- Before you use a sword!
We practice Gumdo only for self-discipline, not to fight with someone else. It is because Gumdo is an art of life, not an art to fight.
We always think whatever it is - a wooden sword, a bamboo sword, a practice sword or a real sword - a sword is a part of our body.
'An art of life' means that it is an art of respecting others. Thus, we learn all the time how to respect others and ourselves while we learn and practice Gumdo.
You cannot play with sword and have to place it in its proper place when you do not exercise.
- Names of each part of a sword
- How to grip a sword
- Using your right hand, grip the sword handle just below the protector and then, with your left hand, grip it just above the handle head.
- When you grip your sword handle, the sunken parts between your thumb and index finger of both hand must make a straight line from air view.
- When you swing, try to use your left hand and try not to use your right hand or your shoulders. Your right hand is to stop the sword and to keep its balance.
- Different types of swords used in Gumdo
Wooden sword (Mokum)
In Mokum, there are three sizes - 80cm, 90cm and 1m long in total.
1m-long Mokum is for adult and for the minor whose height is taller than 160cm.
The shorter Mokums are for younger people.
Mokum (wooden sword) is the most used type of sword in most Gumdo class and practice.
Bamboo sword (Jukdo)
Jukdo (bamboo sword) is often used in Gumdo exercise. It is mainly used for dueling practice and One-Handed Style sword art. But it is not as often used as in Japanese Kendo.
Bamboo swords (Jukdo) comes in different sizes as well.
Practice sword (Gagum)
A real sword is only for adult black belts.
Because of that, a minor black belt cannot use a real sword. But they can practice with a practice sword (Gagum) instead of a real sword.
A Gagum does not have sharpened blade. There are many different types of practice swords such as steel sword, aluminum sword, mixed metal sword, real sword just not sharpened, etc. Gumdo practitioner can use a real sword only after having enough Mokum and Gagum practice.
Real swords
There are various types of real sword according to their purpose and methods of forging. Commonly used swords in Haedong Gumdo practice are the Yookkakdo, Samgakdo and multi-purpose sword.
- Yookgak-do
A Yoogak-do is normally used for bamboo tree cutting and originally introduce for warriors in armors and helmets in the battle field. It usually is heavy and needs strong force to use it.
- Samgak-do
A Samgak-do is a specially made sword for cutting mat or sheaf of straws. It was used when the warrior is in casual attire (without armor and helmet). So it is light and easy to perform different techniques. Usually it is sharper than the Yookgakdo.
- Muli-purpose sword
This sword is used for cutting either bamboo tree or mat or sheaf of straws.
- Sa-in gum
In Korean history, A king could have a sword which was made on Tiger year, Tiger month, Tiger day and Tiger time. The word 'Sa' means four and the word 'In' means tiger, thus, this sword is Four-Tiger sword.
The king used this sword to show his highness, dignity...
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