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kimchi_pizza
Joined: 24 Jul 2006
Location: "Get back on the bus! Here it comes!"
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 Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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| jazblanc77 wrote: |
As someone who practices kumdo, I have to tell you that this is an issue of hot contention. I''l give you a condensed history.
Korea did traditionally use swords in combat, but the traditional martial art was practiced with a double edged sword. Eventually the Japanese develeoped the katana sword which is reputed to be the strongest and most durable sword ever made. Both Korea and China adopted this sword and developed their own styles. While Koreans are believed to have emulated many forms from the Japanese, they also developed Hwa Rang which influenced the development of the warrior class in Japan, the Samurai. However, with the advent of confucianism in the Goryo and Joseon Dynasties, many martial arts, including fencing, archery, and hand-to-hand combat styles began to die out. At that time, it was deemed that those who practiced marital arts were of lower status and only professional military practitioners carried on some of the traditions (many styles and techniques died with their practitioners without being passed on). The demise of Korean martial arts was further aided when the Japanese occupational forces banned their practice by ordinary citizens. The only Korean styles to have survived are the Bonguk Geombeop and the Chosun Se Bup, but all of the other 10 bon/kata (sword forms), are still virtually identical to those used in Japan.
During the most recent Japanese occupation of Korea, fencing was repopularised and Koreans started practicing again as part of the national physical education program. The style that used was Japanese. In the 1920's, korean fencing was given the name kumdo, a modification of the Japanese word, kendo. People who play kumdo are called Kumdoin while those who play kendo are called Kendoka. The modern sport of kumdo is based on those Japanese forms that were brought back to Korea (which you will remember evolved from Haw Rang), but it's practitioners were NEVER Samurai warriors.
*I have tried to locate the names of those Korean warriors who used a double-edged short sword and later the shinai (katana), but I'm afraid I wasn't able to find them. |
Nice. I also practice Dae Han Kumdo and you seem to be more informed than me. What are your sources? Any good English reading material about Kumdo? From what I've read so far matches what you've written.
How about the differences between Dae Han and Hong Dae (Sp?) Kumdo? It seems that Dae Han is derived directly from Japan's Kendo, while Hong Dae tries to remain "Korean" and practice only Bonguk Geombap and such.
Also, do you know anything about buying a shinai in Korea? I should have Cho-dan by spring and plan to buy one. Thanks! |
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Hollywoodaction
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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| JJK1 wrote: |
| From what I know, the Koreans didn't give the Japanese the sword but the technology to make them (blacksmithing, steel, other metals etc.) |
Question is, where did the Koreans get that technology? Homegrown? Chinese? Arabs (ever heard of Damascus steel?)? |
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huck
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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| So Asians were using swords before the ancient Romans were? |
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Vancouver
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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| jazblanc77 wrote: |
The katana sword is completely a Japanese innovation. |
from what i've heard, the technique of making the sword, or part of it, was from the korean peninsula |
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kimchi story
Joined: 23 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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| huck wrote: |
| So Asians were using swords before the ancient Romans were? |
Duhh-uhhh. Koreans invented the ancient Romans...
ㅋㅋㅋ... |
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Vancouver
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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| kimchi story wrote: |
| huck wrote: |
| So Asians were using swords before the ancient Romans were? |
Duhh-uhhh. Koreans invented the ancient Romans...
ㅋㅋㅋ... |
o_O? wtf are you talking about? |
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kimchi story
Joined: 23 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 8:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Jus' a little levity break...no offence intended. |
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True Samurai
Joined: 07 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you jazblanc77, Hollywoodaction, kimchi_pizza, SuperFly, and Smee for your informed opinion on this matter. I appreciate everyone else's contibution to the topic so far as well. Please keep those cards and letters coming!  |
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