Martial Arts Video Reviews, May 1999
I don't know about you, but when I think of the martial arts and swords I think of the Japanese Samurai first, Japanese Ninjas, then the Chinese. I often wondered if their was anyone else to add to the list. Now, after seeing this video, you can definitely add the Korean's. Honestly, that surprised me. After years of doing TKD, with several different instructors, never did any of them mention that the Korean's had a sword art. I guess every now and then, even those of us who've had 20 years in various arts, learn something new!
Having said all that, welcome to Haedong Kumdo (Traditional Korean Sword Art). This video gives a fairly thorough overview of this Korean sword art. I have to hand it to the folks at Turtle Press, they have 3 videos that introduce arts that many people probably don't know exist. We previously reviewed Ssierum (wrestling - like Sumo), there's this video, and they have a Korean archery video.
OK, so what about the video? This one was a pleasant surprise. Personally, I have no interest in a sword art. Therefore I was somewhat hesitant grading it. I even said to myself several times, "I can't grade this thing, I know nothing about swords". However, once I started watching it, I realized that this video was designed specifically for people that didn't know anything about swords. In fact, this video was so thorough, that in my opinion, in an hour it gives a person a quite through overview of the art. So what was on the tape?
So what impressed me? The forms, a couple of them show the person doing forward rolls with a real sword in their hand (sure hope they don't hit a patch of sweat on the mat). Also the demonstrations were interesting. But the most interesting thing were the interviews, and hearing various masters explain little details. This video provides alot of the little intricacies that you would think might be left out on a short one hour tape.
What didn't I like? Actually I can't think of much. Sang H. Kim has a history of producing "Good" videos. This one was so well produced, that in my opinion it would make for a great one hour documentary on TV. Missing was detailed instruction on how to perform various techniques. However I felt this was meant to be more of an introductory tape about this art than it was to be an instructional tape. And again I was amazed, because being that this is a topic I don't have much interest in, I really enjoyed watching the tape.
So who would I recommend the tape too? Anyone that's into a Japanese or Chinese sword art, and wants to learn about the sword arts of other cultures, or anyone interested in Korean arts, and wants to know what other arts the Korean's offer.
Product Description
While the popular Korean martial arts like taekwondo and tang soo do have spread around the world, generations of warriors have quietly practiced more traditional Korean Combat arts, preserving centuries old techniques in virtual secrecy. Now, you can discover what few people outside of Korea know-the rich tradition of Korean warrior arts like ssireum, kumdo and archery.
Each tape in this continuing series gives you a rare glimpse of the techniques, history and philosophy of an art through the words and actions of its masters. Kumdo encompasses practice with both the wooden training sword and the forged steel sword. On this tape, both types of practice are demonstrated by some of the top Kumdo practitioners in Korea. Using the wooden sword, the masters demonstrate training exercises, basic skills and combat drills with a partner. They then progress to more intricate sequences of cuts with the live sword blade, including fascinating demonstrations of cutting prowess in which bamboo is sliced and candles are extinguished with masterful speed.
