Yong Shul Choi the founder of Hapkido.

To be able to introduce the history of hapkido,
it is forcibly, necessary to understand the historical contest in which it has been developed. Archaeological explorations completed in the last Thirty-five years, have revealed the early activities of prehistoric men of Korea, from the Paleolitco period to the well known and organic Neolithic period through testimonies and documentation that account from IX to the III Millennium. The early trace of social life in Korea is documented around the 2333 B.C. In this period it was created the first Korean state called Ko Chosun (Old Korea). For some historians the name Korea means The Country of High Mountains and Sparkling Running Waters. More actual and truthful definition of the Korean peninsula that is Chosen translated literally means The Land of Tranquil Morning. The historical Korean origins start without shade of doubt from the period of the “Three Kingdoms”: Koguryo in the north. Silla in the south-east and Paekche in the south-west.

The three Kingdoms were well organised from the socio-economical point of view. Even though the three kingdoms coexisted they had a long series of war amongst themselves. A careful political organisation together with the Korean geographical configuration (the territory is almost totally mountainous) allowed certain autonomy from the influence of the close by China, which continuously attempted to invade. The Kingdom was mainly based on an agricultural economy especially in the south (Silla and Paekche). The three kingdoms were anyway in turn involved in a series of wars amongst each other; to affirm their dominance over the other two bordering kingdoms. This period of wars between the three States is nicknamed "The War of the Three States"

The First Period:

It is relevant to the kingdom Koguryo (of the Kings Snurim and Munja) and is characterised by aims of expansion of Koguryo in respect of the other two Countries in the south (Silla and Paekche). Koguryo was planning the invasion of the two states, both as a way of colonizing the very fertile land while expanding his borders and defending it from the expansion of the fierce Chinese Hsien Pei.

The Second Period:

The second phase is distinct to the reinforcement of power of Silla by becoming very strong, succeeded to resist the excessive power of Koguryo. In fact the two kings of Silla, Pophun and Chinhung, allying with the Kingdom of Paekche, defeated the army of Koguryo on several battles. It is fundamental to remember the creation on the part of King Chinhung, the very famous warriors of Hwarang who contributed to the victory. They were very skilled warriors specialised in the fight of several degrees with or without arms. In their training was included the study of various martial arts.

The Third Phase:

This last phase is characterised by the Chinese invasion of 589, after the unification of the whole China, led by the Chinese Emperor Sui. The Chinese army was composed of a million soldiers. Emperor Sui underestimated (the resistance of the small peninsula, especially of those Spartans and authoritarian inhabitants of Koguryo who inflicted serious losses to the Chinese army. Following the failure of the Chinese army, began the decadence of the Sui dynasty , with the subsequent fall of the power of one the biggest Chinese dynasties that ever existed.

The Tang (618-907).

The 'Tang attempted in their turn to invade Korea, without success. In this phase are remarked by the skilful military capabilities of Koguryo that apart from chasing away the Chinese , he also succeeded simultaneously to successfully attack the other two belligerent State in the south: Silla and Paekche. In the end, however, it was the kingdom of Silla that with the support of the Tang put an end to this war. Succeeding for the first absolute time to unify all of the Country of the Three Kingdoms under one sole state. So begins the great dynasty of Silla (681-935).

As already mentioned earlier, the determining factor for tile unification of the Peninsula was the creation, on the part of King Chinhung of Silla of the warriors Hwarang, (youth in flower) These soldiers belonged from birth to the Korean nobility. They were trained in two important stages: the cultural education and the military training" Their education was based on Buddhism. The Hwarang studied various subjects: literature, arts, dance, music, science and various military activities like strategies ( archery) the use of various arms in battles, and driving shielded carts, free-hand wrestling based on bruising all parts of the body.

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The gifts that mainly characterised these incredible warriors was above all their courage and capabilities on the war fields. The idealism and the spirit of sacrifice towards the homeland also the indifference towards danger and death. These are characteristic of soldiers of Buddhist belief. The study of the principles of the universe and the link between man and all in the search of the actual harmony put the Hwarang to have an inner calm and confidence that inevitably also reflected oil tile battled field. Making them models not only to the national army but often to the enemies. They were fundamentally high cultured, fierce and feared warriors with high values and ideals.

In 1227 Genghis Khan with his feared hoards of Mongolian horsemen invaded Korea. Compelling the country to humiliating conditions and misery. The Mongolian quite soon tried to relate with the reigning Korean families through arranged marriages so as to better govern the peninsula. The Mongolian imposed to the three invaded states the construction of a naval fleet with which they invaded Japan in 1274. When disembarking a very strong storm compelled the Mongolian-sinico-korean army to a withdraw with heavy losses. The invasion that had negative results. was rescheduled in 1281 and again this time the fleet was repelled thanks to nature and the intervention a tremendous typhoon, named from the Japanese: providentially like Kamikaze (divine wind), Later the strong Mongolian population was finally put to its knees. Once more not by man but by nature, the overflow of the Yellow River enormously contributed, to put to rest for good the Mongolian dominance (this catastrophic event is known by historians as "Chinese sadness" this was under the XIV century. The big Ming dynasty was now at the doors.

The Japanese invasions

From 1597 onwards, on several occasions and for many years Japan tried to invade Korea for many times. Korea was obliged to the defeat and subsequently after many years of negotiations managed to lighten the Nippon pressures on the Country. During the successive Japanese invasions, Kim Yu Sin was distinguished for his remarkable military skills, a national hero who invented the famous “Tortoise” which were nothing but reinforced fleet that allowed the existing Korean army victories over the stronger invading Japanese army.

From XVII to XVIII Century

1616 a turn in the Korean history. The Manciu power in China erases permanently the Ming dynasty. The Manciu established with Korean, after invading her again friendly relations and not of bondage thus certain autonomy up to know unconceivable for the country. This period is characterized from a relative stable political period coupled with the opening towards the West from the introduction of Christianity which is in net contrast to Confucianism.

From XX Century

In 1895 Japan entered in conflict with China for the possession of Korea. Japan tried to diplomatically convince Korean to an alliance / collaboration, not succeeding, decided to military invade her. The gall at stake was the strategic geographic importance of Korea for an eventual expansion towards Asia. In 1910 Japan occupied with its army Korea, this occupation lasted up to the end of the Second World War. During the military occupation it was strictly forbidden the practice of native martial arts, military arts and martial arts. The martial arts secretly survived and were practiced by the native population. The Buddhist monasteries and certain schools who were forming resistance groups so as to oppose to the Nipponese troops. And in this period that certain native groups were studying and improving (dusting off) the ancient arts of TAE Kyon and Subak ki and the Korean body to body wrestling called Ssiram. Japan in this period tried in vain with every means to totally annihilate this Korean culture. In 1947 the United Nations recognized the right to independence to Korea. 1950 represents to Korea a very sad moment, for the first time after the period of the Three Kingdoms, Korea was again divided into parts (North and South). Presently the Korean population is divided into two parts. The Peoples’ Republic of Korea in the north with Pyongyang as the capital and the Republic of Korea in the south with Seoul as capital.

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HAPKIDO

Hapkido is a martial art, logical and scientifically simple at the same time. It is an efficient system of personal defence, thus an excellent physical activity. It is completely different from any other martial art because it emphasises the saving of movement, and making the use of brutal force superfluous.

All the techniques of Hapkido are based on movement of the body, direct and circular, practical and natural, easy to learn and immediately applicable. The students of Hapkido develop their own balance, their own speed and their own stability through practice of specific exercises, that are useful to sharpen the movements and cultivate power. Through the supervision of a good instructor; the student will be able to master in a short t period of time similar automatic movements of combat in various situations. This verifies the improvement obtained through a correct training.

Like in western boxing or in street fighting, emphasis is put on the protection of the central part of the body, through boxing and kicks and mainly circular dynamic and powerful evasions.

Hapkido does not expect, even if we find ourselves in front of a highly spectacular discipline, of amazing technology or pirouette which is particular to itself, and doest not break or fragment wood or slate into pieces. The best strategy of this system is obtained by amalgamating an intelligent manner of technical actions with the attacks which is congenial to the dynamic situation itself. The technique that is developed in short rhythms, that is closer contact with the aggressor or aggressors that literally come or are made by swirling kicks even at a distance of three meters. This is a proof of great power to be acquired through practice of Hapkido,.

The superior techniques of Hapkido are handy to everyone irrespective of sex, age, body building, and muscular mass. Other benefits of this system are the stress control, self discipline and the increase of concentration capabilities, the increase of self trust and above all the physical well being. Hapkido guarantees a healthy life full of personal satisfaction.

Hapkido is not as erroneously retained by many fully unqualified instructors, the mother that bred Taek Won Do. Tae Kwon Do is born soon after the second world conflict. Hapkido on the other hand was codified in 1951.

Hapkido is the most recent among all other martial arts existing in the world. It is a modern and innovative martial art discipline that the Korean people created. Hapkido is the art of arresting the unexpected attacks. Literally Hapkido means: Hap coordination, Ki energy Do arts – street or road to travel in synthesis it means ‘The Road of Coordinated Power’. Hapkido (not to be confused with Aikido) sophisticated which is a Korean martial art, in substance it is a merger between Taekwondo, kicks, boxing and the typical movements of Aiki-Jitzu and the Ju-Jitsu.

To codify it in 1951 was the big Maestro Yong Shul Choi. The big Master Choy initially studies Daitoo-ryo Aikjuou of Maestro Sogaku Takeda.

Sogaku Takeda

The art had considerable impulse and popularity thanks, above all to the considerable efforts of different Teachers, among those the Maesto Bong Soo Han and Maestro Jin Han Jiea. It deals with an entire complete discipline in all aspects in which all fight distances are studies Norms do not exist (at least not officially) and at an advanced level you study certain usage of arms : The long stick (bong) and the short with the small cord, blades of different sizes, the Cord or Po Bak and above all the characteristic arm traditionally used in Hapkido: the cane or walking stick (Dan Jang). A feature of this fascinating discipline is the use to defend oneself of the whole body. Particularly efficient and devastating is the work to the articulations of the aggressors, with it you learn to use simultaneously all other arts in an independent manner, developing in this manner a notable coordination: everything is following to neutralize the violent attacks of one or more aggressors.

In Hapkido it is firstly sought to trap by means of specifics synchroncro Japan nied tactics the art with which the aggressors is attached, one tries through to fully bock the aggressor by particularly inflicting painful kicks and fists, raises, projections, elbow blows, kneeling and head kicks, ( the breaking of fender, hands and feet) and other painful parts of the body. Hapkido derives from the system Korean Taekyon that was using hits really devastating.

Martial art efficient, precise and spectacular.

Its practice confers qualities of calm, coordination, decision and readiness, quick reflexes, psycho-physical balance. Also one learns in an obsessive manner the biomechanics of every single movement and techniques these results are obtained by the individual that follows it.

A defensive technique against fists it adapts very well to attacks of multiple techniques such as : hits of different nature on the whole body, against hits or feet blows of several aggressors different blockages demonstrating in this way how eclectic this martial art is.
Talking for its spectacular movie scenes, this discipline was the pillar to the Movies series such as Renegade and of the whole series of Jackie Clan which made it very popular. In Hapkido, practiced by the followers created by Maestro Bong Soo Han (IHF) competition doest not exist as the techniques of the discipline themselves are repeated only in extreme need, very dangerous looked closed by in respect of agonizing /sport ( The Europe Hapkido Organisation is however putting together a series of regulations that will, in the near future, consent competitions of pure agonism and extremely dynamic.

We are particularly proud to represent here in Italy the School of the Big Maestro Bong Soo Han retained by all as the father of the Hapkido. In the horizon are trips of pudate the school of the Maestro in S. Monica in California where without fail are sending invitation every year, in Germany and Korea. Other famous Maestros are Jea Han Jea (which appeared in the film of Bruce Lee, fighting against him in the famous tower) The Maestro Jin Pal very active in Europe ed Maestro Kim Tae that has reorganized a Hapkido of its own. In America I is several years that Hapkido is part of a routine training of certain special departments.

Will follow in details, the international Hapkido’s genealogical tree from 1951 up today.
(In green-blue colour are written the disciplines or the federations created by the single masters.)

Sogaku Takeda (1868-1943) Daitoo-ryu Aikijutsu

Bok Sup Suh (1906-1954) Hapki Yu Kwon Sul

Monks Dong Hae

Tae Eui Wang

Kwang-Wha Won Musulkwan Hapkido (1962)

Lee Hyun Park,

He Young Kim,

Whang Wha Won,

Hyung Dae Won.

Ji Han Jae Shinmu Hapkido (1980):

Young Woo Yu,

Se Lim Ho,

Tae Man Kwon,

Duk Kyu Hwanq,

Jong Su Kang,

Kwang Sik Myung,

Yong Jin Kim,

Uong Whan Kim,

Tae Joon Lee,

Seo Oh Choi,

Jae Nam Myung,

Mu Hyun Kim Hankuk Hapkido Hub (1971)

Han Chul Lee,

Woo Tak Kim,

Il Woong Hug,

Joo Bang Lee Hwarangdo (1962),

Han Dong Na,

Dong Ki Shing.

In Hyuk Suh Kuksulwon (1958) W.K.A (1990)

Moo Jin Kim,

Jong Oh Lee,

Myung Ho Jang,

In Suk Suh,

In Sun Seo,

Jong Won Byun,

Jae Choon Park,

Sung Sam Cho,

Yong Il Park,

Ryong Kyu Park,

He Young Kimm Hanmudo (1981).

Jung Yoon Kim Mulimwon Han Pul (1972)

Bong Soo Han (International Hapkido Federation)

Alessio Peluso (Europe Hapkido Organization - person in charge for Europe and Italy)