| Han Kuk Yusul Won National Korea Yusool Association |
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Yu: (Gently / Giving / Yielding)
Sool: (Technique / Skills)
Also pronounced/spelled: YooSool; (Soft / Skills)
Did you ever hear the expression; “There is nothing pretty, soft or
gentle about his techniques,....he goes straight for your juggler”?
When attacked by an aggressor, one must not rely on meeting brute
force with brute force! He must redirect the force of the aggressor
while targeting specific and precise points of the aggressor’s body to
attack. Always strike first, and never allow the aggressor to put his
hands on you!
That may well be a good way to describe the antiquated system of
Yusool! Hundreds of years ago, the early systems of Yusool, was
nothing more or less than a pure form of raw but extremely effective
self-defense.
The martial art of Yusool represents a controversial case in modern
Korea. Records at the Nonsan Military Archives show that centuries
ago, there existed only two fighting styles in Korea: The kick-punch art
of Taekyon, & The grappling art of Yusool.
Taekyon lives on today, but Yusool in it’s original form, died out more
than 300 years ago.
However, located in the heart of Pusan, is the headquarters of the
modern martial art version of Yusool. The highest ranking man in the
Korean Yusool Association, is Grandmaster Kim Mu Jin. The current
Director of the day to day operations of the Pusan South Korean Yusool
Association is Grandmaster Hwang Man Jae.
Grandmaster Kim Mu Jin admits to having learned this lost art in Japan,
where a number of enthusiasts had kept Yusool alive for centuries,
after it was confiscated by Japanese invaders. Although Yusool ceased
to exist in it’s Korean homeland, mainly due to Japanese eradication
efforts, it nevertheless thrived in Japan, and eventually spawned the
Japanese art of: Jujutsu.
Professor Jigoro Kano, founder and father of Japanese Kodokan Judo,
was a master jutsu/ jujitsu & Yusool expert, who elevated the “art” or
the “practice” to Do, “way” or “principle”, calling his new martial art
system Kodokan Judo, which he established in 1882.
Advanced Yusool students also practiced Chimsool, (acupuncture) and
Chiahosool, (acupressure). Much of Yusool training emphasizes the use
of vital pressure points (nerve endings), & meridians (the highest point
of power, prosperity, splendor, vigor, prime, & health, resulting in the
study and alignment of the imaginary great circle passing through the
North & South Poles of the celestial sphere in relation to the equator,
etc). Advanced stretching exercises for both joints & muscles was
greatly emphasized.
Much time is dedicated to the study of Danjun, (breathing exercises),
and Ki development techniques. Techniques in a pure form of Self-
defense constitute most of the art of Yusool. Martial arts historians
claim that the original Yusool system purportedly number 3,805
techniques in all. The old grandmasters of Yusool utilized some 365
vital points of the body, including 116 “weakness angles” through
which joints are attacked!
The only weapon that the Korean Yusool Association teaches, is the
Bong, or Staff. Bong training is extensive with blocks, strikes, locks, &
take downs.
The Korean Yusool Association teaches three “Bongsool” forms,that
increase in difficulty, as the students progress in rank.
Many of the hand techniques resemble those of the modern day form of
Taekwondo, to include the standard kicks & many jumping kicks.
Punching & kicking was used to knock the opponent down, before joint
locks and other submission holds are applied, to include strangulation
locks.
It should be noted, that the modern day art of Hapkido, is a spin-off of
the original art of Yusool. Although earlier forms of self-defense
referred to as Yusool existed, one of the influential masters & revivers
of Korean Yusool was; Choi Yong Sool. Born in 1904, he traveled to
Japan at a young age and studied; Dai Dong Ryu Yu-Sool under master
Takeda Sokaku. Choi Yong Sool later taught Yusool to; Soh Bok Sub, a
Yudo Black Belt expert. Years later, (1940’s), Soh Bok Sub made a
number of changes in the original system of Yusool and called his new
system; Yu Kwon Sool.
The new system of Yu Kwon Sool placed heavy emphasis on: throws,
joint-locks, pressure points, punching, & kicking.
Ji Han Jae, another student of Grandmaster Choi Yong Sool, formed his
new system of SungMuKwan Hapkido after extensive study of Yusool
under Grandmaster Choi Yong Sool. For a short period of time, Ji Han
Jae called his system; “Hapki Yu Kwon Sool”. Realizing the name was
to long, and he liked the name “Do”, which means “way of life”, much
better than the name; “Sool”, which means “technique”, he shorten the
name to; “Hapkido”. In general, Hapkido translates; Harmony, Power,
The Way.
The art of YuSool is not only alive and well it is growing like never
before. Two new kwans have been added to YuSool. Jungkido YuSool
Kwan and Miguk YuSool Kwan, these systems are following the
traditional curriculum.
Techniques ranging from least to more difficult, as the student
progresses through the ranks. Many of the antiquated Yusool
techniques have been revised, combined with modern yudo/judo,
Hapkido and systems of jujitsu, to establish a practical, effective &
exciting array of 120 self-defense techniques. Yusool is considered one
of the most difficult of the martial arts, to obtain black belt ranking.
To qualify for Yusool first-degree black belt testing, one must hold no
less than 3 years of training, or be in a position to demonstrate the
skills required for that art. This includes all the standard striking,
kicking and blocking requirements.
This also required for the art of yudo/judo, which includes
demonstrating strong skills in break-falling (nakbob), the standard first
forty throwing techniques, strangulations, joint locking and grappling
requirements.
This followed by demonstrating the first fifty Yusool techniques in good
form.
Article contributed by Professor John Chambers
In 2006, Jungkido YuSool Kwan and Miguk YuSool Kwan were
recognized as an official YuSool Kwan by the Korean Martial Arts
Instructors Association. These are the first new YuSool Kwans
recognized since 1958
| YUSUL |