Paired sword forms
The bon (본), or Geomdo-ui bon (검도의 본), are prearranged sword forms practised by two people, with the roles of seondo (선도) and hudo (후도). The standard set has 7 large-sword (daedo) forms and 3 small-sword (sodo) forms.
How to say it
- Korean
- 본bon
- Spanish
- Formas en dupla (Geomdo-ui bon)
- English
- Paired sword forms
- Japanese
- 形かたkata
The bon (본, 本), called Geomdo-ui bon (검도의 본), are the prearranged sword forms of kumdo. A Korean source describes them as a formalised training method that carries the movement, thinking and spirit of the art, practised with a real sword or a wooden sword (mokgeom, 목검) before sparring with the bamboo sword (jukdo, 죽도). A Korean sword-maker's page treats them as similar to the Japanese concept of kata (形), and says they are used to learn traditional swordsmanship and the principles of kumdo.
- Performance: two people take part, as seondo (선도) and hudo (후도). A Korean source gives the Korean names for the two roles. An Argentine kumdo school describes them as teacher and student, and a Japanese source places the senior practitioner in the first role.
- Composition: daedo-ui bon (대도의 본, large sword), 7 forms, and sodo-ui bon (소도의 본, small sword), 3 forms. The large-sword set has 3 head attacks (forms 1, 4 and 5), 2 wrist attacks (2 and 6), 1 waist attack (7) and 1 thrust (3).
- Purpose: for those who train only with the bamboo sword, they teach the mechanics of movements and techniques made with a real sword.
- Origin: the All Japan Kendo Federation says a common set of 10 forms (7 long-sword, 3 short-sword) was fixed in 1912.
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