Hapkido History

The history of Korean martial arts began about 16 centuries ago at approximately 372 A.D. At this time it was mainly the Buddhist Monks who began developing what fighting arts there were in Korea. Nobleman and people from the elite classes would secretly practise these fighting skills, taking care to keep their skills from the lower classes.

During this time, Korea was divided into three warring kingdoms: Paekche, Koguryo and Silla. Koguryu was the largest of the kingdoms and most often the aggressor. Silla, however, possessed the most advanced culture and it's sophistication helped the small kingdom ward of it's enemies.

In the 5th century, the kingdom of Koguryo invaded both Paekche and Silla. After holding off the invaders, Silla became even more united with new efforts to improve itself. One of the most important improvements was the creation of an elite fighting group called Hwarangdo. This group comprised of specially selected noblemen who excelled intellectually as well as physically. They were taught the arts of philosophy, science, verse, as well as Ki and martial arts skills. The Hwarangdo helped Silla defeat her enemies and unite all of Korea.

As the years passed, some masters began to specialise in specific areas such as kicks or throws; they developed individual schools that would later be known as Tae Kwon Do, Korean Kendo and Yew Sool, etc. Many monks and some martial art masters however, continued to teach, improve and modernize all the fighting techniques, practising a "complete" system under the name of hoshinsul (self-defense technques).

In 1904 Japan invaded Korea. After conquering the country the Japanese required the monks to take wives and banned all martial arts. Masters of the martial arts were forced to hide in the remote monasteries and mountains in order to be able to preserve and pass on knowledge to their disciples.

The martial art ban lasted 36 years until 1945. One master who withdrew to the moutains was Choi, Young Sool. During his 36 years in the mountains he helped to develop and modernize what we now call "Hapkido". Another well known name within Hapkido history is one of Choi's disciples Ji, Han Jae. Master Ji was instrumental in reviving Hapkido in post-war Korea. He developed more kicks and techniques and helped Hapkido to flourish through the creation of a governmental organisation known as the Korean Hapkido Association.

Master Gedo Chang was a contemporary of Master Ji who learned Hapkido from his father, a Buddhist monk. In his twenties Master Chang left the mountains of Chungnam province and the monastery he had grown up in. Arriving in the city he became formally recognised as a master (1964) by the newly created Korean Hapkido Association. He then opened his school in Korea and called it Wol Ge Kwan which means "The Victor's Laurel". He was the first to develop Hapkido techniques specifically for police personnel. His teaching abilities so impressed the Korean Government, that they created a special award for "Best Martial Arts Instructor", and presented it to Master Chang. In 1973, Master Chang moved to the United States of America and settled in Lombard, Illinois where he opened his first U.S. School, "Chang's Hapkido Academy". Since then he has demonstrated and taught throughout the USA and is currently President of the World Hapkido Union. Chang's Hapkido Academy opened it's first UK school in 1993.