Haedong Kumdo

‘Hae’ means ‘sea’ and ‘dong’ means ‘east’. Haedong is an old Chinese name for the ancient Korean kingdom of Balhae. ‘Kumdo’ means ‘sword way’. Haedong Kumdo therefore translates as East Sea sword way, or Korean swordsmanship. Note that the name implies the way of the sword – not sword fighting! This name Haedong Kumdo was first used around 1982 by Kim, Jong-Ho and Na, Han-Il (Korean names are written surname, first name). Kim and Na had studied Korean swordsmanship from the early 1970’s and were both licensed to teach the Korean sword arts of Gicheon Mun and Shim Gumdo. They started to teach swordsmanship under the name of Shim Gumdo, but changed the name so the art wouldn’t be confused with the already established art of the same name. The sword methods themselves, as well as certain formalities and elements of etiquette/style, reflect an older root, but the formalised curriculum was established around this time.

The emphasis of Haedong Kumdo is not on sparring (although this is also incorporated into training), but on the development of the individual by focussing on the form of the art itself. In doing so, students clear their minds of tensions and learn natural flowing movements. Training incorporates basic sword work, forms that are based on battlefield tactics against multiple opponents, meditation and breathing techniques, focus techniques, sword self defence and sparring, and at a more senior level, true cutting techniques with the cutting of bamboo and straw bundles. More physically demanding than it looks, Haedong Kumdo demands and builds great physical strength in the legs, torso and arms of the students. Mental and emotional strength are also forged through continuous training.

In all martial arts, there is Um and Yang, a soft and a hard. Haedong Kumdo’s keombeop, or sword forms, use both slow flowing movements (Um), as well as quick precision slashing movements (Yang). When performing one of the many keombeop the student learns to feel the defence and offence of the battle, even when there is no real enemy. This ability to project learned movements into situations of conflict is valuable in all areas of life. These days many people are under stress in daily life and it’s often not easy to find good ways to relieve it. Many people are suffering from obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and various other diseases due to stress. With Haedong Kumdo, stress can be relieved both mentally and physically through meditation, abdomen breathing, and physical activities. Haedong Kumdo consists of both dynamic and static aspects. Dynamic movements are good for muscular strength, heart and lung function, and space perception. Static aspects are good to strengthen mental capacities such as mental endurance, decision making and thinking power. They also help to freshen the mind and keep the spine healthy by maintaining correct posture.

Everyone is eligible to practice Haedong Kumdo. It is a lifetime art that can be enjoyed by both men and women, older and younger. It teaches a right attitude and respect (especially important in today’s youth), and it improves confidence, endurance and concentration. Whilst being an athlete and having a strong body have their advantages, true ability depends more on confidence, decision-making, concentration and wisdom. Even if a person is a non-athlete and physically weak, they can do very well in Haedong Kumdo if they have strong spiritual and emotional strength. Once the training has started, they will gradually build physical strength. Having a weak body initially is not a problem.

Haedong Kumdo is not only a martial art but also a discipline of one’s mind. Training leads to a broadening of the mind and practitioners can live a better life through self-examination and concentration of mind.

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