MissionStatement
My Mission is to promote and expand knowledge about the Korean Martial Art of Haidong Gumdo to the American audience. As a relatively new Martial Art, it has the potential to promote better health and well being. It is for young and old, male and female, and is practiced widely throughout Europe, Asia and South American countries. I also created this website so other Haidng Gumdo Masters and School Owners would be able to share their school events and activities to those that would be interested in schools in the United States. The HDGD School Directory will be a useful tool for prospective students looking for a school to begin sword training, and for those who are moving, or for travelers who may want to train while away from home. You will also find extensive articles, news, reference material, photos, videos, and biographical information on HDGD. The only requirement is that the Master or School Owner be a member of the World Haidong Gumdo Federation. Master Crawley Berry |
The FAR EAST has come to the Delaware Area in the form of Korea’s Haidong Gumdo, an ancient martial art with a well-preserved 2,400-year-old lineage. In this discipline, ultimately it’s learning the sword that shapes the kind of person you want to become. Learning Haidong Gumdo does a lot for an individual in the way of confidence and developing that “I can do” attitude.
It is relatively unknown in North America, having only arrived in 1996. Despite its strenuous training methods, people of any age and physical condition can practice it. That is why Haidong Gumdo prides itself for being a martial art of three generations: grandparents, parents and children. Haidong Gumdo means many things to many people. On the surface it is a martial system, which preserves and promotes the Korean approach to sword techniques. The dynamic movements and visible power of the forms capture the eye and imagination. Graceful, flowing motion, harnessing lethal power is one way to describe Haidong Gumdo. There is more to it than this, however. The art does not merely teach how to fight with swords. We can begin to see these depths of meaning when we look at the name chosen to represent the art. Hai dong Gum Do translates best to East Sea Swordsmanship. This translation does not carry all of the meaning for all people. Hai refers to the sea but it also refers to the sun. Dong is east and it too speaks of the sun, specifically the light energy of the sun. Gum means sword and Do has many shades of meaning. In this instance Do is used to represent an approach, both physical and mental, to a body of skills which are properly called an art. Most often in English, Do is translated simply as way or path. Gumdo translates directly as the way of the sword. Haidong Gumdo is a Korean sword art, which draws from battlefield tactics and techniques to build a curriculum for mental, physical and spiritual development. Students learn forms, step drills, sitting and moving meditation, sparring as well as bamboo and straw cutting. The focus in Haidong Gumdo is not dueling but on the tactics of outdoor, pitched battles. Powerful, complex and beautiful, Haidong Gumdo is a wonderful style, which can be pursued throughout your life. |