Traditional Hapkiyusul

Hapkiyusul is the Korean name for Daitoryu Aikijujutsu, the art Takeda Sokaku passed to Choi Yongsul, who brought it to Korea and chose Kim Yunsang as his successor. Master Sejin Han trained as Kim Yunsang's disciple and teaches the system in Tacoma, keeping a promise he made to his teacher to preserve and pass it on. The dojang calls the curriculum “exactly the same as was taught by the Successors of Hapkiyusul.” Master Han grew up with taekwondo and wushu, reached 5th Dan in modern hapkido, and retired from the South Korean army as a Major before moving to the United States.

This is a dojang for adults only. Classes cover foundational warm-up exercises, kicks and punches, and the self-defense techniques the dojang calls the heart of Hapkiyusul: nine sets running from standing grappling to defenses against punches and knives. Most of a class is partner work through these techniques, generally grappling, aimed at real-life self-defense. The art relies on efficiency and on shifting an opponent's balance more than on muscle or speed, and the dojang says it “gets deeper with age and experience.” Everyone wears a white belt, whatever their standing, because Kim Yunsang believed learning martial arts never ends. Students receive a certification each time they pass a technique set, and the first test comes after at least 3 years.

The dojang asks for respect, patience and discipline, and says the training takes compassion toward partners, a willingness to test your own limits, and perseverance and grit. It also says it adjusts the pace to each student and that questions are always welcome. People with no martial arts experience are welcome, and the Beginner Series, an 8-class course, teaches the basics at a slower pace for adults who are nervous about starting; its schedule is given on request.

The first step is an appointment at the dojang for a light interview, where newcomers meet Master Han, learn about the practice and ask questions. Regular classes meet every weekday evening and on Saturday mornings. Training is month to month, with no annual contract. The uniform is the same as a judo uniform, thicker and heavier than a taekwondo one so it holds up to grappling, and the dojang sells them.