What is Hapkido

[Utotin]

Hi. I have a question I have thinking about for some time. Basically, what is Hapkido? How do we define Hapkido? Can Hapkido be defined by a specific set of techniques? Is it defined by a philosophy? Are we hapkido just because we say we are?

If you ask how identify what makes Shotokan what it is the answer might be based upon a specific set of uniform Kata & techniques. In the cae of Aikido, it is a specific set of techniques with a few variations along with a specific. philosphical mindset. In the case of something like JKD it is based upon a specific theory of application rather than specific techniques.

I have noticed that there is no specific uniform set of techniques that define Hapkido. I know that there are many techniques that are common to hapkido, but no real uniformity. Some hapkido schools emphasize kicking heavily and some don't. Some schools apply kicks differently that others ion a very drastic way. Some schools look Aikido-ish , some look Judo-ish . Some just look like plain old generic karate or non WTF taekwondo with joint locks.

It is not really a specific theory of application either. Again some schools emphasize a soft, circular type of Hapkido, and others a hard judo/karate type of hapkido.

Its not a specifical philisophical viewpoint either like one would fine in Aikido. hapkido really has no philosophy to speak of.

So tell me, what defines our martial art has hapkido? Whatcha think?

[Korpy]

All I can say is it is a great art and a complete system of self defence.

[American HKD]

Hi. I have a question I have thinking about for some time. Basically, what is Hapkido? How do we define Hapkido? Can Hapkido be defined by a specific set of techniques? Is it defined by a philosophy? Are we hapkido just because we say we are?

If you ask how identify what makes Shotokan what it is the answer might be based upon a specific set of uniform Kata & techniques. In the cae of Aikido, it is a specific set of techniques with a few variations along with a specific. philosphical mindset. In the case of something like JKD it is based upon a specific theory of application rather than specific techniques.

I have noticed that there is no specific uniform set of techniques that define Hapkido. I know that there are many techniques that are common to hapkido, but no real uniformity. Some hapkido schools emphasize kicking heavily and some don't. Some schools apply kicks differently that others ion a very drastic way. Some schools look Aikido-ish , some look Judo-ish . Some just look like plain old generic karate or non WTF taekwondo with joint locks.

It is not really a specific theory of application either. Again some schools emphasize a soft, circular type of Hapkido, and others a hard judo/karate type of hapkido.

Its not a specifical philisophical viewpoint either like one would fine in Aikido. hapkido really has no philosophy to speak of.

So tell me, what defines our martial art has hapkido? Whatcha think?


Greetings,

What you described is one of the major problem with HKD and a major pet peeve of mine.

It's way too much of a free for all. Too many people think that they can add/subtract etc. and don't have the TRUE background and training. Meaning they never EARNEd a Masters rank or GM rank but think they can alter and change things.

There also is a original philosophy but again many don't know it properly.

Look how many TKD schools say we teach HKD and most haven't a clue what it is. Every idiot who can do a few joint locks call it HKD it's crazy.

Sorry for the rant but that's all facts.

If you want to know what real HKD is look into the following Assocations for the original HKD.

Sin Moo HKD (Doju Ji)
World HKD Fed (HS Myung)
Korea HKD Federation (Lim)

These are the real deal the rest are speculative off shoots with varying degrees of competance.

[JimH]

I think that you are looking for a specific version of the art of Hapkido and asking for a definition of it,while asking why it is different from school to school?

The other arts you mentioned and tried to make seem like they all had the same Kata,same points are also all different.

The differences come from the Instructors who all have other influences and may add or subtract from the original art as they see fit.

Shotokan has many different groups and organizations with differences in technique and kata.

Aikido is also filled with many variations of the art Ueshiba founded,just look at Seagals aikido,to Ueshibas,to Yamada's to Tomiki on and on,all are different variants.

The different variants of Hapkido all share a common root or base system,additions to and subtractions from do not make it less or more of an art ,they make it the same art with a variant off the original.

Then there are those ,as said by American HKD,who say they offer Hapkido but do not have knowkledge of the root,just a few moves,but if they instruct the student in the way the joint moves and the theory of circular over linear technique and how the body responds,they then are teaching a form,though short,of hapkido,or aikido or aiki jutsu,the amount of knowledge does not change where the knowledge came from or what it is,it would be up to the student to further that knowledge.

[mixmastersenior]

Such an open question. I think we all agree that it is a Korean Martial Art
that is at least partially rooted in the Jaoanese art of Daitu Ryu Aiki Jujitsu.
Other than that, we all kind of go our separate ways. Some have studied
for decades, others have just started playing with it. Each person's experience will color their attitude to the art. It's like learning a language.
You learn a few words and know how to pronounce them, that's great. but
it's not the same as being fluent in the language. The more you study the better you become, and the more useful your new "language" becomes.
And just as languages have different dialects and accents, our art does have certain variations. But no matter what dialect you speak, the more you
learn, the more you can say.

[Utotin]

I do have some definite opinions as to what I feel defines hapkido, this thread was just something I thought would make an interesting discussion. I think that there are couple factors that difine what Hapkido is IMHO.

I think that there are a base set of techniques that are common throughout Hapkido and I think that are represented very well by Kwang Sik Myung. I love that big gold book he put out. I think its out of print now though, but I think it shows some great techniques that I feel are fundamental to Hapkido.

Next is what I've been told is called the theory of Dynamics which consists of the Three principle of Circle, Water and Sum along with the concept of Um and Yang. I think that if you do not have at least a minimal grasp of these theories you might be doing wrist locks and such, but you are not doing hapkido. These ideas are fundamental and should be incorporated to some extent into nearly every technique.

I think that one of the great things about HKD is that it is also a "living" martial that is always changing and is able to absorb new techniques and ideas and make them fit into our concept of effective self defence as in the case of GM Ji (who I think really completed hapkido- does that make sense) and GM Jae Nam Myoung who added some really interesting concepts to Hapkido ( although I think that its starting to look a little Aikido-ish these days).

Well these are just some of my thoughts on my own question. I am not any kind of authority on the matter and I may be entirely wrong, but these are just some of the observations I have made over the years.

[mike-IHF]

Utotin,

I think your post is very good. Alot of what you said makes sense. I also believe there are certain techniques that are found in pretty much every Hapkido school out there. Like, Kote Gaeshi, Shio Nage, Irimi Nage, Ikkyo, Nikkyo. Please forgive the Japanese terminology, but I don't know off hand the Korean for these techniques. Pretty much every school I have visited teach these techniques in their curriculum. However I have noticed that the defenses, re-directions, hand placement, and applications differ from school to school, or teacher to teacher.

As far as Kwang Sik Myung's books. I have only ventured through them, not read the entire thing. I do however think his style has alot of Judo in it, but that is only an opinion.

Myung Jae-Nam was a great practitioner. I do agree that his conception of Hankido, is very similar to Aikido. But, it is a seperate thing from his Hapkido. But, in another way I give him alot of credit. While alot of other Korean masters carried a heavy hatred towards the Japanese because of the occupation. He was the only one during that time that tried to create a relationship between Hapkido, and Aikido practitioners. I think he did alot in his life that deserves alot of respect.

[Thomas]

Utotin,

I think your post is very good. Alot of what you said makes sense. I also believe there are certain techniques that are found in pretty much every Hapkido school out there. Like, Kote Gaeshi, Shio Nage, Irimi Nage, Ikkyo, Nikkyo. Please forgive the Japanese terminology, but I don't know off hand the Korean for these techniques. Pretty much every school I have visited teach these techniques in their curriculum. However I have noticed that the defenses, re-directions, hand placement, and applications differ from school to school, or teacher to teacher.

Wholeheartedly agree (and I can guess what those Japanese words are, I bet). Nice point

As far as Kwang Sik Myung's books. I have only ventured through them, not read the entire thing. I do however think his style has alot of Judo in it, but that is only an opinion.

I have some of his reference material and really like it... in my opinion his books are worth the price (haven't seen the videos)
Myung Jae-Nam was a great practitioner. I do agree that his conception of Hankido, is very similar to Aikido. But, it is a seperate thing from his Hapkido. But, in another way I give him alot of credit. While alot of other Korean masters carried a heavy hatred towards the Japanese because of the occupation. He was the only one during that time that tried to create a relationship between Hapkido, and Aikido practitioners. I think he did alot in his life that deserves alot of respect.
Thank you for the nice words about GM Myung Jae-nam (RIP) and for clarifying to people that his art of Hankido is clearly distinct from Hapkdio and represents his study/exploration/blending/self learning of Aikido and Hapkido. Very nice post. Thank you! :)

[mike-IHF]

Thomas,

Thanks for the nice reply. I also used to think that Hankido was part of IHF Hapkido, until I did my research. I have the upmost respect for Myung Jae-Nam's teachings. I think he did alot to open up, and venture into new concepts, while at the same time keeping it traditional. Also because GM Chang was Myung's number 1 student in the old days, I have been doing alot of research into Myung, and Chang's relationship. Even though Ji was his first teacher, he spent most of his time under Myung. So they had a good relationship. But, like I said I know Myung probably faced alot of Korean Hapkido practitioners talking about him etc. because of his mixing with Aikido. But, just like nowadays we can't have hatred for a whole race, based on certain peoples actions. So I think he was truely a pioneer, as well as others.

[Max Lee]

Korean Hapkido is came from choi young sul who studied dai to ryu aiki jujitsu from
Takeda sokaku during 1930s to 1945 in Jpan. First choi teaches only aiki jujisu,but his students were add some kicking,punching from Tae kwondo,kung fu,and Judo.
Some Hapkido teachers claim their arts came from ancient Korean Kingdom.but this
story is absoultely false claim which based no historical background! Choi young sul
was a TRUE MASTER who spread HAPKIDO ALONE.But his students were tried to cover
up origin of their art,because if people know that HAPKIDO was infact Japanese Aiki jujisu,then no one will come to their dojang! This is very sad,yet during 1945 to 1980s
it is true situation in KOREA. I believe you can not hate other Martial arts,because that
is came from Japan,korea,china,Thai,etc.We should observe every martial arts,so which
one is work for you and which one is not working for you.