The art of Korean sword handling...
This art was developed by GM Myung Jae Nam. His intention was to create a martial art specialized in Korean sword handling that would be affordable and easy to learn by anyone.
Like in Hankido, there are 24 techniques that correspond to each of the letters of the Korean alphabet.
The techniques are very easy to remember for Korean practitioners, since the cuts made with the sword imitate the movements necessary to trace the characters of the Korean alphabet (Hangul).
For foreign practitioners it is recommended to learn the Korean writing system beforehand. Hangul is quite easy to learn, and barely a week is enough to be able to read the simplest syllables, so foreign practitioners can learn Hankumdo as easily as Korean practitioners.
Hankumdo includes, in addition to cutting techniques with the sword, a great variety of techniques such as disarms or empty hand techniques.
Basic techniques of Hankumdo
The basis of all Hankumdo techniques is Hangul. Hangul is composed of 24 characters, 14 consonants (자음 "Chaum") and 10 vowels (모음 "Moum"). To write the characters with the sword, four basic movements are used:
- Neryo Begui (내려베기) - Vertical downward cut.
- Biskyeo Begui (빗겨베기) - Diagonal downward cut.
- Chirugi (찌르기) - Frontal attack (literally thrust).
- Makki (막기) - Defense.
