What is Aikido?
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art rooted in traditional kenjutsu and ju-jutsu styles. Aikido focuses on throws, pins, and joint locks together with some striking techniques. But, the main feature of Aikido is to blend with the power or motion of the attacker and redirect their force instead opposing it directly. This makes Aikido accessible to anyone regardless of age, gender, or physical conditions. Aikido is not a sport, a self-defence system or gymnastics. Aikido is budo, which means "the martial way". This implies that Aikido is a lifelong pursuit of martial discipline for character development. Aikido practitioners develop technical martial skills while striving to unify mind, technique, and body, build their character, enhance their sense of morality, and cultivate a respectful and courteous demeanour. Therefore, Aikido serves as a path to self-perfection. Aikido training is not only good for health but also naturally develops the self-confidence necessary for daily life.
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Who is O-Sensei?
Aikido founder
Morihei Ueshiba is often referred as O-Sensei (The Great Teacher).
Morihei Ueshiba was born in Western Japan in 1883. After mastering the classical styles of ju-jutsu and ken-jutsu, he created aikido, an entirely original martial art combined with the spiritual teachings of Japanese Shinto beliefs. After the Second World War, Morihei established the Aikikai Foundation in Tokyo to promote the dissemination of aikido throughout the world. Morihei Ueshiba died in 1969.
He was succeeded by his son, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, who assumed the title of “Second Doshu.”
In nowadays Morihei's grandson Moriteru Ueshiba is the Third Doshu.
Morihei Ueshiba was born in Western Japan in 1883. After mastering the classical styles of ju-jutsu and ken-jutsu, he created aikido, an entirely original martial art combined with the spiritual teachings of Japanese Shinto beliefs. After the Second World War, Morihei established the Aikikai Foundation in Tokyo to promote the dissemination of aikido throughout the world. Morihei Ueshiba died in 1969.
He was succeeded by his son, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, who assumed the title of “Second Doshu.”
In nowadays Morihei's grandson Moriteru Ueshiba is the Third Doshu.
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Who is Morihiro Saito?
Morihiro Saito (1928-2002) sensei was the longest-serving student of Morihei Ueshiba (the founder of Aikido). Saito Sensei, trained under O-Sensei for 23 years and since O-Sensei’s passing, was the head of the Iwama Dojo and the keeper of the Aiki Shrine.
Saito Sensei was renowned throughout the world for his depth of technical knowledge and his largely single-handed dissemination of Aikido weapons. Saito Sensei had been training in Aikido for more than 50 years and was regarded as the world’s technical expert on Aikido. With over 30 years o teaching Aikido, he is the author of a highly acclaimed series of reference training manuals and has travelled extensively around the world conducting seminars and spreading the founder’s legacy
Saito Sensei was renowned throughout the world for his depth of technical knowledge and his largely single-handed dissemination of Aikido weapons. Saito Sensei had been training in Aikido for more than 50 years and was regarded as the world’s technical expert on Aikido. With over 30 years o teaching Aikido, he is the author of a highly acclaimed series of reference training manuals and has travelled extensively around the world conducting seminars and spreading the founder’s legacy
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Takemusu Aiki
The Founder considered Takemusu Aikido to be the highest form of Aikido. The word Takemusu contains two Japanese characters: Take (martial), and Musu (to be born). These two characters combine to refer to martial movement spontaneously created, without active thought, resulting in a pure Aikido technique. The Founder felt that one’s training went through four major periods of development: Basic Technique, Flexible Technique, Flowing Technique, and finally Takemusu Aiki. He considered this final form of Aikido to be attainable by anyone through practice.
Takemusu Aiki refers to a state where techniques spring forth
endlessly as a result of the study of the principles of aikido. In
aikido training—which includes empty-handed techniques, and
the aiki ken and jo—it is important to make clear distinctions.
These include the distinctions between ikkyo and nikyo, omote
and ura, basics and ki no nagare techniques, progressive level training, the study of related techniques, and applied techniques
(oyowaza).
Takemusu Aiki refers to a state where techniques spring forth
endlessly as a result of the study of the principles of aikido. In
aikido training—which includes empty-handed techniques, and
the aiki ken and jo—it is important to make clear distinctions.
These include the distinctions between ikkyo and nikyo, omote
and ura, basics and ki no nagare techniques, progressive level training, the study of related techniques, and applied techniques
(oyowaza).