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Interesting Creatures Interesting Creatures Syndication Thu, 11 Aug 2011 21:51:56 -0500 support@madcool.com (Asia Finest Discussion Forum) IP.Blog 60 Muyedobotongji (Intro) Muyedobotongji

Muyedobotongji 무예도보통지

Excerpt from King's Forward

"...However, in striking inward and attacking outward, the hands and feets are the essential tools of battle, thus the ability of vanquishing the enemy on the battlefield depends upon the proficiency and speed of individual skills. Therefore, isn't that to be the first priority?
Through diligently practicing these methods and mastering the strategy of the dragon and the tiger, the soldiers protecting the capitol and the talented military officers will not abandon their country.
My true intention of publishing this expanded volume of military tactics is to record this instruction for prosperity.

In the summer of 14th year of the Reign,

King Jungjo

Completed by King Jungjo in 1789; Muyedobotongji is Korea's only surviving manual for military martial arts. Comprised of 24 hand-to-hand fighting, sword, polearms, and horsemanship techniques originating from Korea, China, and Japan; Muyedobotongji gives a clear insight to how soldiers in eighteenth century would have fought.
Its intention was to revive military arts in Chosun (Korean) society, where due to Confucianism, military arts were frowned upon and regarded as an useless skill. But after suffering massive invasions throughout 16th to 17th century, Korea recognized the need for the skill that they once detested in order to be prepared for any future conflict. Therefore, Muyedobotongji was created; it was a product after centuries of conflict.

1) Je Dok Gum (Admiral's Sword)
2) Jang Chang (Spear)
3) Juk Jang Chang (Bamboo Spear)
3) Dang Pa (Trident)
4) Dung Pae (Shield)
5) Nang Sun (Multiple-Bamboo Tipped Spear)
6) Gi Chang (Flag Spear)
7) Ye Do (Short Sword)
8) Bon Guk Gum (Silla Kingdom's Sword?)
9) Ssangsodo (Long Sword)
10) Woldo (Crescent Blade)
11) Wae Gum Do (Japanese Swordmanship)
13) Kwo Jun Bo (Combat Method)
14) Hyeop Do (Spear-Sword)
13) Ssang Gum (Double Sword)
14) Gon Bong (Staff)
15) Pyeon Gon (Flail)
16) Masang Gi Chang (Spear on Horseback)
17) Gi Chang Kyo Jun Bo (Spear Combat Method on Horseback)
18) Masang Woldo (Woldo on Horseback)
19) Masang Pyeon Gon (Flail on Horseback)
20) Masang Ssang Gum (Double Sword on Horseback)
22) Gwon Bub (Unarmed Fighting)
23) Kyuk Goo Bo (Polo)
24) Masang Jae (Horsemanship)

This is my first time blogging one of my favourite subjects; martial arts. The reason I love this book even more is that it has many techniques from Korea, China, and Japan. Therefore, all those three cultures have contributed their respectable martial arts techniques into this military manual. I hope you enjoy this blog.

NOTE. Some people may find this offensive, whether if its from my comments, description of the technique, or (especially) the history of the techniques. I kindly ask that some refrain from sparking some internet trolling or flamming going around in this blog. Thank you.]]> Thu, 11 Aug 2011 21:29:26 -0500 Je Dok Gum (1) Muyedobotongji

Je Dok Gum 제독검 (Admiral's Sword)

Excerpts from Muyedobotongji

Like the Ye Do, the Je Dok Gum is carried at the side.
The 14 postures of Je Dok Gum are known as the creation of Chinese Admiral Yi Yu-Song who was a descendent of Korean lineage. Among the admirals who were stationed in Korea during King Sinjong's reign were Yi Yu-song, Yu Jung, Ma Kwi, Dong Il-won, Yi Sun-hun, and Jin In. Yu Jung was known for his expertise in using the long sword. In the Jingbeerok, it is recorded, "In the summer of the year Kyesa, I was ill in bed at the Moksadong in Seoul. At the time, General Nak Sang-ji from the Ming Dynasty, who was known for his ability to lift 1,000 pounds, said, 'Chosun is weak and the Japanese enemies are still stationed on the peninsula, the Koreans should learn martial arts from us in order to defend the country.' Thus, I wrote a proposal to the king and his officer Han Sa-rip. Seventy soldiers were chosen to participate, so I requested Nak Sang-ji to begin lessons. He then selected Jang Yuk-sam and ten additional instructors. They began to teach the fighting methods of the spear, the sword and the nang sun. The methods came from Admiral Nak Sang-ji and so were called the admiral's sword."
Yi Won, the fifth descendant of Admiral Yi Yu-song, said, "While Yi Yu-song was stationed in Chosun, he took the daughter of Mr. Kum of Tong Jin for his maid (concubine). When he was departing the country, he gave his sword to her as a token for his love and said, 'If you give a birth to a boy, make his name Chun Keun.' Indeed, she delivered a boy and named him Chun Keun. Even today there are many of Chun Keun's descendants living in the Keoje area."
During King Yungjo's reign (1746), the naval commander, Yi Un-sang, found Mu Chon, who was the direct descendant of Chun Keun. Yi engraved the historical facts on the sword and the scabbard and returned the sword to the family of the admiral. The length of the blade was three feet four inches; the throat of the sword, nine inches with two holes; the width of the blade, one and one half inches with an upper slicing part of three sixteenths of an inch; the thickness of the back, over one quarter of an inch; the tip one eight of an inch. On the side of the blade, a Chinese character, chang, is engraved in a circle. In the gap at the top, a wiggling dragon is engraved. It is not rusted at all; it has a clean and pure appearance. This is not related to the fighting method, however, since this weapon is called the Je Dok Gum, this description is included with the illustrations.

Like the excerpts say, its been passed down to Korea by Ming Dynasty soldiers during the Imjin War (1592-1598). Along with techniques such as the spear, trident, and nang-sun; Je Dok Gum was one of the forms taught to Korean soldiers in order to strengthen their abilities and help prepare them for another future conflict. After seeing how Korean land forces has lost tremendously during the early stages of the war, it seemed that the Chinese were quite convinced that Chosun (Korea) was incapable of defending its own territories.

Chosun soldier, Chinese point of view

But, of course, Korea did have its @$$-kicking moments throughout history, and it still runs through Korean veins (I hope, considering the performances of ROKMC in Vietnam and Rain in Ninja Assassin). It was just that the confucianism in Chosun made Koreans look down upon military arts and weapons; and had to pay a huge price for it.

So hopefully being aware of that, Chosun court allowed themselves to be open-minded and accepted whatever teachings by the Ming soldiers. They were determined to never be unprepared for another war again, and were slowly making progress in restrengthening its military.

As these techniques were one of the first rudimentary steps to reform/strengthen the weakened Korean military (and the eventual creation of Muyedobotongji); you've got to give some pat on the back to the Chinese for this.
So kudos to you China.

In all honesty, that's probably one of the very few things Koreans would thank you for.

Being the only Chinese sword form in the Muyedobotongji, Je Dok Gum contributes greatly to the unique style and versatility of the Korean military martial arts. Like most Chinese military martial arts, this form focuses on individual against group combat, as the user generally keeps the blade moving in a circular motion; ready to strike or block at any point.
Personally, this is one of the coolest, and my favorite sword technique in this manual.
It involves lots of slashing and spinning, while demanding proper technique and speed of the user.

Plus, it has the most badass posture for a sword technique.

F*** yeah

Video of Je Dok Gum
mir1871.tistory.com

Sadly, we may never know the proper techniques of the Muyedobotongji, because its description on several techniques are left for interpretation of the practitioner. So the guy doing this technique in the video above, is doing the way he interprets it (he's pretty good though in my opinion).]]> Thu, 11 Aug 2011 21:29:00 -0500