What is Muyedo?
The Full Story
Muyedo is a sword martial art founded by Paul Bokhyun Oh in the United States as a discipline that achieves the completion of kendo by blending both modern Kendo/Kumdo and traditional Chosunkal:
Kendo is a modern Japanese/Korean competitive sport in which two people wear armor and use bamboo swords to target the opponent's head, wrist, waist, and neck.
Through a training course called “Hoorigi,” Kendo was used as a wartime means of subduing or defeating an enemy with a real sword, but is now an exciting sport practiced worldwide.
Chosunkal is a traditional Korean martial art that is based on the Chosunsebup (military manual of the Chosun dynasty). These martial arts were taught to the military during the reign of King Jeongjo nearly 1,500 years ago. All movements, from Burigi (basic
sword movements), to Bongukkumbup and Chosunkalbup, are made for actual combat. These
techniques are adapted into a modern competitive sport that uses protective equipment and non-lethal
swords.
Muyedo for Physical and
Mental Well-being.
Muyedo has all the elements of basic physical training, because it requires you to develop your athletic ability to hit, run, throw, and jump with your sword. In addition, pressing the acupuncture points on the palm of the hand during use of the sword, stimulating the blood in the ears while wearing the helmet, and promoting the growth plates of children through the various transmitted sounds are but a few examples of the minor benefits that can contribute to overall health. A study from the University of Tokyo in Japan found that the left brain of children who practice Kendo develops more through sword sparring, which requires creativity and an agile intellect.
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For adults, stamina is improved through the activation of nerves and muscle. This excellent exercise helps combat obesity, and promotes improved posture. It is a known fact that Kendo has an excellent effect on strengthening mental power because it requires a high level of concentration.
For women, among the many rewards of training are practical self defense, confidence through physical training, and a sense of positive self-worth. Particularly for the elderly, for whom regular strength training is important, using a wooden or bamboo sword is a less strenuous substitute for weights or dumb-bells. The additional cardio and posture training from traditional Chosunkal swordsmanship (through stance and posture) provide a more complete exercise.
Therefore it can be said that Kendo and Muyedo are activities that all generations may benefit from together, regardless of age or gender. In Japan and Korea, Kendo has long been a staple of law enforcement as well as a popular national pastime. In these pandemic years, it is important to note the rising desire to emphasize humanity and social well-being. It is our organization's urgent wish to guide others on the path to physical and mental well-being, and educate others on the many benefits of these martial arts.
PAUL BOKHYUN OH | Grand Master
Born 7-26-1959
Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Muyedo Founder, Chosunkal Kumsun 9th Dan
- US Muyedo Academy Grand Master
- Global Muyedowon Foundation president
Timeline of Achievements:
1993 ~ 1st Incheon City Citizen Kendo Competition winner, other successful
2010 competitive results in Korea
1998 Opened the Kumdo Jakjungwan School
2000 Opened the Kumdo Academy Hyosungkwan
2002 Acquired Kendo Instructor qualifications, Korean Kumdo Association
2002 Acquired Kendo Judge qualifications, Life Sports Instruction Certification
2006 Appeared in Korean SBS drama “Yeon Gaesomun”
2012 Opened the Kumdowon in Houston, TX
2012~16 Korean Culture Festival (Texas): participated in demonstration of Korean
swordsmanship “bongukgumbup” and “Chosumsebup”
2014 1st Place, US Bongrimgi Kumdo Championship
2015 Special Chosunsebup demonstration commemorating the 65th anniversary
of the Korean war (Texas).
2018 Opened the Muyedowon in San Jose, CA
2021 Established the Global Muyedowon Foundation
Currently volunteering his time teaching non-profit sword martial arts classes in Santa
Clara, Sunnyvale and Campbell.
ChosunKal
Throughout Korean history from the Silla period to the Goryeo period, and two hundred years ago in the Chosun dynasty, the Great King Jeongjo crafted a sword art that became the basis for Muyedo, as it has been improved and modified by Grand Master Paul Bokhyeon Oh. Muyedo is a sword marital art of old Korean tradition that has been finely modified to fit the current age, and practices hitting, cutting, stabbing among twenty sword moves in total, as well as Bongkuk-geombup, Chosunse-bup, sparring, cutting with edged swords and other training methods that practice the real art of the sword. It is a true sword martial art that requires true raw stamina and requires the utmost concentration of Chi.
The tools required to train in Chosunkal are the following:
Stage 1 : Dobok(Regular uniform)+ plastic sword $300
Stage 2 : Gagum (fake swords) $300,
Stage 3 : Muyebok(master’s Uniform)+ Jingum(edged sword) $2000
GyeokGum
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Gyeokgum is a bamboo sword and Hogu(Armor) requiring training method that teaches the essence of the sword and trains the physicality of the body and strengthens concentration and discipline, as well as alacrity and the gaze of the eyes. It also strengthens proper posture and is the most suitable sword martial art for the completion of Chosunkal training. Gyeokgum’s benefits, among other things, aids in promoting growth in children and is beneficial to female dieting methods as well. People the world over train in this art under the names Kumdo and Kendo, according to finely established rules.
Stage 1 : Dobok(Uniform), Jukdo (Shinai) ($200)
Stage 2 : Hogu for children ($500),
Hogu(Armor) for adolsecents ($700)
$900 for adults
