Ancient Korean Swordsmanship

The discipline of the sword in ancient times in Korea was developed by the group of warriors called Jo Ui Sin in Koguryo. Kumdo had its most significant contributions to future swordsmen from the Silla Dynasty (57BC – 935AD) book Bon Kuk Gum Bup. This book forms the basis for two-handed sword techniques and modern Haedong Kumdo.

Korean swordsmanship during the Three Kingdoms period can be witnessed on Koguryo tomb murals. Swordsmanship was an important component of Koguryo martial arts, and it was also practiced as a form of art and dancing. From the wall murals, it is believed there were three styles of Korean swordsmanship. The first style is where both opponents face each other on foot, the second style has both opponents facing each other on horse, and the third style has one opponent on foot facing another opponent on horse.

The tradition of Korean swordsmanship continuously evolved into the period of the Joseon Dynasty. At this point, Korean swordsmanship became more sophisticated and standardised. However, during this time warriors were regarded as inferior to scholars, due to the heavy influence of Confucianism which greatly valued scholastic achievement and refinement over martial prowess. Influenced by Confucian thought, the royal court generally deferred to imperial China out of respect in regards to their foreign, cultural, and defence policies, relying on the Ming and Qing dynasties for military aid and necessary foreign intervention.Whilst swordsmanship continued to be practiced, it was eclipsed in popularity by archery and the use of cavalry, and was seldom practiced beyond members of the military and their associates. Those who continued to study Korean swordsmanship proved it to be effective against the invading Japanese during the Imjin War (1592–1598). Whilst the Joseon court fled from the invasion, many Koreans proficient in swordsmanship formed resistance groups and fought effectively against the Japanese army. After the Imjin War and Manchu invasions, the Joseon court recognised the importance of Korean swordsmanship and began encouraging it among the commoners. Early in the 17th century Mao Yuanyi, a Chinese military tactician, recorded Korean swordsmanship methods in the Army Account of Military Arts and Science.

In 1593, during the Imjin War, Korea received help from China to win back Pyongyang. During one of the battles the Koreans learned about a martial arts manual titled Ji Xiao Xin Shu, written by the Chinese military strategist Qi Jiguang. King Jeongjo took a personal interest in the book and ordered his court to study it. This led to the creation of the Muyejebo in 1599 by Han Gyo, who had studied the use of several weapons with the Chinese army. Soon this book was revised in the Muyejebo Seokjib, and in 1759 the book was revised and published as the Muyesinbor. In 1790, these books formed the basis of the richly illustrated Muyedobotongji. This book shows influences from Chinese and Japanese martial arts. It deals mostly with armed martial arts like sword fighting, double-sword fighting, spear fighting, stick fighting, and so on. Much of today’s revival movements of Korean swordsmanship is based on Muyedobotongji.