Choi, Yong Sul
April 20, 2007

Choi, Yong Sul (1904-1986)
The Founder of Hapkido

Wikipedia link for Choi, Yong_Sul - Hapkido Info (another good link)

Today I went with Grandmaster Lee to visit Grandmaster Choi's grave near Daegu.  Grandmaster Choi is the founder of Hapkido and is the most widely known name connected to Hapkido in the world.  I felt it was my duty to visit my Grandmaster's Grandmaster before I left Korea.  Grandmaster Lee's Gwang Jang Nim (Master Teacher) was Kim, Yeong Jae and his Sa Bum Nim (Assistant Teacher) was No, Byeong Il.  Grandmaster Choi would periodically visit their dojang and teach.

First we drove to another Hapkido dojang where I got to hold a dobuk that Grandmaster Choi owned.  It was donated by his grandson.

After chatting for a few minutes and posing for pictures at the dojang, we went to a traditional Korean style hilltop cemetery not too far from my home in a place called Chilgok (칠곡).  We did a traditional ceremony to pay our respects to Grandmaster Choi.  Part of the ceremony is bowing 3 times and pouring traditional Korean wine on the grave.  You also share the drink and food with everyone in attendance.  Afterwards, we all went out for lunch and had Bi Bim Bop ( 비빔밥 - fresh vegetables, red pepper sauce, and rice).

What I learned today about Korea:  1) It was a surreal experience visiting Grandmaster Choi's grave.