What is Siljun Dobup?

What is Siljun Dobup?

Sil Jun Do Bup is the practice of using the sword correctly. As opposed to the showy modern forms that are nothing more than entertainment, Sil Jun Do Bup aims to strike a balance between theory and practice.

Every martial art has an original form. Form is very important and it must be real. To be realistic, real combat experience is necessary. Through practice, that experience is proven and preserved. I have been practicing Kendo for over 30 years, always with the mentality that I am fighting real opponents. Sil Jun Do Bup is based on real combat, and many unnecessary movements have been removed. With the right mentality, anyone can enjoy practicing this martial art.

Sil Jun Do Bup teaches etiquette, tradition, breathing, drawing, sheathing, basic cutting and, in order of progression, Jee, Soo, Poong, Hwa, Chun forms aim to create healthy minds and bodies.

Why Practice Sword?

Some ask, “Why practice using a sword in an age of guns.” This is no different from asking someone why he or she jogs when we have cars. Also, some consider a martial art that requires a weapon to be impractical. Then, on the other hand, how should one react when the opponent wields a weapon? Is it possible to fight multiple enemies like our action heroes do? These questions only consider martial arts as a form of combat. It is true that the sword was used to wound and kill in the past. However, people practice martial arts today to further develop their mind and body. Only the sword is capable of such duality, and it is our ultimate goal to wield its power through a well trained mind.

What are the benefits to practice sword?

The purpose of Kendo, as mentioned above, is to train the mind and body, but what other purpose does it serve in modern society? How can we benefit from practicing with a real sword?

In the beginning stages, stress relief and focus is most notable. Since a sword is a dangerous weapon, it requires much alertness. The thought that one could get hurt by being careless compels the wielder to focus. As a result, one focuses only on the sword and empties his or her mind

Balance is developed and posture is corrected. Especially in real sword practice, every stance requires one to straighten one’s back, broadening the chest and centering the waist. Purposely lowering one’s center of gravity, the stance naturally corrects posture.

After advancing to mid level, Sat Ji is taught, where we study the proper way to breathe and accumulate our Ki energy(prana); resulting in a healthier body.

Set Soo emphasizes flexibility, rhythm, and the removal of excess force.

The high level Set Poong teaches how to focus one’s strength in a short period of time and the proper way to impact the target. This technique draws out maximum destructibility from a state of accumulated ki.

Set Hwa combines the use of ki, breathing, flexibility, control of strength, and focus mentioned before to bring out one’s maximum potential.

How the attitude and mentality gained from real sword practice will be further explained in Chapter 4.

Who can practice Sil Jun Do Bup?

Real sword practice can be enjoyed by people who are stressed, lacking focus, unfit, have bad posture, are not competitive, have low self esteem without difficulty.

I have been practicing Kendo for over 30 years and have taught countless students. Real sword practice can certainly be a joyful experience in your life. This book is my small gift that I hope will help readers grow.

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