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View Full Version : Sword History Link from Japan to Korea



glad2bhere
16th November 2000, 16:31
Is anyone looking for a challenge?

The MU YEI TO BO TONG JI (“COMPREHENSIVE ILLUSTRATED MANUAL OF MARTIAL ARTS”) was written by Lee in the 1790-s by order of Jungjo, the Korean King. It is a compendium of many (over 200 treatises, books and works) sources dating back as far as 1595. I raise this bit of trivia in that Book 2, section 3 of this work is entitled WAE GUEM (“JAPANESE SWORD”). Originally I had thought this material was Korean/Chinese in origin with the intent of formulating responses to Japanese sword techniques. Introductory notes to the chapter, however, indicate that “ During the period of King Sukjong,(1674-1720)…. (Kim, Che-gun)… traveled to Japan with the Korean government delegation and acquired a sword manual. When he mastered it, the king called him in and tested his skills….. In the sword manual there were four styles: toyu ryu, woonkwang ryu, chunryu ryu and ryupee ryu. The style of Ui Kyung was called shindo ryu and Shinkangs’ shinum ryu. Kim Che-gum transmitted all of the systems but currently only woonkwang ryu is practiced. What he developed based on what he had learned was called kyo jun bo. …..The Japanese are the best in sword patterns, thus their patterns are used in the illustrations.”

So sometime between 1674 and 1720 a delegation goes to Japan and brings back the material presented in the MU YEI… the obvious question is any of this familiar to any of the current practitioners of Japanese arts? Looking at the first Form (TOYU RYU) I think I see vestiges of Katori Shinto Ryu as presented in DEITY AND THE SWORD. Does anyone want to venture a guess at what other styles might have been available to a Korean delegation in writing in that time frame?

Best Wishes,

Bruce W Sims
http://www.midwesthapkido.com

hyaku
17th November 2000, 00:07
So sometime between 1674 and 1720 a delegation goes to Japan and brings back the material presented in the MU YEI?Ethe obvious question is any of this familiar to any of the current practitioners of Japanese arts?
Best Wishes,

Bruce W Sims
http://www.midwesthapkido.com
..............
Some info not exactly answering your question but.....

There is a museum about 2 hours drive from here devoted entirely to close links with Japan and Korea. Nagoya town is geographicaly closest to Korea (Nagoya Kyushu).

Hideyoshi spent quite some time here at Nagoya Castle.

The main thing brought over from Korea particular to the area is the pottery style. The local pottery is now famous within its own right. They have a replica of a sword on display about 3.4 in length. The Tsuka binding is somewhat different with a tassel on the hilt. I made enquiries into this which were in turn were sent to Korea. The answer was that most of the swordsmanship in Korea connected to Japan was the result of visiting pirates.

Hyakutake Colin

W.Bodiford
4th December 2000, 22:24
Please see my response to the version of this post that appears in the Sword Arts section of the Koryu forum. I believe the thread is titled "brainteaser."