What Is Aikido?

Aikido is a Japanese Martial way founded by Morihea Ueshiba (1883-1969). Aikidoists call the founder O-Sensei (literally Great Teacher.) The word Aikido is comprised of three Japanese characters: Ai (harmony), Ki (spirit/universal energy), and Do (path or way.) Aikido can be translated as the way of spiritual harmony.

THE FOUNDER

All his life, O-Sensei was a seeker of knowledge and enlightenment. After his combat experience in the Army during the Russo-Japanese war, he devoted himself to training in the traditional martial arts (Budo) including Jujutsu, Swordsmanship, and spear fighting. He trained extensively under Daito-ryu aiki-jutsu founder Sokaku Takeda. He also immersed himself in religious training, primarily the Omoto sect of the Shinto religion.

Acknowledged throughout Japan as s great martial artist and teacher, O-Sensei came to realize the old competitive; winner-loser forms of Budo were an impediment to true mastery. He came to believe that true Budo was not winning over others, but “winning over (the) discord in yourself “. With this realization as the foundation, O-Sensei created Aikido to give a physical form and training method to his philosophy.