History
Haidong Gumdo is a South Korean sword art based on the ancient Samurang techniques that date back thousands of years. In its modern form, however, the art is still relatively new in Europe. The contemporary style was developed in the early 1970s, when Grandmaster Jeong-Ho Kim adopted the art. Grandmaster Kim (10th Dan) is the founder of the World Haidong Gumdo Federation, and he continues to serve as the Federation’s president.
The Art
Characteristic features of Haidong Gumdo include sharp, fast, and precise sword cuts; smooth, circular movements; flying jumping strikes; and acrobatics. These are combined in forms practice, performed both through strictly defined choreography and more freely, either solo or in groups. Another distinctive feature is the focus on defending against multiple opponents simultaneously, regardless of terrain. Sword cuts are also practiced on tangible targets, such as sheets of newspaper, bamboo stalks, apples, hay bales, and candle flames.
In Finland the art was introduced by Phoenix Martial Art ry, which is also the home of Kudokwan Hapkido. The dojang’s founder and head instructor, Master Cheol-Yong Park, began working with the Nordic Haidong Gumdo Association in 2005. In the summer of 2009, Haidong Gumdo was separated from Phoenix Martial Art ry to form its own independent association. The Finnish Haidong Gumdo Association is part of the European Haidong Gumdo Association, whose Head Master is Grandmaster (Chong Kwanjang) Sang-Hyun Han and Technical director is Master (Kwanjang) Chul-Kyung Lee.
The chairman of the Finnish Haidong Gumdo Association and the Head Master of the art in Finland is Kauko Metsähovi, who also represents Finland on the leadership board of the European Haidong Gumdo Association.
The purpose of the Finnish Haidong Gumdo Association is to spread knowledge of Haidong Gumdo throughout Finland, to organize instruction at beginner, advanced, and instructor levels, and to train and support the Finnish national team in international competitions.
Training
Haidong Gumdo training consists of basic strikes and footwork exercises, forms, partner drills, and special practices such as cutting paper, bamboo, and hay bales, extinguishing candles, and striking flying or thrown objects (such as balls or apples) from the air.
Different types of swords are used in training:
- Mok-gum – Wooden sword
- Begi-gum – Cutting sword (for paper)
- Ka-gum – Replica sword
- Jin-gum – Sharp sword
- Anjeon-gum – Soft sparring sword
Basic Training
Basic exercises form the foundation of all training and are a central part of the beginner’s course. Mastery of basic techniques allows progression to more advanced practices. Continuous practice of fundamentals builds the necessary physical condition and technical skills required to control the different aspects of Haidong Gumdo.
Basic Techniques in Korean (with Finnish pronunciation guide):
- Zun-Mjuon Begi – Straight cut
- Zwa-U Begi – Left / Right cut
- Sam-Dan Begi – Three cuts
- Hwen-dan Begi – Horizontal cuts
- Gwan-Za Begi – “Light,” six cuts
- De-Do Se – Wide defense
- Gum-Ge Se – “Golden Rooster”
- Za-jon Se – Natural defensive stance
- Ii-O Begi – Forward–backward strikes from Za-jon Se
- So-Do Se – Low defensive stance
- Zo-Son Se – High ready stance
- Zi-Ha Se – Low ready stance
Useful Terms for Training
- Tsar-Jo = Ready
- Gjun-Ge = Bow
- He-Dong = Collective shout of respect for the art during bows
- Tsun-Bi = Ready
- Pal-Do = Sword draw
- Si-Sak = Begin
- Pa-Roo = End practice / return to starting position
- Chak-Gum = Sheathing the sword
- Ii-O Begi = Double-direction cuts (two cuts in succession)
- Mak-Kii = Block
- Tsi-Ri-Gi = Thrust
- Ken-Za = “Guarding enemy” – basic defensive principle, protecting the body from perceived threat with the sword
Pal-Do Chak-Gum – Drawing and Sheathing the Sword
This practice series involves different draws and sheathings performed as a continuous movement. It represents the beginning (though imaginary) of combat. Each new form includes its own draw-sheathing sequence, and in total there are eight such sequences at colored belt levels.
Kyok-gum – Partner Practice
Partner training applies the basics of Haidong Gumdo to attack and defense. Good command of partner techniques prepares the practitioner to face multiple opponents at once.
Zot-Bul Kugi – Candle Extinguishing with the Sword
Extinguishing a candle flame with the airflow created by a Mok-gum (wooden sword) is an excellent way to practice correct top-down cutting technique. The cut must be strong enough, precisely aligned, and properly stopped at the right moment so the flame goes out without touching the candle itself.
Forms (Hyung)
Forms training begins immediately after learning basic cuts, footwork, and stances. There are 8 basic forms (Ssang Soo Gum-bub 1–8) for colored belts, and these continue to be practiced at all colored belt levels. The forms simulate defense against imaginary opponents attacking from every direction and height.
The name Ssang Soo (“two-handed”) refers to the necessity of using both hands to control the heavy sword.
The Sim-Sang form series completes training before black belt. Parts 1–4 are performed as a continuous sequence, requiring strong physical condition, solid mastery of basics, and patience to learn and combine all the movements.
Forms overview:
- Ssang Soo Gum-bub 1–12
- Sim Sang Gum-bub 1–4
- Yedo Gum-bub 1–9
- Bon Guk Gum-bub 1–7
- Jang Baek Gum-bub 1–7
- Um Yang Gum-bub 1–7
- Ssang Gum-bub 1–7
Special Training
Paper Cutting
Newspaper is hung at head height on a string or frame and cut horizontally, for example left-right-left. Cuts can be performed with any type of sword, and movement such as spinning or jumping can be added. This is a common event in national competitions.
Straw Cutting
Similar to paper cutting, but performed only with a Jin-gum (sharp sword).
Objects from the Air
This drill develops speed, coordination, and sword-drawing technique. An object such as a ball or apple is thrown upward, and the practitioner attempts to cut it on the way down. Variations include cutting incoming objects (thrown by a partner) or multiple moving objects at once. This event is practiced in international competitions, e.g., the Italian championships.
Bamboo Cutting
A bamboo stalk is placed on a stand and cut diagonally upward or downward. This is performed with a Jin-gum and usually introduced at higher belt levels. In Finland, training can also use small hardwood saplings such as willow, rowan, or alder. Bamboo cutting is a standard competition event at the world championship level.
Mulimpia
Mulimpia is a martial arts multi-sport championship event. Modeled after major sporting events like the Olympics or the New York Marathon, it is more a festival of martial arts than just a tournament.
The first Mulimpia was held in 2013 in South Korea. Since then, the event has spread internationally, with the first Euro Mulimpia held in Cologne, Germany, in October 2016. The martial arts included were Haidong Gumdo, Taekwondo, Hapkido, Kung Fu, and Karate.
Kauko Metsähovi serves as Finland’s representative in the international Mulimpia committee.
Source: www.haidonggumdo.fi