Kumdo 검도 (or gumdo) is a modern Korean martial art derived from similar origins as Japanese Kendo. After the basic levels have been completed, kumdo becomes a high speed, full contact sport with the purpose of striking the other player with a bamboo sword to be awarded points. At these upper levels, kumdo practitioners wear protective armor, called hogu 호구 (bogu in Japanese) which is very similar to traditional samurai armor, and protects the head, throat, torso, hands/wrists/forearms, and hips.

The sights and sounds of kumdo practice can make it appear very intimidating at first and people have many questions. So maybe we should first say what kumdo is not.

Kumdo is NOT like the online videos you may see of “backyard ninjas” hacking away at 5 gallon water bottles with swords. It is NOT two or more people whacking each other at random with shinai. It is NOT like what is portrayed in movies like Kill Bill. If that is the type of “training” you hope to get from studying kumdo at our dojang, please do not waste your time (or ours), because we will not be teaching you that “style”.

Ok, then what will I be learning?