A Brief History of Karate
History of the Korean Martial Arts
History of Tae Kwon Do
History of Hapkido
History of the Academy of Fighting Arts

As with many other martial arts, the history of Hapkido is shrouded in mystery and controversy. Lack of original records, hearsay, anecdotes, politics, and time all but ensure sketchy and biased accounts of the origin of Hapkido.

The founding of Hapkido is generally credited to Choi, Yong Sool (1904 – 1986). It is reported that he developed the system by combining Taek Kyon (a native Korean style) with the Japanese system Daito Ryu Aiki Ju-Jitsu. Choi had learned that system from its founder, while living in Japan from 1915 to 1945. After his return to Korea, Choi began teaching self-defense in TaeGue City. He initially called his system Yu Kwon Sool, but the name is reported to have changed to Hapkido prior to 1951.

Choi, Yong Sool’s first student and mentor, Prof. Suh Bok Sup asserts that Hapkido originally had only 100 self-defense techniques. Today there are many different styles of Hapkido, and just as many associations, or governing bodies. Some styles have added forms (Hyung); and some have added high kicks, jumping and flying kicks. Others have been heavily influenced by Judo and Aikido, and emphasize throwing skills.

The literal translation of the word Hapkido is:

HAP - To combine, unite, or coordinate
KI - Internal power, dynamic energy, life force
DO - The way, system, or method

While the Korean characters for Hapkido translate in Japanese as Aikido, the two arts should not be confused, or considered the same. While close cousins, each having roots in Daito-Ryu Aiki Ju-Jitsu, they were founded at different times, in different countries, by different Masters. The best way to explain may be that two original students of Daito Ryu Aiki Ju-Jitsu each went their own way. Over time, their styles each changed to reflect their background, culture, personality, and philosophy.

Universal Theories of Hapkido
The 3 universal theories of Hapkido are:

• The Water Principle (Yu) This teaches the student to penetrate the defenses of the attacker by “flowing” in, over, around, and under.
• The Circular Motion Principle (Won) This teaches the student to gain and impart momentum by moving in a circular manner. By redirecting the attack in a circular direction, the student controls the balance and the kinetic energy of the attacker.
• The Nonresistance (or Harmony) Principle This teaches the student to remain relaxed, flexible (not tense), and not to meet force with force.

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