Etymologically speaking, one might think that Hapkido and Aikido are the same thing, but portrayed in a different language. Hapki-do is the Korean, and Aiki-do is the Japanese, way of saying “Way of Joining Spirit.” They even share the same ancestor fighting style in Jiu Jitsu. However, they are very distinct styles of fighting.

 

The first essential difference between Hapkido and Aikido is that the first is a more aggressive form. With Aikido, there is no such thing as being the first attacker, whereas Hapkido allows for it. This gives an advantage to the Korean art in that you can actually get the jump on your attacker, whereas with Aikido, you’re always on the defensive.

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Hapkido is, like Aikido, a “soft form” fighting style, in that you typically use your attacker’s momentum against him rather than meeting force with force. Unlike its colleague, it tends to incorporate striking techniques, meeting force with force with punches and kicks as well as joint locks, choke holds and throwing techniques.

 

Also, unlike Aikido, Hapkido doesn’t abhor joint dislocation and bone breaking in its softer techniques. Granted, you probably don’t want to do these things in a tournament setting, as they will get you disqualified. However, when you’re attacked on the street, you can bet that joint dislocation and bone breaking are a means of survival.

 

In the end, Hapkido is a superior form of fighting than Aikido on the practical level. While the Aikido stylist is still throwing his assailants around, the Hapkido fighter goes on with the rest of his evening.

 

The only problem with Hapkido as a fighting style is that you have to practice, practice, practice to become effective with it. The unfortunate reality is that while you’re learning how to be effective with Hapkido, you could get mugged and what you’ve learned so far isn’t going to help you. Having the best parts available from the beginning would be incredibly helpful in that case.