Aikido History

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Morihei Ueshiba

Aikido
The History of Aikido

Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) in Tokyo, Japan in 1942. Ueshiba was born in a rural area of Japan near Osaka and left home in his late teens for Tokyo to seek martial arts instruction. Ueshiba was heavily influenced by Daito Ryu AikiJu-Jitsu - a traditional martial art that dates back 1200 years, as well as several styles of Japanese fencing (Kenjutsu), spearfighting (Yarijutsu), and by the religion Omotokyo. Prior to 1942, Ueshiba called his art "Aikibudo" or "Aikinomichi."

Largely because of his deep interest in Omotokyo, Ueshiba attempted to cultivate a "spirit of loving protection for all things" rather than techniques for achieving physical domination over others. He organized Aikido; his own system, and established the principle of nonresistance, the non-violent way of self defense. The name Aikido means "The Way of Harmony with the Ki" (life force) and stresses the harmony between mind, body and spirit.

He then began teaching selected pupils, some from noble families, others from the armed forces. He continued his instruction until World War II when he returned to the countryside. Witnessing his countrymen turn their interests from spiritual to material matters, Ueshiba eventually decided that he could encourage a rebirth of the spirit through the medium of Aikido. With that thought, he selected his finest students and sent them to spread Aikido throughout the world.

Kisshomaru Ueshiba

There are several major variants of Aikido. The root variant is the "aikikai." Aikikai is the name given to the central dojo of Aikido in Tokyo, Japan. The chief instructor was Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Morihei Ueshiba's son. With Morihei's death in 1969, the development of Aikido was taken over by Kisshomaru. He presided at the general headquarters and the International Aikido Federation, representing all the countries of the free world. The Aikikai also houses the headquarters of the International Aikido Federation which has branches throughout the world and which oversees the dissemination of Ueshiba's Aikido. Through this organization, the quality of the art and the black belt ranks are strictly regulated.

Moriteru Ueshiba

Kisshomaru's son, Moriteru Ueshiba, assumed the title of Doshu on January 4, 1999, following his death. Moriteru is the third and current Doshu of the Aikikai.

The teachings of the Daito Ryu AikiJu-Jitsu continue today, and Tokimune Takeda is its current headmaster in Japan. Several organizations in the United States are affiliated with the Aikikai, including the United States Aikido Federation, the Aikido Association of America, and Aikido Schools of Ueshiba. More than 14 different sects of Aikido exist today.