Haidong Gumdo - Techniques

Techniques

Practitioners of Haidong Gumdo engage in the practice of basic techniques (kibon), forms (geompeob or pumsae), step sparring (yaksuk daeryun), sparring (hada), energy building exercises (qi gong) and cutting practice (begi).

Basic practice is done with the mokgum (wooden sword).

Sparring practice begins with the bamboo sword (chukdo) but now due to new laws passed down from the Haidong Gumdo federation a plastic/rubber sword must be used in competitions, advances to mokgum, and depending on the school, may advance to weighted training weapons with protective padding or armor. Forms within Haidong Gumdo were derived from the mechanics of Kichun (a Korean form of martial arts similar to T'ai chi ch'uan), and various sword patterns found within the Muyedobotongji ( Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts). Baldo and chakgeom forms (drawing and sheathing the sword) were also developed.

While traditional Korean sword forms are contained in the Bonguk Geombeop (Korean sword method), other geombeop are taught within Haidong Gumdo curricula, including:

• 쌍수검법 Ssangsu Geombeop (method of using the double handed sword)
• 심상검법 Simsang Geombeop (method of the heart of swordsmanship)
• 예도검법 Yedo Geombeop (method of using the short sword)
• 제독검법 Jedok Geombeop (Admiral's sword method)
• 장백검법 Jangbaek Geombeop (the Jangbaek method)
• 왜검법 Wae Geombeop (Japanese method)
• 외수검법 Wuisu Geombeop (method of using the sword with one hand)
• 쌍검검법 Ssanggeom Geombeop (The method of using two swords)

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 merits and limitations of each of the philosophies may be debated endlessly. Probably the best way to characterize the main difference between Japanese Kendo and the Korean Haidong Gumdo styles is through training philosophy:

• The Japanese technique primarily focuses on one-versus-one, or individual combat.
• The Korean technique primarily focuses on one-versus-many, or battlefield combat.

The essence of Haidong Gumdo is in shimgum, a concept similar to the that of the Spanish duende, as coined by the Spanish poet, García Lorca. 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.