This study examines Honam Geommu (sword dance), which was inherited by Gwangju Gwonbeon (institution for professional female entertainers), but whose system was not properly established. Many studies on Honam Geommu were conducted, but are not adequat...
This study examines Honam Geommu (sword dance), which was inherited by Gwangju Gwonbeon (institution for professional female entertainers), but whose system was not properly established. Many studies on Honam Geommu were conducted, but are not adequately fact-grounded. Against such a backdrop, this study aims to establish the exact lineage of the sword dance and explore the last carrier of the dance.
Han Jin-ok systemized Honam Geommu by mastering the sword dance of Sin Gap-do who was a master of all sword dances of eight provinces during the late Joseon period, as well as the sword dances of Yi Jang-seon and Yi Dae-jo. As such, Honam Geommu followed a distinctive lineage, worth researching.
Geommu has continued until today with regional characteristics for a long period of time, since the Three Kingdoms, Goryeo, and Joseon periods, making it Korea's representative traditional dance. Geommu began as, during the Three Kingdoms period, Hwangchang Geommu, based on the legend of Hwangchang Ryang in Silla, was performed in the style of masked Dongja dance, allowing it to be inherited to the Goryeo period and early Joseon period, together with Cheoyongmu Dance. After the reign of King Sukjong of Joseon, Geommu was performed by female entertainers without wearing a mask.
Female dancer's Geommu, which was further refined and trimmed artistically, was diffused nationwide by local female entertainers who were selected to participate in royal feasts. This created local-specific female dancer's Geommu, which through the long period of time was further refined and changed, allowing it to become the key part of traditional folk dance in the history of dance.
Diverse local varieties of Geommu today are distinctively different from one another. Jinju Geommu is now Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 12, Tongyeong Geommu Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 21, and Pyeongyang Geommu Intangible Cultural Property No. 1 of Pyeongannam-do. Other varieties of Geommu, including Honam Geommu, Haeju Geommu and Gyeonggi Geommu, have a long history, but their historical data are insufficient, making it necessary to conduct in-depth studies and transfer them.
Of them, Honam Geommu has a distinctive history and lineage, and its prototype is well preserved; notably, it is equipped with diverse dance movements and dynamics reflecting the characteristics of the Honam region. Honam Geommu has not been well known thus far, compared with Geommu of other regions, and its dance music has not thus far been properly put in order, because Han Jin-ok, while working on the systemization of dance music, died before the dance was designated as a cultural property, with only the prototype of Geommu preserved. His disciple, Kim Ja-yeon, staying in Gwangju, has continued to carry the tradition of Honam Geommu. The dance is perfect in terms of practical performance, but its theories and dance music are not adequately arranged, compared with Geommu of other regions. Thus, this study arranged all theories on Honam Geommu. Notably, the most important part of the dance, dance music, was further studied.
The history of Honam Geommu started with the Gwangju Gwonbeon period, and was transmitted to the period of National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts, and its lineage consists of Si Bangcho- An Dueun, Sin Yeongsu - Yi Jangseon, Yi Changjo, Sin Gapdo - Han Jinok, and currently Kim Jayeon.
Characteristics of Honnam Geommu are given below.
First, Honam Geommu is a simple and live dance. Seemingly not requiring high skills, it is difficult to dance actually; this difficulty is felt in dance movements. Also known as Honam dance, it is a neat and straightforward dance without twisting movements.
Second, dancing clothes consist of a red skirt, a jacket with stripes of diverse colors or a green jacket, and a dark-blue sleeveless uniform, a red wallet worn on the waist, a red headgear, and a six-color outer jacket. A steel sword, which rotates around the neck of the sword with the blades bent, is used (since the 1900s).
Third, music consists of Samhyeon yukgak, such as Yeombul Rhythm 10, Dodeuri Rhythm 7, Taryeong Rhythm 31, Jajintaryeong Rhythm 23, Taryeong Rhythm 3, Jajintaryeong Rhythm 40
Fourth, the Hansam dance of Honam Geommu uses long Hansam sleeves. As the dance is increasingly being staged, the stick for sprinkling Hansam is used, creating many upward movements.
Fifth, compared with those of other varieties of Geommu, dance movements of Honam Geommu have many movements of profusely bending the back backwards, and of twisting or bending the back backwards, therefore highlighting the flexibility of the waist.
Sixth, the dance movement is characterized by twin sword movements without single sword movements. The neck of the sword is rotated and swords are fast beaten.
Seventh, the Yeonpungdae dance movement is characterized by continual movements without connecting movements between Yeonpungdae, by the profuse bending of the upper body forwards and backwards, and by the rotating of the upper body as the dancer rises to her feet from a sitting position.
Dance movements characterized by Honam Geommu include Hansam flat line movement, waist twisting, bending of the back backwards, crane movement, cow and horse movement, dragon movement, and flower sword movement. Geommu of other regions have the royal court dance style, while Honam Geommu is close to a folk dance.
Honam Geommu was inherited in the Honam region, forming part of the Geommu history of the country. All varieties of Geommu of eight-provinces should be designated as cultural properties in order to develop the female dancer's Geommu of Korea, but with the death of the inheritor of the dance, Honam Geommu, which is gradually being forgotten by people, needs to be preserved and fostered. This findings of this study revealed that the fading tradition of Honam Geommu is carried on by Han Jinok's disciple Kim Jayeon, and that she is conducting many activities.
Han Jinok-style Honam Geommu, which has not been known thus far despite its rivaling elements against other varieties, should be theoretically established, and its dance music should also be systematically established, allowing it to be further studied and recognized for its tradition and artistic value. This study, a paper for Honam Geommu, is hoped to be of great help in studying the dance.