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HAI DONG GUMDO IMAGE COLLECTION:
The image links will change from time to time but not nearly so frequently as the video links will.
Hai Dong Gumdo does not really lend itself to the kind of still photographs I am able to capture. I maintain a second (and quite frankly more interesting) collection of images at my Multimedia Site.
Image One: This image is of the man who has extended me such boundless patience as my Master Instructor. Master Kim Jin-ho, Testing Master of Kyungki Province.
Image Two: This image is of the man who has shown me that grace is attainable. He'll let me know if I ever attain it. Master Kim Min-ho.
Image Three: This man has helped me both as friend and now as teacher to expand my love for this art. Instructor Kwon Ki-dong.
Image Four: Here is an action photograph taken at a large gathering in Puchon, Kyungki Province, Republic of Korea on November 21, 1999. Instructor Kwon.
Image Five: I have no comment about this picture. My wife and my mother both like it so here it is.
Image Six: This is an image taken during an unplanned trip to a temple in Pochun, near where we live in Uijongbu, Kyungki Province. The structure behind us houses a fantastic bronze bell which is over 500 years old.
Image Seven: This image comes from an early trip into the country to practice cutting skills, in September 1999. The object of the day was bamboo. The universe was kind enough to bless us with rain so we had to leave the riverside and crowd under an awning. I am watching the events of the next picture while Master Kim Jin-ho selects the first 'victim' of our sharp intentions.
Image Eight: This is another image from the same cutting trip. Here, Chun Ji-poong sacrifices himself to the rain in order to prepare the bamboo for the rest of us. Instructor Kwon looks on. As you can see in the distance, the poles had been dried on the river bank before the rain began. As we had to be under cover it was necessary to completely soak the surface of the poles to reduce the likelihood of flying splinters. Normally, the poles are stored in the flow of the river. Retrieving them is usually the first adventure of the day.
Image Nine: Here is an image taken at my most recent progress test. I am standing with Kim Heong-jin, Chairman of the World Hai Dong Gumdo Federation. As my Master Instructor is the Chairman's student, the tests at our Dojang are judged by him. Yes, it adds a little pressure but it's good practice for the major tests at the Main Dojang in Pundang, Seoul.
Image Ten: This view is from our apartment, looking toward downtown Uijongbu on a hazy day in January. I include it for a bit of local colour.
Image Eleven: Here is an image of some of my bladework on bamboo.
Image Twelve: Here is a close up shot of Clare's sword with mine in the background. Her scabbard has a very warm colour and the guard is quite dramatic.
Image Thirteen: This is a close up of my sword.
Image Fourteen: Here is a shot of our blades together. If this is how many shots we are showing of the same swords, aren't you glad we don't have children?
Image Fifteen: This is a close up view of one of my cuts. A good cut is as smooth as skin.
Image Sixteen: This is Clare at the Cutting Hall.
