Frank Croaro, Founder

Organizational Lineage

Modern Sin (Shin) Moo Hapkido schools generally trace authority through:

• Ji, Han Jae directly
• Certified Sin Moo masters/grand-masters by him
• The World Sin Moo Hapkido Organization (started in 2002 in Korea) and related organizations

Because Hapkido historically fragmented into many organizations and Kwans, lineage claims can vary significantly between schools. In practice, “direct lineage to Ji, Han Jae” is often treated as the defining legitimacy marker inside the Sin Moo community.

Historical Significance

Ji, Han Jae is often considered one of the most influential figures in all of Hapkido history, not merely Sin Moo Hapkido because he:

• Helped structure and popularize Hapkido internationally
• Integrated Korean kicking systems into the art
• Helped connect Hapkido to the government and military circles
• Introduced a more internal/philosophical dimension through Sin Moo

He also became known internationally through martial arts films, including training Bruce Lee and working with him in “Game of Death”.

Sin (Shin) Moo Hapkido Lineage 1984 – 2026

The criteria for Sin (Shin) Moo Hapkido lineage, founded by Ji, Han Jae in 1984, is based on my own independent research I collected since that year. However, since I started in August 1986, I relied on accounts from students who were present during 1984 – August 1986. I have organized the criteria sequentially, based on when Ji, Han Jae began, by grouping them within that timeframe across the different specific schools (dojangs) and instructor-led seminars, and in no way does this reflect the individual’s ability or ranking. My apologies for not including all the masters, as I did not have access to their names or a specific timeframe for everyone who participated.

Although Ji, Han Jae had many students throughout his career, the individuals included in this lineage record are those who made a particularly significant contribution to the development, promotion, and teaching of the art, or who maintained a longer involvement in continuing the arts legacy. Their involvement is intended to reflect their historical influence and participation and should not be interpreted as a measure of superiority over other students.

Merrill Jung with assistance from Stuart Forrest credited with organizing the Northern California Hapkido Association to bring/sponsor Ji, Han Jae to the USA during 1983/1984.

1984   Ji, Han Jae – Honorable Founder of the Way, “DojuNim” created Sin Moo Hapkido 1984 – 1986 San Francisco (YMCA) & Daly City, CA school/dojang

Merrill Jung, Stewart Forrest, Yung Freda, Glenn Uesugi, Greg Lavin, Francisco Abungan, Sinoe Angus Era, Vince Valdes

1986 – 1990 San Bruno, CA school/dojang, first known school with public signage advertising SMH

Frank Croaro, Mike Agoff, Gary Baldocchi, George Caldes

1990 – 1991 San Francisco, CA school/dojang, training was conducted from a garage-based facility

Jurg Ziegler, John Beluschak, Hal Whalen, Scott Kifer

1991 – 1992 Daly City (Westlake), CA school/dojang

Larry Dorsey, Chad Zwieg, Walter Poss, Celest Herranz, Rick Nabors, Matteo Tacchi-Benard

1992 – 1996 Pacific Grove & Monterey, CA school/dojang & International Instructor Courses began

John Remka, Steve Dorherty, Mike Rose, Dr. Egil Fosslien, Massan Ghorbani, Geoff Booth, Rony Dassen, David Jacques, Ray Terry, Rafael Balbastre, Laura Beluschak, Farshad Azad

1996 – 2018 Ji, Han Jae moved to the East Coast where he taught numerous instructor courses and seminars, as well as private lessons, on a weekly, monthly and yearly bases.

Ken MacKenzie, John Godwin, Scott Yates, Stuart Rosenberg, Chris Garland, Ian Cyrus, Sean Bradley, Juri Fleischmann, In Wan Kim, Ramfis Marquez, Ray Shure, Perry Smug, Nicolas Tacchi, Walter Hubmann, Jorge Braga, Rami Vainionpaa, Herman Mochalin, Eduardo Salazar, Oscar Romero, Michael Wong, Nelson Bedoya, Fernando Ribeiro, Guillermo Rodriguez Munoz, Carl Hettinger

2018 – 2026 Ji, Han Jae moved to Tucson, Arizona and continued teaching many instructor courses, seminars and private lessons.

Kirk Koskella, Min-hee Kang