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{{Infobox Korean name|
{{short description|Type of polearm}}{{Single source|date=November 2024}}{{Infobox Korean name|
img=Muye24gi-weoldo.jpg|
img=Muye24gi-weoldo.jpg|
hangul=월도|
hangul=월도|
hanja=月刀|
hanja={{linktext|月|刀}}|
rr=Woldo|
rr=Woldo|
mr=Wŏldo|
mr=Wŏlto
}}
}}


'''Wol-Do''' (lit. "Crescent Moon Sword), is the name for a Korean weapon that closely resembles the Chinese [[yanyuedao]] (lit. "reclining moon knife") more commonly known as the [[Guandao]] and is named for the half-moon shape of the blade. Though proportionately smaller than its Chinese counterpart, the Wol-Do is described by the Korean military classic [[Muyedobotongji]] ("Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial arts"; Published 1795). "The length of the handle is six feet, four inches; the length of the blade is 2 feet, eight inches; and the weight is three pounds, 15 ounces".
The '''woldo''' (literally “moon blade”), was a Korean [[polearm]] that closely resembled the Chinese [[guandao]] (also known as ''yanyuedao''), though proportionally smaller. It was so named because of its curved blade. Its use and its methods were described in the ''[[Muyedobotongji]]'' (“Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts”), which was published in 1795.


==Description==
The weapon was ornamented with a small feather attached to the spine of the blade by a ring and with a spike attached to the end of the handle.
[[File:이삼장군월도.gif|thumb|''woldo(18th century)'']]
The ''Muyedobotongji'' describes its design: “The length of the handle is six feet, four inches; the length of the blade is two feet, eight inches; and the weight is three pounds, 15 ounces.”


It usually had a spike on the end of the handle, and a feather or tassel attached by a ring to the back of the blade. There was a variant of the woldo called the ''danwoldo'', which had a bigger blade.
⚫
Techniques for the use of this weapon by foot soldiers are described in the 18th century Korean martial arts manual [[Muyejebo]] published in 1749. With the publication of the updated version of this manual in 1795, the dismounted techniques were retained while adding techniques for use on horse back. These last techniques are called ''Masang woldo'' (마상월도, 馬上月刀).

==History==
The woldo was typically used by the medieval [[Silla]]n 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 [[Joseon]], also used the woldo, mainly because it was longer than most other polearms 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.

==Techniques==
⚫
Techniques for the use of this weapon by [[infantry]] are described in the earlier [[Muyejebo]], published in 1749. With the publication of the updated version of this manual in 1791, the dismounted techniques were retained, while techniques for use in horseback were added. The latter techniques are called ''Masang woldo'' ({{Korean|hangul=마상월도|hanja=馬上月刀|rr=|labels=no}}).

== Religious uses ==
The woldo is one of the [[shinkal]], a "divine knife", that is used as a ritual object by shamans.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Korea) |first=The National Folk Museum of Korea (South |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Encyclopedia_of_Korean_Folk_Beliefs/nsN3BgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 |title=Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Beliefs: Encyclopedia of Korean Folklore and Traditional Culture Vol. II |date=2014-07-17 |publisher=길잡이미디어 |isbn=978-89-289-0057-2 |pages=239–242 |language=en}}</ref> The woldo is a part of a [[Korean shamanism|Korean shamanistic]] ritual called [[saseulseugi]], also with a three-pronged spear, the [[samjichang]], that represent the authority of the shaman holding them.<ref name=":0" />


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Sibpalgi]]
*[[Hyeopdo]]
*[[Muye24gi]]
*[[Joseon Army]]
*[[Muyeshinbo]]
*''[[Muyedobotongji]]''
*[[Muyejebo]]
*''[[Muyejebo]]''
*[[Muyedobotongji]]
*''[[Muyesinbo]]''

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Polearms}}


[[Category:Traditional Korean weapons]]
[[Category:Traditional Korean weapons]]
[[Category:Korean_swords]]
[[Category:Polearms]]
[[Category:Pole weapons]]
[[Category:Edged and bladed weapons]]
[[Category:Blade weapons]]


⚫
{{weapon-stub}}
{{martialart-stub}}


⚫
{{Polearm-stub}}
[[nl:Woldo]]

Latest revision as of 02:02, 30 November 2024

Woldo
Korean name
Hangul
월도
Hanja
Revised RomanizationWoldo
McCune–ReischauerWŏlto

The woldo (literally “moon blade”), was a Korean polearm that closely resembled the Chinese guandao (also known as yanyuedao), though proportionally smaller. It was so named because of its curved blade. Its use and its methods were described in the Muyedobotongji (“Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts”), which was published in 1795.

Description

[edit]
woldo(18th century)

The Muyedobotongji describes its design: “The length of the handle is six feet, four inches; the length of the blade is two feet, eight inches; and the weight is three pounds, 15 ounces.”

It usually had a spike on the end of the handle, and a feather or tassel attached by a ring to the back of the blade. There was a variant of the woldo called the danwoldo, which had a bigger blade.

History

[edit]

The woldo was typically used by the medieval Sillan 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 Joseon, also used the woldo, mainly because it was longer than most other polearms 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.

Techniques

[edit]

Techniques for the use of this weapon by infantry are described in the earlier Muyejebo, published in 1749. With the publication of the updated version of this manual in 1791, the dismounted techniques were retained, while techniques for use in horseback were added. The latter techniques are called Masang woldo (마상월도; 馬上月刀).

Religious uses

[edit]

The woldo is one of the shinkal, a "divine knife", that is used as a ritual object by shamans.[1] The woldo is a part of a Korean shamanistic ritual called saseulseugi, also with a three-pronged spear, the samjichang, that represent the authority of the shaman holding them.[1]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Korea), The National Folk Museum of Korea (South (2014-07-17). Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Beliefs: Encyclopedia of Korean Folklore and Traditional Culture Vol. II. 길잡이미디어. pp. 239–242. ISBN 978-89-289-0057-2.


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