Alertness maintained after the strike
In kumdo, jonsim (존심, 存心) is the bodily and mental readiness kept after a strike (타격, tagyeok), so that one can answer at once if the opponent acts again. Without it, a clean hit may not be scored.
How to say it
- Korean
- 존심jonsim
- Spanish
- Atención que se mantiene después del golpe
- English
- Alertness maintained after the strike
- Japanese
- 残心ざんしんzanshin
Jonsim (存心, 존심) is a central idea in kumdo (검도). Korean texts describe it as the guarding and vigilance of body and mind right after a strike (타격, tagyeok). The one who strikes must stay in a state that allows an immediate answer if the opponent acts again.
- In practice: after the strike, the usual way to show it is to leave the opponent's striking distance with a shout (기합, gihap) and point the bamboo sword (죽도, jukdo) at the opponent again.
- Scoring: touching the target is not enough. The strike must combine 기검체일치 (gigeomche-ilchi, unity of spirit, sword and body) with jonsim to count as a 한판 (hanpan, a full point). Even a strike first recognised as valid may be cancelled if jonsim is missing.
- Conduct that lacks jonsim: sources give examples such as relaxing because one has won, turning one's back and jumping about, or circling to waste time.
- How it is achieved: one Korean explanation says to give everything in the strike and still keep mind and body composed. It compares this to pouring out a cup in one go, which leaves a drop behind. Spending 70–80% and saving the rest for jonsim is called a mistake.
- Wider sense: other texts treat it as a steady attitude before, during and after the attack. Its opposite is 방심 (bangsim), a slack mind with no response. It also applies outside combat, such as cleaning the dojo (도장) and tidying the equipment.
Terminology: several Korean pages say jonsim has the same meaning as the Japanese word 残心 (zanshin, Korean 잔심), and that only the writing differs. Another Korean source argues the two are different concepts (see doubts).
Updated: