Haedong Kumdo

Haedong refers to the East Sea. Kumdo refers to the Way of the Sword. Haedong Kumdo therefore, explicitly denotes sword forms which are of Korean origin.

Depiction of Ancient Korean Swordsmanship

According to Korean history there were three Dynasties relating to ancient times, namely Kokurye, Baeje, Silla - the most powerful being the Kokurye. The origin of Haedong Kumdo is from the military system of Kokurye, which dates back 1,500 years ago in Korea.

Methods of Using the Sword in Haedong Kumdo

Haedong Kumdo uses various kumbup (methods of using the sword) which are composed of different pumsae (solo forms). The kumbup historically used different types of swords and taught different skill sets.

GM Kim Jeong Seong

Ssangsu Kumbup is a method of using the sword with two hands and primarily focuses on techniques against a single opponent. This is the beginning method of practice.

Shimssang Kumbup is a more advanced form, and teaches the practitioner how to draw an opponent into his strategy and defeat him.

Yedo Kumbup traditionally used the Chinese straight sword (jin) and lighter, shorter swords (hwando and dando), and contained many techniques for close fighting against multiple opponents.

Ssang Kumbup uses two short swords, a long and a short sword and two long swords.