Joseon posture method

Joseon sebeop (조선세법, 朝鮮勢法) is the name under which the Chinese military writer Mao Yuanyi (모원의) recorded 24 se (세, postures) of a sword system in his military compendium Mubiji (무비지), published in 1621. It is the earliest written record of this sword art. The Korea Kumdo Association (대한검도회, Daehan Geomdohoe) has researched and restored it since the 1980s.

• Written origin: when the Muyedobotongji (무예도보통지) was compiled in 1790, it was combined with yedo (예도), and 4 se were added to the original 24, making 28.
• Structure: according to the Incheon Kumdo Association, its methods are striking (격법, 擊法), thrusting (자법, 刺法), washing or sweeping (세법, 洗法) and parrying (격법, 格法).
• Practice in the Korea Kumdo Association: the association has standardized 8 of the 24 postures. They include jeomgeomse (점검세), jwaikse (좌익세), bongduse (봉두세), gwause (과우세), jeonsise (전시세) and gwajwase (과좌세). In the forms the practitioner draws the sword, cuts, sheathes it again (납도, napdo) and steps back to the starting position.
• Grading and competitions: in 2018, higher-grade examinations (5th to 8th dan) required a Joseon sebeop grade. A community wiki says that requirement has since been dropped. Joseon sebeop contests have been held, such as the 3rd national contest in Jeongeup.
• Debate: Lee Guk-no (이국노), a vice-president of the association, has pointed out that Joseon sebeop taught from the same book differs between kumdo organizations. The association's interpretation has also been criticized.