Aikido’s
founder, Morihei Ueshiba was born in rural Japan in 1883. A sickly and weak
child he was happier reading his books rather than taking physical exercise.
After an incident where his father, a local politician, was beaten by his political
rival’s thugs, Morihei became determined to make himself stronger.
Morihei began to study in Tenshin Shinyo-ryu Jujutsu under Tokusaburo Tozawa in Tokyo and later was to study Daito-ryu Aiki-Jujutsu, which he studied under Sokaku Takeda, a master practitioner and reviver of this fighting art. Aiki-Jujitsu is thought to have been invented by Minamoto no Yoshimitsu who was born in 1036. Morihei also began to show an interest in the Shinto religion, many aspects of which are notable in our regular training today.
Morihei began teaching Aiki-Jujitsu under licence of Sokaku Takeda between 1920 and 1930. He also cemented his mastery of the art of fighting with the Japanese sword (Kenjutsu) and traditional spear fighting. As time progressed Morihei began to make changes to the way he practiced and taught the art and gradually began to grow away from Sokaku.
Naming of the art changed several times as well before finally settling as Aikido. Early Aikido was more aggressive with many strikes (atemi) incorporated into the techniques but as he grew more skilled the Aikido became softer and more akin to what we practice today.Aikido is a relatively new martial art in itself and is progressing and refining to this day.
Aikido’s foundation dojo, The Hombu dojo in Tokyo is generally considered the home of Aikido. Morihei’s moved from Tokyo back to his rural roots and retirement to Iwama. Throughout, his students had developed under his tutorage, each becoming masters in the art. There came a point when he made the decision to gather them and he instructed them to go and teach Aikido as they had developed it. He remained teaching and training with his student Morihiro Saito, training in the more traditional Aikido that Morihei had developed. Morihei Ueshiba died on the 26th April 1969.
Morihei is now referred to by students of Aikido as O Sensei (Great Teacher).
Aikido in its various forms is practiced throughout the world, but the core
essence of what O Sensei conceived remains with us in our training today.