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'''Kumdo''' is a modern [[martial art]] of [[fencing]] in [[Korea]].
⚫
'''Kumdo''' is a modern [[martial art]] of [[fencing]], the [[Korea]]n equivalent of [[Japan]]ese [[kendo]]. It is also [[romanization of Korean|romanized]] as '''kǒmdo''', '''gumdo''', or '''geomdo'''. The name in [[hanja]] is {{lang|ko-Hani|劍道}}, equivalent to the Japanese {{lang|ja-Hani|剣道}}, literally translating to "the [[:wikt:道|way]] of the [[:wikt:劍|sword]]".


==History==
==History==
{{Mergefrom|Korean swordsmanship|date=April 2008}}
{{Mergefrom|Korean swordsmanship|date=April 2008}}
===Ancient Korean fencing===
===Ancient Korean fencing===
According to the ''Army Account of Military Arts and Science'' ([[Hanzi]]: {{lang|zh|武備志}}; [[Pinyin]]: ''Wǔ Bèi Zhì''), a [[Ming dynasty]] strategy book written in 1629 by Mao Yuanyi, Korean fencing ({{lang|zh|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.
Ancient Korean sword arts were based on the ancient [[Silla]] (57 B.C. to 935 A.D.) dynasty book known as ''Bonguk Geombeop'' ({{lang|ko-Hani|本國劍法}}; ''Korean Sword Method''. The ''Army Account of Military Arts and Science'' ([[Hanzi]]: {{lang|zh|武備志}}; [[Pinyin]]: ''Wǔ Bèi Zhì''), a [[Ming dynasty]] strategy book written in 1629 by Mao Yuanyi, further added to Korean fencing ({{lang|zh|朝鮮勢法}}; Cháoxiǎn shìfǎ) and was a martial art that had reached Korea through Chinese martial artists. Chosun Se Bup, one of the few surviving techniques of historical Korean swordplay, maybe based on these works.


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. As a result, many arts died out without successors to carry on its traditions. Today, there are only two remaining documents that refer to ancient Korean martial arts<ref>[http://scottshaw.com/kumdo.html Kumdo The Korean Art of the Sword]</ref>.
Later in Korea, warriors were regarded as secondary to scholars during parts of the [[Goryeo]] Dynasty (908-1392) and much of the [[Joseon Dynasty]], due to the heavy influence of Confucianism, martial arts other than traditional Korean archery were little practiced except by members of the military. As a result, the popularity of certain martial arts waned without many successors to carry on its traditions. Today, there are only two remaining documents that refer to ancient Korean martial arts<ref>[http://scottshaw.com/kumdo.html Kumdo The Korean Art of the Sword]</ref>.


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'' ({{lang|ko-Hani|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.
These ancient arts are popularly considered to be ancestors of kumdo in Korea, and 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'' ({{lang|ko-Hani|本國劍法}}; ''Korean Sword Method'') was the basis of all modern two-handed sword techniques. This belief is not commonly held in Japan. However, the Japanese invasion of Korea in the early 1900's merged Kumdo with Japans version [[Kendo]]. Almost all [[kata]], equipment, rules and regulations merging to become identical between the two. The reason for this was in 1910, Japan outlawed all Korean martial arts and either absorbed the Korean martial art or tried to eradicate it. Currently, modern Korean kumdo is trying to revive the ancient styles and techniques using the ancient books. Korean kumdo focuses more on battlefield sword fighting compared to Japanese Kendo which is more one on one techniques. Korean [[Haedong Gumdo]] is a good example of battlefield styles.


===Gekiken, kendo, and kumdo===
===Gekiken, kendo, and kumdo===
⚫
In the aftermath of the Japanese [[Editing Agency of Korean History]] and outlaw of traditional Korean martial arts, the 1945 Kumdo was an equivalent of [[Japan]]ese [[kendo]]. It is also [[romanization of Korean|romanized]] as '''kǒmdo''', '''gumdo''', or '''geomdo'''. The name in [[hanja]] is {{lang|ko-Hani|劍道}}, equivalent to the Japanese {{lang|ja-Hani|剣道}}, literally translating to "the [[:wikt:道|way]] of the [[:wikt:劍|sword]]".
⚫
Kendo, then still known as [[Kendo#History|''gekiken'']], was introduced to Korea from Japan at the end of the 19th century as a form of police and military training. During the [[Korea under Japanese rule|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 art]]s' new name in Japan, kendo. Up until the end of the occupation in 1945, kumdo developed in parallel with kendo.

⚫
Kendo, then still known as [[Kendo#History|''gekiken'']], was introduced to Korea from Japan in 1896 as a form of police and military training. After Japan outlawed all Korean martial arts, Japan started teaching their version of sword arts in Korea. Its popularity in Korea spread quickly as part of Korea's first national physical education system. Up until the the occupation in 1910, kumdo developed in parallel with kendo. In 1895 the [[Empress Myeongseong|Empress of Korea]] was murdered by the Japanese, which were a sign of thing to come for Korea.


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.
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.


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:
Consequently, the history of kumdo in Korea can be seen in the following timeline, split in 2 periods; prior to Japanese invasion and after WWII. Chosun refers to Korea during the Yi Dynasty:
* [[Silla]] Kumdo arts developing battlefield techniques for use in 3 kingdom period of Korea

* Decline of popularity of Kumdo during [[Koryo]] and [[Chosun]] period

* 1910 Japanese [[Editing Agency of Korean History]] and the outlaw of Korean martial arts


* 1935 Kumdo included in the 16th National Chosun Sports Festival
* 1935 Kumdo included in the 16th National Chosun Sports Festival


* 1938 National Chosun Sports Festival prohibited by Japanese
* 1938 National Chosun Sports Festival "prohibited" by Japanese


* 1945 Kendo began to flourish again after Korea was liberated from Japanese colonialism
* 1945 Kumdo 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
* 1947 Korean kumdo began to restructure itself with the holding of the [[Seoul Police]] Kumdo
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==Today==
==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'' ({{lang|ko-Hang|호구}}; {{lang|ko-Hani|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.
The impact of the [[Editing Agency of Korean History]] and the outlaw of Korean martial arts by Japan was to create a system where the rules and the equipment of Kumdo are almost the same as those of [[kendo]]. Since the two art 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'' ({{lang|ko-Hang|호구}}; {{lang|ko-Hani|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.


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 ''koshiita'' 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.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
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 ''koshiita'' 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.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
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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.
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.


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.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} 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.<ref name="Taipeitimes">{{cite web|title=South Korea crowned team kendo champion|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2006/12/13/2003340327|accessdate=2007-02-11|author=Scanlan, Sean|publisher=Taipei Times}}</ref>
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.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} 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. 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.<ref name="Taipeitimes">{{cite web|title=South Korea crowned team kendo champion|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2006/12/13/2003340327|accessdate=2007-02-11|author=Scanlan, Sean|publisher=Taipei Times}}</ref>


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,{{Fact|date=June 2008}} 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.
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,{{Fact|date=June 2008}} 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.
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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 [http://www.auskf.info/ 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.
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 [http://www.auskf.info/ 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.


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.
Many Koreans, who remember Japan's occupation and suppression of Korean culture from 1910 to 1945 and continue to harbour [[anti-Japanese]] sentiment, 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 developed the equipment and rules for modern practice, 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, many know that the Japanese were instrumental in developing much of the equipment, systemization used in modern kumdo.


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. 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.
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. 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.
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===Organizations===
===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'' ({{lang|ko-Hani|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]].
*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'' ({{lang|ko-Hani|大韓劍道}}) a result of the Japanese [[Editing Agency of Korean History]] and the outlawing of Korean martial arts, 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.
*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 [[duel]]ing style found in standard or Daehan Kumdo. As such, it is unrelated to modern, standard kumdo, although it also claims to be kumdo.
*[[Haidong Gumdo]], founded by members who seceded from the KKA. Haidong Gumdo is significantly modified in style from standard kumdo, emphasizing more on native Korean "battlefield" style of combat over the one-on-one [[duel]]ing style found in standard or Daehan Kumdo. As such, it is unrelated to modern, standard kumdo, although it is another form of Korean kumdo. The impact of Japans [[Editing Agency of Korean History]] and outlaw of Korean culture is still felt today, as you can tell from above.


==Foot notes==
==Foot notes==

Revision as of 20:16, 27 August 2008

Kumdo
Hangul
검도
Hanja
劍道
Revised RomanizationGeomdo
McCune–ReischauerKǒmdo

Kumdo is a modern martial art of fencing in Korea.

History

Ancient Korean fencing

Ancient Korean sword arts were based on the ancient Silla (57 B.C. to 935 A.D.) dynasty book known as Bonguk Geombeop (本國劍法; Korean Sword Method. 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, further added to Korean fencing (朝鮮勢法; Cháoxiǎn shìfǎ) and was a martial art that had reached Korea through Chinese martial artists. Chosun Se Bup, one of the few surviving techniques of historical Korean swordplay, maybe based on these works.

Later in Korea, warriors were regarded as secondary to scholars during parts of the Goryeo Dynasty (908-1392) and much of the Joseon Dynasty, due to the heavy influence of Confucianism, martial arts other than traditional Korean archery were little practiced except by members of the military. As a result, the popularity of certain martial arts waned without many successors to carry on its traditions. Today, there are only two remaining documents that refer to ancient Korean martial arts[1].

These ancient arts are popularly considered to be ancestors of kumdo in Korea, and 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 in Japan. However, the Japanese invasion of Korea in the early 1900's merged Kumdo with Japans version Kendo. Almost all kata, equipment, rules and regulations merging to become identical between the two. The reason for this was in 1910, Japan outlawed all Korean martial arts and either absorbed the Korean martial art or tried to eradicate it. Currently, modern Korean kumdo is trying to revive the ancient styles and techniques using the ancient books. Korean kumdo focuses more on battlefield sword fighting compared to Japanese Kendo which is more one on one techniques. Korean Haedong Gumdo is a good example of battlefield styles.

Gekiken, kendo, and kumdo

In the aftermath of the Japanese Editing Agency of Korean History and outlaw of traditional Korean martial arts, the 1945 Kumdo was an equivalent of Japanese kendo. It is also romanized as kǒmdo, gumdo, or geomdo. The name in hanja is 劍道, equivalent to the Japanese 剣道, literally translating to "the way of the sword".

Kendo, then still known as gekiken, was introduced to Korea from Japan in 1896 as a form of police and military training. After Japan outlawed all Korean martial arts, Japan started teaching their version of sword arts in Korea. Its popularity in Korea spread quickly as part of Korea's first national physical education system. Up until the the occupation in 1910, kumdo developed in parallel with kendo. In 1895 the Empress of Korea was murdered by the Japanese, which were a sign of thing to come for Korea.

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.

Consequently, the history of kumdo in Korea can be seen in the following timeline, split in 2 periods; prior to Japanese invasion and after WWII. Chosun refers to Korea during the Yi Dynasty:

  • Silla Kumdo arts developing battlefield techniques for use in 3 kingdom period of Korea
  • Decline of popularity of Kumdo during Koryo and Chosun period
  • 1935 Kumdo included in the 16th National Chosun Sports Festival
  • 1938 National Chosun Sports Festival "prohibited" by Japanese
  • 1945 Kumdo 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]

Today

The impact of the Editing Agency of Korean History and the outlaw of Korean martial arts by Japan was to create a system where the rules and the equipment of Kumdo are almost the same as those of kendo. Since the two art 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.

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 koshiita 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.[citation needed]

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.

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.[citation needed] 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. 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]

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,[citation needed] 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.

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.

Many Koreans, who remember Japan's occupation and suppression of Korean culture from 1910 to 1945 and continue to harbour anti-Japanese sentiment, 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 developed the equipment and rules for modern practice, 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, many know that the Japanese were instrumental in developing much of the equipment, systemization used in modern kumdo.

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. 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.

Terminology

 

kendo(剣道)

kumdo(劍道)

sword

shinai(竹刀)

jukdo(竹刀)

armor

bogu(防具)

hogu(防具)

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) a result of the Japanese Editing Agency of Korean History and the outlawing of Korean martial arts, 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 more on 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 is another form of Korean kumdo. The impact of Japans Editing Agency of Korean History and outlaw of Korean culture is still felt today, as you can tell from above.

Foot notes

  1. ^ Kumdo The Korean Art of the Sword
  2. ^ Bennett, Alexander. "Korea - The Black Ships of Kendo : the internationalization of kendo and the Olympic Problem". Kendo World.
  3. ^ Scanlan, Sean. "South Korea crowned team kendo champion". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2007-02-11.

See also

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