Which Specific Throws Do Hapkido and Judo Have in Common?

There are significant parallels between the throws in Hapkido and Judo so much so that one might wonder if there are deeper connections beyond surface-level techniques. Afterall, Hapkido is a Korean version of Japanese Jujutsu, and it incorporates elements from Aikido and Judo. This article explores specific throws that are shared by these two martial arts and delves into the underlying philosophies that guide them.

Philosophical Foundations

Both Hapkido and Judo are founded on unique philosophical principles. Judo, which translates to 'gentle way,' emphasizes the principle of ju-jitsu, or gentleness, and achieving victory through minimization of effort. In contrast, Hapkido translates to 'harmonious way' and focuses on the harmonization of mind, body, and spirit, along with the fluidity of movements. Despite these differing philosophies, certain fundamental techniques overlap, reflecting a shared history and martial mindset.

Common Throws in Judo and Hapkido

Many of the throws in Judo have direct or indirect parallels in Hapkido. The techniques that are specifically mentioned in the provided content include hip throws, shoulder throws, and the arm around the head throws.

Hip Throws

Judo throws: In Judo, hip throws are a staple, characterized by the practitioner using their hips to throw the opponent off balance. Techniques like sekkle-hanmi-e-gaeshi (outer hip throw) and ukemi-hanmi-e-gaeshi (inside hip throw) exemplify the use of hip positioning and rotational force.

Hapkido equivalents: While Hapkido's hip throws maintain a similar aim of leveraging an opponent's momentum and their own body weight, the execution may vary. For instance, the tesa-hip (forward hip throw) and ansul-hip (reverse hip throw) use hip rotation to generate a powerful throwing motion. Although Hapkido may introduce a greater emphasis on fluidity and body movement, the principle remains the same.

Shoulder Throws

Judo throws: Shoulder throws in Judo, such as kirinaeshi (front figure-four throw) and okuri-eri-juji-gatame (forearm projection joint lock), leverage the adversary's shoulder and arm to gain leverage and momentum for throwing.

Hapkido equivalents: Hapkido also utilizes shoulder throws to gain control, typically through techniques like sol-geup-o-jeogi (shoulder strike throw) and hoi-hake (arm snap throw). These throws might incorporate additional ingredients to achieve a more fluid and adaptable application, often involving a blend of arm and body manipulation.

Arm Around the Head Throws

Judo throws: Techniques like kuji-myaku-erigonage (arm-snap throw) and shouchu-erigonage (arm-bar throw) use the arm around the head as a lever to initiate the throw. The goal is to manipulate the opponent's posture and balance to execute a powerful and fast throw.

Hapkido equivalents: Hapkido similarly employs the arm around the head, with throws like saemalu-chagi (side kick throw) and tegi-wo-geurk (arm slapping throw). The focus here is on controlling and redirecting the opponent's momentum to achieve a fluid and harmonious expulsion of force.

Practical Application

While Judo and Hapkido share common throws, their practical applications and philosophical underpinnings can differ. For instance, in Judo, these throws are often used in competitive settings, emphasizing strength, precision, and speed. In Hapkido, they are often used in self-defense scenarios, where coordination, timing, and the harmonization of movements are key.

Conclusion

The shared techniques between Judo and Hapkido highlight a common heritage and a focus on efficient, effective use of force. Through the exploration of hip throws, shoulder throws, and arm around the head throws, we can see how these martial arts evolved from similar roots while developing distinct philosophies and applications. Understanding these commonalities can be beneficial for practitioners of both arts, as they can draw from a richer pool of techniques and principles.