Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), who is often referred to as Osensei, meaning ‘Great Teacher’.

Contents

Martial influences
Pacifism
Hombu and Iwama dojos
The founder today
Aikido after Osensei

A Very Short History of Aikido

The basis for Ueshiba’s new art was in the martial paths he had previously studied. Of these was Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu had the most impact on the eventual form of aikido, a multidisciplinary school of jujutsu encompassing both the sword and notions of energy, or aiki (whence aikido). By extension, aikido has amongst its parent-arts such luminaries as judo, jujutsu, kenjutsu (a sword school) and sōjutsu (a spear school), as well as being influenced by many others. Indeed, many of the influences of these arts can still be felt in aikido today, be it from the stances and methods of defence adopted, or the use of the bokken and jō (wooden sword and quarterstaff) as training tools.

Aikido was the result of many years of synthesis of these by Ueshiba, along with his growing relationship with Shinto. From the latter, along with his experiences of life, including World War II and the circumstances of personal duels, he began to enhance the philosophical and moral components common to all Japenese martial arts. The growing pacifism of Osensei led to his ultimate conviction that budo, that is ‘the way of war’, could be a means to understanding and pacification. This is the root of the principle in aikido that the aikidoist reserves the potential to inflict great harm or even kill an opponent, but that a much more favourable outcome is to immobilise and neutralise such a threat.

These concepts and the formalisation of aikido as a distinct martial path was an ongoing development of many years. During this time, Ueshiba established two notable dojos, the Kobukan dojo (now called Aikikai Hombu dojo) in Tokyo and the Iwama dojo respectively. The name aikido was formally adopted at Iwama, where Osensei lived and taught until his death in 1969.

Aikido has inherited the Japanese martial art tradition of reverence towards its founder. The period in which aikido formulated has afforded almost unique opportunities in this respect. Amongst these is that photographs and video footage of Ueshiba can be seen today. Indeed, following the American occupation of the islands of Japan, documentaries were made featuring Osensei teaching at Iwama. These are particularly interesting to watch, as the English-speaking presenters of such black and white documentary films as Rendez-vous with Adventure exhibit the same confusions, expectations and surprises that would be familiar to most beginning aikido practice today.

Following Ueshiba’s death, the stewardship of aikido was taken on by a number of prominent students of his. Notable among these is Morihiro Saito (1928–2002), who took over the running of the Iwama dojo. Aikido has spread over the years to all parts of the globe. With this dispersal and the passage of time different schools have developed in different manners, emphasising different aspects of aikido. Yet all are linked back to Ueshiba and his teachings. Indeed, we are in a time where it is still possible to train with third-generation practitioners, such is the relationship of modern aikido with its origins.

• A somewhat more comprehensive short history (with citations!) can be found on Wikipedia.