OK, To re-qualify. We were training with a Chinese quan dao which is the closest available equivalent. The form is still a Woldo form from Muyi esipsaban. The entire length of this weapon is 7 feet. This video was meant as a reference video for our small weapons training group only. The form in demonstration is over twice as fast as is shown here.
History Woldo was typically used by the medieval Shilla warrior class the hwarang. Wielding the woldo, because it was heavier than other long-reaching weapons, took time, but, in the hands of a practised user, the woldo was a fearsome, agile weapon famous for enabling a single soldier to cut down ranks of infantrymen. Korean cavalrymen, usually in the Choson era, also used the woldo, mainly because it was longer than most other pole weapons and for its heavy striking power. Korean warriors and generals who took military exams to take up high positions in the army had to take an exam that tested proficiency and skill with the woldo. Those who could demonstrate great martial skill in the use of the woldo passed one of the exams and proceeded to the next. Those who could not were ordered to withdraw and to train for the next military examination.
Hi, Here is a bit of history on the Woldo. History Woldo was typically used by the medieval Shilla warrior class the hwarang. Wielding the woldo, because it was heavier than other long-reaching weapons, took time, but, in the hands of a practised user, the woldo was a fearsome, agile weapon famous for enabling a single soldier to cut down ranks of infantrymen. Korean cavalrymen, usually in the Choson era, also used the woldo, mainly because it was longer than most other pole weapons and for its heavy striking power. Korean warriors and generals who took military exams to take up high positions in the army had to take an exam that tested proficiency and skill with the woldo. Those who could demonstrate great martial skill in the use of the woldo passed one of the exams and proceeded to the next. Those who could not were ordered to withdraw and to train for the next military examination.
Steve Large oh damn :/ me personally I tried to use it myself, and i tried to see if there was any sparring videos of practical implications instead of just forms in wushu tournaments or just dancing. Do you possibly have like a sparring videos of guandao techniques or is this the only thing available out there on youtube? (Sorry but im just very curious about east asian weapons lately)
Woldo was a very specialized weapon, and not many had the skill and strength to use it effectively. had two primary uses, on horseback and on foot. It was probably most effective from horse. Unlike a knights lance, it was likely used like a "scythe". On the ground, it would have been a heavy pole arm, useful against armored opponents and cavalry. The shear weight of the blade makes for a powerful cut, the pommel is usually a spike so that it can double as a spear. However, it is not an all powerful weapon. It is so heavy that most people tire quickly, leaving it vulnerable to faster weapons and massed troops.
Before anyone gets confused, straight from the translated MuYeDoBoTongJi's recording of the WolDo: "The length of the handle is six feet four inches; the length of the blade is two feet eight inches". That's a very long weapon. The weapon wielded in the demonstration can't be the WolDo, a weapon defined by its size and also commonly used by cavalry. The shorter HyupDo, the sword-spear, is probably the more accurate term for the weapon here, where "the length of the handle is three feet".
Uh, the feet and inches used in the Muye Dobo Tongji is not identical to modern feet and inches. The 6 feet 4 inches (6척 4촌) is more like 134 cm by modern standards.
I have a copy of the book in front of me right now. If you have one yourself (as I assume you do), you already know there's chapters on both the woldo AND hyupdo. Both chapters depict a weapon considerably longer than a person. The shaft of both are the same length as the wielder. With the blade added, it makes them quite a bit longer than the person. The chapter on the woldo states: "This weapon was used by the cavalry, the infantry and the navy". Not to mention the illustrated description of an unmounted woldo form. So, in terms of length only, I'd say that's not the deciding factor between the two weapons. The hyupdo has a somewhat straighter blade than the woldo, but the key difference seems to be the second tip at the middle of the blade. The woldo has this, while the hyupdo lacks it. I'd say the weapon wielded in this video is indeed a woldo, albeit shorter than the size described in the muyedobotongji. (possibly there's a different name for a shorter woldo, I dont know) I'd also like to point out that the book has two separate chapters on the woldo: one for horseback and one for use on foot. So quite clearly, it WAS meant to also be wielded on foot. Not to mention the several times I've seen demonstrations of them being used on foot. The last about a week ago, as it happens. My 7th dan korean master, Dr. B.K. Choi is an expert in the field and dedicated to the preservation of these weapon styles. So I tend to trust his judgment. If he lets his students call that a woldo, it's most likely correct.
depends where you live I suppose. I live in the Netherlands, and we have a handful of schools that teach a style based on the muye dobo tongji; Sibpalki. I know there is a relatively big following in South America as well. Korea, obviously, but I din't think you're there. Master Bok Kyu Choi could probably tell you if there's a school near you. You can reach him via Facebook, questions in English as well. web.facebook.com/Sibpalki-Nederland-108181629246917/
![[2023] It's Guanyu! Pan Hongshen - Guandao - 8.97 - Traditional Wushu Taolu National Championships](/img/1.gif)
OK, To re-qualify. We were training with a Chinese quan dao which is the closest available equivalent. The form is still a Woldo form from Muyi esipsaban. The entire length of this weapon is 7 feet. This video was meant as a reference video for our small weapons training group only. The form in demonstration is over twice as fast as is shown here.
I like this particular Quan Dao very much. The shape is perfect. Where can I buy it?
History
Woldo was typically used by the medieval Shilla warrior class the hwarang. Wielding the woldo, because it was heavier than other long-reaching weapons, took time, but, in the hands of a practised user, the woldo was a fearsome, agile weapon famous for enabling a single soldier to cut down ranks of infantrymen. Korean cavalrymen, usually in the Choson era, also used the woldo, mainly because it was longer than most other pole weapons and for its heavy striking power. Korean warriors and generals who took military exams to take up high positions in the army had to take an exam that tested proficiency and skill with the woldo. Those who could demonstrate great martial skill in the use of the woldo passed one of the exams and proceeded to the next. Those who could not were ordered to withdraw and to train for the next military examination.
Very nice form
memories
Was this weapon actually used on the battlefield? And if so is there any practical applications for such weapons? I really would love to see it
Hi, Here is a bit of history on the Woldo.
History Woldo was typically used by the medieval Shilla warrior class the hwarang. Wielding the woldo, because it was heavier than other long-reaching weapons, took time, but, in the hands of a practised user, the woldo was a fearsome, agile weapon famous for enabling a single soldier to cut down ranks of infantrymen. Korean cavalrymen, usually in the Choson era, also used the woldo, mainly because it was longer than most other pole weapons and for its heavy striking power. Korean warriors and generals who took military exams to take up high positions in the army had to take an exam that tested proficiency and skill with the woldo. Those who could demonstrate great martial skill in the use of the woldo passed one of the exams and proceeded to the next. Those who could not were ordered to withdraw and to train for the next military examination.
Steve Large oh damn :/ me personally I tried to use it myself, and i tried to see if there was any sparring videos of practical implications instead of just forms in wushu tournaments or just dancing. Do you possibly have like a sparring videos of guandao techniques or is this the only thing available out there on youtube? (Sorry but im just very curious about east asian weapons lately)
Woldo was a very specialized weapon, and not many had the skill and strength to use it effectively. had two primary uses, on horseback and on foot. It was probably most effective from horse. Unlike a knights lance, it was likely used like a "scythe". On the ground, it would have been a heavy pole arm, useful against armored opponents and cavalry. The shear weight of the blade makes for a powerful cut, the pommel is usually a spike so that it can double as a spear. However, it is not an all powerful weapon. It is so heavy that most people tire quickly, leaving it vulnerable to faster weapons and massed troops.
코레안
Before anyone gets confused, straight from the translated MuYeDoBoTongJi's recording of the WolDo: "The length of the handle is six feet four inches; the length of the blade is two feet eight inches". That's a very long weapon.
The weapon wielded in the demonstration can't be the WolDo, a weapon defined by its size and also commonly used by cavalry.
The shorter HyupDo, the sword-spear, is probably the more accurate term for the weapon here, where "the length of the handle is three feet".
Uh, the feet and inches used in the Muye Dobo Tongji is not identical to modern feet and inches. The 6 feet 4 inches (6척 4촌) is more like 134 cm by modern standards.
I have a copy of the book in front of me right now. If you have one yourself (as I assume you do), you already know there's chapters on both the woldo AND hyupdo. Both chapters depict a weapon considerably longer than a person. The shaft of both are the same length as the wielder. With the blade added, it makes them quite a bit longer than the person.
The chapter on the woldo states: "This weapon was used by the cavalry, the infantry and the navy". Not to mention the illustrated description of an unmounted woldo form.
So, in terms of length only, I'd say that's not the deciding factor between the two weapons. The hyupdo has a somewhat straighter blade than the woldo, but the key difference seems to be the second tip at the middle of the blade. The woldo has this, while the hyupdo lacks it.
I'd say the weapon wielded in this video is indeed a woldo, albeit shorter than the size described in the muyedobotongji.
(possibly there's a different name for a shorter woldo, I dont know)
I'd also like to point out that the book has two separate chapters on the woldo: one for horseback and one for use on foot. So quite clearly, it WAS meant to also be wielded on foot.
Not to mention the several times I've seen demonstrations of them being used on foot. The last about a week ago, as it happens. My 7th dan korean master, Dr. B.K. Choi is an expert in the field and dedicated to the preservation of these weapon styles. So I tend to trust his judgment. If he lets his students call that a woldo, it's most likely correct.
Where can I learn weapons and kwon bop from muye dobo tongji
depends where you live I suppose. I live in the Netherlands, and we have a handful of schools that teach a style based on the muye dobo tongji; Sibpalki. I know there is a relatively big following in South America as well. Korea, obviously, but I din't think you're there.
Master Bok Kyu Choi could probably tell you if there's a school near you. You can reach him via Facebook, questions in English as well.
web.facebook.com/Sibpalki-Nederland-108181629246917/