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Kumdo is the
art of the sword.
In Korea, there were 'Cho Sun Se Bup' and 'Bon Gook
Gum Bup,' which are the unique sword techniques. First, we would like to introduce 'Bon Gook Gum Bup' which is
one of the many older sword techniques in the world.
(Others include the respected Japanese styles of Kendo and
Iaido) About two thousand years ago,
the Three Kingdoms period marks a contentious period in which Koguryo, Paekche, and Shilla were in contention with one another and the Han Chinese
for control of East Asia. At that time, "Bon Gook Gum Bup"
constituted with 33 movements was developed by Shilla's Hwa Rang warriors to defend their
territorial hold. In addition to 'Bon Gook Gum Bup,' Korea prides 'Cho Sun Se
Bup' which was introduced by the Chinese Book named 'Moo Bee Jee.' In 1621, a
Chinese man, Mo Won Eui, published 'Moo Bee Jee' after studying
about 2000 Chinese military tactic books. In 'Moo Bee Jee,' the only
sword
technique introduced by 'Mo Won Eui' was 'Cho Sun Se Bup.' 'Cho Sun' means 'Cho
Sun Dynasty' which is the old name of Korea. He also said that there was no well-developed
sword technique
in China, but that was in Cho Sun Dynasty.
At the beginning of the Cho Sun Dynasty in the 15th Century,
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 that was regarded as inferior to scholars.
In 1896, during the era of modernization, the art of the
sword, was selected as a mandatory training requirement for newly established
police academy. From there on, Kumdo, the modern amalgamation of 'the art of
the sword' was developed to be practiced by some as a sport and by others
as a means of character development or spiritual refinement.
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