????BC

 to

2333BC

The earliest known kingdom, the BAEDALGUK was a Korean empire formerly thought to have been mythical. Though little is actually known about it, an ancient text of some question (HWANDANGOGI) indicates that it covered a large area was descended from HWAN-KUK, and was ruled by a succession of 16 emperors.  

2333BC

 to 

108BC

One of the first Korean Kingdoms, GOJOSEON is said to have been founded by Dangun in 2333BC. It was during this kingdom that the Bronze Age reaches Korea about 9th or 8th Century BC ( about the time that the Israelites were building the Great Temple in Jerusalem). The introduction of bronze weapons to Korea may have been closely tied to the Chinese conquest of sizable Korean lands in Manchuria, though an alternate view is that both bronze and later Iron technology may have come by way to trade with more northern tribes including Scythians.  The great numbers of Bronze spear blades unearthed in tombs, however, suggest that the sword was not the primary weapon in battle. Rather, at this time land warfare consisted most often of spears and bowmen on foot, and mounted archers on horseback using a two-handed bow. Indeed, there is a strong possibility that the sword itself may have developed from the habit of keeping a spare spear point in ones’ belt.  Mentions by Chinese sources in the 7th Century BC affirm that the state flourished in what is now North Korea and southern Manchuria. The line of some 40 or so kings took the title TANJE or "Birch Emperor" for themselves. The "Annals of the Danguns" are recorded in the GYUWON SAHWA (1675) described by its author as a collection of nationalist legends. 

1766BC

 to 

1040BC

Shang Dynasty in China: Recognized for its many achievements in Bronze work, writing and governmental administration the Shang Dynasty was clearly a class structure in which burials indicate that military skills were valued. The Shang Army consisted of two main corps; one of infantry and one of chariots. The use of chariots suggests a strong proof of direct contacts between eastern and western Asia with the domesticated horse being used in Mesopotamia about 1500 BC, and evidence of its use in China approximately 250 years later. Below the aristocracy were the craftsmen, especially bronze-workers. Peasants comprised the bottom tier of the society as a population of serfs that supported the upper strata of Shang society. The Shang Dynasty was overtaken by the Zhou. Both Korean and Chinese legends state that a disgruntled Yin prince named Jizi (箕子), who had refused to yield power to the Zhou, and left China with his garrison to found Gija-Choson. The state would become one of the early Korean states (Go-, Gija-, and Wiman-Joseon).

Source: History of China; J.A.G. Roberts; St Martins Press, 1996

1122 to 771 BC

The Duke of Zhou establishes a new capital at Luoyang while the old capital at Xian remained the administrative center. Wherein the Shang had legitimized their rule by invoking their ancestors, the Zhou modified this belief to invoke the "Mandate of Heaven" as a way of identifying the divine right to rule. The mandate of heaven was based on rules of good governance and the emperor was granted the right to rule by heaven as long as those rules of good governance were obeyed. The scattered rule of many semi-autonomous holdings are increasingly brought under the rule of a central government as a ZONGFA or "kinship network" though as time goes on the territory that is ruled is far too large for all vassals to be actual blood relatives. Vassals to the king enjoy hereditary titles and were expected to provide labor forces and fighting forces as circumstances merited. Each lord meets battle with his four-horse chariot and 100 infantrymen in support. The uniform requirements of providing manpower in relationship to the size of one's holdings may have formed the basis for the much-copied "well-field" system used by subsequent dynasties.

The Western Zhou period ends with a series of natural disasters, decline of the ruling administration and failure to master the pressures of encroaching non-Chinese tribes from the north. 

771 to 481 BC

With the decline of the Western Zhou, the "kinship network" also declines and control of many feudal holdings fall to feudal lords and knights or "fighting gentlemen" (C. SHI). Unbound by family relationships, these men are free to aggress against their neighbors and accrue holdings. In addition, the first emergence of Landlord/tenant relationships are reported for the state of Lu (594 BC). The use of bronze is widespread for coins, utensils, and  weapons. However, beginning about the 5th Century BC, the use of iron is becoming increasingly frequent. First noted in the Shang Dynasty through the use of meteoric iron, by the end of this period the cast-iron process will be widely known, as is the earliest use of metal coins for currency. 

The origins of Chinese philosophy develop with the initial stages beginning in the 6th century BC. Among  those who had the greatest influence are Kong Fuzi (Confucius - 551-479 BC) of the state of Lu, founder of Confucianism and Lao Tsu, founder of Taoism. At this time Sun Tsu, native of the State of Wei becomes Chief of Staff and writes the "Art of War" which continues as a classic on the subject of military strategy. 

Source: History of China; J.A.G. Roberts; St Martins Press, 1996

403 to 221 BC

The DAYE Mine in China functions to produce 400,000 tons of slag of which 50% is iron and an estimated 40,000 tons of copper and bronze are produced. Using a shaft furnace method of smelting, the Chinese produce an estimated 800,000 tons of iron. This method of using streams of air to smelt metal may have served as the source for Japanese "TATARA" (bellows) furnaces in the production of high-grade steel by transferring to Japan through Korea with the use of the pit and the box furnaces. 

Source: History of China; J.A.G. Roberts; St Martins Press, 1996

221 to 207 BC

Having completed his war of unification among the various small states, Shi Huangdi, begins a large building project to improve roads within the kingdom, while constructing a chain of walls to prevent invasion from the north by non-Chinese tribes.  

Source: The Qin Terracotta Army; Zhang Wenli; Scala Books, 1996

206BC to 220AD

Source: History of China; J.A.G. Roberts; St Martins Press, 1996 

18BC

 to 660AD

18 BC

 to

661 AD

37 BC

 to 668AD

57 BC

 to   

660 AD

338AD

464AD

527AD

Once the prince of a small tribe in southern India, his last name was Sardili.. He was of the Mahayana school of Buddhism, and is considered by many to have been a bodhisattva, or an enlightened being who had renounced nirvana in order to save others. He is considered the 28th patriarch of Buddhism from India, and the 1st patriarch of Buddhism in China. 

Da Mo was invited to China to preach by the Liang Wu emperor, and arrived  during the reign of either the Wei Xiao Ming emperor(516-528 A.D.) or the Liang Wu emperor (502-550 A.D.). When the emperor decided he did not like DaMo’s Buddhist theory, the monk withdrew to the Shaolin Temple. DaMo observed that the priests were weak and sickly, and shut himself away to ponder the problem. When he emerged after nine years of seclusion, he wrote two classics: Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic) and Xi Sui Jin (Marrow/Brain Washing Classic).

The Yi Jin Jing taught the priests how to build their Ki to an abundant level and use it to improve health and change their physical bodies from weak to strong. When this training was integrated into the martial arts forms, it increased the effectiveness of their martial techniques. The Xi Sui Jing taught the priests how to use Ki to clean their bone marrow and strengthen their immune system, as well as how to nourish and energize the brain, helping them to attain Buddha hood. Because the Xi Sui Jing was hard to understand and practice, the training methods were passed down secretly to only a very few disciples in each generation.

589 AD

613AD

The O-Gae or "Five Tenets" is established. 

"In the thirty-fifth year (613 ad.) an Assembly of the One Hundred Seats was held in Hwangnyong Monastery to expound the scriptures and harvest the fruits of the blessing. The master headed the entire assembly. He used to spend days at Kach’ wi Monastery discoursing on the true path. Kwisan and Ch’uhang from Saryang district came to the master’s door and, lifting up their robes, respectfully said, “We are ignorant and without knowledge. Please give us a maxim which will serve to instruct us the rest of our lives”. The Won-gwang replied, “There are ten commandments in the bodhisattva ordination. But since you are subjects, and sons, I fear you cannot practice all of them. Now, here are five commandments for laymen: 

Serve your sovereign with loyalty; 

Attend your parents with filial piety; 

Treat your friends with sincerity; 

Do not retreat from a battlefield; 

Be discriminating in the taking of life. 

Exercise care in the performance of them.” Kwisan said, “We respect your wishes with regard to the first four. But what is the meaning of being discriminating about the taking of life?” The master answered, “not to kill during the months of Spring and Summer, nor during the 6 meatless feast days, is to choose the time. Not to kill domestic animals such as cows, horses, chickens, dogs and tiny creatures whose meat is less than a mouthful is to choose the creatures. Though you may have need you should not kill often. These are good rules for laymen.” Kwisan and his friend adhered to them without ever breaking them….”

 (from Haedong Kosung Chon)

618 AD

621 AD

661 

to 

935AD

712AD

850AD

1116

Source: Imperial China: 900 to 1800; F.W. Mote; Harvard University Press, 1999; pp 787 - 789

918

 to 

1170

Source: Korea: The Mongol Invasions; W.E. Henthorne; EJ Brill, Leiden; 1963

1170 

to 

1270 

Source: Korea: The Mongol Invasions; W.E. Henthorne; EJ Brill, Leiden; 1963

1270

 to 

1392 

Source: Korea: The Mongol Invasions; W.E. Henthorne; EJ Brill, Leiden; 1963 

1312

1335

1387

Source: Deity and the Sword; OTAKE Risuke; Minato Research and Publishing Co.; 1977

1392

1392

1405

1528

QI Ji-guang is born, January 10, 1528 in Shantung Province, into the house of a professional military man and rises to become one of the best known personages in Chinese military traditions. His success is due as much to his successes against the predations of coastal pirates called "WA-KO", as for the innovations and reorganization he brought to the forces under his command. His training manual, JIN XIAO SHIN SHU or "Manual of New Methods"(1560), focuses on strict discipline and small unit order of battle. The organizational key found in General Qi’s manual, was to stress small (12- man) units, called "mandarin duck formation",  whose tight coordination was coupled with use of long distance pole weapons, the mainstay of which was the 12-foot lance. Having reflected on the tactics of the pirates, General Ki determined that the most favorable response was to allow the enemy to attack and expend their energy, and then to be quickly repulsed by a well-coordinated response. In this response pole arms kept the enemy at bay, or ensnared them, so to be finished off by specific individuals armed with shorter hand weapons. QI Ji-guang will also pen a later military work, LIAN BING SHI JI as well. Owing to political wrangling Qi's career will be checkered with dismissals and reassignments, but his contributions remain one of the high-points in Chinese  military traditions. Qi dies on  January 17, 1588,  in  Teng-shou not long after his retirement in 1585, and is posthumously honored as a patriot and hero.

Source: Dictionary of Ming Biography; Vol 2

1545

1592

1592

1592

1592

1592

The "Five Guard" System, in place since the early years of the Choson Dynasty is replaced by the "Five Military Divisions" System. With the new system comes additional consideration of firearms, cannon, gunpowder ammunition and fortifications as interfaced with the traditional hand weapons and polearms. However, as will become a pattern for the balance of the dynasty, increased considerations results in increased political and financial pressures on the government.

1592

1800 

With death of King Cheongjo, 10 year old King Sunjo (1800-1834) ascends the Korean throne resulting in the true power of the throne now residing with "in-law" relatives as represented by the Andong KIM Clan. This introduces the period of  SEDO CHEONGJI (lit "in-law government) and whose disarray and blatant corruption in the Korean government particularly in the three main areas of revenues---land tax, military service and the state granary system--- heap additional hardship on the peasantry. Of special note is the corruption of the local functionaries (HYANGNI) who could purchase an appointment as administrators and so cloak their predations on the farmers with a aura of officialdom. Western merchant ships and men-of-war begin appearing off the Korean coast in greater numbers.  Fearing the fate of China following the Opium War (1839-42),  Korea continuously rejects Western demands for trade and diplomatic opening.

1801 

The Korean government abolishes slavery and the slave records are burned. 

1804 

Increasing numbers of peasants and farmers become involved in KYE or "mutual assistance associations". Faced with increasing corruption in the government, brigandage of the disenfranchised (such as the mounted fire brigands or "HWAJOK" and the boat-borne water brigands or SUJOK ) and abuse by the military, many poor village folk sought to pool their resources such as land, tools and production in order to survive. 

1811 

Hong Kyeongnae Rebellion 

1813

Revolt of the Eight Trigrams Sect in China. Motivated by doughts and floods as well as the sharp increase in the price of rice, conspirators under LI Wencheng from Shandong and Zhili provinces gain access to the Forbidden City in Beijing. Armed with swords and iron bars they plan to overwhelm the Emperor in his palace and reinstate the Ming Dynasty. In the ensuing fight, Prince Mianning uses his musket to wound one rebel and kill another, becoming the first to use a firearm within the precincts of the palace. The rebels are defeated with 31 killed and 44 captured having, themselves killed more than 100 palace personnel. Before the revolt is entirely suppressed over 20,000 Eight Trigram members in the countryside will die. 

(Source: Modern Chinese Warfare; Bruce A. Elleman; Routledge, 2001)

1816 

September 1, 1816: The British frigate, Alceste and the sloop of war, Lyra, find themselves accompanying the British embassy to China and are subsequently relieved of their duties. Making use of their free time, Captain Murray Maxwell and Captain Basil Hall elect to examine the Korean coast. Unfortunately, as this was a purely impulsive decision no provision was made to locate an interpreter and anyone with knowledge of the Korean people of their culture. As a result the entire 10 day trip was little more than a series of repeated intrusions into a number of village located on islands along the western Korean coast and providing very little practical information. 

Source: Capt. Basil Hall's Account of his voyage to the West coast of Korea in 1816; Transactions of the R. A. S. - Korean Branch; 1920.

1839 

Catholic Persecution of 1839. Though generally tolerated, Catholic influence undergoes persecution with the momentary shift in governmental "in-law" politics. With the shift back to control by the Andong KIM Clan attitudes once again relax but not before the persecution sees the deaths of three foreign priests and a large number of Korean converts. Catholicism is popular in a number of levels of Korean society though mainly among the peasants and farmers adjacent to urban areas such as Seoul. In the rural areas, the religious preaching of CHOE Che-u (1824-1864) called TONGHAK or "Eastern Learning" takes hold. An admixture of Catholicism and Korean Shamanistic beliefs, the movement shifts from a religious belief system to an increasing social movement advocating improved livelihood for the people and reform of the corruption-ridden government. YANGBAN families, formerly well-respected for their status as a noble class, are increasingly seen as little more than commoners unwilling to meet their responsibilities to their communities. 

1839 

The trade in luxury items between China and Great Britain creates a trade imbalance motivating the British to seek a commodity of high demand to the Chinese. Beginning in 1781 the British begin to traffic in opium grown in India. Though known to the Qing Dynasty, the Chinese do little or nothing until a sizable portion of the Chinese population has been addicted by the British monopoly through its Tong Society distribution network.  In 1839, the Qing Emperor seeks to reducing or eliminate the Opium trade with a ban on its sale and the confiscation of its stocks. Initially some 20,000 120-pound chests are surrendered and destroyed. Circumstances rapidly deteriorated over the authority of the Chinese government to hold legal jurisdiction over non-Chinese individuals who would not comply with trade prohibitions.

 On 14 January 1840, the Qing Emperor asks all foreigners in China to stop helping British in China.  In June 1840, a European expeditionary force of 15 barracks ships, 4 steam-powered gunboats and 25 smaller boats with 4000 marines reach Canton from Singapore. In 1840, the British capture the Bogue forts guarding access to Hong Kong and Canton and inflict defeats on the Chinese at Ningbo and Chinghai. Effective use of naval artillery in coordination with marine landings by the British armed with superior percussion-capBrunswick muskets repeatedly overwhelm the Chinese forces armed with antique muzzle-loading matchlocks, spears, bows, swords, pikes, helmets and chain-mail. Though possessing muzzle-loading cannon, the quality of the Chinese gun-powder is course and markedly inferior to that of the Europeans. The Chinese will also develop the false belief that British forces are only a threat when supported by naval fire-power. Leadership of the Chinese forces is likewise below standards as most of the officers have purchased their rank on the basis of scholarship, bureaucratic connections or inherited positions, having little or no practical training in military science. In as much as the leadership is primarily Manchu and the fighting forces are predominantly Han, there is a clear reluctance for the Han fighters to follow orders and die for their Manchu emperor. Elite Manchu forces are highly capable, but are only a small portion of the Chinese forces, and are typically dedicated to the security of the capital and the emperoro. By the middle of 1842 the British control the mouth of the Yangtse and have occupied Shanghai. In capable of dealing with Western military technology and tactics and the war ends in August 29, 1842 with the 13-article Treaty of Nanking allowing the British to resume the Opium trade in China. 

1844

YMCA first founded in London by George Williams.

1850

The Taiping Rebellion breaks out in China. Led by HONG Xiuquan, a Hakka Chinese from Guangdong Province, the "Taiping Heavenly Kingdom" is an exotic interpretation of Christian and Biblical beliefs resulting in Hong being identified as the "younger brother of Jesus". The defeat of the Chinese in the Opium War eight years earlier instills the suspicion in the Chinese people that the Qing Dynasty has lost the "Mandate of Heaven", the Divine Right of the Qing emperor to rule. With its capital at Nanjing, the Taiping Rebellion will spread across China promoting a parallel culture intent on overthrowing the Qing administration and reinstating Han rule. Though heavily governed by conservative Christian thought, the Taiping administration allows for sexual equality. As a result a significant portion of the Taiping forces are women. Hong's cousin, Feng Yushan, organizes the Taiping forces based on armies of 13,155 men  and are subdivided into an order of battle including divisions, brigades, companies, platoons and squads. Taiping troops are regulated by a strict code of 62 rules enforced by corporal punishment, shaming or loss of rank. It will take eleven years, until 1864,  before the governmental Chinese troops, with much help from European advisors and troops will quell the revolt, partially owing to the need to fight the "Arrow War" (1856-1860) with the British and French. However, with the end of the Arrow War, foreigners feared for the loss of their property and fell to supporting the Imperial government.  Most notable among the European advisors to assist the Qing forces is General Charles George Gordon (Jan 28, 1833 - Jan 26, 1885) who will earn the name "Chinese Gordon" for his efforts, by which he is identified with a heroic death years later in Sudan.  

Despite numerous sieges, victories and defeats, neither the Taiping rebels nor the Qing government is able to secure an upper-hand, until the European forces side with the Qing and against the Taiping rebels. The introduction of modern weaponry and tactics result in an Imperial fighting force identified as the "Ever-Victorious Army" which provides the first representation of a modern Chinese fighting force and its capabilities. The death of HONG Xiuquan in 1864 along with the defeat of the last few Taiping forces ends the rebellion but also is considered the beginning of the modern Chinese military. 

(Source: Modern Chinese Warfare; Bruce A. Elleman; Routledge, 2001

1853

Commodore Matthew C. Perry, US Navy, sails into Tokyo Bay and demands the opening of trade and diplomatic relations between US and Japan.  Japan signs treaties with the United States and other Western powers beginning with the Friendship Treaty of 1854.

1855

World Alliance of YMCAs created.

1856

A rough agreement among the British, French, Russians and Americans allows the French and British to capture Canton in 1857, and in June, 1858 the first part of the war ends with the Treaty of Tianjin to which France, Russia and the United States are parties. On May 28, 1858, a an additional treaty, the Treaty of Aigun will grant particular concessions to the Russians in Manchuria. Despite the treaties, hostilities resume in June, 1859. Though initially defeated  by Chinese defenders at the "Dagu Repulse" ---the single worst defeat of the European Forces with 519 killed and 456 wounded---, Anglo-French forces return and march on Beijing.  As a result some 10,000 elite Mongolian cavalry forces intended to protect the city are slaughtered by Anglo-French artillery at the Battle of Palikao (Sept 21, 1860). 

1862

CHINJU Uprising; single largest rebellion in Korea. Armed with bamboo spears the populace of the province, led by YU Kye-cheun rebell against the corruptions of the military commander, PAEK Nak-sin and the local government by burning buildings and killing local functionaries. 

1864

CHOE Che-u, originator of the  TONGHAK or "Eastern Learning" movement is executed. Arrested in 1863 for "misleading the people and sowing discord in society" his execution in 1864 sends many of his followers  into hiding in the mountains. Along with their beliefs and belongings the TONGHAK refugees take a range of skills and abilities so as to protect Korean culture from the corruptions of Western influences. 

1864

King Kojong, enthroned at the age of twelve, succeeds King Cheolchong.  King Kojong's father, HEUNGSEON  TAEWEON-GUN (Yi Ha-Ung; 1801-1898), rules as the de facto regent and seeks a program of reform to strengthen the Korean monarchy. Of special note was the decision to rebuild palace buildings and finance it through additional levies on the population. In addition SOWON or private academies which threatened to develop a parallel system to the corrupt government and enjoyed special privileges and large land-holdings were repressed despite bitter opposition from Confucian scholars. 

1866

August, 1866 - The USS General Sherman, a US merchant ship under the command of a Captain W.B. Preston, arrives near Pyongyang to “establish trade relations with the ‘hermit kingdom.’” Despite messages from the provincial governor rebuffing their solicitation, the ship continues up the Ta Tong River towards Pyongyang.  With agitation among the populace growing, the ship’s crew of 19 seizes a local Korean official precipitating an intermittent fire-fight between the crew and the populace for four days. In the end the ship was set afire and the crew was hacked to death as they fled the burning hull. Their remains were later cremated. This incident will precipitate a string of confrontational events between Korea and the US. including a military action by US. forces on Korean forts guarding the approaches to Seoul in June, 1871. 

Source: Sinking of the General Sherman; LEE Wha Rang; March 19,2000

1866

Korea launches an anti-foreign campaign focused on the growing Catholic missionary activity and the growing number of incidents arising from foreign ships appearing off their coasts seeking to trade. The full-scale persecution of Catholics, including 9 French missionaries, heralds the policy of the Korean government to isolate from influences of the Western countries. In response, however are the Disturbances of 1866  which, though reportedly in response to Catholic persecution were, in the larger picture, little more than "gun-boat diplomacy" by the French under Admiral Roze and the French Asiatic Squadron, to force-open the isolated nation. Despite the drama such an attack invoked, its impact on the resolutions of the Korean government was nil.  

1868

Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan ends with the restoration of the emperor (“Meiji Restoration”).  Japan begins to implement internal political and economic reforms, partly designed to strengthen Japan against foreign incursions.  Legal class distinctions abolished (1869).  Universal male military conscription established (1873).
Japan becomes increasingly militaristic towards Korea for numerous reasons, including (a) the “political necessity of finding an outlet for the energies” of the samurais affected by the Meiji Restoration, (b) to acquire a captive market for Japanese consumer goods, (c) to preempt Russian encroachment in Korea, and (d) chauvinistic impulse of the Restoration leaders to expand the Japanese Empire.

“Mutsuhito”, Emperor Meiji, “heaven-descended, divine and sacred”, ruler of Japan, born in 1852, succeeded to the throne at the age of fifteen. He  is restored to the throne of Japan as the ruling sovereign of the Japanese people. 

The Meiji Restoration of 1868 was a final act in a process of decline for the warrior class of Japan that began with the introduction of European firearms and cannon in the 16th century. Such firepower superannuated years of training, individual combat and power that resided with an elite class. At a slow but steady rate the samurai warrior class, and the carrying of swords, were totally abolished following the Restoration in 1876. By extension, such practices as Ken jutsu (also known as “gekken”) fell into disrepute for their impotence against modern firearms and as undesirable relics of an oppressive military past. 

1868

 The Heigakko (Officer Academy) is established in 1868 at Kyoto to graduate leaders for the new Meiji Restoration army. It will later become the parent school of the Rikugun Toyama Gakko, Both the French, and later the Prussian military model is used to train the new Japanese officers in the methods of fighting a modern technilogical war.

1871

May 1871 - "Foreign Disturbance of 1871" - An American Expeditionary Force is sent to Korea under US Admiral John Rodgers on the flagship frigate USS Colorado, and in the company of the USS Alaska, USS Benica, USS Palos and USS Monocacy brings Frederick F Low, its foreign minister in China to Korea. Low is empowered to establish a trade treaty with Korea and investigate the loss of the USS General Sherman.  Negotiations are unproductive and hostilities breakout as the US ships attempt to take soundings in the KANGHWA Strait  350 Korean soldiers are killed during the fight, as a landing force of 651 US Marines capture Ch’ojijin Fortress on  Kanghwa Island (June 10, 1871). Weapons found in the fort included some  30 or more smaller guns destroyed, along with half a dozen 18-pounders and two 32-pounders. ("Their guns are very rude, seemed to be lashed to logs, and cannot be trained except on a point beforehand, which, when the vessel nears, they touch them off! The vessels were not struck at all, by large shot, and only by one or two rude balls from a small-arm called "Jing-galls" which two men carry on their shoulders & touch off with a match!" - McLane Tilton) The Marines spiked the larger guns and tossed the smaller ones over the walls and into the mud beds below. Stores of enemy powder, provisions, and clothing were burned, and the walls were torn down. The US warships then depart to  China. As with the French event of the previous year, there was no impact on the policies of the Korean government and the doors to the Korean nation remained closed to Western influences and trade. 

(Source: Marine Amphibious Landing in Korea, 1871 -  DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY – NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER, WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060)

1873

Japan begins to debate the policy of "Subdue Korea" in the Japanese government. Ultra-nationalist elements in the Japanese government are keen to establish a "sphere of influence" in the Pacific Rim nations after the fashion of the legations established by various European nations in China. Pressures mount to modernize the Korean army and police after the fashion of changes occurring in the Japanese military and police as Western technology is absorbed. With Western nations momentarily distracted by events elsewhere the Japanese take a pro-active role in forcing the Koreans to open their country to outside influences.

1873

In the Toyama district of Tokyo, the Rikugun Toyama Gakko, or Toyama Military Academy, is established to train the officers and non-commissioned officers of Japan's modern, western-style army. The students would study tactics drawn from French and later Prussian models, marksmanship, calisthenics, French and Prussian swordsmanship using the European sabre, military music, and other normal military subjects. Moreover, research and experiments were conducted with fire teams who performed tests with machine guns. 

Source: Guy Power; http://www.webdiva4hire.com/kenshinkan/toyama02.html

1876

Japan takes advantage of internal political turmoil in Korea to provoke a military incident off the Korean coast (September 20, 1875). The incursion of the Japanese navel vessel, "Un'yo" clearly points up the deficiencies of the Korean muskets against the modern Japanese rifles.  Following Western “gunboat diplomacy” tactics, Gen. Kuroda Kiyotaka is dispatched to  Korea with three warships and 800 troops. Japan forces Korea to sign the Kanghwa Treaty (Korea-Japan Friendship Treaty of 1876) which, among other things, requires Korea to open Pusan and two other ports to Japan, allows Japanese vessels to survey Korean coastal waters at will, and establishes (in Korea) Japanese settlements where Japanese residents are subject to Japanese, and not Korean, laws.

1877

Satsuma Rebellion of 1877

After the Restoration of 1868, one of the top priorities of the new Imperial government was the formation of a national army under its control. On October 2, 1870, one month after the French defeat at Sedan, the government announced that its army would be modeled after the French Army (the announcement also stated that the new navy would be modeled after that of Britain). One of the major considerations in choosing the French system over that of Prussia was that more Japanese military men spoke French than German. By the time of the Satsuma Rebellion, the Imperial Japanese Army numbered over 34,000 men and consisted of both line and imperial guard troops. The line infantry was divided into 14 regiments of 3 battalions each. Each battalion consisted of 4 companies. In peace time, each company had approximately 160 privates and 32 officers and non-commissioned officers. During war time a company's strength was to be increased to 240 privates. A battalion had 640 men in peace time and was supposed to have 960 men in war time. There were two "regiments" of line cavalry and one "regiment" of imperial guard cavalry. The two line regiments each contained 120 men in peace time and were to be increased to 150 men each during war time. Contemporary illustrations show the cavalry armed with lances. The Imperial Artillery consisted of 18 batteries divided into 9 battalions, with 120 men per battery during peace time. During war time, the mountain artillery was supposed to have 160 men per battery and the field artillery was supposed to have 130 men per battery. Due to the suddenness of events in Satsuma, the line units of the Imperial Army seem to have taken the field at their peace time strength. The Imperial Guard (most of whom were ex-samurai) was always maintained at war time strength. The guard infantry was divided into 2 regiments of 2 battalions each. A battalion was 672 men strong and was organized as per the line battalions. The cavalry regiment consisted of 150 men. The artillery battalion was divided into 2 batteries with 130 men per battery. The Japanese Army did not have a brigade or corps system like the French or many other European armies. Japan was divided into six military districts: Tokyo (Yedo), Sendai, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima and Kumamoto. There were usually two or three regiments of infantry, plus artillery and other auxiliary troops, assigned to each district. The Imperial guard was assigned to the Tokyo district. The uniforms of the Japanese Imperial Army resembled those of the French Garde Mobile in appearance. Japanese infantrymen wore a dark blue kepi, a short jacket with French style field pack, and dark blue pants (in summer, the uniform was white). They were armed with breech-loading Snider rifles and could fire approximately six rounds per minute. The cavalry wore red kepis with a small white plume in the front, dark blue jackets, red pants with a yellow stripe, and black boots. At least one illustration shows their saddle blankets as being red with yellow trim and their lance pennants were red over white. Artillery consisted of over 100 artillery pieces, including 5.28 pound mountain guns, Krupp field guns of various calibers, and mortars. In addition to the army, the central government also used marines and Tokyo policemen in its struggle against the Satsuma samurai. The police were primarily comprised of ex-samurai (many of whom were from Satsuma) and were armed only with wooden batons and swords (Japanese police did not carry firearms until the Rice Riots of 1918). The police were mobilized in units ranging from 300 to 600 men. The Satsuma samurai army was initially organized into six battalions (or regiments) of 2,000 men each. Each battalion was divided into ten companies of 200 men, which were further divided into four platoons of 50 men. On its march to Kumamoto Castle, the army was divided into three divisions; an advance guard of 4,000 men, another division of 4,000 men, and a rearguard of 2,000 men. There were 200 artillerymen and 1,200 laborers in the army. In April 1877, Saigo reorganized the army into nine infantry units of 350 to 800 men each.

The samurai attempted to dress in a similar manner to give the appearance of uniformity. Their dress consisted of their own clothes and armor was not worn, except by a few officers who wore a breastplate. Saigo and some of his officers wore their military uniforms. Each samurai wore a white cloth on his upper arm so that they could identify themselves. The samurai were armed with Enfield muzzle loading rifles and could fire approximately one round per minute. Their artillery consisted of 28 mountain guns, 2 field guns (15.84 pounders), and 30 assorted mortars. When the students raided the Kagoshima armories a large number of sword blades were seized. Many of these blades were of inferior quality and were fitted with blackened iron hilts. The hilts were bound with rough braid or canvas. Some samurai who later joined the Satsuma army may have carried yaris (spears). Although the Satsuma Army did not contain any cavalry, a few officers such as Saigo were mounted.

Copyright © by Robert W. Burke, Jr. May 21, 1991

1880

First YMCA in   Japan , Tokyo YMCA founded.

1880

Tung Sung Nee born in Wu Pei Province, China.  Having earned his living as security for caravans and as a body guard, he will join the Chinese military in 1910 and be appointed chief of Scouts for the First Chinese Combat Division. Following an stellar career, he will retire in 1934 and will dedicate the balance of his life, until his death in 1971, to refining the Chinese art of Seizing and Holding (CHIN NA) from a simple collect of disparate techniques to a cohesive curriculum of 72 techniques to produce the Modern art of CHIN NA known today. 

1880

Korea sends KIM Koeng-jip mission to Japan. Unlike the mission sent after the signing of the Kandwha Treaty in 1876, Kim returns from Japan having witnessed startling changes in the Japanese culture and desirous of having like changes made in the Korean culture. The following year, a mission will leave Korea for Japan on a 70 day tour of governmental, military and industrial locations. Not to be out-done, the CHING government of China, accepts a large mission of Koreans for a tour of their governmental and military facilities where they study the methods of modern weapon manufacture and modern military science. Back in Korea, discussions regarding internal reform heat up.  There is a growing perception that Korea needs Western technology and greater contact with foreign powers.

1881

HIRAOKA Kitaro born. Along with TOYAMA Mitsuru (1882-1944) founded the BLACK OCEAN Society an ultra-nationalist Japanese organization which will express its fervor by dedication to espionage and clandestine operations on behalf of the Japanese government.

1881

King Kojong initiates reform of the Korean military by reorganizing the "Five Garrisons" of the traditional Korean army into two; the MUWIYEONG ("Palace Guards Garrison") and the CHANGEOYEONG ("Capital Guards Garrison") 

May, 1881 - King Kojong hires Japanese Lt. Horimoto Reizo to train the PYOLGIGUM, or "Special Skills Force" to march and shoot in European fashion. 

1882

Military Mutiny of 1882 - Neo-Confucian scholars fearing the growing influence of Western thought, especially Catholic Christianity, reject tolerance for foreign thinking and encourage WIJEONG CHEOKSA (lit: "defend orthodoxy; reject heterodoxy"). Fueled by this belief, and incensed by fresh abuses to their pay and rations, the Royal Bodyguards rebel at the preferential treatment accorded the Special Unit under Lt. Horimoto Reizo. The Royal Bodyguards revolt in  July, 1882,  and Lt. Horimoto Reizo is killed. Further the Bodyguard storms the Japanese Legation narrowly missing the Japanese minister and his staff but burning the building. The Guard likewise attacks the palace seeking to kill Queen Min but is unable to locate the Queen in hiding.  Chinese military advisors under a cadre of Chinese officers led by Wu Chang Ching are sent to Korea (August 1882) to help stabilize the situation and institute a training program for the Korean army. Included in this effort are 1,000 rifles, 2 cannon and 10,000 rounds of ammunition. 

1882

 Korea signs a series of treaties with Western powers, beginning with the US.  (Korean-American Treaty, 1882).  The United States officially establishes diplomatic relations with Korea on May 22, 1882, when commodore Robert W. Schufeldt negotiates and signs the Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation at Chemulpo (present-day Incheon) (Ratified May 19, 1883). This was the second such treaty Korea signed with any country, first with Japan, and the first treaty Korea signed with a Western country. This treaty would set in motion a chain of events that eventually led to the first wave of Korean immigration to Hawaii in 1903. Korea dispatches envoys to US, with the general aim of cementing US-Korean ties and to obtain American advisers, teachers, and loans.  Korean delegates meet the US president in New York and tour manufacturing facilities in major  New England cities (1883).  Treaties with  Britain ,  Germany,  Italy,  Russia,  France, and  Austria-Hungary follow. In response to the Korean government’s policies of enlightenment, anti-foreign opposition by some members of the ruling elite increases. Opponents of greater openness urge Korea to “reject heterodoxy in defense of orthodoxy”:  Koreans must accept neo-Confucianism as the sole value system of belief, and keep all other civilizations or values based on any other ideology off the Korean soil.  Having stepped aside in deference to his son in 1873, the TAEWON-GUN plots to return to power by capitalizing on isolationist, anti-foreign sentiments.

1882

Taking advantage of the growing anti-foreign backlash of the Neo-Confucians, and the growing unpopularity with Queen Min pro-Chinese attitudes, the TAEWON-GUN  displaces his son, King Kojong and returns to power not as a regent but as the head of State, following the Military Mutiny. The Special Force is disbanded and the original "Five Garrison" system was reinstated. Using the riots and the political disturbances in Korea as an excuse, Japan dispatches troops and warships to Korea to offset the Chinese presence. However, Chinese troops are able to seize the men responsible for the Military Mutiny and abduct the TAEWON-GUN.  King Kojong returns to power.  Japan signs the Chemulpo Treaty with Korea, allowing Japanese troops to be stationed in  Seoul  to “protect” the Japanese legation there.  China and Japan will continue to jockey for control of Korean politics both as nations and through their factions in the Korean government.

1882

Osaka YMCA founded.

1883

Japan accepts 40 Korean candidates for enrollment in various Japanese schools of commerce and technology. Half of this number are also enrolled in the Toyama Military Academy to be trained as officers for duty in the future Korean army. 

1883

In May 1883, Lucius H. Foote arrived in Seoul as the first United States Minister to the Kingdom of Korea, the Chosun dynasty. At the urging of Minister Foote, King Kojong (1852-1919) dispatched the first diplomatic mission to the United States in 1883, headed by MIN Yeong-Ik, who was generously received by President Chester A. Arthur and toured the United States for three months, observing the modern institutions and installations. Diplomatic Dispatches  to the Secretary of State dating from March 13, 1883 to December 6, 1905 are archived in  22 volumes designated as Record Group 59; General Records of the Department of State.

1884

In September 1884, Dr. Horace N. Allen arrives in Korea as the first Protestant missionary and was allowed to stay in Seoul under the pretense of being a physician to the American Legation.

1884

July - 14 Korean candidates from the Toyama Military Academy return to Korea and demonstrate their new military skills for the Korean King in July 1884. In June the Chinese influence had been reduced to 1500 men from its original 3,000 and the United States is approached regarding the sending of Admiral Shufeldt as an advisor to the Korean army "where 4,000 stand at arms". MIN Yong-Ik resigns his position in the Korean Foreign Office to become Geeral of the Right Palace Guard Battalion and bringing in 5 new Chinese instructors. 

1884

December 4, 1884, an unsuccessful coup, known as Kapshin jeongbyeo, was attempted by a group of 20 aristocratic reformers (the “Progressives”, members of the “Enlightenment Party”) advocating “enlightenment thought” (“kaehwa sasang”) in part aimed at driving the Chinese out of Korea.  The young reformers, all graduates of the Toyama Military Academy, advocate rapid political, legal, and social change patterned after the Meiji Restoration, in contrast to the gradualist approach advocated by those who wanted to preserve traditional Korean values while mastering foreign technology (“Eastern ways, western machines”). When the coup attempt fails, its leaders, such as Kim Okkyun, Pak Yeonghyo, and Seo Jaepil (later Philip Jaisohn), seek refuge in Japan. By miraculously saving the life of Min Young-Ik, a nephew of Queen Min, who is seriously wounded during the coup attempt, Horace Allen begins to gain confidence and trust of King Kojong and Queen Min. China and Japan come close to starting a war in Korea.  Fighting is averted, and each side agrees not to introduce troops into Korea without notifying the other side (Tientsin Treaty, April 18,1885).

(Source: Lucius H. Foote to Secretary of State; September 3, 1884; #105)

1885

1887

First electrical lighting system is installed at the Kyongbok Palace (Seoul), through the Edison Lamp Company.

1887

The Japanese Police Revolt of 1887 was due in no small part to the abreaction of the former military elite resisting reform suggested by the influence of Western culture. The police had established the Batto-tai (“Drawn-sword Unit”) during the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion, though their established style, Keishicho Ryu (“Police Department Style”) was codified in 1886 from the efforts of outstanding Kenshi, representing various Ryu, who had been hired by the department in 1880. A set of ten unique kata, or sword forms (Keishicho Gekkan Kata), from six different existing styles of the day , were later the inspiration for the Dai Nippon Butokukai Kendo Kata in 1906.

1888

TOYAMA Kanken (1888-1966)  (also known as Oyadomari Kanken) was born on September 24th in Shuri, Okinawa,Osaka.His development of SHUDOKAN Karate will produce one of the two greatest influences on the origins of modern Korean TAEKWONDO.

1890

YMCA language education started with Tokyo YMCA's English night school.

1890

Inner Manchuria comes under strong Russian influence in the 1890s with the building of the Chinese Eastern Railway through Harbin to Vladivostok. 

1890

In the 1890-s, with increasing Chinese influence, pro-Chinese members of Queen Min’s clan strengthen their power.  Korea ’s financial problems worsen, and wide-ranging reforms can no longer be carried out.  There is perception that the government is growing increasingly incompetent and corrupt -- Government offices are often for sale, tax levies increase, and the civil service examination system is corrupted, in some cases to benefit the Min clan. Japanese businesses (operating from open ports in   Korea  ) increase in number and influence.  Korean traders are squeezed out, while peasants face increasing tax burden.

1890

Augustine Heard, U.S. Consul General to Korea  (1890-93). 

1894

The TONGHAK Peasant Army rebels seek to dethrone the Min clan and drive out the Japanese from Korea.  The Korean government asks China, its traditional ally, to help quell the rebellion. China sends troops to Korea. Japan responds by dispatching its own troops to  Korea. Japanese troops land on  Inchon, Korea in June 1894.

1894

Chinese and Japanese troops stationed in   Korea  clash.  Japanese troops seize the Korean royal palace and spark the Sino-Japanese War.  Korean soldiers are mobilized to carry supplies for Japanese troops. Tosan [Chang-ho Ahn] was almost sixteen (16) at that time and saw with his own eyes the Japanese and Chinese troops fighting hand to hand in  Pyongyang .  More importantly, he saw the devastating effects of the struggle, the deserted city . . . the houses and even historical remains destroyed.  The question loomed in his mind, as it did in the minds of almost all thinking Koreans, how was it that insular Japan could check and turn back the armies of [China] . . . and what was wrong with Korea that its government could do nothing but stand by helplessly and watch these two nations fight their battle on Korean soil . . . ."

1894

King Kojong is presented with 106 reform measures (Kabo Reforms) in September 1894. Among these are the establishment of a royal guard (CHINWIGUM) staffed by Japanese-trained non-commissioned officers.

In April, 1895 the Dai Nippon Butokukai, or “All Japan  Martial Virtue Society” had been established by civilian enthusiasts of various traditional Japanese arts such as Archery, Ju-jutsu and Ken-jutsu. The  kata or methods of some 200 ken-jutsu schools  of the Tokugawa period united under this one approach.  At that time, three Kamae (postures) were established including “gedan no kamae”, “chudan no kamae” and “jodan no kamae.” Among the styles of sword recognized at the time was Shinto Munen Ryu under various masters such as Watanabe Noburo, Shibae Umpachiro, and Negishi Shigoro, Jikishin Kage Ryu under Abe Morie and Tokuno Kansiro, Musashi Ryu under Mihashi Kanichiro and Kyoshin Mechi Ryu under Sakabe Daisaku. 

1895

Japan defeats  China and drives out Chinese troops from Korea. Japan and China sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki (April 1895) which affirms Korea’s “independent sovereign state” status (i.e., officially repudiating  Korea ’s historical role as a tributary state of  China).  The Korean government begins to institute reform measures (“Kabo Reforms of 1894”) under the Japanese “guidance.” Pro-Japanese and pro-Russian factions battle to control the Korean government.

1895

Pro-Japanese reformers control the Korean royal palace.

Queen Min supports closer ties to Russia, the remaining rival power to Japan in the Far East. Japanese agents assassinate Queen Min on the palace grounds in an attempt to weaken Russian influence in  Korea . Japanese agents break into the Gyeongbok Palace through the Geoncheong-gung north of the Hyangwon-jeong pavilion, where the king and queen are sleeping. The Japanese enter through Gwanghwa-mun -- the front gate of the palace -- passing to the left of Gyeonghoe-ru pavilion and enter the Geoncheong-gung. The King Gojong resides in the Geoncheong-gung's CHANGan-dang hall, while Empress Myeongseong lives in the Gol-lyeong-hap hall. Having found the empress in one of these rooms, the killers then drag her to the palace courtyard between the two halls and kill her with their swords. The killers then move her body to a room east of the Gol-lyeong-hap hall and put it briefly on display. The agents then take the body to an artificial hill, south of what is now the National Folk Museum, and burn it.

As reported by Horace N Allen, US Minister in his dispatch (#363) dated June 11, 1901: 

"After the China-Japan war, (General William Dye; resides in Korea 1888 to 1899) was placed in charge of the palace guard, with two foreign assistants and he remaining in this charge during and for a few months after, the murder of the Queen on Oct. 8, 1895." 

1896

Pro-Russian and Pro-American Korean government officials smuggle King Kojong and the crown prince out of the palace to the Russian legation in Seoul.  Pro-Japanese officers and cabinet members are murdered or flee to  Japan. Russian military and financial advisors assume an important role. Russia and US gain special business and trade concessions.

1896

Philip Jaisohn, on of the leaders of the failed coup of 1884, returnes to Korea from the United States. He starts a newspaper Dongnip Shinmun with an English title of The Independence.
Philip Jaisohn organizes the Independence Club (Tongnip Hyeophoe; 1897), a civic organization for reforms, to which many young reform-minded people (including Syngman Rhee) joined. It promotes the ideas of popular democracy, freedom, and nationalism, which Jaisohn learned while attending college in the United States. He is the main mover of the Independence Arch (Tongnipmun) project that was erected in Seoul to promote the idea of Korean independence.

1896

Following the escape of King Kojong and the Crown Prince from Gyoungbok Palace to the Russian legation in February 1896,. In the summer of that year, the Russian government began to train the Korean Royal Body Guard and part of the army, first through the efforts of Lieutenant S.L. Hmeleff, a Russian naval officer attached to the Russian legation, and then in October with the arrival of Colonel Potiata, three lower officers, and 10 enlisted men. The following year in August, 13 more Russian soldiers augmented the previous advisors.
Three months later, after the cadets and officers had completed their training; they were utilized to assist the Russians advisors to train the first regiment of body guards. A reporter for The Independent proudly boasted:
"The new regiment is composed of 800 men who were picked from the different regiments after a thorough physical examination by Dr. Chervinsky of the Russian Army. They are drilled every day from 9 to 12 o'clock in the morning, and 2 to 5 in the afternoon at the 4th and 5th regiment barracks. They carry the Berdan rifles and the commands are given in Russian. It is really remarkable that the men understand the Russian commands so readily having been instructed for so short a time under the foreign teachers."
Not only were the soldiers taught standard D & C (Drill and Ceremony), marksmanship, and proper military courtesy, but also the fundamentals of signaling with bugles and drums. When the cadets marched to their barracks they did so with the "national colors headed by a band of buglers and drummers presenting altogether a very military-like appearance."
The original barracks for the 33 cadets and their seven officers who later formed the nucleus of the Royal Body Guard were located just behind the Russian legation. They were described as being neat little tile-roofed Korean buildings with new wall papering and very clean. Everything in the rooms was orderly and systematically arranged. The cadets were well fed by their own kitchen and drilled on a parade field that "was remarkably clean and fresh in its appearance. "Later, when the new barracks were built just inside the Little West Gate, the soldiers were housed in 16x16 foot rooms that were heated by Russian stoves. Twenty-five soldiers were expected to live in each room. There was a kitchen in the rear of each barracks that had some 30 boilers for the soldiers to cook their food. Their fare consisted of "boiled rice of liberal quantity, a large bowl of vegetable soup mixed with beef and a generous supply of Kimchi or pickles."
One of the problems facing the Korean military was the abnormal variety of weapons that the soldiers were equipped with. This often made it difficult to supply them with ammunition and to properly train them. The earlier weapons were, depending on the instructor, obtained from various countries and were often outdated. The Russian advisors sought to standardize the Korean army's weapons. The cadets, and later the body guard, were all equipped with Berdan rifles bought from Russia. Most of the men were equipped with old triangular bayonets but a few were armed with short sword bayonets. The soldiers' uniforms were blue serge frock trousers, low shoes, white gaiters, and blue felt hats with narrow red bands for ornamentation. They had old brown leather belts and pouches but these would eventually be replaced with newer equipment. The officers wore blue-braided patrol jackets with blue trousers and Wellington boots, worn outside the trousers. Their hats were French kepi with a lot o gold lace and scarlet cloth for ornamentation. Both officers and enlisted wore white coats and trousers during the summer time.At first the Korean soldiers were allowed to keep their long hair, but after a number of them developed sores and infections, the Russians persuaded them to keep their hair cut short and to wash it frequently. Nearly all of the soldiers with the exception of one, the commander, kept their hair short.
At first there was some concern about discipline and punishment by the Russian officers. The Russian army was notorious for its use of beatings to maintain good discipline. Rumors spread that the Russian instructors beat their Korean charges and there were rumors that a Russian officer had struck a Korean colonel in the head with his sword for a minor offense. When the Russian instructors built gymnastic apparatus to be used as part of the Korean soldiers' physical training, many of the Korean soldiers thought the apparatus were devices to torture them.
One Russian advisor, S. Grudzinskii, claimed: "In the process of selection it was evident that the soldiers had been inspired to try in every way not to be chosen [as members for the new Russian trained units]. Many made pitiful grimaces, many claimed to be ill or old, many simply fled from their ranks and had to be chased out of the barracks."The usual method of punishment was imprisonment for short periods of time or corporal punishment with a piece of bamboo. According to an article in The Independent, "The charges against the men are investigated by the Russian officers who decide upon the punishment, which is then carried out with the approval of the Korean Commander of the regiment, who is nothing more than a figure head." This was highly fortunate for the Korean soldiers considering some of their Korean commanders had other ideas. Colonel Chang Ki-rem, commander of the Royal Body Guard, had his own way of meting out punishment. He confided to a reporter for The Independent that the secret of maintaining discipline among the soldiers was to decapitate them whenever they did not follow the orders of their superiors. Unsurprisingly, he acknowledged that he was "not versed in modern military tactics and the science and art of foreign warfare," but was "the best scholar in the old fashioned Korean military matters." 

1896

As part of the reform of the national Korean police indicated by the Kabo Reforms of 1894,  cadets at the KYONGMUCHONG or Police Academy are required to learn "kyok gom" (J. "gekki ken"; aka "kenjutsu") or "combat swordsmanship as one of its training subjects.

1896

April 17, 1896 - James R Morse is granted a concession by the Korean Imperial Household to mine gold in Korea making the United States the first foreign country to develop a successful venture of this kind. The US will be followed by Great Britain, Germany, France, Russia, Japan and Italy in the years that follow. 

1897

Korean is proclaimed as the "Empire of the Great Han" on October 12, 1897, with Kojong as the Emperor.

1897

TOYAMA Kanken began his formal training in karate-do under Master Itarashiki in 1897. Later, he apprenticed himself to ITOSU Anko, who then became his primary teacher and inspirational guide.

1898

Independence Association members assume prominent role in the Korean Privy Council, Korea’s first modern legislative assembly.  King Kojong, fearing a coup, arrests the members of the Club and bans political meetings.

1899

1899(July 21-Lunar Calendar)- CHOI Yong Sul  is born in a small mountain village in Hwan Gan District of Young Dong County or Chung-Buk Province, South Korea. His year of birth is recorded as 1904. Two years later his mother will pass away, and his father will die a few years later leaving the orphan dependent on the charity of his aunt's family. 

1900

Boxer Rebellion. Years of interference by both Catholic and Protestant organizations as well as repeated injuries by European powers in carving territories from China proper, cause esoteric groups to unit with Chuan Fa practitioners in an effort to intimidate the Western powers to negotiate better treatment. Despite initial successes, lack of support from the government and its military dooms the rebellion to a short-lived campaign of murder and chaos centered in the northeast of the country and resulting in a 3 month siege of the European legations in Beijing. With the victory of the European powers in breaking the siege comes retribution and punishing reparations. Failure of the Chinese government to do anything other than submit reveals its impotence for what it is and seals the fate of the Qing Dynasty. 

1901

Student Christian Movement in Japan not only played a vital role in the formation of student movement but also helped in the formation of World Student Christian Federation. As early as 1870, there were attempts to form student movement, "Believers in Jesus" was one of such attempts. In 1888 Student YMCA movement was founded. In 1901, the  Japan city YMCA alliance was set up and was merged with the student YMCA alliance in 1903 to become the National Council of YMCAs of Japan. 

1901

UCHIDA Royhei born: He will organize the AMUR RIVER Society (aka: Black Dragon Society), a subsidiary of the larger BLACK OCEAN Society.

1903

Alliance of Student YMCAs (est. 1987) and Alliance of City YMCAs (est. 1901) combined to form National Council of YMCAs of Japan.

YMCA Started in Korea

Established in 1903, YMCA of Korea served as a center of the independence movement under the Japanese Occupation period, and was a pivot for educational and cultural activities. True to the spirit of community on which it was founded, YMCA is as actively involved in community actions and relief efforts today as ever, and leads civic movements of contemporary Korea. The purposes of YMCA, as set forth in the Charter established in 1975 are:
1) Follow Christ by learning and training together;
2) Come to the understanding of historical responsibility befalling each of us;
3) Work to make love and justice prevail;
4) Contribute to public welfare; and
5) Work toward creating a new culture.

1903

On January 13, 102 Koreans (56 men, 21 women, 13 children, and 12 infants) arrived at Honolulu aboard the S.S. Gaelic and were assigned to Waialua Sugar Plantation on the island of Oahu, marking the beginning of  Korean immigration to the United States. King Kojong approved the measure to recruit Korean laborers to work in Hawaii sugar plantations. The approval came largely through the efforts by Horace N. Allen. With the fund provided by the Hawaii Sugar Planters Association, David W. Deshler set up the East-West Development Company (Tongseo Kaebal Hoesa) at Incheon to recruit Korean laborers. Their arrival ends a journey which begins on  December 22, when  97 Koreans (54 men, 21 women, and 22 children) leave Incheon aboard a Japanese ship, Genkai-maru, for Japan. At Nagasaki, they along with other Koreans arriving from other parts of Korea, go through physical examinations, and 102 who pass physical checks board a United States ship, GAELIC.

1904

Februsary 8, 1904 - The Russo-Japanese War begins. 

Japan and Russia have been competing for dominance in the Far East, mainly in China. In 1898 Russia pressures China into granting it a lease for the strategically important port of Port Arthur (now Lü-shun), at the tip of the Liaotung Peninsula, in southern Manchuria. Russia thereby occupies the peninsula. Moreover, in 1896 Russia, concluding an alliance with China against Japan, wins rights to extend the Trans-Siberian Railroad across Chinese-held Manchuria to the Russian seaport of Vladivostok, gaining control of an important strip of Manchurian territory. Despite building  the Trans-Siberian Railroad (1891-1904), Russia lacks the transportation facilities necessary to support its limited armed forces in Manchuria. Japan, by contrast, has steadily expanded its army since its war with China in 1894 and has gained a marked superiority over Russia in the number of ground troops in the Far East. After Russia reneges in 1903 on an agreement to withdraw its troops from Manchuria, Japan attacks.

The war begins with a Japanese naval attack on the Russian squadron at Port Arthur and a long siege after several very costly general assaults on it fail. However, and on Jan. 2, 1905, in a gross act of incompetence and corruption, Port Arthur's Russian commander surrendered the port to the Japanese without consulting his officers and with three months' provisions and adequate supplies of ammunition still in the fortress.

1904

The Chinese administration directs that military drill would be taught in all Chinese academies in an effort to raise the standard of Physical Education and to raise the level of national consciousness for the Chinese nation.

1904

October, 1904 - The Anglo-Japanese Gazette lists 25 reforms to be introduced to Korea including "...#11. For financial necessity, the Korean Army shall be reduced by decreasing numbers through the country, at present put at 20,000 to to 1,000 and by disbanding all the garrisons in the provinces, keeping only one in Seoul.  #12. A union of military arms shall be effected between Japan and Korea with the object of adjusting the existing military system in the latter country....." 

Training in Japanese military sword ("kyok gom") is included in the curriculum of the Yonsong Army Academy.

1904

In 1904 Syngman Rhee (1875-1965) came to the U.S. to study and became another leader for Korea's independence. He received a Ph.D. in international affairs from Princeton University in 1910.

1905

January 6, 1905 - In a letter to John Jay, Secretary of State, Horace Allen of the American Legation in Seoul advises that "the Japanese Military authorities have informed the Korean Government that hereafter the police matters of Seoul will be controlled by the Japanese gendarmerie (sic) because of the apparent inability of the Korean police to preserve order. I also learn that a Japanese police inspector will be placed in each prefecture, and a Japanese advisor, or chief inspector has been sent for to take charge of the Seoul Police Department."

Source: Horace N. Allen; Dispatches to the Secretary of State

1905

Battle of Tsushima (May 27-29, 1905) - In a battle in the Tsushima Straits, Admiral Togo Heihachiro's main Japanese fleet destroyed the Russian Baltic Fleet, commanded by Admiral Z.P. Rozhestvensky gave the Japanese the upper hand in the conflict by dealing the final defeat of the war. 

President Theodore Roosevelt of the United States serves as mediator at the peace conference, held at Portsmouth, N.H., U.S. (Aug. 9-Sept. 5, 1905). In the resulting Treaty of Portsmouth, Japan gained control of the Liaotung Peninsula (and Port Arthur) and the South Manchurian railroad (which led to Port Arthur), as well as half of Sakhalin Island. Russia agreed to evacuate southern Manchuria, which was restored to China, and Japan's control of Korea was recognized. Japan also reaches an "understanding" with the  United State (Taft-Katsura Agreement), which recognizes  Japan ’s “special interest” in  Korea .  US views the agreements as a means of blocking Russian expansion in the Eastern Pacific and as an implicit recognition by Japan of the American "special interest" in the Phillipines. (United States unofficially agrees not to contest Japanese designs on Korea for comparable considerations by Japan of the Philippines as a coaling station for the US. Pacific Fleet.)  Russia and  England also recognize  Japan’s interests in  Korea 

1905

July 31, 1905 - In a communication to the Secretary of State, Edwin V. Morgan provides "for your information a copy of the regulations recently published by the Japanese military Administration in Korea with penalties for their violation....". 

November 28, 1905 - Edwin V. Morgan advises PAK Che Soon that "as a result of the convention recently concluded between the Imperial governments of Korea and Japan" the Japanese Foreign Office in Tokyo will "control and direct the foreign relations and affairs of Korea....diplomatic matters affecting the persons and property rights of American citizens in Korea.... will be dealt with  hereafter by the American Legation in Tokyo."

The United States withdraws its minister and legation in November, 1905 from Korea.  

Source: Department of State Archives; Washington DC. 

1906

Japan lays the South Manchurian Railway to Port Arthur. 

1906

The BUTOKUKAI-CHOSON is established bringing Japanese Kendo to Korea. In this same year, Osong Private School becomes one of the first private institutions to teach Kumdo. 

1906

Mr. Cillette, general secretary of the Hwangsung YMCA, investigated the realities of the Korean students in  Japan . The Hwangsung YMCA dispatched associate general secretary, Kim Jung-shik to  Tokyo . Tokyo Chosun YMCA was activated in a rented room on the second floor of Tokyo YMCA. After the Korean YMCA was established, it began providing the Korean students in  Japan not only with the Japanese language education but also with living conveniences such as the arrangement of lodgings and counseling on the selection of colleges and admissions. The record shows that about 80 percent of the Korean students coming to Japan for study took lessons on the Japanese language for one year in 1907.

1907

Moved to the building at #2,2 Jeongmok Nishiogawamachi Kanda-gu in August, Tokyo Chosun YMCA was formed as the organization of YMCA. Cho Man-shik was appointed chairman of Board of Directors and Kim Jung-shik was named general secretary. 

1907

Among the soldiers returning to their homes when the Korean military is dissolved, is SUH Myeong Duk who has been involved with the palace security forces. He will write a series of five notebooks and these will form the basis of what he will teach his grandson, SUH In Hyuk. 

1907

In February, immigration to the United States by Korean and Japanese workers has reached levels that cause unrest in the U.S. In an attempt to ease international tension over race issue, the "Gentlemen's Agreement" is reached between the United States and Japan to prevent Japanese and Koreans immigrations to the United States. Korean migration to the mainland United States from Hawaii is effectively ended.

1907

In 1907  Toyama was named Shihandai (assistant) to Itosu at the Okinawa Teacher's College in Shuri City.

1907

Chung Do Kwan's founder, LEE Won Kuk born. , moved to  Japan when he was 19 years old, in 1926. While in Japan he first attended high school and then entered the law school of Chuo University. Then he joined  Japan 's Karate-do headquarters, the Song Do Kwan (Shotokan). He received Karate instruction from Karate's father, FUNAKOSHI Gichin. There he learned Karate with the Song Moo Kwan's founder, RO Byung Jick.

1908

TAKEDA Sokaku goes to  Hokkaido in far northern  Japan . Over the coming months he will organize techniques into a viable combat system based on material he has gather during his life.

1908

CHOI Yong Sul  is reportedly abducted by 'Morimoto' or Gumamoto Eachiro and brought to Japan. Alternate reports indicate that CHOI is taken to Japan in the hopes of finding greater opportunities than as one of a large rural farming family in  Korea . Choi reports that due to his acting-out, his sponsor abandoned him. He reported that he roamed the Osaka-Yokohama area from 1908 to 1910.

Kendo is mandated in the Korean School system. Presented as "KUMDO", the practice will spread to the Junior High Schools in 1927.

In 1908, the first ever Korea-Japan police KYOKGOM contest was held. In September of the same year, an organization named Mudo Kigye Chaeyukbu or the "Armed Martial Arts Athletics Department" was formed and promoted physical training amongst civilians, including KYOKGOM. By this time, the KYOKGOM training equipment and techniques developed to something that closely resembles those of modern kumdo. 

In March, Durham White Stevens, an American employed by Japan as an advisor to Korea's Foreign Ministry, is shot to death by Chang Inhwan (1875-1930) at the San Francisco Ferry Station. Jeon Myeongun also fired at him but his gun malfunctioned. Stevens was embarking on a trip in the United States to advocate Japanese control over Korea.

1909

Mid-January, 1909: CHOI Yong Sul is taken to Japan by YAMADA Ogichi and his wife. Traveling from BUSAN to Shiminoseki, they travel towards Yamada' hometown of Yahata City. Struck by a bout of homesickness, Choi leaves the Yamada household and begins to live on the by-ways. He will later be picked-up by the police and tekn to a local Buddhist Temple for shelter. 

1909

August 26, 1909: Chung-kun AHN (1879-1910),  a Korean independence activist, assassinates Prince ITO Hirobumi (the Japanese governor-general) in Harbin, China.  Japanese security forces arrest political activists throughout Korea.

1909

Yoon Young-hyun, a member of the Yangban (noble) class in South Korea, is the government-appointed Country Chief of the Tong-young and Gojae Island Districts. When Imperial Japan invades Korea in 1909, Grandfather Yoon Young-hyun is pushed out of his government position. To avoid any trouble with the Japanese forces he takes his family to Manchuria. His grandson, who will later be the founder of the YMCA Kwon Bop Bu, Yoon Byung-in, is born on May 18, 1920 in Mu-sun, Bong-Chon, Manchuria.

1910

Japan annexes Korea  to the Japanese Empire and install Terauchi Masatake as the first governor-general (1910-1916).  Korea ceases to be an independent sovereign state (August 29, 1910). Korean nationalists continue to resist the Japanese occupation.  Within few months after August 1910, “thousands” of Korean insurgents are killed by the Japanese. The Korean armed resistance gradually grew weaker, and Japan reported that the Korean volunteer army had ceased to exist in November 1910 or in March 1912 with its last operation in Hwanghae-do province. On December 11, 1910, 700 Koreans, including 123 religious leaders, are arrested. Resistance may have continued, however, well into 1915. Within Korea resistance becomes an underground movement, while others cross the Amnokgang and Dumangang rivers into Manchuria, where they organize the Korean Independence Army with its stronghold in Gando under Hong Beomdo. This army became the main force in all subsequent struggles against the Japanese.

The Resident-General, in order to destroy the Korean independence movement in Gando, set up a branch office and stationed an army plus military and civilian police forces there.

1910

CHOI Yong Sul reports that he was picked-up by the Japanese police and was taken to a Buddhist Temple where he reside from 1910 to1912 with Otanabe Kintaro, a samurai monk with an 8th degree black belt in Kangdo-Gwan Judo, in Kyoto, Japan.  

1910

 Shanghai’s “Pure  Martial  Calisthenics  School  (“Jingwu Ticao Xuexiao”) is opened as the first modern organization to emphasize training in indigenous Chinese martial arts. Martial Arts, having been disregarded by both governmental and private agencies as a non-viable option for Physical Education, is promoted by this organization and its founder, the champion Chinese boxer, HUO Yuanji. Having left Tientsin in 1907 for  Shanghai, this MIZONGQUAN or "Lost Track Fist" stylist is well-known for having taken up the cause of Chinese nationalism by participating in very public challenge matches with foreigners. Trading on this reputation and securing funding from well-connected Chinese businesses, he founded the JINGWU Association in  March, 1909. The organization spread rapidly through the urban areas of China, where once disparaged itinerant teachers from the rural areas were now much sought after for their boxing and wrestling instruction. For his part, HUO Yuanji would not live to know the great success of his organization, having died in August of that same year, reputedly from poison. 

1910

Sheltered from any overt prosecution by the colonial master, the YMCA deploys its (sporting) activities during the better part of the colonial period (1910–45), making it an important player in the development of sport in  Korea and an important producer of discourses on sport.

1910

The term "ghi-guck gom" will be changed to Kumdo in 1910 although Japanese records state this as happening on August 1, 1919. This change helps promote Kendo as a popular sport in Korea with Kendo being included in the 16th National Choson Sports Festival in 1935. 

1911

The last Chinese Emperor is deposed.  Republic of China is established.

1911

The DAI NIHON BUTOKUKAI  starts the BUTOKU GAKKOU in 1911 to increase the growth of Kendo and MOMBUSHO, and the Japanese Ministry of Education, requests a committee to establish uniform Kendo kata for use in the educational system. In 1912, a committee of 23 is formed from various Ryu and reorganize the Dai Nippon Butokukai Kendo Kata, of 1906 to the  Dai Nippon Teikoku Kendo Kata, consisting of 7 long sword and three short sword kata. Additional material will be added in 1917 by Naito Takaji, Takana Sasaburo, Kadona Tadashi, Nakayama Hakudo and Minatobe Kuniharu. With a few modifications the final form for the standard Kendo kata would be established in 1933

1912

Rhee Seung-man inculcates patriotism in the Korean students during his 8-day stay in Tokyo. Born in Hwanghae Province, Korea, to Rhee Kyong-sun, a member of an aristocratic YANGBAN family. Rhee is said to be descended from Prince Hyo-nyong, the second son of King Taejong of Choson. 

1912

In-Mok Chang born in  Korea . The only Korean documented as having received the first certificate of proficiency in DAITO-RYU Aikijujutsu, he returned to Taegu City in 1945. Chang taught Daito-Ryu Aiki-ju-jutsu for a time, but since his primary work was as a doctor of oriental medicine and massage, he did not produce many students. Dr. Mok does, however, still have his scroll listing his training record in Daito-Ryu.

1914

1914-1917

Korean groups organize overseas. Hungsadan group (1917) (California), Korean residents in Hawaii.  Korean  National Army Corps is founded in June 1914 in Hawaii and Volunteer Korean-American youth engaged in paramilitary training at the University of Hastings Nebraska) Kukminhoe and National Army Corps members. These are the results of Yongman Park, who believes that independence for Korea will only come by force of arms. The National Army Corps eventually dissolved, due to bitter disagreements between Yongman  Park ) and Syngman Rhee. Park will later die in China, under obscure circumstances, as he continues his organizing efforts.

1914

  Toyama holds a high office at the Shuri First Elementary School. Toyama was one of only two students to be granted the title of Shihanshi (protege); Funakoshi Ginchin was the other to receive this title from Itosu. Aside from learning Shorin-Ryu from Itosu,  Toyama studied and mastered other styles of karate from other notable masters of Naha-te and Tomari-te which also included Okinawan Kobu-do. A few of his other teachers were Aragaki, Azato, Chibana, Oshiro, Tana, and Yabu. as well as those NAHA-Te kataof HIGAONNA Kanryo.

1915

Okinawa-te master ITOSU, Yasutsune dies in  Okinawa.

1915

CHOI Yong Sul reports encountering Ueyshiba in Akahikawa,  Hokkaido, Japan.

1916

CHOI Yong Sul reports going into a "Wilderness Discipline" in  Mt. Mizkaki, Akeda, Japan with Yamamoto, Morimoto, Miyamoto, and Hiyashi encountering Ueyshiba in Akahikawa ,  Hokkaido, Japan . The training will include sword and stick work as well as meditation and physical conditioning. Choi reports that the training was so challenging that only he and Takeda remained after a period of years. (1916-1922)

1916

1917

World War One ends in Europe November 11, 1917. 

1919

 League Of Nations established.  

1919

 Japan 's first gymnasium and indoor swimming pool build at Tokyo YMCA. 

1919

Choson Young Men's Independence Corps meeting in the hall of YMCA on February 8 and proclaimed the Independence Declaration under the pretext of electing the association staffers. Many members of the Korean students in  Japan emigrated to  China to join the Korean provisional government set up in  Shanghai in November.  

Source: Korea -A Century of Change; Juegen Kleiner; pp32-41)

1919

1920

1922

Takeda Sokaku awards Ueshiba Morihei the Representative Instructor (kyoju dairi) certificate, which entitles him to teach Daito-ryu on Sokaku's behalf. Subsequently, Morihei received the kaishaku sodensho, the highest Daito-ryu certificate at the time. In addition Takeda also awards a certificate in "Shinkage-Ryu" generally taken to be a reference to Shinkage Ju-Jutsu.

1923

The YMCA hall is destroyed in the Kanto Earthquake.  

1923

CHOI Yong Sul reports rescuing a Korean girl during a major earthquake in Kanto. Anti-Korean fervor had broken-out causing Japanese nationals to attack and kill Koreans. Choi reports saving two women from a mob using a DAN BONG. Though successful in driving-off the attackers Choi is wounded by a bamboo spear.  

1924

TOYAMA Kanken moves his family to  Taiwan where he taught elementary school and studied related systems of Chinese Ch'uan Fa ( kempo/kwan-bop ), which included Taku (Hakuda in Japanese language ), Makaitan, Rutaobai, and Ubo. Taku is one of central  China 's Hotsupu (northern school) Ch'uan Fa and is further classified as Neikung Ch'uan Fa (Shorei Kempo), that is, an internal method. Makaitan and Rutaobai, which the techniques of nukite (spear hand) came, and Ubo, all belong to the  Nampa (southern school) Ch'uan Fa and are external methods or Waikung Ch'uan Fa (Shorei Kempo). These later three styles hail primarily from Taiwan and  Fukuden , China .  Toyama  Sensei was also known to have studied and taught.

1924

The Oriental Exclusion Act is legislated in the United States Congress. With the exception of Filipinos and Asian college students admitted to American colleges and universities, this Act would prohibit all immigration from Asia.  Immigration of Korean picture brides that continued in small numbers even after the Japanese authorities discouraged in 1910 comes to a complete halt. No Korean immigrants are allowed into the United States after 1924. This prohibition continues until 1952 when the McCarran-Walter Act repeals it and replacing it with the strict nationality quota system.

1925

Japan moves into Outer Manchuria as a result of the chaos following the Russian Revolution of 1917.  A combination of Soviet military successes and American economic pressure force the Japanese to withdraw from the area, however, and Outer Manchuria returns to Soviet  control by 1925.  

1925

1926

Hirohito ascends the throne of  Japan . 

1926

Its bulletin, "The Mission ", is activated and the YWCA in  Tokyo holds a memorial service for the Korean compatriots killed in the Kanto Earthquake.

1926

Chung Do Kwan's founder, Lee Won Kuk, moved to  Japan when he was 19 years old, in 1926. While in  Japan he first attended high school and then entered the law school of Chuo University. Then he joined  Japan 's Karate-do headquarters, the Song Do Kwan (Shotokan). He received Karate instruction from Karate's father, Funakoshi Sensei. There he learned Karate with the Song Moo Kwan's founder, RO Byung Jick.

1926

1926-1930- Takeda Sokaku resides in Tokyo with his family.

1927

Though a success by most measures, the Jing-wu Athletic Association falls on hard times. Though it has spread to most Chinese urban areas and across large parts of  Southeast Asia, including  Vietnam,  Indonesia and  Malaysia , the association loses its financial support and falls prey to the changes in political climate in  China . The following year the Chinese nationalist government under the GUOMINDANG will take over their role and eclipse the Jingwu Association

1927

Prime minister Tanaka calls for the domination of Asia by Japan .

1928

First YMCA Men's Club was established in  Osaka.

1928

A battle in the area of the Shaolin Temple results in the burning of the temple complex by Warlord Shi You-San’s military. The fire lasts for more than 40 days, and all the major buildings were destroyed. The most priceless books and records on martial arts are also burned and lost.

1928

The Chinese nationalist state under the GUOMINDANG takes control of the Chinese martial arts realm. Though of unclear origins, the term GUOSHU, or “national skills”, becomes the label of choice to identify the product of the governments efforts to unify and standardize the Chinese arts. Centered at the  Central Guoshu Academy in  Nanjing , this institution is the product of the Guoshu Research academy decreed in March of 1928 by national decree #174. After initial attempts to reconcile Wudang and Shaolin traditions fail, this approach is abandoned in July, 1928. Responsibilities are then placed with Ma Liang and Tang Hao to reconcile some 161 known types of Chinese martial arts. 

1928

MATSUDA Toshimi receives his teaching certificate from TAKEDA Sokaku. Matsuda will go on to teach a number of students both Japanese and non-Japanese including the Korean practitioner CHANG Im Mok.

1928

Between World War One and World War Two Manchuria is a political and military battleground between  Russia ,  Japan , and  China . During the warlord period in China , the warlord Zhang Zuolin had established himself in Inner Manchuria with Japanese backing. Later the Japanese Kanto Army find him too independent and, in 1929, assassinate him.

1929

Nationwide anti-Japanese uprising of students in November 1929

1929

CHOI Yong Sul marries a woman from Chung-Do District of Kyung San Province in Korea. Choi's first child, a daughter (Bok Sun) will be born in the Summer of 1931. By 1938 Choi will have three daughters.

1929

February, 1929: Ma Liang and Tang Hao in cooperation with a number of martial arts individuals produce a series of “Organizational Outlines” which will be used at various administrative levels including school, village, county and district for GUOSHU schools. With this level of organization, branch schools reached thirty by 1930,  and over 300 by 1934. As success builds, the efforts are fueled by contributions by regional martial arts masters who add their support to the national effort and find a satisfying venue for representing their skills and knowledge.

In  Nanjing the central school continued to operate two programs;  a 3-year program providing instruction in several martial arts styles and 44 hours of course each week, and a training program providing free training and academic instruction to those not accepted to the Instructors program. Unfortunately, after only three generations, World War II starts in 1937 A.D., and all training is discontinued due to the war.

1930

Toyama moves from  Taiwan to mainland  Japan and on 20 March 1930 he opened his first dojo in  Tokyo . He called his dojo Shu Do Kan meaning "The Hall for the Study of the Way" (in this case the karate-way). Toyama Sensei did not claim to originate a new style, system or school of thought, nor did he combine the different styles he had learned. Those who studied under him basically learned basically Itosu's Shorin Ryu and the related ch'uan fa.

1930

CHOI Yong Sul resides in Otaru,  Kitami City ,  Japan

1930

CHOI Yong Sul resides in  Asahikawa , Japan 1930-1935

1931

The Japanese Army invades  Manchuria . The Japanese military argues that it needs to control  Manchuria as security against a possible attack from the Communist Army. Considered by some historians to be the beginning of WW II, The "Mukden Incident" of September 18, 1931, also called the Manchurian Incident, occurred in southern Manchuria when a section of railroad, owned by Japan's Southern Manchuria Railway near Mukden (today's Shenyang) was blown up by Japanese junior offices and is blamed on Chinese dissidents thus providing an excuse for the Japanese annexation of Manchuria. 

1931

Hapkido teacher, HAN Bong Soo is born. 

1932

In March 1932 the "Pacification of Manchuria" results in the country being renamed Manchukuo ("land of the Manchus"). The Japanese initially install Puyi, the former last emperor of China, as “chief executive” in 1932 but two years later he is declared Emperor of Manchukuo with the era name of "Kang De" or "Tranquility and Virtue".  Manchukuo thus became the "Great Manchu Empire". Although the Chinese government did not recognize  Manchukuo , the two countries established official ties for trade, communications and transportation. Koreans fighting the Japanese Occupation of Korea are forced to either flee the area or join the Communist forces in the area. 

Yingkow (119,000 or 180,871 in 1940)

Mukden (339,000 or 1,135,801 in 1940)

Hsinking or Changchung (126,000 or 544,202 in 1940)

Harbin (405,000 or 661,948 in 1940)

Dairen (400,000 or 555,562 in 1939)

Antung (92,000 or 315,242 in 1940)

Kirin (119,000 or 173,624 in 1940)

Tsitsihar (75,000 in 1940)

1932

Following the invasion of Manchuria, Araki Sadao. Japanese Minister of War urges the military to return to the traditional Japanese sword after the Manchurian campaign. Until 1932 the military service sword was of European design. However, the poor performance of Infantry sword material during the Manchurian incursion results in a re-evaluation and will induce an official change back to the traditions two-handed sabre in 1939 based on techniques identified by a committee in 1925. It was this combination of techniques as adopted by the army that will become the foundation of the Toyama School of Swordsmanship. ("Toyama Ryu", as the sword art would later come to be called, is not an ancient koryu martial art. It is a modern bujutsu created specifically to be used in combat and was taught as such until the Military Academy doors are closed in 1945).

Source: Guy Power; http://www.webdiva4hire.com/kenshinkan/toyama02.html

1932

Choi reports that Takeda led an exhibition tour to Hawaii  around 1932, the same year his second wife died. Ueshiba was not part of the exhibition team but Takeda took Choi, Jintaro “Abida,” and two others whose names Choi could not recall. While the trip was satisfactory it did little to relieve the grief Takeda felt at the passing of his wife. Following the trip and from 1933 to 1938 Choi will see little of Takeda and will invest himself in a series attempts to establish a business and support his family. 

1933

Japan invades Chinese  province of  Jehol. Japan withdraws from the  League of Nations .  

1933

HAN Bong Soo is born in 1933 and personally trained by CHOI Yong Sul and Ji Han Jae in the art of Hap Ki do. Master Han relocated to  United States in 1969 and officially began his practice. Master Han Bong Soo took on the role as a martial arts director for the FBI and founded International Hapkido Federation. 

1933

With a few modifications, the final form for the standard Kendo kata is established.

1934

In 1934, Kenji Tomiki resigns his teaching position and returns to Tokyo where he set up home one minute away from Ueshiba's Kobukan Dojo and continues to study aikido seriously. In that year he becomes an army officer and, with Ueshiba's permission, went to Manchukuo to teach as an instructor of Ueshiba-ryu Aikijujitsu. His techniques were praised enthusiastically by the chief of staff Hideki Tojo which promoted the spread of aikido there. In March of 1936 he became a lecturer at the Daido Institute that had been established in Manchukuo. In the spring of 1938 he moved to the newly established Kenkoku University lecturing in budo and was in charge of a new course in aikibudo (the name used by Ueshiba at that time) on the curriculum.

1934

Citing immoral behavior between male teachers and female students, females are dropped from participation in the Chinese Guoshu  program.

1936

JI Han Jae, originator of SIN MU Hapkido born in  Korea .

1936

1937

CHOI Seh Oh, Hapkido master is born in An Ak District in Hwang Hae Province.

1937

Second Sino-Japanese War begins (1937-1945)
Japanese seize Peking, Nanking and  Shanghai . 

1937

The Japanese began to suppress freedom of religion in Korea, substituting compulsory worship at Japanese Shinto shrines. 

1938

Japanese proclaim Co-Prosperity Sphere.

1938 -  The Japanese Kwantung Army in Manchuria began accepting pro-Japanese Korean volunteers into the army of Manchukuo, and forming the "Gando Special Force". Koreans in this unit specialized in counter-insurgency operations against communist guerillas in the region of Jindao. The size of the unit grew considerably at an annual rate of 700 men, and included such notable Koreans as General Paik Sun-yup.Officer Training centers for the Japanese Army are established in Mukden and Hsinking in the puppet state of Manchukuo. The Singyong Manchukuo Military Academy trains Koreans to fight in the Japanese forces and who will help establish the armies of both North and South Korea.. The Japanese Imperial Army manuals are used at the Manchukuo Military Academy and the military physical training manual is a direct translation of the Imperial Japanese manual. Other  manuals are based almost entirely on Japanese Imperial Army manuals with some Soviet military theory. The North Korean uniforms become a mixture of Japanese Jackets, French trousers, belt and cap and Soviet boots after the style  uniform designed by Manchukou Military Academy graduates.
Manchukuo officers develop Korean words needed in modern warfare such as commands, names of weapons and equipment. Koreans accepted include the later Korean President PARK Chung Hee. Other notable Koreans who serve in the Japanese Army include but is not limited to Crown Prince Euimin, Chung Il-kwan later to be a Korean Prime Minister, and the first 10 Chiefs of Staff to the Korean army following the War. 

(Source: http://forum.axishistory.com

1938

Korean-language teaching is banned from secondary school curricula. 

1938

Japanese and Russian armies clash in two battles along the border of Manchuko.(1938-9).

1939

KIMM He-young is born, January 17, 1939 in Dan Tan County near Seoul and is registered in 1940.

1939

1939

In 1938, Master Yoon graduates from high school and is chosen by his family to study Colonial Agriculture at Nihon University in Tokyo, Japan. During his academic career at Nihon University, he has the opportunity to meet karate Master Toyama Kanken (student of Yasutsune “Anko” Itosu) who is an instructor in the Shudokan.  Yoon trains at the Shudokan during his college days (1939-1945).

1940

3-Power Pact of  Germany ,  Italy and  Japan to reorder Europe and the  Far East .

1940

MYUNG Kwang Sik is born in  Korea. Myung will begin his martial arts career learning Korean KUMDO in his family and will move on to KONG SOO DO before investing himself in Hapkido. 

1940

Hwang In Shik (also Whang Ing-Sik ) is born in Suncheon, north of Pyongyang in present day North Korea. Hwang In-Shik and his family will move to Seoul while he is still a young child and will be exposed to Korean martial arts through TANGSOODO before expereincing Hapkido at the age of 13. His work in the Hong Kong cinema will provide the Hapkido arts with world-wide exposure. 

1940

Between 1940 and 1942 Ueshiba visited Manchukuo and took great pleasure demonstrating aikibudo. In 1940 he established a grading system and made Tomiki his first 8th dan. Through his favorite pupil, Ueshiba's Aikibudo became established as a form of educational budo. 

1941

Germany signs Non-aggression Pact with the USSR .

1941

April, 1941: The curricula of Japanese schools is imposed upon Korean schools.

1941

Occupation of French Indo-China in July, 1941.

1941

TOJO Hideki  becomes prime minister in October 1941.

1941

An attack on  Pearl Harbor , December 7, 1941 brings the  United States into the world conflict.

1942

SUH In Hyuk  born:  August 1, 1942. He will begin instruction in the Korean Martial Arts under his grandfather, SUH Myung-deuk, a former member of the Korean Royal Court Army. SUH will study meditation, breathing, and Ki techniques under Buddhist Monk, Hae Dong Seu Nim, and Southern Praying Mantis Chuan Fa under Tae-eui Wang before beginning his study of Hapkido under CHOI Yong Sul in 1958. 

1942

Brothers LEE, Joo Bang and LEE Joo Sang begin their formal MA training under Soahm Dosa  at Suk Wang Sa Temple in  North Korea . They are 5 and 6 years old, respectively. According to Lee this will continue until Suahm Dosa dies in 1969.

1943

Takeda Sogaku, head of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu dies in  Northern Japan as he journeyed north on a return from teaching in the South. April, 1943.

1943

1943-After receiving the obituary of Sogaku Takeda, CHOI Yong Sul goes to bid farewell to Sogaku Takeda immediately. That same year CHOI is drafted by the Japanese "Special Forces". He is elected to teach other soldiers but deserts after 6 months, hiding in Tokyo where his age belies his status as a military deserter until the war ends in 1945. 

(Testimony given by the daughter of CHOI Yong Sul )

1944

Chung Do Kwan's founder, Lee Won Kuk moved back to  Korea and teaches Tang Soo Do in the Yong Shin school hall in SUH Dae Moon Gu's Ochun Dong,  Seoul because he had a good relationship with Japan 's Choson Governor General Abe. This led to the rumor that he was pro-Japanese. Right after the independence day he seemed to offset his pro-Japanese deeds by developing a good relationship with people of the National Police Headquarters. He led the efforts to get rid of  Seoul gangsters. The Chung Do Kwan was once called the " National Police Headquarters Dochang"

1944

While in stationed in Manchuria, sword master NAKAMURA Taisoburo has an inspiration while practicing Chinese calligraphy. Drawing on the calligrapher's repeated practice of the character "EI" with its eight basic strokes, Nakamura develops "EI-ji Happo" (lit: "8 Laws of the Character EI ") as a drill for practicing the basic cuts and thrusts of of his sword material. This will later be formalized into "Happo-giri" (lit: "Eight Directions of Cutting") and become an integral part of his style, Nakamura-Ryu Batto-jutsu. 

Source: Guy Power; http://www.webdiva4hire.com/kenshinkan/toyama02.html

1945

Syngman Rhee returns to Seoul before the other independence leaders and is chosen as head of a provisional government. With the tacit consent of the occupation authorities, Rhee conducted a campaign to "remove Communism" that was actually a veiled drive to remove all potential opposition.

1945

Manchukuo invaded by the Soviet Army following a declaration of war by the Soviet government on Japan, August 8, 1945 and soon afterwards handing Manchuria over to China. Soviet tanks entered northern Korea from Siberia, meeting little to no resistance on August 9, 1945. During the Soviet offensive the Army of Manchukuo, theoretically a two hundred-thousand-man force, well armed and trained along Japanese lines, performed poorly and whole units surrendered to the Soviets without firing a single shot; there were even cases of armed riots and mutinies against the Japanese forces.

1945

Korea liberated August 15, 1945 (Liberation Day) 

1945

LIM Hyung Su (Jung Ki Kwan ) born September 7, 1945. 

1945

The division of Korea into two occupation zones starts on September 8, 1945, with the United States administering the southern half of the peninsula and the Soviet Union taking over the area north of the 38th parallel .

1945

In November 1945 Hwang Kee incorporated as Moo Duk Kwan Hwa Soo Do.

1946

When YOON Byung-in returns to  Korea in 1946 he settled in the Chung-yang Rhee area in Seoul.  He has two notable friends from the karate club at Nihon University living nearby: Chun Sang-sup and Yoon Ui-byung (Yoon Kwe- byung). Chun Sang-sup is head of the karate club within the Cho-sun YeonMuKwan Yudo School located in Seoul, Korea. The Cho-sun YeonMuKwan is the Korean main branch and representative of the Japanese Kodo-kan (Lecturing Way School) judo during this time. Chun Sang-sup invites  Yoon to teach kwon bop (chuan-fa) and karate at the Cho-sun YeonMuKwan. Yoon teaches with Chun Sang-sup at the club for 6 months before he (Yoon ) is invited to teach at the Cho-Sun Central YMCA in Seoul, Korea.  The first edition of Toyama Kanken's book, published around 1946,Yoon is listed as Chief Instructor of the Chosun YMCA. The book also lists Yoon Ui-byung (Yoon Kwe-byung) as chief instructor of the Jido-Kwan (Way Of Wisdom School) in Seoul, Korea. Both Yoon (Byung-in) and Yoon Ui-byung (Yoon Kwe-byung) are listed as 4th dan black belt in the directory. In 1959, the 2nd edition of Toyama Kanken’s book, Yoon Byung-in is listed as Chief Instructor of the Seoul, Korea doCHANG and Yoon Ui-byung (Yoon Kwe-byung) is listed as Chief Instructor of the Seoul, Korea Hanmoo-Kwan (Korean People’s Martial Art school). Hanmoo-kwan was also the name of the school Yoon Ui-byung (Yoon Kwe-byung) established while living in Japan. In addition to the Cho-Sun YMCA, Yoon becomes faculty at Sung-Kyun Kwan University and Kyoung-Nong Agricultural College, teaching chuan-fa and karate. He has some notable students, LEE Nam Suk founder of the Chung Mu Kwan, 1946, Cho Lee Park founder of the Kang Duk Won, 1956, Jon Pyo Hon founder of the Hung Mu Kwan, 1966, Ki Whang Kim who eventually took over the Mu Duk Kwan. Kim also earned a 3rd dan from Toyama . For form requirements, the YMCA Kwon Bup Bu - Changmoo-Kwan and Kangduk-Won taught both Okinawan karate kata and Chuan-fa Kuen. The curriculum was a combination of karate from TOYAMA Kanken and Chuan-fa from the Chang-chun area in  China as taught by Mongolian instructors in the 1920's & 30's.

1946

January, 1946 - CHOI Yong Sul returns to  Korea from  Japan by ship to Busan .

1947

All-Japan Karatedo Association (Zen Nihon Karatedo Renmei) founded by Master Toyama Kanken.

1947

"Postwar Reconstruction Three-Year Plans" established or restructured many student and city YMCAs. Start of high school YMCA movement.

1947

Hwang Kee calls his art Tang Soo Do .

1948

Rhee is elected the first president of South Korea on May 10, 1948 by a parliamentary vote, defeating KIM Koo, the last president of the Provisional Government by a count of 180-16 after left-wing parties boycotted the election. He will continue in office until 1960. 

1948

1948

On August 15, 1948,  Rhee formally took over power from the  US military and  sovereignty of Korean people from the Provisional Government.

1948

1948 – LEE Joo Bang and family in the company of Suahm Dosa move to  South Korea following the Communist takeover in the North.

1948

1948 – Myung Kwang Sik begins martial art training in Kumdo at the age of eight.

1948

February 21, 1948, SUH Bok Sub is in his office at his father’s brewery and observes a scuffle among people waiting to claim the grain refuse from the  brewery. SUH, a 24 y/o Dan rank in Judo under CHOI Yong Ho, admires the martial skills displayed by one of the combatants and makes his acquaintance. CHOI Yong Sul tells SUH that he, Choi, uses Yawara that he learned in  Japan  . The following day, Sunday February 22, 1948, the two begin to train, with Choi teaching SUH the skills that would later develop into Hapkido. SUH is Choi's first student of record and is identified as the person who recommended the use of the DAN/GUEP ranking system as well as naming the art "Hapki Yu Kwon Sul". SUH will later  establish the  Soo Duk Kwan

1949

End of the Chinese Civil War. From 1945 to 1948,  Manchuria (Inner Manchuria) served as a base area for the People's Liberation Army in the Chinese Civil War against the KUOMINTANG (KMT). With Soviet encouragement, the Chinese Communists used  Manchuria as a staging ground. Many   Manchukuo  army and Japanese Kantogun personnel served with the communist troops during the Chinese Civil War against the Nationalist forces. 

Following the Chinese Civil War, many Chinese to leave mainland China. In Korea, four major figures in the Chinese Boxing community came to teach and work an influence on Korean martial traditions which is still felt today. 

Lim Poom Chang (1912-1982)  master of the Orthodox Praying Mantis Style (Plum Flower Praying Mantis?) taught mostly in the Seoul area.

Kang Kyung Bang (1912-     ) also a master of Praying Mantis teaches in the Pusan area as well as Taiwan.

No Sue Chon, master of the Pae Kwa or Palm Strike method. 

1950

June 25, 1950 the Korean War breaks out when  North Korea breach the 38th parallel line to invade the South,

1950

In August 1950, Yoon Byung-in’s older brother Yoon Byung-du appears as a Captain in the North Korean Army. He tells Yoon Byung-in, “I am your older brother and you must come with me.” Yoon Byung-in is then taken to North Korea by his brother. At this time, all YMCA Kwon Bop Bu students lost communication with Master Yoon and many speculations were made about his disappearance. Yoon will resurface in  North Korea  in 1995. Two of his students go on to found two of   Korea 's most important Kwans. Lee Nam-suk founds the Chang Moo Kwan (Hall for the Propagation of Military Training) and Park Chull-hee founds the Kang Duk Won (Training Hall for the Teaching of Virtue).

1951

SUH Bok Sub and CHOI Yong Sul establish the Korean Yu Kwon Sul Hapki Dochang in Daegu, Korea, Monday, February 12th, 1951. SUH is now a 4th Dan in the art.

1952

Master Lee Nam-sok had YMCA Kwon Bop Bu students transfer to training space provided by the Postal Administration Department he used for his Cheshin-Bu (Postal Administration Department Club). When the YMCA Kwon Bup Bu students transferred to his club, Master Lee changed the club’s name to “Changmoo-Kwan” (Brighten Martial Art School). Changmoo-Kwan was a name mentioned by Master Yoon Byung-in when he was still in South Korea. Later, Master Lee lost use of the training space at the Postal Administration Department and had to relocate the Changmoo-Kwan. The Changmoo-Kwan first moved to the Mukyo-dong area in Seoul, then to the Kangmoo-Kwan Yudo doCHANG in the Kyungwoon-Dong area from 1958-63.

1952

Myung Kwang Sik attains Cho-Dan in KONG SOO DO at the age of 12.

1952

In Japan, despite having been banned by Occupation Forces following World War Two, the All-Japan Kendo Federation (JKF) has been organized in 1952. This was, to some extent a vindication of the Butokukai. 

In March, 1942, with the addition of bayonet practice and shooting and over the strong opposition of the Butokukai itself, the Japanese government in the agencies of the Military Affairs Bureau and Ministry of Welfare attempts to subvert the goals and motives of the Butokukai to that of the war effort. Despite initial success at posting individuals to the organization the Japanese government is ultimately unable to overcome the staunch traditional views of the organization itself.  The failure to turn the traditionalist organization to the will of the Japanese war-machine undoubtedly contributes to the successful resurrection of its efforts from under the policies of the Occupying Forces. 

Later, in 1957, Kendo would be returned to the Japanese Middle Schools as part of the curriculum.

1953

The Korean Kumdo Association is founded by Chong Hac SUH in cooperation with Kendo practitioners both in  Korea  and  Japan. GM SUH would later relocate to Bettendorf, Iowa in the United States and establish the World Kumdo Association.

1953

The Korean War ends on July 24th, 1953.

1953

CHOI Yong Sul opens a private school at his house and begins to take on students there. KIM Moo Woong begins learning yu sool from Choi, Yong Sul. JI Han Jae, age 17 and  a freshman at the  Taegu City Technical High School begins his training with CHOI Yong Sul . Kim and Ji become Choi’s leading students.

1954

1954-Lee Dong-Gu accepted as a disciple to Choi.

1954

1954-Established YumMe Do-CHANG in  Dae-gu City . Acceptance of students Ji Han-jae, Kang Mun-jin, Song Jung-hi, Kim Guang-ho, CHANG Jung-Pyo and Shin Sang-chul

1954

1954

WON Kwang-wha becomes personal secretary and body guard for SUH, Dong-jin, the father of SUH Bok-sub. This work will continue until 1958. Won will learn Yu Kwon Sul from SUH Bok Sub and then from CHOI Yong Sul. When KIM Moo-Woong opens his first school in 1961, WON Kwang-wha will be the instructor.

1956

In 1956, Hong Jong-pyo establishes a separate school called “Kangduk-Won” (Institute of Teaching Generosity). Because he was very busy making a living, Master Hong Jong-pyo didn’t have time to operate the school and Master Park Chul-hee became chief instructor of the Kangduk-Won. Master Hong continued instructing several days per week at the Kangduk-Won. The Kangduk-Won had a difficult time finding a permanent location for the school and moved seven times from 1956 to 1964.

1956

JI Han Jae leaves Choi and moves to his home city of  An Dong where he receives TAEK KYON training under LEE Do Sa, the son of LEE Maeng Ruhl, a well known traditional doctor. Ji opens his first school called “An Mu Kwan and teaches Yu Kwon Sul to YU Yong-woo, OH, Se-lim, SONG Young Ki and KWON Tae-man. At this time kicking tends to be far more grounded, with a growing number of acrobatic kicks added from time to time from among the techniques Ji was learning from TAEK KYON.

Kang, Jong Su

HWANG Duk-kyu

LEE Tae-joon.

LEE Dong-koo

1957

SUH In-hyuk accepted as a student of CHOI Yong Sul.

1957

In 1957, HWANG Kee added Soo Bahk Do to his organization's name and stopped promoting students to Black Belt. Hwang Kee adopted the dark blue color for his instructor level belt color. This was done to stop the criticism by other schools that HWANG Kee never tested for and passed a Black Belt test himself.

1958

In 1958 HWANG Kee organization published his second book which consisted solely of the form, So Rim CHANG Kwon. When he learned it, or if only his students knew it, is unknown. But his book does have him executing the form.

CHOI Seh Oh

HAN Bong Soo

JUNG Won-sun

KIM Yong-Jin

KIM Yong-whan

MYUNG Kwang Sik

MYONG Jae Ok

MYONG Jae Nam 

1958

SUH Bok Sub sells the SUH Brewery and opens a Yu Kwon Sool school at Joong Ang Dong in  Taegu City and hires KIM Moo Woong  as the instructor. KIM Moo Woong is 21 at the time and must be 24 y/o to qualify for the requisite 4th Dan.  SUH Bok Sub confers the 4th Dan certificate nonetheless, and despite Kim's actual age, SUH fills in the required "24". KJN SUH Bok Sub said of Kim: “He trained kicking techniques endlessly. He dug holes in the ground and practiced jumping from one to another.” Kim will teach for SUH about one year before asking SUH to be allowed to take a sabbatical from teaching in order to concentrate on developing his kicking material and SUH permits him. Reportedly Kim feels that SUH is not offering enough techniques and believes introducing more kicking will attract more students. Kim will stay in the temples for one year training and developing his kicks. 

1958

1958

KIM Jeong Yun is accepted as a student of CHOI Yong Sul.

1958

Dok-Ki Song and Hwan Song, the last two recognized teachers of Taek Kyon give a  demonstration  in 1958 at a birthday party for  Republic of  Korea (R.O.K.;  South Korea ) President Sung-Man Yi (aka. "Sung-Man Lee") renewing interest in an all but dead Korean martial tradition.

1958

After researching and training around  Korea with his brother , Grandmaster SUH In Hyuk develops a systematic, comprehensive, Korean martial art and calls it “Kuk Sool Won”. He begins to teach Kuk Sool in  Pusan .

1959

The name Hapkido is chosen, and has been in use ever since. The word itself can be translated as the "way of coordinated power." When "hap" means to unify or coordinate, "ki" means mental and/or physical energy, and "do" means a way of life, or the 'path' or 'way' of coordinating your mental and physical energy into one entity.

1959

While attending  Sung Kyun Kwan University in  Seoul as a Commerce Major, Myung was also designated as an instructor for the general Hapkido organization at that time. It was after graduation that he was awarded the directorship of the Northern Branch Dochang of Hapkido.

1960

Syngman Rhee, the first and founding president (1948-1960), having developed into a stubborn dictator, is overthrown by a nationwide revolution of angry students. He is exiled to Hawaii.

1960

1960 – Lee, Joo Bang reports that in April 15, 1960 he founds the first “HwaRangdo” school  (Jong Ro Gu, Jong Ro O Ga,  Seoul Korea .) The school, originally identified as the HWA RANG KWAN, a Hapkido school, becomes the foundation for Lee's claim that he founded the first HWA RANG DO school in Korea. 

1961

CHOI Yong Sul establishes the headquarters for Korean Hap-ki-sul Mu-do. KIM Jeong Yun assumes management of the school following the departure of MOON Jong Won and through Kim's dilligence the school and its organization become financially stable. Kim will go on to write the first book regarding CHOI Yong Sul's material containing some 90 pictures and 100 pages and identifying Choi's art as "HAPKI SUL". 

1961

KIM Moo-Woong collaborates on kicking material for the art with his friend, Ji, Han Jae who has moved to  Seoul . Kim stays in Ji’s SUNG MOO KWAN school for eight months beginning in the Spring of 1961. During this time the kicks for Hapkido are finalized.

August 10, 1961 - KIM Moo-Woong, a student of CHOI Yong Sul opens his own school which was called the SHIN MOO KWAN in the Jong Myo section. WON Kwang-wha   is  the instructor

Among Kim’s students were:

LEE Han-chul now in  South America

KIM Woo Tak now in  Canada

HUH Il Woong in  Seoul Korea

NA  Han Dong.

LEE Joo Bang now in California

SHIN Dong-ki also in  California

1961

HAN Bong Soo opens a Hapkido school in the Sam Kag Ji District of Seoul and begins teaching US Air Force personnel at Osan Air Base a year later. 

1961

 Kyun-Sun Park opens a school in Taegue and calls his art  BI SOOL
LEE Joo Bang reports that the school closed in 1965

1961

In Sun Seo establishes the Korea Kuk Sool Association with Grandmaster In Hyuk SUH.

1962

Ji moves to Kwan Chul Dong, in a space in back of the Hwa Shin Department Store. By this time, he had built his Sung Moo Kwan school up, and it was financially strong. With assistance from Major LEE, Dong-Nam, Ji was given permission to instruct the military Supreme Council in Hapkido techniques. Ji then received a government post teaching Hapkido to the President Security forces. During this time, he moved his school to SUH Dae Mon (West Gate section), which he felt would give him greater exposure to the public.

SUH In Hyuk visits KIM Moo-Woong’s school while Kim has been drafted in the Army and his school is being run by his students. Among the students who travel to  Pusan for further training in Kuk Sool are:

LEE Han-chul

KIM Woo Tak

HUH Il Woong

LEE Joo Bang.

Other students of this tradition are

KIM  Moo-jin

LEE Jong-oh

SUH In-suk

SEO In-sun

BYUN Jong-won

PARK Jae-choon

CHO Sung-sam

KIMM He-young.

These individuals will form the core of the HAN KUK MU SUL HYUP HWE (aka: KUK SOOL HWE) “Korean Martial Skills Association” to be formalized the following year, and move out from their Pusan location to spread "KUK SOOL" (lit: "national techniques") to other metropolitan centers in South Korea.

1962

LEE Joo Bang opens his first school in  Seoul called HwaRang Kwan.

1962

KIM Jeong Yun, later founder of HAN PUL writes "HAPKI SUL", a brief manual of 100 pages which first records the material taught by CHOI Yong Sul. The book is a disappointment and Kim is increasingly interested in developing a more organized approach to Choi's material; a desire not altogether shared by Choi, himself. In 1964 Choi and Kim will part as Kim relocates to Seoul. 

1962

Colonel NAM Tae Hi and three other instructors go to Vietnam to teach TAEKWONDO. In the following 10 years some 670 instructors will follow. 

The Korea KIDO Association (Dae Han KIDOHAE) was officially recognized by the Korean Government on September 2, 1963. A public Non-profit foundation registered with the Korean Government, the KIDOHAE was recognized and given official mandate by the ministry of Education and Culture to disseminate Hapkido/Martial Arts. The meeting of the first Yu Sool masters was held  at KIM Jeong-Yuns'   Han Pul  School in  Seoul  . At this meeting it was agreed upon to change the name of "Hapkido" to "Kido." The masters that attended this meeting were: CHOI Yong Sul, SUH Bok-Sup, LEE, Joo-Bang, LEE Joo-Sang, JI Han-Jae, WON Kwang-Hwa, KIM Woo-Tack, and KIM Jeong Yun. After changing the name of the Hapkido art, SUH Bok-Sup and KIM Du-young registered the organization "DAE HAN KIDOHAE " with the Korean government.

With the establishment of this association and its first administrative elections,  CHOI, Yong Sul was elected to position of Chairman and KIM Jeong Yun elected as Secretary-general.

The reason behind the formation of KIDOHAE was that after the Japanese Occupation of Korea ended in 1945, there was an explosion of Martial Arts in Korea by all the Martial Artists who had been living in an oppressed society for decades. With such rapid proliferation of Martial Arts styles, the top masters of Korean Martial Arts community felt that there needed to be a governing body to set guidelines and bring unity to the group. This was the second martial art organization in  Korea , however since it was located in a rural area of   Korea  ,namely Daegu, there were only ten member schools. At this time, most other  Korean martial arts headquarters were located in the capital city of Seoul in order to draw on more public support and opportunities, so this became an "empty" organization. In 1986, In-Hyuk SUH took over this empty organization and gave control to his brother In-Sun Seo.

Note: The reason for the name changes of this art can be found in the meaning of the Chinese characters and the historical context of the period. The occupation of Japan was fresh in Korean's minds, and they did not want to use the Japanese term Yawara (pronounced in Korean Yusool) for their art, so the name Hapkido was created. After learning about the existence of the Japanese art Aikido, which was founded by Morei Ueshiba, the "name of Hapkido" was changed to "Kido" by these first masters because Hapkido and Aikido have identical Chinese characters and meaning.

KIM Jung Soo goes to Taegu and opens the YUN BI KWAN. 

RA In Dong will take charge of KIM Moo Woong's SHIN MU KWAN until Kim's return. 

Yong-jin Kim opens a school in Seoul and names it the UL JI KWAN Hapkido. The school will remain open until 1968.

1964

Rim, Jong Bae begins his training in Hapkido with CHOI Yong Sul . He will train with Choi until he emigrates to the  US in 1978.

1965

Syngman Rhee, the founding president of an independent Korea dies in Hawaii having been exiled by his overthrow by students in 1960. 

1965

SUH Bok Sub moves to  Seoul and opens a new Yu Kwon Sool school called JOONG Ang Hae and hires KIM, Woo-tak as the instructor.

1965

With the enactment of the Immigration Reform Act of 1965, racially discriminatory barriers against Asian immigrants are removed, allowing a large number of Asians, including Koreans, to gain admittance into the United States. This marks the beginning of the third wave. Taking advantage of the new immigration law, a new wave of Korean immigrants reach the United States seeking new economic and educational opportunities and better quality of life. They settle largely in such cities as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C. Unlike the earlier groups, the new immigrants from Korea enter the United States along with their family members and also in larger numbers, enabling them to form their own neighborhoods—the so-called "Koreatowns"—in some cities.

1965

Lim Hyun-su accepted as a student of CHOI Yong Sul and begins training in Hapkido, first under Master Kim Yeung Jae, Founder Choi's pupil.

JI, Han-Jae establishes the Korea Hapkido Association ( Dae Han Hapkido Hyup Hwe) having left the Korea Kido Association. There were several reasons. First, the Korea Kido Association appointed KIM Jung Yoon as secretary –general. Kim, who was a university graduate, dominated the policies of the association, and Ji did not like the situation. Second, the students were trained in Sung Moo Kwan under the name Hapkido, and Ji did not like the new term "Kido". They continued to call their martial art Hapkido, and continued to teach it the way they learned it. And lastly, Ji, Han-Jae was appointed Chief Hapkido Instructor for the president's Security forces and had become a powerful person. This power translated into the ability to successfully operate his own organization without help from others who Ji deemed were being less then ethical in their lives as martial artists. The Dae Han Hapkido Hyup Hwe or “Korean Hapkido Association (KHA) was founded in 1965.

The central gym was run by Ji.

The north gym was Kwang Sik Myung.

Bong Soo Han was in the south at the Osan Air Force Base.

In the west was Kim Duk In’s gym.

Other masters who left the KIDOHAE continued to work together and from this the KHF evolved. In this way, many of the same GM that founded the KIDOHAE  also founded, and are governors of, the KHF.

1965

May, 1965 -  After researching the Korean language, KIM Jeong Yun identifies the material he teaches as "HAN PUL" meaning "Korean Energy" or Korean Methods". CHOI Yong Sul chooses to retain the term "KIDO" to identify his art, while KIM continues to use the term "HAN PUL" to his more structured approach. 

1966

TOYAMA Kanken dies. Although TOYAMA Kanken produced many capable instructors trained in his Shudokan style, he really did not view the Shu Do Kan as a style of karate-do, merely a place for training. Consequently, he did not appoint a successor Shudokan style head to succeed him and as a result the Toyama system fragmented.

1966

Seong Sik Kim opens his school in Seoul and calls it the YU SOOL KWAN. It will remain open for two years and then close in 1968

1966

HAN KUK MU SOOL HYUP HWE of Lee Han-chul, Kim Woo Tak,  Huh Il Woong, Lee, Joo Bang (& Joo Sang Lee) is disbanded. Begun in 1963, the organization is turbulent as various individuals vy for recognition and control. Most individuals who continue to strive for the same goals shift to the KUK SOOL association.

1967

Hwang Kee's organization publishes his first English book titled Tang Soo Do which has the (Hwang) Kee cho Il Bu, Ee Bu, Sam Bu, the 5 Pinan forms and Bassai from the Okinawan Karate book. His book lists all the Okinawan, Japanese and Chinese forms his organization was aware of and included them in Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do instructor requirements which included So Rim CHANG Kwan and Tae Kuek Kwan. In addition he draws heavily on the YANG Tai Chi tradition, citing WU Yu Xiang's "Song of Secret's for Training in the 13 Techniques" as well as the postures of the "Muscle/Tendon Changing and Marrow/Brain Washing Chi Kung" classic.

1967

The Korea Hapkido Association sends 15 members of demonstration teams to Vietnam, under CHOI Tae Hoon. For two months these 15 will teach Korean, US, and Vietnamese troops and Special Forces and well as demonstrate their skills. (Viet No Vuem is the Vietnamese martial art that came out of it. Viet No Vuem appears to be basic HKD with some TKD mixed in, plus the advanced acrobatic falls and rolls from Hapkido). Among the participants is Myung Kwang Sik, a student of JI Han Jae and CHOI Yong Sul who will form the Korea Hapkido Yon Mu Kwan Association when he returns to Korea.  Having founded this institute for the furtherance of Hapkido as a highly visible martial art and published the 254-page Korean language book, “Hapkido,” at the age of 27, his considerable contribution is recognized when he is appointed a permanent director of the Korea Hapkido Association..

1967

Moon-jin Kang opens a school in Seoul and calls his art PYUNG MU KWAN Hapkido. The school closes the following year (1968). 

DAE HAN MU DO HWE is organized but lasts only one year. 

Korean Martial Arts Association: In 1967, Korean president Jeong-Hee Park ordered a number of prominent martial art masters to establish one governing organization that would encompass and unify all Korean martial arts and their organizations. The goal of this project was similar to what had happened a few years earlier when Kongsoodo, Tangsoodo, and Taekwondo were unified to create the national sport of Taekwondo. The Korean government attempted to create two governing organizations; one would handle the national sport (Daehan Taekwondo Hyup Hwe) and the other would handle the national martial art (Daehan Mudo Hwe). The creation and organization of this new association was a combined effort of: Hwarangdo founder Joo-Bang Lee and Joo-Sang Lee, Kihapdo founder Dae-Hoon Choi, and Sungmukwan Hapkido founder Han-Jae Ji. The martial arts that were to be unified under the Daehan Mudo Hwe were: Hwarangdo®, Kuksool Hwe, Yusool, Hapkido, Seongmu Kwan, YusoolKwan, Kuksool Kwan, Musool Kwan, Kwangmu Kwan, Pyungmu Kwan, Kihapdo, Kukkido, Kido, Yukwonsool, and Bulmudo. One of the main promotions for this new organization came on May 27, 1968 at the CHANGchung Sports Arena in Seoul for a national martial arts exhibition, which was directed by Hwarangdo founders Joo-Bang Lee and Joo-Sang Lee. However, only one month after this demonstration the Daehan Mudo Hwe was disbanded. All other arts that were a part of this unification attempt were also disbanded except for the division of the two main original martial arts and organizations. One was the martial art of Hwa Rang Do and the Korean Hwa Rang Do Association, which was founded by Joo-Bang Lee and Joo-Sang Lee. The second was Hapkido and the Korean Hapkido Association, which was founded by Dae-Hoon Choi and Han-Jae JI.

1967

CHOI Yong-Sul  changes the name of his school to Hapkido and takes the title  "Dojunim" for the art of Hapkido. Choi becomes Chairman of all Hapkido doCHANG at a Korean Mudo competition in Chang-chung Stadium where he demonstrates his Mu-do skills

1967

HAN Bong Soo, a student of JI Han Jaes' SUNG MU KWAN,  arrives in the United States. 

- YU SOOL KWAN of Seong Sik Kim closes.

- The DAE HAN HWARANGDO HWE is established by Dr. Joo-Bang Lee and Joo-Sang Lee

- LEE Joo Sang opens the first “HwaRangDo in Huntington Beach, California in August, 1968.

- the SONG MU KWAN of JI Han Jae  located in Seoul Closed.

- CHANG Gedo is formally recognized as a master of Hapkido. He then opens his school in Korea and called it "Wol Ge Kwan" which means "TheVictor's  Laurel ".

- Duk-kyu Hwang opened a school in Seoul and named it BI RYONG KWAN Hapkido and states that it is currently closed.

- Yong-jin Kim opened a school in Seoul and named it UL JI KWAN Hapkido in 1963 and closed in 1968.

- Yong-Hang Kim opened a school in Seoul and named it SAE SHIM KWAN Hapkido and states that it is currently closed.

- Tae-Jun Lee opened a school in Seoul and named it CHUNG MU KWAN Hapkido and states that it is currently closed.

- Kwang-Sik Myung opens a school in Seoul and named it YON MU KWAN and that it closed in 1972

- Yong-woo Yu opened a school in Taegu and named it AN MU KWAN Hapkido and that it is currently closed.

1969

PARK Lee Hyun comes to the United States at the invitation of KIMM He-young. Both are products of the SHIN MU KWAN of KIM Moo Woong through the MU SOOL KWAN under WON Kwang Wha, and both Kimm and Park are former Yudo students as well. PARK Lee Hyun will inherit the Hapkido program at Southeast Missouri State when Kimm relocates to Louisiana State University. 

1969

KIMM He-Young receives his teaching certificate from WON Kwang Wha, November 1, 1969.

1969

July 4th. HAN Bong Soo gives a demonstration as part of the Independence Day celebration at Pacific Palisades, outside of Los Angeles, California. His demonstration comes to the attention of Tom Laughlin who is involved in an up-coming movie. As a result Hapkido sequences will be used in four films who central character, Billy Jack, uses Hapkido in his struggle to protect his community from corruption and violence. Because of this, milliions of Americans will be exposed to Hapkido.

1969

Suahm Dosa dies. ( Yang Mi Ahm Temple on O-Dae Mountain).

KIM Kwang Seok, who  began studying SIB PAL KI under YUN Meong Deok in 1951, opens his SIB PAL KI school in 1969. Between 1987 and 2002, Grandmaster Kim will write four books on the history and techniques of traditional Korean martial arts seeking to preserve the practices. 

CHOI Bok-Kyu is born. Choi will grow-up to become the foremost advocate for traditional Korean practices by becoming a student of SIB PAL KI master KIM Kwang Seok and devoting both his Masters and Doctorate dissertations to the research of Korean martial traditions. 

1969

HAN-KUK HAPKI HWE (Korea Hapki Assn) is founded by MYONG Jae-Nam, a former student of the JOONG BU SHI CHANG Dochang in Incheon and chartered by the Korean Ministry of Education. He will later be appointed as the Korean representative of the World Aikido Federation on November 15, 1970. 

1970

KIM Moo Woong returns from the United States to find that Ji has resigned from the Korea Kido Association and formed his own organization, the DAE HAN HAPKIDO HYUB HOE (Korea Hapkido Assn.). Kim’s students encourage Kim to form his own organization.

1970

In October of this year notices are published by KIM Du Yung, president of the KIDOHAE and by CHOI Yong Sul Dojunim announcing the need for all Hapkido practitioners of Black Belt rank to apply for registration with the KIDOHAE as the single Hapkido authority. The test was held on November 3, 1970 and saw participation by approximately 500 Black Belts from 20 kwans. 

KIM Moo Woong organizes the HAN KUK HAPKIDO HYUB HOE (Korean Hapkido Assn.)

Having separated from CHOI Yong Sul in 1964, KIM Jeong Yun completes his system of HAN PUL  and begins to develop a separate following comprised mostly of university students. His efforts will continue through most of the 1970-s and culminate in the publication of a series of books extolling his system based on the material learned from CHOI Yong Sul but also supplemented with techniques devised by Kim as well. 

1971

May 3, 1971,  Master LEE, HAN CHUL and 50 other masters and instructors sent to USA, Canada and South America to proliferate Korean Martial Arts.

1971

The Korea KIDO Association (Dae Han KIDOHAE)  holds its 5th election on September 2, 1971. LEE Du Young re-elected as 5th Secretary General.

1971

1971

KIM Yun Sang accepted as a student to CHOI Yong Sul. He will continue to train until 1984.

1971

Hong Seung-kil and CHANG Jin-il received 7th degree Black Belts

1971

KIM Un Yong, president of the unified Taekwondo schools in Korea organizes the KUKKIWON.

1971

Dr. KIMM He-young translates MYUNG Kwang Sik's  254-page Korean language book, “Hapkido,” into English, and bearing the title "Hapkido - Art of Masters".

1972

SUH, In Hyuk is elected Senior Vice-president of the  Korea Kido Association.

1972

LEE Joo Bang arrives in the United States. In August the International Headquarters for the World HwaRangDo Association ( SAEGAE HWARANGDO HWE) is opened in Downey, California.

1972

Hapkido master and teacher, HWANG In Sik, begins his career in the movie industry. 

Hong Kong film maker Huang Feng brings  Hung Chin-pao (Sammo Hung). Jackie Chan Tang Wei-cheng, Hu Yin-yin, Mao Ying ( Angela Mao) Chang Yi and Chin Hsiang-lin to Seoul for location shooting in 1972. Huang Feng is also looking for impressive new techniques to infuse into the Hong Kong action sequences and has his stars train at the Korea Hapkido Assn. headquarters for about four months under Hwang and KHA leader Ji Han Jae. Further efforts include Lady Kung-fu, Fist of the Unicorn, Game of Death, Way of the Dragon, A Wandering Hero, Black Leopard and Black Spider. Later Jackie Chan, a stuntman from Hwang's early films, successfully rose to prominence in the Hong Kong film world and managed to coax Hwang's help to make the most popular Hong Kong film of the day The Young Master which features a 15 minute fight scene between Chan and Hwang in its original version. Hwang will later play Chan's antagonist in Dragon Land. 

1973

CHANG  Gedo comes to the United States and opens his first school on the outskirts of Chicago, Illinois. The school he leaves behind in Korea is sold to his student, KIM Yun Sang who continues to teach Hapkido but is later drawn to the April 1st demonstration conducted by CHOI Yong Sul. Kim and LEE Yong Soo will later travel to Daegu on December 26, 1973 and seek-out Choi for instruction. This training will continue until 1984 when Choi suffers a stroke. 

1973

RIM, Jong Bae leaves his position as an instructor with CHOI Yong Sul and  emigrates to the US as a 6th dan to open his first school in Maryland.

1973

JI Han Jae representing the DAE HAN HAPKIDO HYUB HOE,

Myong Jae Nam, representing the HAN KUK HAPKI SUL HYUB HOE and

KIM Moo Woong, representing the HAN KUK HAPKIDO HYUB HOE,

at the behest of CHAE Dae Hun (of the “Blue House”) come together to organize the DAE-HAN MIN-KUK HAPKIDO HYUB HOE (Republic of Korea Hapkido Assn.) Prior to 1973, the Sung Moo Academy line was called the Dae Han Hapkido Association. The Sin Moo Academy line was called the Han Kuk Hapkido Association. Following the unification, ten academies from the Sung Moo line and 10 academies from the Sin Mu Line are chosen to be academies recognized by the new federation. For the Sung Moo line this included the following:

Bee Yong Kwan (Hwang Duk Kyu)

Sae Shim Kwan (Kim Young Hwan)

Ui Gee Kwan (Kim Yuong Jin)

Han Moo Kwan (Song Young Ki )

Duk Moo Kwan (Kim Duk In)

Chung Moo Kwan ( Lee Tae June)

Jin Jung Kwan (Kim Myung Yong)

Dae Moo Kwan (Kwon Tae Man)

Yun Moo Kwan ( Myung Kwang Sik)

Yong Mu Kwan (Kim Hung Soo)

The SUNG MU typically included better educated in institutions of higher learning and were very well regarded as practitioners. Nearly all bodyguard members in the “Blue House” were SUNG MU KWAN members.

The Sin Moo line included:

In Moo Kwan ( La In Dong)

Yuong Moo Kwan ( Lee Dong Woo)

Kae Sung Kwan (Lee Chung)

Kuk Sool Kwan (Kim Woo Tak)

Kuk Sool Won ( Ho Ill Oon)

Moo Sool Kwan (Won Kang Kwa)

Yun Bee Kwan ( Kim Jung Soo)

Kyung Moo Kwan (Kang Jin Yoang)

Yu Sool Kwan ( Kim Moo Jin)

Yang Mu Kwan (Chong Yang Hwan

Also recognized by the new Federation was the Kuk Jae Hapkido Yung Meng (International Hapkido Federation of Myong Jae Nam.

A notice published in the CHOSON IL BO newspaper on November 13, 1973 announces a period of re-registration lasting from November to December 1973 by which members of the individual organizations can transfer their membership to the new organization. 

1973

September 1, 1973 - The Korea KIDO Association (Dae Han KIDOHAE)  holds its 6th Election Lee Du Young  re-elected as 6th Secretary General.

1973

"Chul Sa CHANG" Korea's "Iron Palm" Hand Techniques formerly transmitted in secrecy are developed into an educational sequence format and incorporated into the Kuk Sool Curriculum and introduced to the public for the first time on October 3, 1973

1973

LIM Hyun-su receives 7th degree Blackbelt.

1973

Formation of the World Hapkido Association on December 20, 1973.

1974

Instructor KANG, Ik Jo and 30 others are sent to the USA, Europe and South America April 13, 1974

1974

August 15,, 1974 -  An assassination on President PARK Chung Hee fails to kill the leader but his wife is killed in the struggle that follows. PARK Jong Kyu, in charge of Security, and a staunch advocate for JI Han Jae and Hapkido, resigns.

1974

 September 10, 1974 -  Chief Deputy Secretary General SUH In Hyuk dispatched two 9th dans (HanKuk Moo Sool) to the  Americas . First general meeting of WHA was held in Detroit Michigan, USA, on June 23, 1974 and MYUNG Kwang Sik was elected president.

1974

SUH, In Hyuk moves to the United States and brings Yong-Il and Park, Yong-kyu as assistants. SUH will spend the next five years with Kimm, He-Young, then president of the American Hapkido Association.

During this time, Kimm will learn the KUK SOOL material and in 1977 Kimm will become Secretary General of the World KUK SOOL Association. 

1974

LIM Hyun Su opens the Jung Ki Kwan on October 24, 1974.

1975

The Korea KIDO Association (Dae Han KIDOHAE)  holds its 7th election on September 1, 1975.Lee Du Young re-elected as 7th Secretary General.

1975

The Republic of Korea Hapkido Association, founded in 1973, and uniting the three largest Hapkido groups (excepting the KIDOHAE) re-elected CHOI Tae Hoon as President and KIM Moo Woong as Managing  Director.  On June 28th a test for Black Belts was held. 

To produce a unified curriculum, RA In Dong (Shin Moo Kwan) and SONG Young Ki (Sung Moo Kwan) merged the material of both Kwans and deleted duplication, structuring the resulting 400 techniques in a specific order. Organized for rank advancement the result was a curriculum covering from White Belt to Fourth Dan. 

1975

SUH moves to San Francisco, California where the World Kuk Sool Won Association of Dae Han KIDOHAE is established September 30, 1975. SUH is the president of the association and Kimm is the secretary-general.

1975

WON Kwang Wha dies and the MOO SOOL KWAN, first opened in 1963, is assumed by  PARK Lee Hyun.  

1976

Second Bi-Annual WHA meeting  – MYUNG Kwang Sik publishes the 300-page “Hapkido – Art of Masters” copyrighted in October, 1976 the year of his arrival in the  United States. 

1976

HWANG In Sik is promoted  to 7th dan by the Republic of Korea Hapkido Association (Dae Han Min Gook Hapkido Hyub Hwe) and is appointed as chief instructor for the association headquarters. Hwang will immigrate to Canada and start a family.  Later he will open a dojang in one location and then moved shortly thereafter to the Greek area of Toronto known as the Danforth, where he still continues to teach and train on a daily basis. Currently his students include but are not limited to  Hwang Young-ho, Eric Sanderson, Matthew Rogers, Courtney Campbell and Jimmy Vlachos. In addition, students who also received black belts are Karl Kriese, Kevin Thistle, George Wong, Keith Stewart and Clement Chan. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwang_In-Shik

1977

KIDO member masters introduce and incorporate Korean Martial Arts into National Defense Ministry, Air Force Commando Units and the  Army Academy curriculums May 6, 1977.

1977

Instructor SONG, JEONG SEON and 20 other martial artists sent to other parts of Asia, Africa, S. America and the  USA October 8, 1977

1977

      Three separate organizations represent Toyama Ryu iaido in the 1970s: in Hokkaido, Yamaguchi Yuuki sensei's Greater Japan Toyama Ryu Iaido Federation; in the Kansai region (Kyoto-Osaka), the late Morinaga Kiyoshi sensei's Greater Japan Toyama Ryu Iaido Association; and Nakamura Taizaburo sensei's All Japan Toyama Ryu Iaido Federation (ATIF). Each organization is autonomous and retains its own set of forms; the Hokkaido branch even included sword versus bayonet exercises.  Attempts to consolidate the three organizations to preserve the Toyama Academy's spirit and sword techniques are unsuccessful.

Source: Guy Power; http://www.webdiva4hire.com/kenshinkan/toyama02.html

1978

Third Bi-annual WHA Meeting.

1978

The Korea KIDO Association (Dae Han KIDOHAE)  holds its 8th Election on January 26, 1978. CHOI, Byung Gu is appointed Chairman. and CHOI, Byung Rin elected Secretary general.

1978

LIM Hyun Soo receives his 8th dan from CHOI Byung Lin, president of the Korea KI-DO Association, September 9, 1978.

1979

HISA TAKUMA dies. - 1885 1979, was the senior student of Sokaku Takeda ! He is one of only two people to receive the full "menkyo Kaiden" directly from Sokaku Takeda, and he went-on to establish the very popular Takumakai with several thousand students. 

1979

Nine Kuk Sool Won masters sent to perform in martial arts demonstrations across the United States October 16, 1979.

General Park, Chung-Hee (1917-1979) assassinated. GM Ji was the head of the presidential bodyguards when President Chung Hee Park's wife was killed during an attempt on the President's life. GM Ji was out of the country on R&R at the time. GM Ji was not the head of the bodyguards when President Park was killed in 1979. The new head bodyguard was with President Park at that time and was also killed. The assassin was the head of the Korean CIA, i.e. someone within President  Parks inner circle. But Ji resigned after the assassination anyway. When he became  a civilian he joined the Min Jung Dang political party, and got involved with one of two rival groups  inside the party. Ji started training some people from one group to protect President Doo-whan CHUN when he would visit party headquarters, and the leader of the other group reported to the president that secret training was going on to overthrow him. Ji received a 1-year prison term. During the term, he was unable to work out, but meditated a great deal, and when he got out started Sin Moo Hapkido.

1980

Master CHO, JAE SOO and six additional masters sent to exhibit Korean Martial Arts in the USA on July 13, 1980