What Is the Difference Between Kumdo and Gumdo (Haidong Gumdo)?

Kumdo and Haidong Gumdo are two different Korean sword arts with different organizations. Kumdo is a one-on-one sport in which players wear hogu armor and strike each other with a bamboo sword (jukdo) under match rules set by the Korea Kumdo Association. In Haidong Gumdo as taught by the World Haidong Gumdo Federation, rank tests include forms and cutting tests, and geup tests include cuts with a wooden sword and a practice sword.

The names sound alike because both come from the Korean word 검도, "the way of the sword." The Korea Kumdo Association spells it "Kumdo" in English. The World Haidong Gumdo Federation spells it "Gumdo."

What is Kumdo?

The Korea Kumdo Association defines Kumdo as a sport in which two people wearing hogu armor strike each other one-on-one with a jukdo, and as a martial art that trains the body and mind. Matches are decided by three referees: a point counts when at least two of them signal a valid strike to the head, wrist or waist, or a thrust to the throat. The first player to score two points wins.

Kumdo ranks run from 9th geup up to 9th dan. Dan ranks are awarded by the Korea Kumdo Association; geup ranks are recognized by city and provincial Kumdo associations on its behalf. Dan tests from 1st to 4th dan include the Bonguk-geom (본국검법) Korean sword form. See What Is Kumdo?

What is Haidong Gumdo?

According to the World Haidong Gumdo Federation, Kim Jeong-ho opened the first Haidong Gumdo training hall in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, Korea, on July 24, 1982. The federation itself was founded on November 25, 1996, to spread the art abroad.

The federation's grading rules include cutting tests: cutting square timber, cutting bamboo, cutting paper and cutting a thrown ball. Geup tests include a front cut with a mokgeom (wooden sword) and left and right horizontal cuts with a gageom (practice sword). Each dan also has its own set of forms; the federation's 4th dan test, for example, includes Bonguk-geom forms 1 to 7.

Kumdo vs. Haidong Gumdo at a glance

Organization: Kumdo, the Korea Kumdo Association. Haidong Gumdo (as described here), the World Haidong Gumdo Federation.
English spelling: Kumdo uses "Kumdo." Haidong Gumdo uses "Gumdo."
Swords: Kumdo spars with a bamboo jukdo. Haidong Gumdo geup tests include cuts with a wooden mokgeom and a practice gageom.
Armor: Kumdo players wear four-part hogu armor for sparring and matches.
Tests: Kumdo dan tests include a practical test, forms and a written exam. Haidong Gumdo dan tests include forms and cutting tests.

The points above come from each organization's own rules.

FAQ

Is Kumdo the same as Gumdo?

Not always. Both spellings come from the same Korean word, 검도. The Korea Kumdo Association writes "Kumdo," while the World Haidong Gumdo Federation uses "Gumdo" for Haidong Gumdo, a separate art with its own federation.

When did the first Haidong Gumdo training hall open?

The World Haidong Gumdo Federation says Kim Jeong-ho opened the first Haidong Gumdo training hall in 1982.

Does Kumdo use real swords?

Kumdo sparring and matches use a bamboo jukdo. The standard equipment also includes a wooden mokgeom.

Which one does US Hwa Rang Kwan teach?

US Hwa Rang Kwan teaches Kumdo and is certified by the Korea Kumdo Association.

Learn Kumdo near Washington, DC

US Hwa Rang Kwan Kumdo teaches students 7 years and older in Chantilly, Virginia and Ellicott City, Maryland. New students at the Chantilly, VA dojang can start with 3 semi-private lessons for $19.99. For Ellicott City, please contact us before you visit.