While the popular Korean martial arts like taekwondo and tang soo do have spread around the world, generations of warriors have quietly practiced more traditional Korean Combat arts, preserving centuries old techniques in virtual secrecy. Now, you can discover what few people outside of Korea know-the rich tradition of Korean warrior arts like ssireum, kumdo and archery. Each tape in this continuing series gives you a rare glimpse of the techniques, history and philosophy of an art through the words and actions of its masters. Kumdo encompasses practice with both the wooden training sword and the forged steel sword. On this tape, both types of practice are demonstrated by some of the top Kumdo practitioners in Korea. Using the wooden sword, the masters demonstrate training exercises, basic skills and combat drills with a partner. They then progress to more intricate sequences of cuts with the live sword blade, including fascinating demonstrations of cutting prowess in which bamboo is sliced and candles are extinguished with masterful speed.
