This is my personal go to! It takes getting used to tying it so it’s tight enough. It also depends on how rough the sageo is: the silkier it is, the less firm of a grip it has.

I wouldn’t say one style moves any more than the other, but the focus of the body in Gumdo is toward the sword while TKD fluctuates is you’re doing a kick or a punch or a grapple etc. I’ve found the muscle activation in Gumdo has augmented my open hand considerably, so consider using the glutes as you get into stances and use your deep shoulder to cut. In terms of training time, quality over quantity 9/10 times. Be thoughtful of how you train, especially if it is limited. I personally train every day, even if it’s as short as 15 minutes. On good days, it’s hours!

Thank you, it hard finding any good material on this martial art. I appreciate it. Your videos very easy to understand, perfect pace and explanation explanation for each move.

I appreciate it! The way I view it is I have learned a lot in my years training, it doesn’t help to keep it all a secret to my grave. I’ve been told I’m long winded, though!

I’m glad you’re training! Solo work is tough, but that’s why there are forms to develop muscle memory.

Could be! I personally think that treating the last move just like any other out away is valid and preferred. It’s been told to me it’s supposed to act like a cut but not actually cut.

My pleasure!

That’s under “tying the ceremonial knot”. That knot comes loose very easily, so it’s a useful skill to have under your belt.

@TheSwordLynx Thanks! I'll check it out.

Thank you! I know slowing things down is good for understanding, but there is knowledge to be had with seeing it at speed

There’s some truth to it, but Korean kendo is called Kumdo and has some small variance to it. There are certainly aspects of Japanese swordsmanship in Gumdo, but not necessarily kendo, which is more fencing based. At the end of the day, a sword is a sword.

The short answer is I’ve never been told by a Gumdo authority, but I have a few ideas. Gumdo seems to prefer tassels that are tied to the scabbard via the sageo or straight into it without any sageo. Another might be that the way Iaido ties the sageo into the belt is also mostly ceremonial and technically arbitrary, seeing differences among many schools of Iaido. I suspect that were there a practical, universal use, both styles would have adopted it. Lastly, and hopefully least true, is that not tying it makes Gumdo slightly more different from Iaido. Aside from me, I have yet to see another Gumdosa tie their sageo in.

Thank you for the kind words! I talk about it a little bit in my intention video, but it’s always something I could cover again!

There is allegedly a two sword style, but I don’t believe anyone in the US has learned it yet. It’s very up there in terms of ranking if it exists. There is a splinter group that does some, but the Gumdo is primarily one sword, though we rarely use the scabbard in conjunction.

@@TheSwordLynx very interesting. Thanks for sharing! I've been looking into Haidong Gumdo after training in Kummooyeh and getting curious about the similarities and differences.

Gotcha! From my understanding (which is limited), Kummooyeh and Haedong Kumdo are both splinter groups from Haidong Gumdo. Not saying any style is better, because I know excellent and masterful practitioners in each, but Gumdo is the original source. To train in Gumdo after Kummooyeh might be like meeting the parents just like how training in Kummooyeh after Gumdo is meeting the offspring who went their own way.

@@TheSwordLynx Cool! I would love to try those out. I recently did a bit of iaido and kendo. I found the footwork and stances to share some commonality.

There is. A sword is a sword, so there’s a lot in HEMA that you see in other styles too. Kendo and Iaido helped me a lot with my fundamentals and endurance. Iaido’s breathwork is hard to transition into a longer Gumdo form, but it’s still possible!

In pressure testing, the first way to block a cross cut…almost never works if it works at all. You’re correct it stops momentum for both of us, essentially giving us both time to react, but with the blocker in a very compromised position, usually ending with the blocker losing pretty handily. The parry has a higher success rate, though I personally wouldn’t follow it up with an uppercut, but a thrust that would cover me. You’re also right that this combo seems to depend on linear stepping and not cutting angles, which would once again easily defeat the cross cut block.

That history makes a lot of sense. Watching someone perform a kata vs a sparring match has very different intensity and ways they move. I’ve found that doing both the Kara (reinforcing structure, “good technique”, and muscle conditioning) and sparring (reaction, “application of technique”, and opponent observation) generally improve someone as a martial artist as a whole. Whether or not gamified fighting is desirable, it depends for me what someone is trying to get out of it. It could be learning to perform under pressure, test the validity of a technique, or simply have fun. Personally, I think in most cases some sort of sparring or application is better than none, even if we can’t simulate the fear and true danger of a real fight.

@@TheSwordLynx I have to say, and it took me a few days to appreciate this, you criticise doubles in kendo fairly and accurately: who ever struck more beautifully. Most critiques of the kendo point system seem to come from someone who may have watched an ippon compilation and missed all of the doubles which were thrown out, or heard it from an unreliable source somewhere that points go to whoever touched first. The rules are as stated: """ Article 12: Datotsu in the following cases shall not be valid: 1. Ai-uchi. 2. As the datotsu is made, the attacker is checked at the upper - front body by the tip of the recipient’s shinai, who is in high spirits and in the right posture. """ However the guidelines for adjudicating these rules are: """ It is easy to conclude that techniques are invalid if executed at the same time (aiuchi). Shinpan-in should understand and act in accordance with the notion that there is no such thing as aiuchi. """ Thus the shinpan (jury) are encouraged to act as though the less beautiful did not satisfy our strict yuko datotsu (valid strike) criteria. This seems to be an application of the mythology of kiriotoshi, the signature technique of the itto-ryu family of styles: - how only one sword can occupy the true center line. - how the ideal of kiriotoshi is to cut through the opponents technique so the opponent has shini tachi (dead sword) and their intention fails.

This could also be their countermeasure to it becoming more of whacking fest that’s all about speed rather than technique. My brain agrees that technically if someone does hold center, the other cannot, meaning doubling would mean neither truly held center. I don’t hate that the point goes to the “better technique” side. It is a martial “art” so to speak. As much as I have some grumbling about kendo, I learned a massive amount from my years with it. I was also blessed with an incredible Sensei.

Sounds like a good shirt idea lol

Oh absolutely! My opinion on the grip has changed in the years since posting the video. For me, even the finger focus on the hands has changed (I like trigger finger on lead hand, pinky on back).

@@TheSwordLynx that’s good to know since I was just watching your video on pinky, ring, middle grip for attacks.

That said, I still agree with the pinky ring middle, especially for the back hand and if you’re intending to cut bamboo and not sparring.

Good catch! I’ll fix the title!

I just reread my translation and you’re totally correct! I was confused about that short handle for so long!

Oooh, interesting idea. I can!

I always advocate in person when possible. My answer isn’t the majority but I think if you have good experience in martial arts, the closer to the new style the better, it’s more possible to self train. But if you have minimal to no formal training, in person is the way to go.

Thanks! Appreciate the support!

My opinion too much talk more do please shorter explanations best

My pleasure!

I think this also depends on the school and their focus. For example, I've watched iaido schools try to work on application and kenjutsu schools focus only on flourishes and aesthetics. It's true that the style itself dictates a lot about what it can be used for, but it isn't exclusive.

This one was gifted to me by a student, but it is a Paul Chen iaito. The silver pieces were black originally but faded with use.

Absolutely agree. All sparring is consensual and with an agreed on rules. All forms assume something about the alleged opponent and their level and what they’re using. It will never properly simulate a proper battle unless you’re in one, which means you’re no longer training but doing.

No formal videos like that aside from what I post here. I do also do private lessons and some virtual training. Anyone interested can email me at theswordlynx [at] gmail.com!

Thank you! I’ve found doing the how is easier when you know the why.

It is! www.akadoarmory.com/product/akado-premium-fencing-katana/

Hell yeah

Oooh, I’ve never used a VB sword. I would imagine a messer would have similar mechanics, but I’m not an expert it it. Maybe my colleague at @Apperceptive_Swordsm­an would have better insight!

A dude with a camera and so many takes lol. But we will fight again!

@@TheSwordLynx I actually assumed you did it one take. Because...

Now, if I wrote a script like a normal person, maybe one or two takes.

It’s complicated with A LOT of cultural and egotistical baggage. Historically the two mixed simply through contact. The only historical Korean manual we have has sections (whether they’re good or not) dedicated to saying some parts are Japanese. My personal view is that a sword is a sword, historically they’re so mixed and muddied it doesn’t matter unless one is a “purist” or a nationalist. If you look at Gumdo specifically…there are more similarities than differences.

​@@TheSwordLynx Thanks for your answer. I practice Headong Gumdo in México and it's easier to buy a Katana than a Korean.

@@thecrw8 In all functional ways that matter, they are the same sword. I personally use either a iaito or this sword when I train outside of Federation events.

The balance point is about two inches north of the guard. The shape is the most katana like I’ve used, but it is more flat simply so it can flex at impact. Compared with the Castille, it is much more katana like.

I have been to Japan and have trained in Kendo and Iaido for years in addition to Gumdo. Each are valid martial arts in their own right for their own intentions.

@@TheSwordLynx 진실 : 해동검도는 무술인 나한일과 김정호가 1980년대 초에 창설했는데 후에 이 두 사람이 법정에서 이권 다툼을 벌일 때 고구려 사무랑이 사용했다던 검술은 사실 일본, 그것도 제2차세계대전 당시 군인들에게 검술을 가르쳤던 나카무라 다이사부로(中村泰三郎) 및 기타 일본 육군의 군도술, 혹은 그것의 영향을 받고 난립했던 60~70년대의 잡다한 한국 검술들을 보고 베낀 것임이 낱낱이 드러난다. 그러면서 대한검도회를 일본 쬭빠리라 비하하고 욕했다. 대한검도회를 중심으로 하는 한국의 검도는 일제시대나 해방 후 일본의 검도를 배운 이들이 도입한 무술이다. 그런데 여기서 또 웃긴 게 해동검도의 날선 비판에 자신들의 치부(일본의 것)가 공개적으로 드러나게 되자 80년대 이후 본래 일본의 기술이나 예법, 호구 등을 은근슬쩍 검도에 맞지도 않는 <무예도보통지>에 수록된 본국검법 등을 끌어다가 덧칠하는 짓을 벌이고 있다. 그러면서 어느덧 대한검도회의 검도는 일본의 검도가 아니라 본국검법, 더 나아가서는 화랑의 검법으로 둔갑해 있는 실정이다.

Thanks! More to come!

I appreciate it! Which Filipino and Thai martial arts did you train in? Kali is one heck of an effective style.

There is a difference between Korean/Gumdo uniforms and traditional Japanese uniforms. In some Japanese and Korean styles, they still wear the belt/obi on the outside. As for the gi, because we wear paji and not hakama, there is no need to tuck it; additionally, this makes it easier to use the scabbard to draw instead of being hindered by the hakama.

I'll try to keep that in mind!

Glad it was helpful! That’s a concept I got from my kendo Sensei that really smooths out center cuts and many other future movements!

So long as the information is out there for people, I’m grateful!

@@TheSwordLynx im serious, your content really deserves a larger audience.

I appreciate that. This channel is just very very niche. Although everyone loves swords, an analytical approach to a forms based Korean martial art founded in the 70s isn’t mainstream.

Soon! I believe that’s the next video lined up!

Exactly right! I’m constantly finding new insights into forms, especially as I teach inquisitive students.

Much more to come!

I couldn’t recommend cross training enough. Sometimes it introduces body mechanics that don’t help, like if you do boxing footwork in a longsword fight, but it helps you understand why it works for one and not the other in most circumstances.

@@TheSwordLynx Definitely and unless you're trying to streamline your training like a competitive athlete I think having to overcome muscle memory becoming a little messy is more rewarding.

That will be coming out in about a month a believe. Stay tuned!

To be fair, the idea of any federation isn’t inherently good or bad, it depends on what it does for its constituents. Dark Vader may have been a little zealous about it!

@@TheSwordLynx A a little levity.

All good all good! The word does have an imperial flavor.

I’m not smart enough to add commentary. I did enjoy the event!

Very soon, we will be doing just that!

It is allegedly a style that would use a Yedo, or “short sword”. It’s a very ambiguous term that could refer to a wakizashi length to a standard longsword. It’s simply shorter that a ssangsoogeom, similar to an odachi.

That totally tracks. One thing to consider is Fiore wasn’t about building or maintaining an army, but training individuals to fight. Very different priorities. I like your interpretation of temperance as well.