Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2007 11:05:05 GMT
I have been trying to learn more about Korean swordsmanship and how Koreans used swords traditionally. I have seen some modern Korean martial art swords with a sageo style strap and antiques as well as antiques with hwando (tachi/ Chinese like) belt fittings, but I have never seen the sageo type used on an antique. From the videos and pictures I have seen of Gumdo and a very small amount of Hankumdo the swordsman uses the sageo type strap and wears the sword in their obi with the sharp edge up. When he draws the sword he dose so in the same way used in JSA. On the other hand I cam across this ourworld.cs.com/kuksoolcl/koreanswordsmanship.htm article here by Barry Harmon who is very highly ranked in Kuk Sool Won. He describes Koreans wearing the sword sharp edge down and the sword is drawn in an upward motion rather than a downward motion like we see in JSA. In the article Mr. Harmon describes some of the basic differences between Jpanese and Korean swordsmanship and how to tell if a school is teaching Japanese styles and calling them Korean or teaching actual Korean methods. This way seems more logical to me from the designs of the antique swords. I do not practice any of these arts, what I have seen of Gumdo and Hankumdo they would fall into the Japanese style being called Korean but perhaps both where used in the old days. What was done traditionally?
|
|
|
Post by Lancelot Chan on Dec 27, 2007 17:39:09 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2007 1:41:44 GMT
Unfortunately, traditional Korean swordsmanship is in a very sad state. There isn't really a "traditional" art to represent it anymore. After the Japanese invaded they did a pretty good job of wiping out a lot of traditional Korean culture. That's why modern Korean arts have been strongly impacted by the Japanese.
Koreans were more like Chinese and did not focus as much on the draw as Japanese arts like iai. Just like the Chinese, early on swords were thrust through the belt but gradually started using belt attachments like the dao. Then swords were usually carried in hand or slung over the back. A variety of draws were used probably depending on the situation and positioning or just what was more convenient.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2007 6:05:54 GMT
Thanks for the link Lance and the info Garrettc.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2008 21:07:33 GMT
I have been trying to learn more about Korean swordsmanship and how Koreans used swords traditionally. I have seen some modern Korean martial art swords with a sageo style strap and antiques as well as antiques with hwando (tachi/ Chinese like) belt fittings, but I have never seen the sageo type used on an antique. From the videos and pictures I have seen of Gumdo and a very small amount of Hankumdo the swordsman uses the sageo type strap and wears the sword in their obi with the sharp edge up. When he draws the sword he dose so in the same way used in JSA. On the other hand I cam across this ourworld.cs.com/kuksoolcl/koreanswordsmanship.htm article here by Barry Harmon who is very highly ranked in Kuk Sool Won. He describes Koreans wearing the sword sharp edge down and the sword is drawn in an upward motion rather than a downward motion like we see in JSA. In the article Mr. Harmon describes some of the basic differences between Jpanese and Korean swordsmanship and how to tell if a school is teaching Japanese styles and calling them Korean or teaching actual Korean methods. This way seems more logical to me from the designs of the antique swords. I do not practice any of these arts, what I have seen of Gumdo and Hankumdo they would fall into the Japanese style being called Korean but perhaps both where used in the old days. What was done traditionally? What you are looking for is in the 'Muye Dobo Tong Ji'. It is a manual of the basic weapons of old Korea and the Choson (YI) Dynasty. Just google it and see what comes up. The evolution of the martial arts including weapons were practiced among what was the three kingdoms of Korea. Eventually, one kingdom gained control of the arts of the other kingdoms. There is only one main reference manual that is publicly known to us today, and that is the Korean Manual of War from the ancient times. You will be able to find out what you need about the Long Sword, Short Sword, Double Sword along with a multitude of other weapons. If you start down this road, you will be digging and sorting through a vast range of other weapons just to get to the sword aspects. Hope this helps
|
|