Morihei Ueshiba - Founder of Aikido

The Founder of Aikido was Morihei Ueshiba. He was born December 14, 1883 in Tanabe, Kishu (Wakayama Prefecture). In 1901, Ueshiba began studies in Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu Jujutsu, for a brief period. He also studied Kito ryu Jujutsu from Tokusaburo Tozawa. After serving in the 61st Army Infantry Regiment of Wakayama, which saw action at the Manchurian Front in the Russo-Japanese War, he returned to Tanabe in 1906. The following year Ueshiba received a certificate from Gota-Ha Yagyu-ryu Jujutsu while studying under Masakatsu Nakai, a descendant of the Yagyu family, famous for its sword tradition, from Sakai City. Ueshiba said that vestiges of this study are utilised in Aikido hand motion and footwork.

In 1912 Morihei Ueshiba settled in Hokkaido. He met 54 year old Sokaku Takeda three years later in Engaru. Ueshiba studied Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu from Sokaku Takeda until December 1919, and received a certificate signifying mastery of all techniques. The origin of many of the techniques in Aikido today, can be easily identified in Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu.

Ueshiba moved his family to Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture to study the Omoto religion under Onisaburo Deguchi. In April 1922 Sokaku Takeda came to Ayabe and trained Ueshiba and members of the Ueshiba Juku Dojo for five months in Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu. Takeda awarded Ueshiba a kyoji dairi certificate, making him an official instructor of Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu.

In 1924, Morihei Ueshiba devoted much of his time studying the spear of the Hozoin-ryu. He began probing the innumerable body changes and motions. It is clear these basic movements became the basis for many of the entering movements in Aikido and the Jo (wooden staff) techniques.

Ueshiba took a great deal of interest in studying old jujutsu systems and wandered all over Japan with a Bokken (wooden sword), seeking teachers and if he found one superior to him, remained with him as a pupil and trained until he had learned all he could. He became a very proficient martial artist, almost invincible....

Bibliography

Ueshiba K.(1985) Aikido, Japan, Hozansha Publications Company Ltd.
Ueshiba K.(1987) The Spirit of Aikido, Japan, Kodansha International Ltd.