Ok, I understand. Thank you.

Such as JSA? That's not a slam against JSA. It just sounds as though that's what you're describing and desiring and there's nothing wrong with that, but why re-invent the wheel?

I imagine that in time (assuming it isn't happening already) there will be enough self-promoted masters starting their own schools of superior swordsmanship the day after getting a 1st dan in HDGD to addess the whole spectrum of desires put forth by the market. In their infinite wisdom, some will add showmanship, some will eliminate it, and others will guarantee a black belt in only six months. So be patient, Charles. I'm certain your next teacher is working towards his 1st dan at this very moment.

Fine!! Then I'll invent my own Gumdo, and you guys aren't allowed in!! Hahaha! Take that! So, hah!

Given everything that's been said about the spinny things, do you think that it should be encouraged or discouraged during practice with jingum or cutting, especially at the beginning? For example, when my teacher first asked for us to use jingum for everyday form practice, he also mentioned not to use any spinny things right away, but just to simply return the sword to the scabbard for now. He stressed this much more during cutting, which is understandable given the serious nature of cutting and how potentialy dangerous it can be.

Personally-speaking, I am very wary about spinning a jin-gum. Either you'll be careless, or (and I think this one I fear more) the heightened sense of awareness that "this is a real blade" can mean you'll lose the "naturalness" of the motion, and thereby place yourself in potential danger. I won't be spinning a live blade anytime soon, that's for sure.

Haidong,
Dean.

gasp... is there really some point when one is expected to use a real (sharp) sword for everyday form practice?
I'm just a beginner of course, but still... that sounds really dangerous. I thought that real swords were used in everyday practice only for cutting.

Yes, on an empty mat, with no kids.

And no spins! (afterall, that's what this thread is about)



Haidong,
Dean.

It's very much on a case-by-case basis, taking the size of the class, the size of the dojang, the nature of the students, and everyone's willingness to clean their blade afterward.

First without the specific chak-gum for each form, then with them once people have adjusted to the weight and balance differences.

I'm sure there will be variations in requirements and practices from school to school. IMO, a good instructor will consider the following when deciding whether or not to allow any particular student to use a real sword for anything: the student's level of ability, the student's level of confidence, and whether or not such practice is necessary or beneficial. It is your responsibility to make your reservations known if you're asked to handle a real sword and there's nothing wrong with letting it be known. At least then it can be addressed and possibly rectified.

When I practice gumbup with my jingum I include all of the prescribed chak-gum. However, there are some moves I exclude. I don't do the jump in SSGB#12 or the diving roll in Shimsang gumbup. There may be two or more others, but I do just about everything else. And I wait until I have the floor to myself.

My sabumnim never made it a requirement, but then it was I who broached the subject of training with my jingum. I started with doing just the kibon donjak for a couple of weeks before easing into the gumbup and even then I did the gumbup slower than I would have with a kagum. Practicing your gumbup with a jingum does wonders for enhancing one's focus.