Aikido: The History

The founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, was born in Japan on December 14, 1883. As a boy, he often saw local thugs beat up his father for political reasons. He set out to make himself strong so that he could take revenge. He devoted himself to hard physical conditioning and eventually to the practice of martial arts, receiving certificates of mastery in several styles of jujitsu, fencing, and spear fighting. In spite of his impressive physical and martial capabilities, however, he felt very dissatisfied.

He began delving into religions in hopes of finding a deeper significance to life, all the while continuing to pursue his studies of budo, or the martial arts. By combining his martial training with his religious and political ideologies, he created the modern martial art of aikido. Morihei Ueshiba decided on the name "aikido" in 1942 (before that he called his martial art "aikibudo"and "aikinomichi"). On the technical side, aikido is rooted in several styles of jujitsu (from which modern judo is also derived), in particular daitoryu-(aiki)jujitsu, as well as sword and spear fighting arts. Oversimplifying somewhat, we may say that aikido takes the joint locks and throws from jujitsu and combines them with the body movements of sword and spear fighting.

However, we must also realize that many aikido techniques, but especialy its unique philosophy as a martial art, are the result of Morihei Ueshiba's own innovation.

At the core of the philosophical interpretations of aikido, we may identify at least two fundamental threads:

1. A commitment to peaceful resolution of conflict whenever possible.
2. A commitment to self-improvement through aikido training.

Morihei Ueshiba passed away on 26 April 1969.

The position of Ni-Dai Doshu (2nd Head Master) was assumed by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, son of Morihei Ueshiba.

Kisshomaru Ueshiba was born on June 27th, 1921 in Ayabe, Kyoto as the third son of O'Sensei. He graduated from the Political Science Department of Waseda University in 1946 and thereafter became the General Director of the Aikikai Foundation Hombu Dojo, the World Headquarters of Aikido, in 1948.

As Aikido Doshu (a hereditary title of honour "Master of the Way") he was also awarded the title of President of the International Aikido Federation at its first congress held in Tokyo in 1976.

Our beloved Doshu sadly passed away on January 4th, 1999 at the age of 77, leaving behind a legacy which is testimony to his constant desire to promote World Peace. Of this the annual All Japan Aikido Demonstrations, the audience he received with Pope John Paul II in 1994 and the fact that Aikido is currently practised by 1.5 million people around the globe are but a few examples.

The current position of Aikido Doshu was assumed by Kisshomaru Ueshiba's son, Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba, the General Director of Aikikai Foundation Hombu Dojo (Aikido World Headquarters) on January 18th, 1999 as the formal successor and third heir to Aikido. At the same time he also became the President of the International Aikido Federation.

Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba greeted his followers with the following words: "As Doshu I will do my utmost to adhere to the legacy of the late Doshu, and to enable Aikido to further develop and flourish in a harmonious manner so that I may meet the expectations of Aikidoists throughout the world. I ask for your continued support and assistance."

Today the Aikikai Foundation has more than 150 branch dojos in Japan and hundreds of thousands of participants in schools, companies and clubs throughout the world. Senior instructors have been sent to more than 30 countries in North and South America, Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa and Oceania.