by Bill Humphrey, 3rd Dan HKD
Hapkido is typically described as an eclectic martial art made up of techniques found in Japanese Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu, as well as traditional Korean arts. While this may be an accurate—if abbreviated—description, there’s a common thread that ties Hapkido and Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu to much older Japanese arts. That binding thread is yawara.
In classical Japanese martial arts, yawara refers to the principle of softness, pliability, and flexible adaptation. It is not just a technique but a strategy of yielding, blending, and redirecting force to control or neutralize an opponent without relying on brute strength. In writing, the same kanji used to signify yawara is also used for the word ju (as in judo, jujutsu), with the difference being in contextual usage, not meaning.
The use of yawara techniques dates back as far as the Heian period (794–1185), when it was used in close-quarters grappling, as well as disarming, grabbing, pinning, or finishing an opponent after weapons clashed or broke. In pre-modern Japanese martial arts, it was practiced alongside weapon skills, forming comprehensive combative systems. It was during the Edo period (1603–1868) that the word jujutsu became popular for signifying unarmed grappling techniques, while the word yawara remained in traditional use, also used to describe the “soft” quality of techniques.
Within Daito-ryu, yawara techniques are foundational. They encompass a range of methods, including joint locks, pins, throws, and the use of body mechanics to gain control through minimal effort. These techniques are characterized by their emphasis on subtlety and precision, allowing practitioners to overcome larger or stronger adversaries by exploiting balance and leverage. This description aligns with accounts of what Choi Yong-Sool, who trained in Daito-ryu in Japan, taught after he returned to Korea. Some accounts state that Choi used yawara and yusul as early names for his art before it developed into Hapkido.
None of this is to suggest that Hapkido is merely an imitation of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu—far from it. While Daito-ryu remained a closely guarded system, Choi Yong-Sool’s teachings evolved rapidly in post-war Korea. Many of Choi’s students came to him as accomplished martial artists in other arts, and many contributed their own knowledge to this rapidly growing art. Over time, they incorporated a variety of kicking, striking, and spinning techniques, as well as multiple weapons not present in Daito-ryu. This culmination garnered Hapkido its deserved reputation for being eclectic, a trait that has allowed it to continue to adapt to modern times. Though yawara remains an integral part of Hapkido, it has been reinterpreted through cultural, tactical, and national lenses.
