Koryo Gumdo is a Korean style sword martial art, whose methods practice today comes as a result of evolution. Korean Gumdo has established itself through the adoption of many philosophies methodology that existed in Korea and countries that surround Korea over the last 2,000 years. Martial arts techniques were initially practiced as a means of protection from attacks by wild animals. Ancient art works, dating to 50 B.C., have been found in Korea show the earliest records of open hand and armed combat.
The legendary origins of Eastern martial arts, however, are generally credited to a Buddhist monk from India, Bodhidarma, who traveled through Asia in the 6th century A.D. There he taught martial art techniques of empty hand and weaponry to monks, emphasizing both mental and physical development.
In Korea, the martial arts is thought to have developed as a result of internal conflicts and repeated attacks from neighboring countries of China and Japan. In an attempt to unite and stop foreign invaders, the various tribes formed alliances, which ultimately resulted in the development of the Three kingdoms Silla, Kokuryu, and Paekche this time was known as the Koryo Dynasty. The military of these three kingdoms formed academies to teach and train their soldiers and officers. Each kingdom had a system of warrior. In the kingdom of Kokuryu, warriors trained and were known as Samurang (The Way of the Warrior) or Ssabori. It was in Silla where the Haw Rang Do (The Flowering Youth) was formed, and the group Chulgi (The Iron Horse) came from the kingdom of Paekche.
These warrior groups had strict codes of honor for the purpose of honor, king, and country.
So through their training they would discipline their mind and body. Cultivate their physical strength to develop a strong spirit. Their goal was to develop ultimate abilities and to be revered as a positive influence to their society. With this philosophy in mind, they would gain power and strength for quickness, and agility and develop their skill with and without weapons to gain battle superiority. The young warrior would learn to think calm and logically and cope with dangerous situations in an orthodox manner. Through the practice of meditation they would train their minds to improve their concentration and apply it to the use of the sword and these concepts compelled the Koryo warrior to strive and overcome the challenges of that time.
Korea is a peninsula that lies between Japan and China, because of migration, sharing, and conflicts between these countries many new philosophies and methods have been introduced and adopted throughout the ages. Their a re many claims concerning the origins of the Korean style of martial arts, especially Gumdo. Confusion surrounding Gumdo is that the art remains obscure even in Korea today. Historically there is evidence in Korea dating back to 70 B.C. of sword making techniques that are used in what is known as the samurai sword of Japan.
Silla,here martial arts reached the highest level. Haw Rang Do became renowned for their courage and skill in battle. They played a major role through its influence and power in unifying the three kingdoms around 6oo A.D. into what is now known as Korea. The martial arts of Taekyeon, Sabuk, and Gumdo enjoyed great popularity and prestige at this time. This surge in popularity lasted until the Yi Dynasty over threw the Koryo Dynasty in 1392 A.D. The Yi Dynasty ruled until 1910. During this period the martial arts fell into decline as Confucism replaced Buddhism. Warriors were banished and the practice of martial arts were forbidden. The policy of “favoring the arts and despising arms” was adopted. Many Koreans thus took refuge to the Buddhist temples where the martial arts were taught and preserved secretly, with instruction handed down from father to son and teacher to student.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, military skills declined even further. During this time Japan invaded Korea and on August 28,1910 Emperor Sunjong abdicated his throne and officially relinquished the thrown of Korea to Japan. The Yi Dynasty came to an end with the Japanese occupation of Korea. Japan began systematic destruction of the Korean culture. It became illegal to teach Korean history. A revolutionist history was written by the Japanese replaced traditional subject matter and was taught in public schools. Korean martial arts were banished and replaced by Japanese sporting arts. Ssirum was replaced by Sumo, Subak and Taekyeon were replaced with Judo and Karate, and Koryo Gumdo was replaced with Kendo.
With the end of World War II, and the liberation of Korea, Korea once again took control of its own martial arts. By Master John P. Wood
