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The Origins of Hapkido
The father of hapkido
is Doju Choi Yong Sul (1904-1986), who was born in the Chingbuk province
near Taegue, in a village named Yong Dong. A Japanese candy merchant
named Morinoto, took Choi Yong Sul to Moji, Japan when he was around 8
years old. Shortly after arriving in Japan, Choi Yong Sul survived by
begging and after being picked up by the police, was sent to a Buddhist
temple with a monk named Kintaro Wadanabi. After 2 years of living in
the temple, he was sent to the monk’s friend, Takeda Sokaku, the 32nd
patriarch of Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu. Choi Yong Sul was given the
Japanese name Yoshida. It is disputed as to whether Takeda Sokaku
treated him as an adopted son, although Choi Yong Sul did consider
Takeda Sokaku his father. We do know that Choi Yong Sul was originally
assigned to be Takeda’s houseboy and later became a personal manservant.
Ueshiba Morihei who founded the Japanese martial art of Aikido was an
older contemporary of Choi Yong Sul and studied under Takeda Sokaku
briefly while Choi Yong Sul was in Takeda Sokaku’s service. Although
Korean Hapkido and Japanese Aikido have similar origins and even
some similar techniques, there is a difference in the philosophy of
the two martial arts. |
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Choi Yong
Sul |
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Ji Han Jae
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Upon the death of
Takeda in April 25, 1943 Choi Yong Sul
returned to Taegue, Korea. Choi Yong Sul’s unique skills became well
known and many martial artists came to learn from him. Hapkido went
through many names before being called Hapkido. The names were, Yusul,
Yu Kwon Sul, Daedong Hap Ki Yu Kwon Sul and Hap Ki Yu Kwon Sul. Hap Ki
Yu Kwon Sul became Hapkido in 1958. In 1963, Choi Yong Sul became the
chairman of the newly founded Korea Kido Association, an umbrella
organization of all Korean martial arts and acknowledged by the Korean
government. Choi Yong Sul died in August of 1986 at the age of 82 and
was buried in Taegu.
The Growth of Hapkido
Hapkido developed slowly and others influenced its development. Many of
the techniques that are part of the Hapkido we practice were not part of
the original system taught by Choi Yong Sul upon his return to Korea
from Japan. This type of maturity is common for martial arts after the
original development. Of primary influence in Hapkido’s develpoment was
Ji Han Jae. Ji was a student of Choi and after attaining 3rd Dan in what
was then called Yu Kwon Sool he was appointed head of Yu Kwon Sool in
the Seoul district. He changed the name to Hapkido. He also gave the
name to his instructor Choi. Ji added the many kicking skills to
Hapkido.
Daito Ryu
Aiki JuJutsu
Daitoryu Aiki Jujutsu is one of the oldest recorded forms of Japanese
aikii jujutsu. According to the Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu Honbu Dojo, the art
was founded in 1087. The first historic documentation of Aiki Jujutsu’s
existence, however, attributes the style’s development to Shinra Saburo
Minamoto no Yoshimitsu (1045-1127 AD), the third son of Minamoto no
Yoriyoshi who was the 5th generation descendant of Emperor Seiwa and
lived in a castle known as Daito (great eastern). The Minamoto family
was one of the major ruling clans of Japan during the Heian Period
(794-1185 AD). Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147-1199 AD) led Japan into the
Kamakura Period (1192-1333 AD) by establishing the Kamakura Shogunate.
This was a period of Japanese history when the samurai aristocrats
governed the country with military rule. The eldest son of Minamoto no
Yoshimitsu, Yoshikiyo moved away from the central clan to an area known
as Kai. He then founded a new branch of the Minamoto clan, known as
Kaigengitakeda. Kai from the region, Gengi the original Chinese root of
their family name and Takeda the new chosen family name. From this came
the birth of the Takeda family. Daito Ryu was then passed down through
the Takeda family until Takeda Sokaku (1858-1943 AD) received the
martial art and opened a Daito Ryu school in Hokkaido, Japan. Japan
emerged from isolation into the Meiji period of 1868 and Takeda Sokaku
was the first person to open a Daito Ryu school in which the general
public could attend.
Hapkido Today
Hapkido has evolved into a dynamic and exciting art that encompasses all
aspects of martial arts. From Hapkido's roots in Aiki Jujutsu we have
the highly evolved joint locking and throwing skills so effective in
self-defense. Hapkido has spectacular Korean kicking skills. Hapkido
uses both ancient and modern techniques honed over time and proven
throughout history. And Hapkido has practical and realistic weapons
skills an defenses. A modern art with ancient roots Hapkido is alive and
growing, relevant and responsive to the needs of today. Hapkido- At the
pinnacle of a thousand years of martial arts progress. |
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