, Charo, Oro

Forms: Sang-soo Gumbub Yedo Gumbub 1) Sang-soo Gumbub Il Bon 1) Yedo Gumbub Il bon 2) Ee Bon 2) Ee Bon 3) Sum Bon 3) Sum Bon 4) Sa Bon 4) Sa Bon 5) Oh Bon 5) Oh Bon 6) Youk Bon 6) Youk Bon 7) Chil Bon 7) Chil Bon 8) Pal Bon 8) Pal Bon 9) gKoo Bon 9) gKoo Bon 10 Ship Bon 11) Ship-Il Bon 12) Ship-Ee Bon

Black Belt Forms Shimsang Gumbub (by Cho dan) Yedo Gumbub (by Ee dan) Bon- Gumbub Jang-paek Gumbub) Um-yang Gumbub Tae-guk Gumbub Hai-Dong Gumbub Ssang Gumbub (two blades)

Breathing Exercise

DaJung : (Breathing in through the nose and exhale through nose) From a KiMaSeh stance; start by breathing with arms, two times, and then say aloud, Chun (sky), Gi (Land), In (human), Tul,(together), Moo (nothing), Guk (self-defeating), finishing with hands held in front above head. Then practice breathing from sitting position.

Tan Jun Ho Hoop: Energy Building Mediation Kae-une-ki-gog: Calming Practice

The Meaning of “ Haidong Gumdo”

It appears that there has been an attempt to trace the lineage of the Haidong Gumdo back to the Kokuryo Kingdom, specifically mentioning King Kwang Kaeto (371-384 AD). Other figures, one named General YuYu and another, a monk referred to as the Sulbong Sunim, are mentioned as playing significant roles in the original organization of this lineage of training. It is important to note that the name of Haidong Gumdo is a modern device. You will not find it referenced to a martial art or system of training with this name in any history book. Though in one sense it means: Korean . was once thought of as the land of the East Sea and Haidong Gumdo, it is thought, derives its name from Haidong Seongguk Balhae, a name for Balhae, an ancient kingdom in the region of what is today northeastern Korea, northern , and eastern . The characters‟ for Hai and Dong carry several meanings. The general meanings are the Sea and the East. Haidong refers to Korea and along the southern tip of Korea. It has other shades of meaning, however, which are lost in translation. Dong means east. It can also refer to the rays of sunlight at dawn. Hai means sea. It also refers to the energy of the sun. Gum refers to swords-specifically long bladed ones. Do has a wide variety of meanings but they tend to revolve around the principle of the “way of life”. Do in this context includes concepts such as areas of study, principle of behavior or paths of self–improvement, but it is not limited to these meanings. It is perhaps best to keep multiple meanings in mind and not allow the experience of the art to be shaped by just one facet. The name HDGD was designed to reflect the tradition of swordsmanship in Korea. It was also coined to bring to mind the image of the sun‟s first rays glinting from an upraised sword. The character of a people and how they train is more resistant to change and this is part of what the choice of name is trying to relate about Korean swordsmanship. As swords have evolved over the centuries so too must the methods of employing them. HDGD is striving to preserve the intangible of Korean Swordsmanship. The art employs‟ one class of weapon and a practical body of techniques to provide students with a path to self-improvement and discovery.

History:

HDGD is related to but different from Taehan Gumdo, which is based more on the Japanese style of sword techniques more commonly known as . Unlike Taehan Gumdo, HDGD does not use armor and does not usually have . HDGD focuses instead on precision cutting, sword routines and difficult forms done in various stances and with many swords techniques. In 1789, King Jeongjo, ruler of the Yi dynasty, ordered General Yi Deok Mu to compile an official textbook on all martial art forms then present in Korea to preserve them for future generations. The result, the Mu- Ye-Do-Bo-Tong-Ji, is the only surviving classical text on the Korean arts of war. Mu-Ye-Yi-Sip-Sa-Ban, literally translated as 24 Technique Martial Art, is made up of the 24 arts of the Mu-Ye-Do-Bo-Tong-Ji. Based on the earliest known Korean treatise, the Mu-Ye-Je-Bo written in 1599, and the Mu-Ye- Do-Bo-Tong-Ji clearly shows the influence of the neighboring Japanese and Chinese armies. The text Moo Yeh Do Bok Tong Gi, "The Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of the Martial Arts." is the primary remaining document from which modern Korean martial art sword practitioners turn to search out their foundational history. And although recent translations of the Mu Yei Tobo Tongji into English provide some insight in the study of Korean martial art history, it is still difficult following the Japanese occupation of Korea (1592) to find confirming studies/texts, however, here are several (web-based) version of HDGD history with a common theme:

The prevalent state of warfare in Korea gave these Korean warriors the opportunity to practice their sword techniques and find out which techniques neutralized their enemies most efficiently and effectively. One group of warriors--Samurang--who lived in the Koguryo (or Kokuryo) Kingdom nearly 2,000 years ago, became particularly skilled at swordsmanship. Their training hall was located on Mt. Baekdu (which rests on the -China border) and they were led by a master swordsman named Sul Bong, who had great spirituality. Sul Bong not only taught his students the deadliest sword techniques, but also told them to live their lives according to the ideals of Choong (loyalty), Hyo (filial piety), Ye (propriety), Eui (justice), Shin (trust), Ji (knowledge), Duk (generosity) and Che (sound body).

The Samurang spread the vision of living each day with righteousness and justice, and under the command of General Uel Ji Moon Duk, fended off 2 million soldiers during the invasion of the Sui Dynasty. They also defeated 600,000 Tang soldiers at the Ahn Shi battle under the command of General Yang Man Choon. Through the centuries, the sword techniques that the Samurang perfected were passed down from warrior to warrior until, in the 1970's, they reached a spiritual wanderer named Jang Baek-San.

Jan Baek-San, living on Kwanak Mountain, found an eager and talented student in Grandmaster Jeong-Ho Kim. He taught Grandmaster Jeong-Ho Kim Haidong Gumdo. Grandmaster Jeong-Ho Kim is the President of The World Haidong Gumdo Federation, in Korea, an organization that is spreading the art of Haidong Gumdo all over the world. There are well over 1,000 schools in more than 30 other countries

(2005).

Another version:

Haidong Gumdo is the art of the Samurang, who were a group of elite warriors in the kingdom of , originating around 300 AD. They were created by General Yu Yu and trained in martial arts, with a heavy emphasis on swordsmanship and the concepts of patriotism, filial piety and respecting the elderly. In the centuries to come, they grew to become an enormously powerful military force, and also served as military advisors when Goguryeo was at its peak. Their era ended around 670 AD, when political changes stripped them of governmental support. Some of them are said to have withdrawn to further their studies at a in the vicinity of the Sam Ji Lake in the Baekdu Mountains, where a master named Sul Bong continued to educate them in the martial arts. Samurang was a title given only to the best of his pupils and the World Haidong Gumdo Federation thus uses the title in its grading system. Samurang is also the name given to the dojang in each country where the highest ranked master is teaching the martial art (this is usually the first dojang to be established). The modern and global development of Haidong Gumdo started when Master Kim Jeong Ho received teaching from Master Jang Back San at Chun-in temple in the Kwan-Ak Mountains in 1961. 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 (), even today. The Korean technique primarily focuses on one-versus-many, or battlefield . The essence of Haidong Gumdo is in shimgum. 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.

Yet another version: You will notice some similarities to the formation of with this one.

In the fourth century of the Common Era a new system of metallurgy was introduced to the Korea Peninsula from China. This introduction gave birth to a new and superior weaponry.At this juncture of history, Korea was divided into three warring kingdoms: Koguryo, , and Paekche. Due to this fact, beginning in the fifth century C.E., formalized groups of warriors came into existence on the Korean Peninsula. These warriors embraced Buddhism and devoted themselves to the cultivation of moral values, based in Confucian ideology. These warriors took martial warfare to a new and much more refined level of understanding than had been previously embraced. Among these armies were the Kyong Dang of Koguryo and, most notably, the Hwa Rang of Silla.

The Hwa Rang were formed during the reign of King Chin Heung. They were an elite, warrior corps, made up of young noblemen. These warriors trained their bodies and minds in all forms of martial understanding. The Hwa Rang, through refined military strategy, defeated their neighboring armies and unified the three

Korean kingdoms. Throughout history, Korea has looked to the Hwa Rang for inspiration for the martial art tradition

Note: the above versions are referenced from a number of web sites and from different schools, which have been practicing/teaching HDGD in the USA and Canada. You will notice an inconsistency in the spelling of various places, names, and Korean sword terminology due to the Romanizing of the underlying language(s). For example the kingdom of Kokuryo, or Koguryo or Goguryo.

The Sword When you start HDGD you will be given a wooden sword, Mok Gum, a basic practicing weapon made of varnished, hard wood, (oak, maple). The sword is slightly “curved”, with a thicker rounded front and tapered toward the back and it closely resembles a real metal sword. Approx. 40 inches and 600 grams in weight. There is no scabbard nor hand . Besides learning basic techniques, to include cuts (Begi), drawing (Paldo) and sheathing (Chakkom), it is also used to extinguish candles (Ch’otbul Kkûgi). The number of candles (usually 1-6) and the number of attempts at extinguishing them will depend on the order of rank.

Basic parts of the wooden sword: Mok Gum

Gum charu, handle

Gumtun, back

Gumnal, edge

Gumko, nose

Vocabulary: Pick up sword: (gum tehseyo) Put down sword: (gum doseyo) Uniform: Top (OoDo Rie), Pants (Baji)

In addition to the wooden sword (Mok Gum), and at a time determined by your instructor, you will begin to use a metal sword. They can vary from a light hollow metal bladed sword, to ones made of aluminum (Ka Gum) that are sharp at the tip and with a thin, though blunt blade (not a sharpened edge) and can be used for the cutting of paper or clay. Some of these swords make a whistling sound to help train the user in the proper technique during cutting drills. Additionally they may come with a wooden or plastic scabbard (Gum Jeep). Care should be exercised during forward rolls (Nak bop) in higher forms, as the scabbard can break easily if not properly “tucked” in front. Besides the metal sword(s) there is a bamboo (Chukdo) or (Juk do) sword, strips of bamboo bound with a leather handle and leather tip, with a rubber or plastic hand guard and a yellow string running the length of the sword to denote the back of the sword. It is used Juk do in light sparring drills.

Master Park: Diagonal cut through bamboo with a Jin Gum

The “real” sword Jin Gum is used as one approaches the rank of black belt in the cutting of Taenamu begi (bamboo), Sinmunji begi (news paper), Kagmok charugi (board) as well as wet grass mats, Jeepdan begi.

Gum Pae (side of blade)

Gum Ko, (nose) Gum Deung (back) Gum Hyuk Do (channel groove)

Gum Nal (blade)

Gyok ChaBu (cutting area)

Gum Jeep (scabbard) Gum YaRu (hilt)

Gum Jeep Hyom (cord) Ko DunGi (guard)

Gum YaRuMoRie Gum YaPaKaRi (opening) (cap)

Starting Class and Knowing the Basics

Joonbe ready stance, KiMaSeh “horse stance”, heal/ toe movements, by count: 1) Hai 2) Dong 3) Gum 4) Do, 2) End with knees turned in Pal Do draw sword, one hand 45 degree cut, bring sword to defense position

Chun Mung Bae Gae ( or Baggi) center (straight) cut Chwa BaeGae & U Bae Gae (or Baggi) left cut & right cut Chao U BaeGae left/right cuts Sam Dan Bae Gae 3 cuts, center/left/right Wing Ging O Bae Gae cross cut (two hands), waist high and chamber Kwan Ja Bae Gae 6 cut combination, ending defense position

TaeToSeh stepping forward, into long stance (feet aligned), front knee bent, turn (pivot 180) defense, then turn (pivot 180) cutting

Pal Sang Seh one leg stance, “rooster stance” (Kumgye Tok Nip TaeTo Seh PalSangSeh) turn left (pivot 180), low sweeping block with (back of) sword, into TaeToSeh, turn back right (pivot 180), lift left leg, (chin, elbow, left knee in alignment) sword held high, stepping forward, ChaYunSeh, (one hand) cross cut, turn right (180), lift right leg, sword and arms held high, (chin, elbow, right knee in alignment, toes pointed downward) ChiYun Seh stepping forward, “pushing” sword into defense position, Ahpro step forward , defense or cutting (BaeGae) Dwiro step back Charo step left Oro step right

Ee O BaeGae (quickly) stepping forward (Ahpro) then back (Dwiro), either cutting or defense; (variation) SaToSeh, short stance, cutting (BaeGae) to ChaYunSeh, cutting (BaeGae); then stepping left (Charo) & right (Oro), cutting (BaeGae) SaeToSeh short stance, knees bent turn (180 degrees), stepping, cutting or defense, slide feet ChoChung Seh step forward, ChaYunSeh, make a 45 degree (one handed) cut left to right (pivoting120 degrees), stepping TaeToSeh, then pivot back forward while in TaeToSeh,, sword raised over head, (re-grip two hands) in front, left elbow pointing down, right arm back. GiYunSeh (also Chiha se) step forward, into ChaYunSeh, with sword low right side, stepping Ahpro, Dwai, Charo, Oro

Miscelleous Vocabulary Pom Sae tiger stance Bok ho sae (pokhosae) crouching tiger stance (as in form #7 a deep taedo sae) Twig jump Pung cha kurugi cartwheel Paro relax return to ready stance Wesu Baggi one handed cut

Hyung

Sang-soo Gumbub Yedo Gumbub (black belt forms) 1) Sang-soo Gumbub: Il Bon 1) Il bon 2) Ee Bon 2) Ee Bon 3) Sum Bon 3) Sum Bon 4) Sa Bon 4) Sa Bon 5) Oh Bon 5) Oh Bon 6) Youk Bon 6) Youk Bon 7) Chil Bon 7) Chil Bon 8) Pal Bon 8) Pal Bon 9) gKoo Bon 9) gKoo Bon 10 Ship Bon 11) Ship-Il Bon 13) Ship-Ee Bon 14) Shimsang Gumbub by Chodan

Group Names of Additional Forms (Hyung)

Yedo Gumbub (by Ee dan) Bon-guk Gumbub Jang-paek Gumbub) Um-yang Gumbub Tae-guk Gumbub Hai-Dong Gumbub Ssang Gumbub (two blades)

Breathing Exercise

DaJung : (Breathing in through the nose and exhaling through nose) From a KiMaSeh stance; start by breathing with arms,(wide cicles) two times, and then say aloud, Chun (sky), Gi (Land), In (human), Tul,(together), Moo (nothing), Guk (self- defeating), finishing with hands held in front above head. Then practice breathing from sitting position.

Tan Jun Ho Hoop: Energy Building Mediation Kae-une-ki-gog: Calming Practice

General Terms

Kwan Jang Neem: Grand Master Danjan hohup: deep breathing Sa Bum Neem: Instructor Doboak: uniform Dojang: workout area Gam sa hamnida: thank you Tae Kooki: Korean flag(kooki) Chamamiyo: you are welcome Song Jukki: American flag Jyuk gum: sparring techniques Seejack: begin Sangsoo Gumbup: two handed sword form Joonbe: ready stance Parts of uniform: Kyunge: bow Ba Ji: pants, OoDoRie: top, Tdi: belt Kiap: yell Maettop: tie(should be horizontal) Put down sword: gum naeryeo noeseyo (gum Chariot: attention doseyo) Gum bup: sword law Pick up sword: gumneuseyo (gum tehseyo)

Gum (Sword)

Paldo: draw sword Gumgeut: end (pommel) Chakgum: return sword Yol-do: groove in jingum Mokgum: wooden sword Gumkey: ear of sword Kagum: blunt metal sword Sun ja be: hilt Chukdo: bamboo sword Gumbae: stomach of sword Jingum: sharp sword Gumtung: back/ridge of sword Gumjip: scabbard Jip jabee: scabbard handgrip Gumnal: sharp edge of blade Gum charu: handle Gum mak-e: hand guard Nalgay: wing of sword Gumko; nose of sword

Baggi (Cutting) and Stepping

Ahp roh: step forward Chwa baggi: left cut Twerro: step back Sandan baggi: 3 cut, C-L-R Chungmyôn baggi: center cut Bit kwang cha baggi: 6 cut Chao u baggi: left right cut Yun-suk baggi: multiple cuts Ee-oh baggi: continuous cuts Makki: block Ollyo baggi: upwards cut Kip: slash with tip Ewro: right U baggi: right cut Chwa: left Hwengdan baggi: horizontal cut Naera: downward cut Nae-ryo baggi: diagonal cut Dae gak baggi: angle cut Chirûgi: thrust (stab)

Jase (Stances)

Joonbe: ready stance Ban: “half” stance, ie-ban jochunse (as in SG#6) Ki ma sae: horse riding stance Sodo sae: small stance (crouching stance) Daedo: long stance (large stance) Cha yon sae: natural stance Jo chun sae: sky holding sword stance Ji ha sae: shaking blood and dirt off Keum gae teung gae p’al sang sae: Bok ho se (pokho-se): crouching tiger stance Vertical rooster stance Jase bakaso (chase pakkuseyo): change stance Pôm-se: tiger stance to opposite direction Kyeon juk sae: fighting stance (gum eye

level)

Miscellaneous

P’ungch’a-kurugi: cartwheel Utmom irûk’igi: sit-ups Ch’otbul Kkûgi: candle extinguishing Nakbôp rolls, only forward it seems P’algup hyôpyôki: push-ups Sinmunji beggi: newspaper slicing Twig: jump Sukyô chugi; stretching Taenamu beggi: bamboo cut

Counting

1-10 Korean: Hanna, Dul, Set, Net, Dasut, Yasut, Ilgop, Yuadol, Ahop, Yul By 10’s: Yul, Sumul, Sorhun, Morhun, Shiun, Yesun, Elun, Yodun, Ahun, Bahk 1-12 Chinese: Il, EE, Sahn, Sah, Oh, Yuk, Chil, Pahl, Koo, Sip, Sip-il, Sip-ee

Sword Techniques: oo-ee-gi-bom] sword technique [pal-do] draw sword [chak-gom] sheathe sword [gyeon-jock] guard position. This position may vary a bit depending on stance, but generally the sword tip is angled toward an opponent‟s neck, while the butt of the hilt is held hovering near your center (your belt or your belly button). [mock-go] a block [goat-aw-dae-gi] to swing your sword sideways to knock aside an opponent‟s blade with the side of your own blade. A parry.

Competition Techniques: [chot-bool-goo-gi] Snuffing candles with only your sword‟s air. This is often done even at the early belt levels. [jong-ee-beh-gi] Cutting paper held only lightly at the corners without pulling it out from its clips or tearing it. This is usually done vertically, horizontally, or at 45-degree angles left or right. Typically done by students with high level colored belts or black belts. [gock-mok-ja-ru-gi] Breaking slats of wood suspended by strips of rice paper without tearing the paper. Typically done by students at the Poong-Dee level, or red/black belt. [jeep-dan-beh-gi] Cutting a bundle or bundles of wet rice grass at different angles. This may be done in groups of 1 to 9 bundles, 9 being very difficult to cut all in one swipe. Typically done at 1st degree black belt. [dae-na-mu beh-gi] Cutting bamboo at different angles, usually 45-degree angles left or right, horizontal cuts, or vertical cuts. Typically done at 1st degree black belt. [mool-chay-beh-gi] Tossed object cutting, where you might a ping-pong ball, orange, or tennis ball into the air and slice it before it hits the ground. Typically done at 2nd degree black belt.

Stances: [ja-sae] Stance, you may hear a stance with „ja-sae‟ in it instead of just „sae.‟ [gi-ma-sae] Horse Riding Stance [dae-do-sae] Long Stance [so-do-sae] Low Stance [bom-sae] Tiger Stance [poke-ho-pal-gwon-sae] Crouching Tiger Stance [cha-yon-sae] Natural Stance [choong-dan-sae] Walking Ready Stance [jo-chun-sae] Sky Stance [ji-ha-sae] Earth Stance gum-gye-dong-nim-bal-sang-sae] High Sword Stance [gum-gye-dong-nim-bal-sang-sae] Crane Stance

*Please note that the names given for the stances may have been simplified for ease of learning.