|
History of Aikido...
Founder: Morihei Ueshiba 1883-1969
Aikido was developed in the early part of this century by Morihei Ueshiba now known as O-Sensei (venerable teacher). From the time of his youth, he studied various martial arts, eventually including sumo, swordsmanship, spear technique, staff technique, and various styles of Jiujutsu, particularly the Yagyu and Daito styles.
From youth, Ueshiba appears to have been a deeply sensitive and spiritual person. Eventually influenced by the charismatic spiritual leader and artist Onisaburo Deguchi, he came to view his martial training as a means of personal purification and spiritual training.
O-Sensei's lifetime saw Japan involved in some of the most violent conflicts of the 20th century. However, it was during this time that he founded Aikido and declared it to be a way of joining the peoples of the world together in peace.
In this way, Aikido is truly Budo - a martial way - rather than simply a martial technique (bujutsu) or martial art (bugei). When martial training is undertaken not simply as a means to conquer others, but as a means to refine and perfect the self, this can be said to be Budo. The famous motto of O-Sensei, "Masakatsu Agatsu", contains the essence of the spirit of Aikido: "True victory is victory over the self."
Incredible technical expertise and charisma brought him tremendous support from high-ranking military officers, government personnel and the Imperial family.
He was posthumously awarded an Imperial medal for his unique contributions. But it was the universality of his insights and his vision of the martial Way being open to all sincere persons internationally which have led to the phenomenal growth of Aikido. The noblest philosophies and intentions of the samurai have become a part of world culture, and give spiritual sustenance to millions of persons of all cultures; this is largely due to the groundbreaking influence of Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei.
Kisshomaru Ueshiba 1922 - 1999
Upon the death of O -Sensei in 1969, his son Kisshomaru Ueshiba was named the second Doshu of Aikido. From early youth, he trained under the guidance of his father. During the war he remained in the city and preserved the original dojo building. Following the war, as Aikido entered its golden age and began to attract public attention, he was instrumental in leading and organizing what would become the Zaidan Hojin Aikikai - the government-recognized, non -profit organisation which exists today as the center of world Aikido.
From that time, Doshu quietly went about the business of spreading Aikido internationally. The tremendous expansion of the art, and the now millions of practitioners, can largely be called his creation. It was he who coordinated the sending of Japanese Shihan overseas, thereby founding and developing the seeds of large organisations in other nations. He also maintained the strong support of government officials and businessmen in Japan, and built new support of this kind internationally. His many publications of Aikido technique and philosophy have further spread Aikido's influence. The high educational and professional standards of Aikido, and the respect it has gained, are a result of these efforts. At his death in 1999 Kisshomaru Ueshiba had successfully transformed the vision of his father into an international movement.
Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba
Aikido Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba son of Kisshomaru Ueshiba, was named the Sandai (third) Doshu shortly after his father's death; before that time, he had served as the Aikikai Hombu Dojo-cho (headquarters dojo director). Now taking over the leadership of the Aikikai organisation, Doshu brings to his position an already full life of training and instruction. The Aikido world has high expectations that Aikido will continue to grow and expand under his leadership in fulfillment of O-Sensei's dream.
Morihiro Saito Sensei
9th Dan passed away on May 13, 2002, at the age of 74. He was the longest serving student of O-Sensei, having trained with him for 23 years, and since O-Sensei's passing, was the head of the Iwama dojo and the keeper of the AIki Shrine.
Please click this link to read about Morihiro Saito Sensei
TOP of PAGE
|
