Mutual bow

Sangho-gan-ui ye (상호간의 예, "mutual courtesy") is the courtesy exchanged between people who train together in kumdo. The Korea Kumdo Association (대한검도회, Daehan Geomdohoe) describes it as the greeting between fellow practitioners who train and sweat together. It includes the etiquette observed before a practice bout or a match. Other sources define it as the courtesy shown to an opponent in a match or practice, or to fellow trainees.

It is one of the five courtesies (다섯 가지 예) listed by the Incheon kumdo association:

• courtesy to the flag (gukgi-e daehan ye);
• courtesy to the dojang (dojang-e daehan ye);
• courtesy to the master (sabeom-e daehan ye);
• mutual courtesy (sangho-gan-ui ye);
• courtesy to disciples and juniors (jeja-na hubae-ege haneun ye).

How it is done. The usual form is the standing bow, ipnye (입례). The association's manual says to bend at the waist about 15 degrees toward the partner. The practitioner looks the partner in the eye, matches the partner's breathing, holds the posture for about one breath and quietly returns to the starting position. A bow to a place or seat of honor is deeper, about 30 degrees.

In a bout. Before a bout each practitioner walks to the bowing line (ipnyeseon, 입례선) and stops with the jukdo (죽도, bamboo sword) in hand. They bow about 15 degrees, then put the jukdo at the waist and take three steps forward to the start line (gaesiseon, 개시선), where they draw it. At the end they sheathe it at the start line, step back five paces to the bowing line and bow again.

There is also a seated form, jwarye (좌례), in which the practitioner faces the partner in a kneeling posture and lowers both hands to the floor at the same time.

Terminology note. One blog author argues that the correct command is "sangho-gane gyeongnye" (상호간에 경례) rather than "ye". This is a personal opinion, not an association rule.