rael razor's blog: "Aikido"

Aikido is a Japanese martial art. Aikido translates from the Japanese as “The Way of Spiritual Harmony." Aikido was pioneered and foundered by Morihei Ueshiba, who was referred to by his students as O Sensei (Great Teacher). O Sensei was a Ju-Jitsu master and a master of the sword, spear and staff.

 Aikido is a spiritual martial art that promotes peaceful resolution and harmonious interaction among all members of society. Today, Aikido is practised by more than 300.000 people all over the world.

 O Sensei was born in the Wakayama Prefecture known as Tanabe, a port town in Japan, on the 14th of December 1883. O Sensei was a sickly child, but with his Fathers encouragement, he engaged in exercise, eventually achieving robust health.

At the age of 17, O Sensei moved to Tokyo, where he began studying Ten Shin Ju -Jitsu. O Sensei later fell ill and moved back to Tanabe.

 In 1903 O Sensei joined the Japanese Imperial Army just before the out break of the Russo/Japanese war. It was during this time that he began studying Yagyu-Shingan-Ryu Ju-Jitsu. Later in 1910, O Sensei trained briefly in Judo.

 In 1912, O Sensei settled in Shirataki village Okido. It was here in 1912 that O Sensei began studying Daito-Yu Ju-Jitsu under Sokaku Takeda (1859-1943). After a short while, O Sensei was awarded a scroll attesting to his proficiency in Daito-Yu Ju-Jitsu.

 In 1919, O Sensei began to take an interest in the Omoto religion. It was in that same year that he received a telegram stating that his father was ill. O Sensei made his way home to Tanabe. On his way home 

O Sensei detoured to Kioto to visit a temple at centre of the Omoto religion, to pray for his father’s recovery. It was here that he met Onishaburo Deguchi (1871-1948), a devotee of the Omoto religion.

Onishaburo Deguchi became O Sensei's spiritual mentor. The Omoto religion became the Philosophical basis of Aikido.

 O Sensei arrived too late to comfort his dying Father. After his Fathers death, stricken with grief, O Sensei moved his family to Ayabe in 1920, to seek solace in the Omoto religion. It was at this time O Sensei began teaching Ju-Jitsu to his fellow Omoto Devotees.

 O Sensei’s fame as a martial artist began to spread and he travelled to Tokyo to give demonstrations and seminars on behalf of Japans military and political elite. One of his supporters was Admiral Takeshita, a retired officer and also a martial artist. Takeshita helped O Sensei re-locate to Tokyo in 1927.

 In 1930, O Sensei was visited by Jigoro Kano (1860-1938), the founder of Judo. Jigoro was said to be highly impressed by O Sensei’s graceful and unusual technique. Jigoro sent several of his students to study under O Sensei.

 O Sensei settled in the Kobukan Dojo, (later to be known as the Hombu dojo), which was opened in 1931 in Tokyo. O Sensei's martial arts eventually moved away from Ju-Jitsu and gradually evolved into what became known as Aiki Budo.

 O Sensei went on to found the Aikikai foundation, which was officially recognised by the Japanese government in 1940. O Sensei decided on the name Aikido in 1942.

 O Sensei continued to develop and practise Aikido well into his 80's until his passing away on the 26th of April 1969 at the age of 86. After the founders passing, his son Kisshomaru Ueshiba was inaugurated as Aikido Doshu. Afterwards O Sensei’s grandson, Moriteru Ueshiba became the third Doshu.

 Aikido is now practised in many Dojos all over the world.