Kumdo is a modern martial art of fencing, the Korean equivalent of Japanese kendo. It is also romanized as kǒmdo, gumdo, or geomdo. The name means "the way of the sword," and is a cognate with the Japanese term. Jamo redirects here. ... Hanja is the Korean name for Chinese characters. ... The Revised Romanization of Korean is the official Korean language romanization system in South Korea. ... McCune-Reischauer romanization is one of the two most widely used Korean language romanization systems, along with the Revised Romanization of Korean, which replaced (a modified) McCune-Reischauer as the official romanization system in South Korea in 2000. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... This article is about the sport, which is distinguished from stage fencing and academic fencing (mensur). ... Kendo ), or way of the sword, is the martial art of Japanese fencing. ... There are three commonly used romanization schemes for the Korean Hangul script, namely: Revised Romanization of Korean: official in South Korea since 2000 and quite common on the Internet; McCune-Reischauer: formerly official in South Korea and a variation of which is currently official in North Korea, and common in... Look up cognate in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

History

Ancient Korean fencing

According to the Army Account of Military Arts and Science (Hanzi: 武備志; Pinyin: Wǔ Bèi Zhì), a Ming dynasty strategy book written in 1629 by Mao Yuanyi, Korean fencing (朝鮮勢法; Cháoxiǎn shìfǎ) was a martial art that had reached Korea through Chinese martial artists. Much of this text was based on earlier works by Ming general Qi Jiguang, who successfully adapted and emulated the use of the Japanese katana by developing the wodao, to respond to the prevalent threat of the Japanese wokou or pirates. Chosun Se Bup, one of the few surviving techniques of historical Korean swordplay, is based on this work. Technical note: Due to technical limitations, some web browsers may not display some special characters in this article. ... Pinyin, more formally called Hanyu Pinyin (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ), is the most common variant of Standard Mandarin romanization system in use. ... For other uses, see Ming. ... Statue of Qi Jiguang in Penglai, Shandong Province Qi Jiguang ( Simplified Chinese: 戚继光; Traditional Chinese: 戚繼光; Pinyin: qī jì gūang) ( November 12, 1528 - January 5, 1588) was a Chinese military general and national hero during the Ming Dynasty. ... For other uses, see Katana (disambiguation). ... The wodao (literally sword/knife of the wo people) is a Chinese sword from the Qing Dynasty. ... Sixteenth century Japanese pirate raids. ...

However, warriors were regarded as secondary to scholars during parts of the Goryeo Dynasty and much of the Joseon Dynasty, due to the heavy influence of Confucianism and martial arts other than traditional Korean archery were little practised except by members of the military or mostly lost. Many arts died out without successors to carry on its traditions as a result. Today, there are only two remaining documents that refer to ancient Korean martial arts^[1]. Taegeuk is a traditional symbol of Korea Capital Gaegyeong Language(s) Korean Religion Buddhism Government Monarchy Wang  - 918 - 946 Taejo  - 949 - 975 Gwangjong  - 1259 - 1274 Wonjong  - 1351 - 1374 Gongmin Historical era 918 - 1392  - Later Three Kingdoms rise 892  - Coronation of Taejo June 15, 918  - Korea-Khitan Wars 993 - 1019  - Mongolian... Joseon redirects here. ...

These ancient arts are not popularly considered to be ancestors of kumdo, though some kumdo scholars, including those at the Korea Kumdo Association, believe ancient Korean fencing as outlined in a Silla dynasty book known as Bonguk Geombeop (本國劍法; Korean Sword Method) was the basis of all modern two-handed sword techniques. This belief is not commonly held outside Korea. However, kumdo is not usually understood to be a direct descendant of any of these ancient sword arts, rather it is the Korean version of Japanese Kendo, with almost all kata, techniques, rules and regulations identical between the two. Silla (also spelled Shilla, traditional dates 57 BCE - 935 CE) was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. ... Kendo ), or way of the sword, is the martial art of Japanese fencing. ... Kata (åž‹ or å½¢) (literally: form) is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs. ...

Gekiken, kendo, and kumdo

Kendo, then still known as gekiken, was introduced to Korea from Japan at the end of the 19th century as a form of police and military training. During the Japanese occupation, its popularity in Korea spread quickly as part of Korea's first national physical education system. Around 1920, the name kumdo was coined as a translation of the martial arts' new name in Japan, kendo. Up until the end of the occupation in 1945, kumdo developed in parallel with kendo. Kendo ), or way of the sword, is the martial art of Japanese fencing. ... Flag of the Japanese Empire Anthem Kimi ga Yoa Korea under Japanese Occupation Capital Keijo Language(s) Korean, Japanese Religion Shintoisma Government Constitutional monarchy Emperor of Japan  - 1910–1912 Emperor Meiji  - 1912–1925 Emperor Taisho  - 1925–1945 Emperor Showa Governor-General of Korea  - 1910–1916 Masatake Terauchi  - 1916–1919 Yoshimichi... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ...

After the occupation ended, kumdo restructured itself, and the Korean Kumdo Association was formed in 1947. When the Korean National Sports Festival was reinstituted in South Korea in 1956, Kumdo was included as an official event. The Korean National Sports Festival is an annual sports competition held in South Korea. ...

Consequently, the modern history of kumdo in Korea can be seen in the following timeline, where Chosun refers to Korea during the Yi Dynasty and subsequent Japanese occupation in the first half of the twentieth century:

1935 Kumdo included in the 16th National Chosun Sports Festival

1938 National Chosun Sports Festival prohibited by Japanese

1945 Kendo began to flourish again after Korea was liberated from Japanese colonialism

1947 Korean kumdo began to restructure itself with the holding of the Seoul Police Kumdo Tournament

1948 Approximately 100 highly ranked kumdo instructors gathered in Changdeokgung Palace and formed the predecessor to the Korean Kumdo Association

1950 The 1st National Police Kumdo Tournament was held

1952 A committee was created to oversee the formation of the KKA

1953 The KKA was inaugurated and became affiliated with the Korean Amateur Sports Association The 1st National Individual Kumdo Championships were held (*Same year that the All Japan Kendo Federation was formed)

1956 Kumdo was once more included as an official event of the National Sports Festival after a break of 20 years

1959 Kumdo became increasingly popular with the President’s Cup Grade Category Tournament, and the National Student Championships

1964 The Student Kumdo Federation became affiliated with the KKA

1970 The Student Federation separated into the Collegiate Federation and the Secondary Schools Federation. The International Kendo Federation was formed and a Korean named as Vice President

1972 Kumdo was included in the National Youth Sports Meet

1979 The news agency Dong a Ilbo joined forces with the KKA in sponsoring the President’s Cup National Championships

1988 The Korean Social Kumdo Federation was formed and followed by the 1st National Social Championships

1993 Inauguration of the SBS Royal National Championships^[2]

Kumdo today

The rules and the equipment are almost the same as those of kendo because the two have only been allowed to diverge since 1945. Kumdo tournaments have abandoned some elements of Japanese culture, such as the squatting bow (sonkyo) performed by competing kumsa or kenshi at the beginning and end of a match. The hogu (호구; 防具), or armor, are often simplified compared to kendo's bogu. The scoring flags are different as well; blue and white instead of the red and white found in kendo. Japanese culture and language Japans isolation until the arrival of the Black Ships and the Meiji era produced a culture distinctively different from any other, and echoes of this uniqueness persist today. ... Kendo Bogu The Bogu ), special protective armor in the kendo and naginata martial arts, consists of: men: helmet do: trunk protector kote: hand and forearm protector tare: hip protector sune-ate: shin protectors worn only by naginata practitioners The men protects the neck and face. ...

While many practice with the same uniform as kendo, usually indigo-blue, kumdo practitioners have been willing to change elements of the uniform including the colour and other modifications. Many wear hakama without a koshita and use velcro instead. In particular, the Korean national team wears white keikogi or dobok with black trim and stripes on their hakama, in contrast to the all indigo-blue worn by kendo practitioners. This style of uniform has become popular among kumdo dojang both in Korea and in countries like the United States, which have a substantial Korean population. Hakama worn by an aikidoka (left of the picture) An Edo-era kamishimo outfit, consisting of a kataginu (a sleeveless jacket with exaggerated shoulders) (left) and hakama (centre). ... Keikogi (稽古着 or 稽古衣) is a Japanese word which means uniform for training (keiko means practice, gi means dress or clothes), another posibility is to use the word Dogi which means the uniform you wear on the path that you have been chosen, if you put the name of the sport itself... The dobok is the traditional white uniform worn by taekwondo athletes. ...

Forms practiced by kumdo practitioners include the Bonguk Geombop (본국검법, 本國劍法), Chosun Se Bup (조선세법, 朝鮮勢法) and the ten bon or kendo no kata (검도의본, 劍法形), forms standardized by the FIK. Proficiency with these forms is required for rank promotion tests conducted by the Korea Kumdo Association, the de-facto governing body for Korean kumdo, and its overseas affiliates. However, the bon originating from kendo are practiced in a modified manner, omitting the sonkyo bow and using Korean names and terminology in place of the original Japanese.

A few kumdo dojang or schools will also incorporate kuhapdo forms, the Korean variant for iaido in their curriculum as opposed to the typical distinction where iaido is taught as a distinctly different though complementary art, alongside kendo. Respect shown to the sword (To·ne·rei) before and after practice. ...

While kumdo practitioners can enter and compete in kendo tournaments, many normally compete in their own tournaments for kumdo and avoid kendo tournaments because of a perceived bias against the Korean kumdo style by tournament officials. However, Korea sends a team to the World Kendo Championships or WKC held every three years and have been strong competitors in the past WKCs, with numerous second place finishes in team competition and third place finishes in individual competitions. During the 13th World Kendo Championships held in Taipei, Taiwan from December 8 - 10, 2006, Korea defeated the United States to win the men's team championship for the first time, the first country other than Japan to win a title at the WKCs. The United States had earlier eliminated the Japanese team during the semi-finals.^[3] Nickname: Coordinates: , Country Region City seat Xinyi District (信義區) Government  - Mayor Hau Lung-bin (KMT)1 E9 Area  - City 271. ...

Though there are many kumdo organizations, the Korea Kumdo Association (KKA), a member of the Korean Sports Federation and by far the most influential and most dominant kumdo organization, claims to be the only official body for kumdo in Korea and serves as the Korean affiliate for the International Kendo Federation or FIK. Korean representatives to the World Kendo Championships (WKC) are typically chosen by the KKA, as the event is overseen by the FIK. The KKA's status is similar to that of the All Japan Kendo Federation, which is the dominant body for kendo in Japan and claims to be the only official body, despite the presence of numerous, but smaller kendo organizations. The International Kendo Federation (IKF) was founded in 1970. ... The All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) or Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei was founded in 1952. ...

There are also a number of kumdo dojang outside Korea, primarily where there are large numbers of Korean immigrants, such as the United States. Many of these dojangs choose to be affiliated with overseas branches of kumdo organizations like the KKA rather than the local FIK affiliate for that country. For example, many of the kumdo dojangs in the United States choose to affiliate with an overseas branch of the KKA instead of seeking association with the All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF), the FIK affiliate for the US. However, because the KKA is a FIK affiliate, rankings awarded by them, are honored and accepted by the other affiliates including the AUSKF. While kumdo practitioners outside Korea will also compete in kendo tournaments, many choose to compete only at tournaments sponsored by a kumdo organization rather than a kendo organization. One example is the Bong-Rim-Gi kumdo tournament held annually in the summer among kumdo schools in the United States and sponsored by an overseas branch of the KKA in the US. Dojang is a term used in Korean martial arts, like taekwondo and hapkido, that refers to a formal training hall. ...

Many Koreans, who remember Japan's occupation and suppression of Korean culture from 1910 to 1945 and continue to harbour anti-Japanese resentment, practice kumdo claiming that its origins and that of koryu kenjutsu, the forerunner of modern Japanese kendo, lie in ancient Korea. Others concede that Japan is where further refinement of the sword arts took place, but consider kumdo part of traditional Korean culture, thus claiming kumdo to be as much of a birthright for Koreans as kendo is for Japanese. However, they are willing to admit that the Japanese were instrumental in developing much of the equipment and methodology used in modern kumdo. Koryu (古流 koryū) is a Japanese word that translates literally as old school or old tradition. It refers to schools of martial arts that predate the Meiji Restoration, a political event that precipitated Japans modernization. ... Kenjutsu ) is the Japanese martial art specializing in the use of the Japanese sword (katana). ... The traditional culture of Korea is shared by South Korea and North Korea, but there are regional differences. ...

In competition, the main differences between kendo and kumdo are stylistic. Kumdo practitioners generally favor a dynamic style of play, focusing on using fast, aggressive, and effective small motion strikes to create openings for attacks. Kendo practitioners however, focus on the perfect single strike, waiting patiently for an opening and the correct timing to land an attack, typically slower and larger in motion than a kumdo stylist. In recent years, with frequent contact between kendo and kumdo stylists through cross-training and competition, this distinction has somewhat blurred, as individual practitioners of either kendo and kumdo have preferred styles of play.

Terminology

Kumdo uses Korean language terminology exclusively, though much of it is cognate with the original kendo terms. For instance, the criteria used to determine whether a point is scored is known as gigeomche (기검체; 氣劍體), instead of ki-ken-tai-ichi (気剣体一). This name derives from the same Chinese roots; "gi" (氣) for qi or spirit, "geom" (劍) for the sword, and "che" (體) for the body. Below is a table comparing some other similar terms and their corresponding Chinese characters. Note slight differences in the appearance of some characters are due to Japanese use of shinjitai characters. This article is mainly about the spoken Korean language. ... Look up cognate in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see QI (disambiguation). ... Shinjitai (in Shinjitai: ; in KyÅ«jitai: æ–°å­—é«”; meaning new character form), are the forms of Kanji used in Japan since the promulgation of the Tōyō Kanji List in 1946. ...

Organizations

Notable Organizations

• Korea Kumdo Association (KKA) - the de facto governing organization for kumdo in Korea due to its size and its influence through their heavy promotion of the art in the media. The art promoted by them, Daehan Kumdo (大韓劍道), is virtually identical to kendo, with noted changes to reflect Korean cultural influences and methodology, and is the kumdo which Koreans normally refer to. However, it has been criticized for its affiliation with the FIK, which is dominated by practitioners of Japanese kendo, and for developing kumdo along the lines of Japanese kendo. The KKA has established overseas branches in other countries which have substantial Korean populations and have kumdo dojangs or schools. Unlike most of the FIK affiliates, including Japan, they wish to see kumdo/kendo become an Olympic sport as with Judo and Taekwondo. It traditionally claims that kumdo's origins lie in the Hwarang from ancient Silla.

• World Kumdo Association (WKA) - founded around 2001 as a merger of thirteen smaller, rival kumdo organizations, they are critical of the KKA and seek to become a rival to the FIK by having kumdo included in the Olympic games with them as the recognized governing body ahead of the FIK. They are proponents of changes to the format and scoring system, advocating the use of electric scoring as with fencing. Although they have strong political ties with people who were involved in making Taekwondo part of the Olympics, their membership is far smaller in number to that of the KKA and many FIK affiliates. Some WKA officials are noted as being practitioners of taekwondo rather than kumdo. It claims affiliates in other countries as well.

• Haidong Gumdo, founded by members who seceded from the KKA. Haidong Gumdo is significantly modified in style from standard kumdo, emphasizing what they consider a native Korean "battlefield" style of combat over the one-on-one dueling style found in standard or Daehan Kumdo. As such, it is unrelated to modern, standard kumdo, although it also claims to be kumdo.

Kendo ), or way of the sword, is the martial art of Japanese fencing. ... This article is about the martial art and sport. ... Taekwondo (also Tae Kwon Do, Taekwon-Do, or Tae Kwon-Do) is a Korean martial art and combat sport. ... The Hwarang were an elite group of male youth in Silla, an ancient Korean kingdom that lasted until the 10th century. ... Silla (also spelled Shilla, traditional dates 57 BCE - 935 CE) was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. ... This article is about the sport, which is distinguished from stage fencing and academic fencing (mensur). ... Taekwondo (also Tae Kwon Do, Taekwon-Do, or Tae Kwon-Do) is a Korean martial art and combat sport. ... Haidong Gumdo, also spelled Haedong Kumdo, is a name coined around 1982 and used for several Korean martial art organizations that use swords. ... A duel is a formalized type of combat. ...

Foot notes

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Kendo
• List of Korea-related topics
• Korean swordsmanship
• Haidong Gumdo
• Samurang
• Hankumdo

Kendo ), or way of the sword, is the martial art of Japanese fencing. ... This is a list of Wikipedia articles on Korea-related people, places, things, and concepts. ... The technique of Korean swordsmanship is relatively obscure to the west, but for martial arts masters of the east has regained its reputation from modern swordsmen and martial arts masters. ... Haidong Gumdo, also spelled Haedong Kumdo, is a name coined around 1982 and used for several Korean martial art organizations that use swords. ... Samurang is one of fabrications by Haidong Gumdo, who says it was a name for Goguryeo warriors and the origin of samurai. ... This article needs to be wikified. ...

External links

• Official website for the Korea Kumdo Association (KKA) (In Korean)
• U.S HwaRangKwan
• Tae Kwon Do Times Interview
• Kumdo: The Korean Art of the Sword
• Korea - The Black Ships of Kendo
• List of Kumdo forms and videos