HAPKIDO

5 points

Hapkido (“Way of Coordinated Power”) is a Korean mar-
tial art developed during the 1950s. Its founder learned
Aikijutsu (p. 149) in Japan, and combined it with Judo
(p. 166) and Korean striking arts on returning home. One of
his students later named the resulting style. Hapkido incor-
porates strikes, throws, and joint locks, as well as weapons
training for advanced students. It uses a colored belt system
similar to that of Tae Kwon Do (p. 200). Despite its recent
origins, the style has spread rapidly; it isn’t difficult to find a
Hapkido school in Korea, Europe, or North America.
Three main principles guide Hapkido methodology. The
Circle Principle states that all techniques are round and
cyclical, each feeding off the results of the previous one. The
River Principle says that the style must conform to the cir-
cumstances but unleash power in a sudden torrent, like a
river. The Influence Principle holds that the martial artist
should use movements that influence his opponent to make
responses that he can anticipate and counter. The idea is to
make one’s adversary do most of the work that leads to his
defeat.
Stylists use locks, throws, and strikes, separately and in
combination. They often let the opponent strike first, neu-
tralize his attack, and then counter it. A counter to a high
kick might be a Leg Grapple followed by a Sweep or a take-
down; a counter to a punch might be a parry followed by an
Arm Lock and/or a Judo Throw. The martial artist some-
times follows the victim of a throw to the ground to apply a
Choke Hold. It’s also common to mix in kicks and punches;
for instance, after an Arm Lock and before a Judo Throw.
Hapkido includes spectacular kicking techniques, too:
jumping kicks, kicks thrown from a kneeling posture at a
foe behind, and high kicks. Many of these follow a success-
ful Arm Lock, to ensure that the target won’t be able to
defend effectively.
Hapkido weapons include the short staff, sword (often a
bokken), and jutte. Many masters reserve training in these
for higher-ranking students. However, even beginners learn
defenses against such weapons.
Hapkido is young, but like many arts it claims a heritage
that includes ancient styles. The cinematic skills and tech-
niques below are those that match the legends of these
“ancestor” martial arts, as well as the stories surrounding
the style’s founder and his most important students. Masters
are said to have great control of their minds – and some-
times those of their students, even at great distances . . .
Skills: Judo; Karate; Karate Sport; Savoir-Faire (Dojo).
Techniques: Arm Lock; Back Kick; Breakfall; Choke
Hold; Head Lock; Jump Kick; Kicking; Leg Grapple; Leg
Lock; Spinning Kick; Sweep (Judo or Karate).
Cinematic Skills: Breaking Blow; Flying Leap; Power
Blow.
Cinematic Techniques: Flying Jump Kick; Roll with Blow.
Perks: Back Kick possible from kneeling without posture
penalty.
Optional Traits
Advantages: Language (Korean); Telepathy Talent.
Disadvantages: Overconfidence.
Skills: Broadsword; Jitte/Sai; Knife; Staff.