Author: Bret Gordon
In a previous article entitled "Where's The Hapki In Hapkido?", I made the case that the internal methods of aiki (pronounced "hapki" in Korean) are not present in modern Hapkido practice and therefore the art should simply be called Yusul, the Korean translation of Jujutsu. I am proud to say that I was wrong, at least partly.
In Plano, Texas, a gentleman named Gottfried Roser teaches what he calls Hapki Yoosool which resembles very closely the Aiki Budo of Ueshiba Morihei prior to his full conversion to modern Aikido. After doing a lot of research into Kuksanim Roser's art, I'm actually planning to teach a joint seminar with him exploring the hapki-aiki connection at the end of September. But how did this one isolated practitioner retain the internal methods of hapki while it seems everyone else has thrown it away?
In Plano, Texas, a gentleman named Gottfried Roser teaches what he calls Hapki Yoosool which resembles very closely the Aiki Budo of Ueshiba Morihei prior to his full conversion to modern Aikido. After doing a lot of research into Kuksanim Roser's art, I'm actually planning to teach a joint seminar with him exploring the hapki-aiki connection at the end of September. But how did this one isolated practitioner retain the internal methods of hapki while it seems everyone else has thrown it away?
It's no secret that I do not believe the claim that Choi Yong Sul (the founder of Hapkido) was an adopted son of Takeda Sokaku and was exposed to the deepest levels of Daito Ryu. In my personal opinion, I think it's more plausible that he was a house servant who had the privilege of observing Takeda teach. He may have even been an uke at times and while Choi may have looked at Takeda like a father, that is not enough to support his claims. Takeda was known for keeping meticulous records of not just who he taught, but who was taught what specific techniques and Choi nor any of his known aliases appear anywhere in Takeda's log books although other Koreans do. However the origin of the art aside, it must have come from somewhere.
Ji Han Jae, a prominent student of Choi, further developed the art by coining the name "Hapkido" and adding a vast repertoire of flashy kicks which placed an emphasis on athleticism more characteristic of Taekwondo than Daito Ryu. However, Ji Han Jae only studied with Choi Yung Sul for three years (1953 to 1956) before branching out on his own. So even if Choi had internals (which is still debatable), Ji wasn't around long enough to obtain them and considering that the majority of the Hapkido world traces their lineage to Ji, it's not surprising they favor external physical technique over internal principles. This is not to take away from Ji Han Jae as a pioneer in the martial arts or to discredit his ability as a great martial artist. This is simply an analysis of principles.
Ji Han Jae, a prominent student of Choi, further developed the art by coining the name "Hapkido" and adding a vast repertoire of flashy kicks which placed an emphasis on athleticism more characteristic of Taekwondo than Daito Ryu. However, Ji Han Jae only studied with Choi Yung Sul for three years (1953 to 1956) before branching out on his own. So even if Choi had internals (which is still debatable), Ji wasn't around long enough to obtain them and considering that the majority of the Hapkido world traces their lineage to Ji, it's not surprising they favor external physical technique over internal principles. This is not to take away from Ji Han Jae as a pioneer in the martial arts or to discredit his ability as a great martial artist. This is simply an analysis of principles.
So where did Kuksanim Roser come from? Kuksanim Roser studied under Chang Young Shil, who first began training under Ji Han Jae prior to his deviance from Choi's curriculum, and he received his 1st and 2nd Dans from Choi through Ji. As Ji Han Jae began to modify the art away from its roots, Chang drifted away and opened a school with Bong-Soo Han in 1960, earning his 3rd Dan under him and then later his 4th Dan directly from Choi Yong Sul. He also studied with Myung Jae-Nim, the founder of Hankido. At this point, Chang Young Shil felt there was a piece missing from the art as it had progressed, and traveled to Japan to seek it out. He studied with Masuda sensei of the Aikikai and in Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu Takumakai. Chang received his 5th through 8th Dans from Masuda sensei as well as through Choi and the DaeHan Hapki YwonSul Dojang.
Kuksanim Roser began studying Hapkido in 1976. He first began studying under Chang Young Shil in 1990, even living in Korea for 10 years for in-depth training, and has been a dedicated student ever since. Chang's experiences with the Aikikai and Takumakai greatly influenced his teachings, which he felt brought the art back to how it was originally intended.
Hapki Yoosool as taught by Kuksanim Roser incorporates the relaxed fluidity of Ueshiba's art with the understanding of moving the body as a cohesive unit through the core, characteristic of Daito Ryu. Whether it also possesses the okuden level aiki no jutsu teachings I cannot say, as I have not yet worked out with him and I cannot give a fair analysis. I will confidently say, however, that his art is a lot closer to pure aiki jujutsu than any other hapkido practitioner I've had the pleasure of working with. The potential for internals is certainly there and I'm definitely looking forward to our seminar together!
Kuksanim Roser began studying Hapkido in 1976. He first began studying under Chang Young Shil in 1990, even living in Korea for 10 years for in-depth training, and has been a dedicated student ever since. Chang's experiences with the Aikikai and Takumakai greatly influenced his teachings, which he felt brought the art back to how it was originally intended.
Hapki Yoosool as taught by Kuksanim Roser incorporates the relaxed fluidity of Ueshiba's art with the understanding of moving the body as a cohesive unit through the core, characteristic of Daito Ryu. Whether it also possesses the okuden level aiki no jutsu teachings I cannot say, as I have not yet worked out with him and I cannot give a fair analysis. I will confidently say, however, that his art is a lot closer to pure aiki jujutsu than any other hapkido practitioner I've had the pleasure of working with. The potential for internals is certainly there and I'm definitely looking forward to our seminar together!
