Browsing articles in "Essay"

Essay by Ellen Hyewon Seong

Ellen Hyewon Seong, Kumdo 3rd Dan, Josun Sepup 1st Dan, Student

The girl’s loud yelling pierces my ears. I can never forget her fierce eyes glaring straight at me as if she can hear my thoughts and sense my fear. Many people are cheering, but I am too nervous to notice their excitement. I only feel their eyes trapping me, locking me on the spot. Although she is one head shorter than me, I feel myself shrinking in front of her. Paralyzed, I lose to her in less than thirty seconds. I can still remember how I cried uncontrollably in the grim corner seven years ago during my first tournament.

Eight years ago, I was forced to practice Kumdo, sword-fighting martial art. As a timid nine-year-old girl, I had absolutely no interest in practicing a “brutal” martial art. However, I had no choice but to comply with the will of my dad, who has pursued the study of Kumdo for thirty-five years.

Unfortunately for my dad, I was not talented at Kumdo. I cried on numerous occasions because I felt like the opponents were inhumanely fast. The first time I sparred with my dad, I felt like a fragile egg, fighting a pointless battle against a monumental rock. I could not dare myself to even attempt to attack him. Even after I earned my first blackbelt degree, there were times when I felt like quitting because of the pressure I received from other masters. I felt like the masters had higher expectations of me because I was the daughter of the man with the highest blackbelt degree in the US Kumdo Association.

I admit that I have spent some time wondering why I did not inherit my dad’s gifted talent at Kumdo. I now realize, however, that these thoughts are useless. Dedication and consistency will eventually take me to where I want to be. I do not have the talent, but my persistency has led me into getting third degree blackbelt. Beginners look upon me as a role model. I am glad that I never quit. Had I quit, I would never have felt the feeling of true accomplishment. Through Kumdo, I learned that challenges do not last forever. Time will pass eventually. The key is who will continue to challenge themselves without giving up.

October 31, 2010, VA. My loud, shrieking yelling fills the big gym. I watch my opponent attentively; I can see that the opponent’s eyes are filled with fear and her body stiffens with extreme nervousness. I enjoy the admiring looks from the spectators. I am no longer the girl who felt hopeless during her first match. Instead, I am the predator with sharp eyes, ready to charge at the prey.

Kumdo has rewarded me with the confidence that I have what it takes to overcome whatever challenge I encounter in the future. I am about to step into a bigger world. I know that I will have to start as an egg again, but I am not afraid. I am no longer the fragile egg that is frightened to throw itself against the rock. I now have the courage to face a new challenge that is waiting for me because I know that the challenge will eventually turn out to be a reward.

Essay by Gregory R. Mitchell

Gregory R. Mitchell Siljun Dobup 1st Dan,Military Officer

I am very grateful for the opportunity to train in Siljon Dobup. I am new to traditional martial arts. However I know from my months at Sung Moo Kwan that I am blessed or lucky to have found a very traditional setting for my study of the sword. Grand Master Seong is very generous with his knowledge and I have looked forward to the physical, mental and spiritual demands of every training session.

I am an Army officer and professional soldier familiar with weapons and the rigors of war; however I have always felt that western military training lacks the spiritual quality that I have begun to explore in the Siljon Dobup sword style. There are many lessons to be learned from the sword. The various forms and time spent in the dojan are like meditation that restores and assists me in personal development and discipline. I feel that in recent months my study of the sword has added to other experiences in my personal and professional life. Siljon Dobup is something I will continue for the rest of my life and it has sparked my interest in the larger world of Kumdo. I know that when I return to the United States I will begin Kumdo training.
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Essay by Bridget Kim

Bridget Kim Kumdo 1st Dan,Student

Soccer, tennis, swimming, volleyball, lacrosse, track…throughout my life I have participated in a great number of sports but none can compare to kumdo. I wake up every morning and complain about school or work, and for a small period of time I did the same about kumdo. Looking back at that time I regret ever having thoughts of giving up, but that was when I was weak. I’ve finally realized it takes determination, patience, and heart to get through whatever troubles might come my way, kumdo has taught me this. No longer do I wake in the morning and groan at the thought of kumdo, instead I can’t help but smile.

Two years of kumdo and I have finally achieved my goal. I can’t express the happiness I feel. I will always take what I learned from kumdo wherever I go because I want to continue reaching my ambitions. I am extremely grateful that I could experience kumdo. I can proudly lift my chin and tell all those who want to know that I take kumdo. Kumdo is my push to fight for what I want. Kumdo is my source of confidence and strength.
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The proper attitude of Kumdo student by SooJee Lee

SooJee Lee Kumdo 2nd Dan,Student

It is unfortunate that Kumdo, or more commonly referred to as Kendo (as according to its Japanese name), is a foreign topic to so many in our society, for it is one of the best of its kind. Although it may not seem practical to learn how to wield a sword (who carries one around nowadays?), much less a fake one, Kumdo actually serves to sharpen one’s mind, quicken our perception, judgment, and reaction, and improve our physical health. For more than five years, I have been always proud to call myself a Kumdo student. But is pride really appropriate in the attitude of a humble student striving for consistent improvement? In retrospect and reflection, I admit that the proper attitude would not be pride, but rather infinitemodesty.

Modesty, in its general sense of meaning, tends to connote a lack of self-confidence and therefore assertiveness. Pride, on the other hand, implies the effect of bolstering confidence and aggression, which could be critical in any Kumdo match and as a Kumdo participant in general. Therefore, I am not arguing for an excess of modesty or a complete lack of pride, but rather a delicate, and somewhat paradoxical balance of both traits in which modesty is given an iota more of consideration and weight.
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What Kendo means to me by Max Lesser

Max Lesser Kumdo 2nd Dan, Student

I believe all people have a cornerstone in their lives. A cornerstone is an art, practice, discipline, passion, or pursuit that serves as a type of foundation for our existence. It is something we can base our actions on, and whose teachings affect our every decision. For some, this cornerstone is religion. For others, it is a certain sport. Or an art form. Or a role model. For myself, however, it is kendo; which encompasses all of those previously mentioned. Kendo has made more of an impact on my growth as a person than just about anything else, and it continues to do so with every passing day. I have learned a great deal in the 4 ½ years that I have been practicing…more so than I could possible describe. Achieving 2nd Dan has been an incredible milestone, but there is no shortage of things for me to improve upon and learn in the art of Kendo.
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Confronting the adversaries of Heijoshin by Joey Lynn Monaco

Joey Lynn Monaco, Kumdo&Siljun Dobup 1st Dan, Officer

According to Masayuki Shimabukuro, heijoshin refers to an abiding peaceful mind, or a constant peaceful spirit. I had never heard of heijoshin before writing this essay. At the same time that I started researching heijoshin, however, a friend loaned me an audio book – Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. In Blink, Gladwell describes the benefits of what psychologists call “rapid cognition.” Gladwell analyzes the instantaneous reactions that take place in our subconscious minds before our conscious minds can name those reactions. Gladwell argues that the division of the conscious and subconscious minds is very important to human beings, because our conscious mind tends to overprocess and move very slowly. In a life or death situation, for example, letting the conscious mind dictate our actions could be fatal. The unconscious mind is better at making split-second decisions, and frees up our conscious minds for tasks that require more deliberation. Gladwell could easily be describing a mind in the state of heijoshin verses on that is not.
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What kumdo means to me by Joey Lynn Monaco

Joey Lynn Monaco, Kumdo&Siljun Dobup 1st Dan, Officer

In the summer of 2001, in the dwindling days of American innocence, I held my first real samurai sword. Forged in the 1500s, it was as sharp and beautiful as a new blade, thanks to the meticulous care of my friend Fred. Although Fred was born inShanghai, he spent most of his life inJapan, and his two great loves were his Japanese wife and his collection of Japanese swords. When Fred handed me his 500 year old blade, I was amazed that he trusted me with something so valuable, without hesitation. As I began to associate with more swordsmen, swordswomen and sword enthusiasts, I came to understand that the love of the sword binds people in deeper ways than more run-of-the-mill hobbies.

Two years before meeting Fred, I had traveled toJapan. One of my favorite places was the temple at Sengakuji, where the 47 Ronin rest. The 47 Ronin were samurai who defied the letter of the law in order to fulfill what they considered to be a higher duty. Even though it ultimately cost them their lives, the 47 Ronin acted on conscience. To me, the sword was a symbol of the resolve and high principles that I’ve always admired in swordsmen. Burning incense at the graves of the 47 Ronin was a turning point for me, and when I met Fred, and he shared his sword collection, it was another step down the path. Fred introduced me to my first sword show. Sword enthusiasts gather each year to participate in panels and educational sessions, view historically significant swords and buy and sell swords and fittings.
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What Kumdo Means To Me by Gary Stern

Gary E. Stern - Kumdo 2nd Dan, Attorney

It is not difficult for me to explain, precisely, what Kumdo and the achievement of chodan means to me. First, it says to me that I have been privileged to study with special teachers who have enabled me to reach the first significant Kumdo milestone. Secondly, it reinforces the understanding that I have been fortunate to have classmates who were patient enough to train with me despite my awkwardness and lack of skill. And lastly, it has changed my life by giving a new structure and purpose to my very existence. Kumdo has become part of the fabric of my person and I can’t imagine what my life would be without it being part of my routine.

When I began my Kumdo journey I was not sure that I could physically do what would be asked of me. I knew that I possessed the willingness and the determination to learn, but I was concerned that my body was less supple than my mind. It soon became clear that my fear was well founded. The Kumdo being taught to my classmates would have been more than I could sustain, but my study did not come to an abrupt end. Instead, Master Seong conceived of a way for me to find a place in Kumdo (be it somewhat apart from the others).

Approximately three months into my Kumdo journey, Master Seong, without comment, took away my 39 Jukdo and returned with a 37 and a much shorter sword. He stood in an unfamiliar stance and did a few moves holding one sword in each hand. I could sense that he truly believed that I could learn what he was showing me, and I was flattered that he was willing to teach me. When Sabumnin handed me the two swords, he said “you will learn”. It was clear he wasn’t asking me to try, he was telling me that I could, and would, learn the two sword technique. But more important, he made me believe that I could do it, despite the fact that I was still so new to Kumdo that my feet were blistered and never seemed to heal.