Hapkido is a Korean martial art derived from Japan's aikijutsu with the traditional kicking and punching techniques of taekwondo.

History and Philosophy

Hapkido is an eclectic Korean martial art that was developed in the 1930s by Choi Yong Sul from traditional Korean martial arts and Japanese aikijutsu.

During the Japanese occupation of Korea in the early 1900s, Choi was forced to work in Japan as a labourer in the household of Takeda Sokaku, the patriarch and master of aikijutsu. During his time there, the founder of aikido, Ueshiba Morihei, happened to study under Takeda. It is unclear whether or not Choi was directly tutored by these masters and what his role in the household was, but he eventually returned Korea to began teaching others himself.

Choi’s hapkido techniques combined strikes and kicks with grappling techniques and throws. His student Ji Han Jae also incorporated many traditional Korean techniques from taekyon and hwarangdo, both of which later formed the core of taekwondo. Ji’s system was later officially named hapkido around the year 1960.

There are three basic principles in hapkido: hwa (non-resistance), won (circular motion) and yu (the principle of water). Hwa refers to being relaxed and using an opponent’s strength against him. Won is the concept of gaining momentum and energy naturally in a circular motion; while yu deploys strength and energy the way water ebbs and flows.

Hapkido Training

Hapkido training is vigorous and demanding. A typical training session practices technique, floor exercises, solo form, free-form sparring and exercises to develop internal energy. This includes gentle or forceful throws and joint immobilisation techniques derived from aikijutsu. Training takes place in a dojang.

Hapkido has since become one of the most popular martial arts in the world. It is often practiced by military and police forces as part of self-defence training, and taekwondo students often learn hapkido to complement their curriculum. Taekwondo instructors commonly hold rank in hapkido.