Korean Sword Manufacturer
Han Jong-Chil: Swords for the Presidents
Introduction
Demonstrating
the great significance of swords in Korean culture, upon promotion to general or admiral, the President of Korea awards to
the officer a sword. This tradition dates far back in Korean history. Once upon a time, Korean kings awarded a sword to top commanders.
This tradition was discontinued upon the demise of the monarchy in the early part of the 20th Century. It was revived in1983 during the reign of President Chun Do-Hwan.
Since 1983
these swords have been slightly curved, similar to a Japanese sword. As of next
year, however, (January 1, 2007) newly promoted Korean Generals will be awarded a straight double edged sword - a more traditional
Korean design. When a general is promoted to three stars, he gets a red ribbon
attached to the sword. On one side of the ribbon is written “the President
of the Republic of Korea,” on the other side
is written the officer’s position in the army. The same things apply for
navy admirals. The swords apparently cost about 2,000,000 won.
In 1995,
the company that made swords for the Korean army Generals went out of business and the contract was awarded to Mr. Han Jong
Chil owner of a company called Hanguk Dokum (한 국 도 검 ) located near Seoul in a city called Siheung.
Han Jong-Chil
Holding a
3rd t Dan rank in Hapkido, a 3rd Dan rank in Taehan Kumdo, and a 1st Dan in Hedong
Kumdo, Han Jong-Chil is a maverick amongst Korean sword craftsmen. He said practicing
Kumdo one day, he “felt ancient things about the sword. It drew me. It started as a hobby, and only later turned into a job.”
Han Jong-Chil
started his sword business back in 1986 having studied under the renowned Master Yeon-In-Moon, who in turn was trained by
the legendary Jeong In-Cho in Seoul. In addition he went to Japan many times to see swords. In
Japan, he saw that Japanese swords are made by a number of people, each
making only a part of the sword, whereas in Korea
the work is more consolidated. The Japanese were impressed that in Korea one person could do so many different tasks. One curious difference between Korean and Japanese sword making methodology involves the difference between
“folding” and “spreading” the metal. “While Japanese fold, the Korean way is to spread the metal,”
he said.
Like all
masters of an art, he has gone beyond his teachers, making creative innovations in the crafting of his swords. For example, the hilt is bolted at the bottom (base), rather that held on with pins going through it. This is a unique design feature of Han Jong-Chil’s swords.
In past years
the curved swords he made for Korean Generals (and Admirals) were called “Sam Jeongdo.”
According
to a brochure on the Sam Jeongdo:
"The Sam-Jung-Do
saber represents the spirit of the Army, Navy and Air Force which has three goals to achieve: National Defense, Unification
and Prosperity of the Fatherland." It is 100 cm. in length. The hilt is 25 cm long and consists of basswood covered with sharkskin.
The blade is 73 cm long, 3.2 cm. wide, .7 cm. thick and made of forged steel.
External
decorations of the saber represent the classic Korean spirit as follows:
* Tae-geuk
(The Great Absolute). The entity of the cosmos or the source of the highest principles of the yin and Yang, the negative and
the positive, or the passive and the active.
* Jook (Bamboo)
Symbol of integrity and constant loyalty.
* Yong (Dragon)
Symbol of the guardian of the state and the suppressor of commotion and war.
* Bong-hwang
(Phoenix) An imaginary bird believed to be a good omen, the
shape of which is also used as the presidential emblem.
* Tang-cho
(Herb of Chinese “Tang” dynasty) Korea’s
traditional decoration pattern.
* Mu-Kung-hwa-
(Rose of Sharon) The Korean national flower signifying everlasting progress.
* Sang-o-pi
(Sharkskin) traditionally used to ornament sabers.
The brochure
that goes with the Generals sword also says it needs to be cleaned every week (2 or three times a week during rainy season),
and every time it’s removed from the scabbard.
Starting
next year a new sword will be presented to the Generals called “San Jeong Kum.”
(Swords that end with the word “do” are single edged weapons. Double
edged swords are called “kum.”) Officers are promoted to General
in the Korean army on January 1, and July 1.
He gets stainless
steel for his swords from a variety of sources, including Korea, Japan, Germany, and Australia. Two companies he mentioned
were “Sam-mi and Hidachi.”
Asked about
his quenching procedure, he said that he uses oil specially produced for that task.
He wouldn’t be more specific. Masters all have their trade secrets!
He also makes
other swords. For example, he makes: Pyong-Jo sword (called “Samgakdo”
in Korean) used by Hedong Kumdo people for cutting rice straw, a “Go-Jo” (called “Yuk-kakdo” in Korean)
used for slicing through bamboo trees, and an even heavier bladed weapon called Hom, that looked like it could cut through
just about anything.
In addition
to that he makes a variety of other swords, filling requests for a wide variety of customers.
One straight sword he had in his inventory was made for some Kuk-sul (Korean martial art) practitioners in the U.S.
Han Jong-Chil
also repairs swords of all kinds, even some very old ones, for customers.
He reported
that he has 10 people working for him in his manufacturing plant.
Asked if
Korean swordsmiths and manufacturers had an association of some kind, he responded in the negative. Asked why, he said that they were “very competitive.”
Han Jong-Chil does speak a little English.
His wife
and daughter participated in the above interview. Asked if she was going to continue
in her father’s footsteps and create a dynasty of sword-makers, his daughter said “no.” A talented 19 year old singer and dancer she intends to be a performing artist. She is currently training with one of Korea’s
most popular female pop stars. In addition, her English is near fluent and she
did most of the translating for this interview. Han Jong-Chil’s wife said
that if were up to her, he’d just retire from the company now! He laughed
at this and said he’d “thought about it.” Han Jong-Chil is
59, but looks about 15 years younger.
Altogether
they were delightful hosts for this interview.
The internet
address for the “Korea Sword Company” is http://www.koreasword.com/nihondo.html
Their street
address is 418-35 Daeya-Dong, Siheung City,
Kyunggi Do, South Korea
Tel: 031-3180-223,
031—3180-224 & 312-0316
Mobile: 011-259-8336
Fax: (031)
312-0317
e-mail: swordhan@yahoo.co.kr
Story by
Gregory C. Brundage and Kim Dammers - Interview date: June 4, 2006
