| Han Kuk Kum Mu Sul Won National Korea Kum Mu Sul Association |
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History of KumMuSool and Kumdo
By Master Oh, Chang Kyo
President of the World Sword Arts Federation
A direct translation of "Kumdo" is "the way of the sword." The art of the sword in
Korea evolved from a martial art heritage reaching back more than three thousand years to the time of
the Bronze Age. Archeological records indicate that the sword and its art were a part of daily life in
Korean antiquity to defend territorial hold extending from Manchuria to Korean peninsula and early
settlements in the Japanese main island.
About two thousand years ago at the time of the early Three Kingdoms period, the unique sword
techniques called "Bon Gook Gum Bup, " or "Native Sword," were developed by Shilla's Hwa Rang
warriors. The Three Kingdoms period marks a contentious period in which Koguryo, Paekche, and Shilla
were in contention with each other and the Han Chinese for control of East Asia. Warriors in this period
and the following Unified Shilla, Palhae, and Koryo Dynastic periods were known to be sword-bearing
and to conduct their daily lives with strictly disciplined and moral manners. For every warrior the moral
code was strict, but the discipline was stricter for those cherished honor above everything.
Many good examples of the warrior culture can be found in the Palhae and Koryo Dynastic periods from
the 7th to 15th century. In particular, the Palhae Dynasty was found and ruled by the former Koguryo
warrior class after the fall of Koguryo in 668 A.D. With the art of the sword and the disciplined warrior's
sprite, Palhae was successful to conquer and to extend their territory from the Sungari and Amur rivers in
northern Manchuria all the way down to the northern provinces of modern Korea at the first half of the
9th century, in the height of its power.
At the beginning of the Choson Dynasty in the 15th century following the fall of the Koryo Dynasty, some
500 years after the fall of the Unified Shilla and Palhae, 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 which was regraded as
inferior to scholars. Until the end of Choson Dynasty, the art was practiced and taught mostly by
individuals in the state military who refined and developed the art under the name of "Ghihuck-Gum."
In 1896 during the era of modernization, the art of the sword, also known as "Ghihuck-Gum," was
selected as a mandatory training requirement for the newly established police academy. From there on,
Kumdo, the modern amalgamation of "the art of the sword" and "the way of righteousness" from the
Taoist philosophy, was developed to be practiced by some as a sport and by others as a means of
character development or spiritual refinement.
By the early 20th century, Kumdo training had adopted and utilized a practice weapon made of bamboo
and lightweight armor that had been developed by the Japanese. This method of practice largely replaced
the earlier, more dangerous, methods of training. Yet, the Kumdo popularity had been limited until early
1960 when the practice armor could be mass produced with the latest materials. When Kumdo
equipments became easily available and affordable, the Kumdo population started to grow rapidly. Kumdo
became no longer the martial art of the selected few.
Kumdo is both a physically and mentally demanding martial art. A Kumdo bout with a skilled opponent is
an intense experience. For a moment, as one opponent faces another, concentration is absolute,
conscious thought is suppressed, and action is instinctive. Such training develops the power of resolution
and endurance under pressure which frequently affects Kumdo students' lives beyond the confines of the
training hall.
The Purpose of Practicing Kumdo
The purpose of practicing Kumdo is:
To mold the mind and body,
To cultivate a vigorous spirit,
And through correct and rigid training,
To strive for improvement of Kumdo,
To hold in esteem of courtesy and honor,
To treat others with sincerity,
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
Thus, one will be able:
To be a patriot of righteousness in the highest form,
To respect and honor one's parents,
To trust, honor and loyal to friends,
To perceive and never retreat from challenges,
And to respect all lives and living things
By Master Oh, Chang Kyo
President of the World Sword Arts Federation
A direct translation of "Kumdo" is "the way of the sword." The art of the sword in
Korea evolved from a martial art heritage reaching back more than three thousand years to the time of
the Bronze Age. Archeological records indicate that the sword and its art were a part of daily life in
Korean antiquity to defend territorial hold extending from Manchuria to Korean peninsula and early
settlements in the Japanese main island.
About two thousand years ago at the time of the early Three Kingdoms period, the unique sword
techniques called "Bon Gook Gum Bup, " or "Native Sword," were developed by Shilla's Hwa Rang
warriors. The Three Kingdoms period marks a contentious period in which Koguryo, Paekche, and Shilla
were in contention with each other and the Han Chinese for control of East Asia. Warriors in this period
and the following Unified Shilla, Palhae, and Koryo Dynastic periods were known to be sword-bearing
and to conduct their daily lives with strictly disciplined and moral manners. For every warrior the moral
code was strict, but the discipline was stricter for those cherished honor above everything.
Many good examples of the warrior culture can be found in the Palhae and Koryo Dynastic periods from
the 7th to 15th century. In particular, the Palhae Dynasty was found and ruled by the former Koguryo
warrior class after the fall of Koguryo in 668 A.D. With the art of the sword and the disciplined warrior's
sprite, Palhae was successful to conquer and to extend their territory from the Sungari and Amur rivers in
northern Manchuria all the way down to the northern provinces of modern Korea at the first half of the
9th century, in the height of its power.
At the beginning of the Choson Dynasty in the 15th century following the fall of the Koryo Dynasty, some
500 years after the fall of the Unified Shilla and Palhae, 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 which was regraded as
inferior to scholars. Until the end of Choson Dynasty, the art was practiced and taught mostly by
individuals in the state military who refined and developed the art under the name of "Ghihuck-Gum."
In 1896 during the era of modernization, the art of the sword, also known as "Ghihuck-Gum," was
selected as a mandatory training requirement for the newly established police academy. From there on,
Kumdo, the modern amalgamation of "the art of the sword" and "the way of righteousness" from the
Taoist philosophy, was developed to be practiced by some as a sport and by others as a means of
character development or spiritual refinement.
By the early 20th century, Kumdo training had adopted and utilized a practice weapon made of bamboo
and lightweight armor that had been developed by the Japanese. This method of practice largely replaced
the earlier, more dangerous, methods of training. Yet, the Kumdo popularity had been limited until early
1960 when the practice armor could be mass produced with the latest materials. When Kumdo
equipments became easily available and affordable, the Kumdo population started to grow rapidly. Kumdo
became no longer the martial art of the selected few.
Kumdo is both a physically and mentally demanding martial art. A Kumdo bout with a skilled opponent is
an intense experience. For a moment, as one opponent faces another, concentration is absolute,
conscious thought is suppressed, and action is instinctive. Such training develops the power of resolution
and endurance under pressure which frequently affects Kumdo students' lives beyond the confines of the
training hall.
The Purpose of Practicing Kumdo
The purpose of practicing Kumdo is:
To mold the mind and body,
To cultivate a vigorous spirit,
And through correct and rigid training,
To strive for improvement of Kumdo,
To hold in esteem of courtesy and honor,
To treat others with sincerity,
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
Thus, one will be able:
To be a patriot of righteousness in the highest form,
To respect and honor one's parents,
To trust, honor and loyal to friends,
To perceive and never retreat from challenges,
And to respect all lives and living things