| General Information |
Kum Ye Do is a Korean swordsmanship martial art or swords dance using real swords. ‘Kum Ye’ means ‘the best skills of swords’. It is said to be the traditional swordsmanship style that includes swords dance and arts. |
| History/Development |
The founder of the KYD, Hyoseon Jang, was motivated to develop a swordsmanship style and culture of Korea. Jang created the practice system and principles based on swords dance of Joseon dynasty, combining them with swords techniques from muye dobo tongji, a historical reference of Korean military’s training manual in the 18th.Influenced by his father, a martial artist, Jang had practised swordsmanship in his early age and later founded KYD inspired by the belief that the swordsmanship culture and disciplines formed and dominated by Japanese influence threatens indigenous Korean swordsmanship culture. As such, Jang made the KYD system with a focus on self-discipline and growth, rather than fighting. |
Transmission
(Policies/institutions) |
The Korea Kum Ye Do Association was established in 2002. There are about 70 training centres in Korea and 50 in the U.S. |
| Relevant Organisations |
- Korea Kum Ye Do Association (한국검예도협회) |
| Additional Materials |
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| References |
- 이코노미뷰. (2014). KYD: an echo that wakes me up (나를 깨우는 깊은 울림 검예도).
- 중앙일보. (2013). 한국전통검술 ‘검예도’ 미국 전파 화제 |
Note: The content pretty much depends on the interview of Jang, which doesn’t sound very reliable |
