The History of Hapkido

The history of Hapkido is the subject of some controversy. Some say that Hapkido was founded by Yong Sul Choi who from 1919 to the beginning of World War II, had studied Daito Ryu AikiJu-Jitsu in Japan. However, some claim that Choi's Daito Ryu training was limited to simply attending seminars.. Until the 1960's, Hapkido was known by various names: Yu Kwon Sool, Yu-Sool, Ho Shin Sool, and Bi Sool.

Ji, Han Jae is considered by most to be the father and founder of modern Hapkido. Ji started his physical training under Master Choi, Yong Sool (Sul) as a teenager in 1953. Choi taught Bok Suh Yu Sool, the Korean version of Daito Ryu AikiJu-Jitsu. At this time, certain Korean kicks and punches were combined and the name expanded to indicate the broadened art form called Korean Hap Ki Yu Kwon Sool.

Ji, Han Jae opened his first Yu Kwon Sool Hap Ki school one year after he began training under Choi with an agreed affiliation with him. Ji left Choi in 1956 to form his own organization, shortening the long name to Hapkido. Ji immigrated to the United States in the 60's and continues to teach Hapkido in the United States today.

A historical link to Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu is generally acknowledged, though the exact nature of which is clouded by the historical animosity between the Korean and Japanese peoples and the confusion following the end of the Second World War.

Hapkido aims to be an effective form of self-defense and employs joint locks, pressure points, throws, kicks, and other strikes. Hapkido practitioners train to counter the techniques of other martial arts as well as common "unskilled" attacks.

Although hapkido contains both long and close range fighting techniques, the purpose of most engagements is to get near for a close strike, lock, or throw. Hapkido emphasizes circular motion, non-resisting movements, and control of the opponent. Practitioners seek to gain advantage through footwork and body positioning to employ leverage, avoiding the use of strength against strength.

Takeda Sokaku - Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu

Takeda Sokaku, October 10, 1859–April 25, 1943) was known as the founder of a school of jujutsu known as Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. Born in the Aizu domain (modern-day Fukushima Prefecture), Sokaku grew up in a time of war and civil strife and was able to witness both first hand while still a young boy. The son of Takeda Sokichi, a man of samurai class who worked his farm and taught at a local school in a Buddhist temple, it is believed that Sokaku received his first martial arts training from his father who had a dojo on their property. Sokichi was apparently expert in the use of both sword and spear, and had once been a sumo wrestler of some rank (see ozeki). It is believed that Sokaku was exposed to the teachings of Hozoin-ryu Takada-ha and Ono-ha Itto-ryu, schools of spear and swordsmanship respectively.

Sokaku then left to go on a period of austere training where he travelled, fought and trained at the schools of many teachers, a not uncommon practise of the time. Reputedly, Sokaku spent some time as a live-in student of Kenkichi Sakakibara, headmaster of the Jikishinkage Ryu and considered to be one of the most famous and skilled swordsmen of the era. Unfortunately there exist no known historical documents to confirm this relationship and so it is a matter debate. What is known, however, is that Sokaku engaged in many matches and duels with both shinai and live blades and was considered a swordman of great skill in a period of time when such things were beginning to be forgotten.

With the outlawing of the samurai class and the prohibition against carrying swords, apparentally Sokaku decided to emphasize the empty handed, jujutsu oriented, techniques of his ancestor's art. These apparently were 'oshiki-uchi', or secret teachings of the Aizu clan, up to that point. These, along with other skills he had acquired, were combined to create an art which he christened first 'Daito-ryu jujutsu' and later 'Daito-ryu aiki jujutsu'.

Sokaku lived a somewhat itinerant life, travelling the length and breadth of the country giving seminars in martial arts to military officers, police officers and martial arts enthusiasts, often of high social standing. He left extensive records of those he taught in the 'eimeiroku' and the 'shareikoku' which were attendance and fee ledgers of those who attended and paid for lessons from him.

Sokaku's far reaching influence

His most famous students are the founders of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba and Hapkido's Yong Sul Choi and it is the popularity of these modern martial arts forms that is responsible for much of the interest in Daito-ryu today.

Hosaku Matsuda was taught by Sokaku, who in turn taught Yoshiji Okuyama, who in turn founded the Hakko Ryu Jujutsu school. Okuyama taught Michiomi Nakano, who later as Doshin So, founder of Nippon Shorinji Kempo. Choi Yong-Sul claimed to have trained under Sokaku as well, and Kisshomaru Ueshiba confirmed that his father had participated in seminars with Choi; however, this is hotly contested by some.

The influence of the teachings Sokaku Takeda are readily discernable in the physical techniques of aikido, Hakko Ryu, Nippon Shorinji Kempo, hapkido and judo's 'goshin-jutsu' self defense kata (via Kenji Tomiki) today