Where Did the History of Hapkido Begin?

Mr. Choi, under what circumstances did you come to live in Japan?

When I was a child, I lived in the village of Yong Dong in the Choong Chung province of Korea. By that time there were already many Japanese in my region due to the occupation of Korea.

I became acquainted with a Japanese businessman named Mr. Morimoto, who had no children and owned a confectionery shop.

When the time came for him to return to Japan, he kidnapped me and took me with him to Japan with the intention of making me his son. I disliked this man, and because of my constant protests and crying, he abandoned me in the city of Moji shortly after our arrival in Japan.

I traveled from Moji to Osaka alone... and soon surrendered to despair; while I was crying and wandering aimlessly, I was picked up by the police.

When the authorities realized I had no family in Japan, they arranged for me to be cared for at a Buddhist temple. I came to live there for about 2 years under the care of the monk Wadanabi, Kintaro.

How old were you when you were kidnapped?

I believe I was around 8 years old.

What circumstances brought you into the household of Takeda Sōkaku?

While living at the temple, I was fascinated by murals depicting battles and paintings of famous martial arts scenes displayed throughout the temple. When the time came, Wadanabi asked me which direction I would like my life to take.

I immediately pointed to a scene on the wall depicting the Martial Arts and said: "This is what I want to be." Kintaro, Wadanabi was a close friend of Takeda Sōkaku and made the arrangements to introduce me to him.

Takeda Sōkaku liked me, and feeling great sympathy for my situation, he decided to adopt me and named me Asao, Yoshida; at that time I was about 11 years old.

In which city was this Buddhist temple that was your home?

It was in Kyoto.

In what area were Takeda Sōkaku's home and Dojang located?

His home and dojang were located on Mount Shin Su in the Akeda area.

What was the nature of your training under Takeda Sōkaku?

Takeda Sōkaku was the head of Daito Ryu Aiki-Jutsu. I lived in his home and learned under his personal instruction for about 30 years. I was his constant student and for 20 years of my training I was isolated at his mountain home.

Takeda was the Master of the Japanese royal family; did you personally participate in teaching the royal family?

Yes, at that time I was my Master's assistant in his instruction. While we were in Tokyo, we also taught high-ranking government officials within the palace circle. We also traveled to various parts of Japan and taught selected groups of people.

Did you ever leave Japan with Master Takeda to teach or give demonstrations?

Yes, when I was 28 years old, it was arranged by politicians for my Master and his best students to travel to Hawaii for a demonstration tour.

What was your role on this tour?

I was the leader of the demonstration team, under the guidance of my Master.

How many people were on the demonstration team and can you name any of the participants?

At the time of the Hawaii tour there were 5 of us: Takeda Sōkaku, myself (Asao Yoshida), Jintaro Abida, and the other two I cannot recall at this moment.

When you returned from Hawaii, were there any significant changes in your life?

No, we continued doing tours and teaching; at the same time I continued learning through Master Takeda's instruction.

How did the outbreak of World War II affect your life?

World War II changed many things in different ways. My Master and I worked for the government capturing military deserters who were hiding in the mountains near our home, and we had to return these men unharmed to the authorities.

The most significant changes occurred as the end of the war approached. Japan was losing the war and in a final moment of desperation, the government instituted a special military draft that called upon the most prominent martial artists of the time.

These highly trained individuals were recruited into a special guerrilla-type unit that was dispersed throughout the war zone. The entire inner circle of Daito Ryu Aiki-Jutsu was sent, except for Master Takeda and myself.

Most of them were killed in the final battle of the war.

Why were you not sent along with the others?

I was going to be sent but Master Takeda intervened. Through his status and influence he had me hospitalized for a minor surgery.

This prevented my recruitment from proceeding and stopped my deployment. He prevented me from going to war because he felt that if I were killed, Daito Ryu Aiki-Jutsu would be completely lost when he himself died.

How many separate techniques had Takeda Sōkaku developed and mastered in his system?

3808.

How many of these techniques have you personally mastered?

Shortly before his death, my Master informed me that I was the only student to whom he had taught all of his techniques and secrets.

Do you know the circumstances of Takeda Sōkaku's death?

Yes, he ended his life by refusing to eat.

Why did he do that?

Japan had never before been defeated in a war. Takeda Sōkaku felt that a great shame and humiliation had been inflicted upon his ancestors by Japan's defeat at the hands of the Allies.

Being a man of leadership, he felt a great personal responsibility for this defeat, and driven by this powerful feeling he decided that his only honorable path was to end his life.

Did Master Takeda make any final statement to you before his death?

He said farewell to me and spoke of my long-held desire to return to Korea. He asked me to do so; he was concerned that because of my position in his household and my Korean heritage, I would be killed if I remained in Japan.

Had I stayed after his death to succeed him, it could have been dangerous.

When did you return to Korea?

I returned with my family shortly after the death of Takeda Sōkaku.

Where did you settle in Korea?

We settled in the province of Taegu-Kyŏngbuk. There I established my first Korean Dojang and have made my home here ever since.

After returning, I changed my name back to Choi Yong-Sool and the name of my art to Hapkido.