Sword Art? Shim Gum Do

**beungood** · 09-17-2006, 17:11

Read an Article in the Boston Globe the other day on a Korean sword art called Shim Gum Do. Has anyone out there ever heard of this style? It claims to have 33 dan levels,330 forms and John Heinz ,John Kerry's stepson is one of the higher ranks in this group. Been around a while and never read or heard of this style.

**don** · 09-17-2006, 18:40

I had a friend in college in the early 80's who did it. The headquarters was in or near Boston. The founder is/was a short Korean monk who created the art from inspiration, not an unusual story in some circles.

That's all I know.

**Mst Whalen** · 03-21-2007, 14:02

His Dojang was located on Boylston St .Near the connor of Mass ave,Next to Berkely school of Music .

I went to visit him in 1980 I had a letter from Korea I needed translated ,After he read the letter he seemed a lot more sincere . He told me He was a 15th Dan in Zen Sword from a budhist Sect in Seoul. Hmmmmm.... He also was the Founder of A secret Martial Art of Hoshin Sul 12th Dan in which he became enligthened to the Circular Movements while washing his face on the top of A montain.

This is no lie several years later his group bought an old church on the Allston line closer to cambridge (figures ) they had a live in program where you trained several Times a day and they fed you, And housed you , $$$$$ I am not sure of the price but the Dojang ,Is something we all wish for . " OH" he also held Budhist Service and was able to go "TAX EXEMPT" not bad. His wife was a 8th Dan in Sword An American whom was married to him for three years .

Plus he taugth A style of Karate or called Shim Bop ? I think it is translated as Spoiled rice I am not sure ?

My opinion was "CULT" but they had a nice place that attracted all of the "EX" Hara Krishnas

**JWC** · 03-28-2007, 16:36

The information provided by Master Whalen with regard to the location of the Shim Gum Do Dojang and the temple by the monk who is the head instructor there sounds accurate. I think he had just moved or was about to move when I was a student in the area in the 80's and 90's.

He is/was(?) a bona fide monk - my family and I are very close to another monk who trained with him in Korea. I'll leave it at that.

**Jeff Burger** · 04-09-2007, 03:28

Never been there myself but have heard nothing but negative (very culty)

PM Fightgrrl, she had a boyfriend who went there.

**beungood** · 04-15-2007, 20:37

Spoiled Rice?!! LOL, I had a feeling you would know the G-2 on him! The pic of the building looked pretty nice.

**Brian R. VanCise** · 04-16-2007, 07:28

Here is their website : http://www.shimgumdo.org/

**Mst Whalen** · 04-18-2007, 14:38

"WOW" I will not have to rent or condo fees ? And I recieve meals , I am moving in since I have already trained in the Arts ,maybe he will accept me ,At my age I refuse to shave my Head

**Insun** · 05-19-2007, 18:45

Mst Whalen,

Because you do not know the meaning of shin bop does not mean you should make fun of our Korean language. Is it important to mention that his wife is American to show your disapproval of mixed race marriages?

Having a connection to a particular religion does not make it "culty". My "American" husband learned how to box from a Catholic priest who volunteered at the community center. His family did not call it "culty" and worry that he would accidentally become catholic from learning boxing there.

If people fear what they do not know I can believe you fear many things.

I appreciate that Jeff Burger mentioned to PM someone who would know about this place to keep negative comments out of public view. But you seem to find humor in showing your racism publicly.

**beungood** · 05-19-2007, 22:20

Originally Posted by Insun

Mst Whalen,

Because you do not know the meaning of shin bop does not mean you should make fun of our Korean language. Is it important to mention that his wife is American to show your disapproval of mixed race marriages?

Having a connection to a particular religion does not make it "culty". My "American" husband learned how to box from a Catholic priest who volunteered at the community center. His family did not call it "culty" and worry that he would accidentally become catholic from learning boxing there.

If people fear what they do not know I can believe you fear many things.

I appreciate that Jeff Burger mentioned to PM someone who would know about this place to keep negative comments out of public view. But you seem to find humor in showing your racism publicly.

I don't think there was any racism intended in the above comment. He was answering a general question I posed after reading a newspaper article. It is well known that Master Whalen is considered as family in Korea by his Grandmaster. You seem awefully impolite for your age and time in the martial arts.