Han Mu Do

Summary

Han Mu Do is an elaborate martial arts system consisting of four areas of study, including the empty hand techniques, the study of Ki, the study of weapons and the study of the philosophy of martial arts. It was created from various elements of several Korean martial art disciplines in 1989 by the famous He-Young Kimm. It is considered to be one of the best defense techniques and one of the most comprehensive contemporary martial arts systems. This discipline is recognized by the Korean government as a traditional martial art of Korea.

History / Origins

ETYMOLOGY

The name of this technique comes from three Korean words. Han stands for Korea (as in nation of optimism); Mu stands for Martial Art and Do means The Way. Therefore, the whole name itself means “The Way of Korean Martial Art”.⁽¹⁾

BEGINNINGS

Han Mu Do has its roots in different techniques, mostly in the Hapkido. Hapkido was adapted from the Japanese Daitou-ryuu Aiki-juujutsu technique which was brought to Korea by Master Choi Yong-Sool just after the World War II. It included different kicking and striking techniques of contemporary arts such as Tae Kyon, as well as ground fighting styles and throwing techniques of Judo. However, compared to Han Mu Do, Hapkido is harder in nature and more aggressive.

Being created in 1989, Han Mu Do is a relatively young martial art. It was founded by the master He-Young Kimm, who has studied Hapkido under Grandmaster Ji Han Jae, its founder. Kimm has achieved 9th Dan Black Belt in Hapkido and the 8th Dan Black Belt in Kuk Sul under the Grandmaster Suh Ih Hyuk. He was also a connoisseur of other Korean systems, including Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do and the art of Korean Swordsmanship, Kum Do. Kimm was also introduced to rare techniques, including Sun Mu Do, Sundo, Muye Yi Ship Sa Ban, Tae Kyon and Ship Pal Ki. With his wide knowledge and help of the Grandmaster Ji, the founder of Hapkido, he was able to create an elaborate technique of Han Mu Do. Kimm tried to implement styles of traditional and modern Korean fighting techniques into a single system which would be suited for different combat situations one can encounter in modern times.⁽²⁾

PRESENT DAY

Although it was created just several decades ago, Han Mu Do gained a wide circle of practitioners. Some often mistake it for Hapkido, but the two styles greatly differ. Kimm wanted Han Mu Do to be suitable for almost any situation a fighter could encounter in modern life. Therefore, its moves are adapted for self-defence as well as for some kinds of attack. Numerous schools of martial arts, in particular those concentrating on Korean techniques, offer courses of Han Mu Do. It is popular as a mean of self-defence and as a recreational sport. Several large Han Mu Do associations exist and they organise a number of sports events every year. These include, just to name a few, the World Han Mu Do Association and the United States Han Mu Do Association.

FOLKLORE

Grandmaster Kimm created the technique of Han Mu Do in 1989 with the blessing and support of Grandmaster Ji and Grandmaster Suh. As a great specialist in the field of martial arts, he set out to include numerous moves of traditional Korean fighting styles which are known not only for elaborate techniques, but also for developed tradition and philosophic systems. He was collecting information on various styles since 1962.⁽³⁾ Thus he included four different areas of study into this martial art, including the study of martial arts philosophy which also enriches the soul. The main point of the technique is the balance between different moves and the balance between physical and mental training. Its creator has also written a number of books on Korean Martial Arts.⁽⁴⁾