The Birth of Hapkido

From the 1890's to 1945, Korea was involved in frequent conflicts with and between China and Japan. During this period, many Koreans learned extensively about martial arts being practiced in other countries.

In 1910, Japan annexed Korea, abolished the Korean monarchy and outlawed all Korean martial arts. During this time many Koreans studied Japanese Jujutsu, Judo, and Kendo while continuing to practice native martial arts in secret.

Sabumnim John Mattheos studied under Grandmaster Shin Dong-won Ninth Dan Black Belt. Which style of Hapkido dates back when Hapkido was first started from Grandmaster to Grandmaster, at that time Korean were Prisoners Of War (P.O.W.). The Koreans were held in small cells and were introduced to the abrupt movements of Japanese Karate, being allies to the Chinese; they practiced circular movements of the Chinese Kung-Fu. Combining the Japanese and the Chinese styles, Hapkido was formed and also Tae Kwon Do. Hapkido is a fusion of Aiki-Jujutsu, native Korean arts, and new innovations.

In 1945, World War II ended, Korea regained its independence from Japan. Yong-Sul Choi returned and began teaching an art he called Yu Kwon Sul ("soft fist arts") and teaching a pure form of Daito Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu. Daito Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu is a clan-based system passed down over the centuries and inherited by Sokaku Takeda (1859-1943). Daito Ryu is thought to have influenced Hapkido and Aikido, as well as many modern Jujutsu systems. Hapkido is the gentle science of flowing power & energy.