|
Hap Ki Do
was introduced to ancient Korea during the same time that Buddhism
was becoming an influence in the country, approximately 372 A.D.
A more completely recorded history of Hap Ki Do dates back as early
as Sam Kuk Si Dae or the Era of Three Kingdoms, 3 A.D. Buddhism
and Hap Ki Do together became popular throughout the country among
the upper class and royal court. Evidence of this can be found in
many Ancient wall and cave paintings and sculptures.
Hap Ki Do techniques were reserved exclusively for the hierarchy
of monks, ruling families and royal officials as well as the Hwa
Rang Do warriors of ancient Silla, being taught to them as a means
of self-protection. It was not known among the common classes, so
its origin is often misunderstood and incorrectly thought to be
a form of Chinese or Japanese martial art.
After the Three Kingdoms were united during the Koryo
Dynasty, the royalty for many generations brought Hap Ki Do masters
to the palace for demonstrations, affirming Hap Ki Do as a royal
martial art.
During the Lee Dynasty, Chonja ordered his general, Duk Moo Lee, to
compile a book for all the known martial arts techniques. This
volume, known as Muye Dobo Tongji, has many detailed examples of Hap
Ki Do techniques recorded within its pages.
Hap Ki Do has been interwoven throughout Korean history. A prime
example was when a monk named Su-san, who was also a grand master
that taught Hap Ki Do to a group of monks; the monks, in turn fought
against the Japanese Im Jin Wae Ran invasion.
Hap Ki Do flourished for many generations through many dynasties,
stretching as far back as the Three Kingdom period up to the Lee
Dynasty. Much like Tae Kwon Do, Hap Ki Do lost its popularity around
this time, the major reason being attributed to the collapse of
Buddhism and its replacement by Confucianism. Confucianism respects
scholarly endeavors and disdains anything involving physical force,
so all martial arts suffered during this time. Hap Ki Do all but
disappeared and was preserved as a secret self-defense only by
individual master monks and royal families.
Hap Ki Do has been re-introduced today by the father of Hap Ki Do,
Yong Sool Choi, born in 1904. Yong Sool Choi studied in seclusion
from the age of nine. When he came out of seclusion, Korea had been
liberated from the Japanese after WWII. Choi taught all the Hap Ki
Do techniques to a few outstanding students, who in turn took the
task of popularizing Hap Ki Do in modern Korea. the Korean conflict
in 1950 slowed this process down, but soon after this Hap Ki Do
began spreading. Many top masters toured internationally to put on
demonstrations to help bring attention to Hap Ki Do. Within a few
years, its popularity had grown world-wide.
Today, all cities in Korea have Hap Ki Do schools. The government
and military have Hap Ki Do instructors and practitioners totaling
over one million. Other countries including the U.S.A., Germany,
France, Spain, China, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil have a
solid foundation of Hap Ki Do schools.
Hap Ki Do's continuing popularity is assured, as the untiring and
unselfish commitment of its masters and students is reenacted in the
superior and unique nature of Hap Ki Do itself.
|
