Ueshiba Morihei
(植芝 盛平, 1883 – 1969)
Founder of Aikido
AIKIDO
History
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Ueshiba Morihei
the Founder of Aikido
Ueshiba Morihei’s journey – from a young boy in Tanabe to a martial arts visionary – was shaped by his martial prowess, spiritual depth, and commitment to harmony. His teachings evolved into Aikido, a path that continues to inspire practitioners worldwide.
The Founder in Ayabe 1921
The Early Life of Ueshiba Morihei
Ueshiba Morihei, the Founder of Aikido, was born in 1883 in Nishinotani Village (now Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture) into a wealthy farming family. His father, Yoroku Ueshiba, was a respected local leader known for his physical strength, while his mother, Yuki Ueshiba, came from the distinguished Itokawa family.
As a child, Ueshiba was delicate, introverted, and bookish. He studied the Nine Chinese Classics at a local temple while also developing a strong interest in mathematics and physics experiments. Concerned about his frailty, his father encouraged him to engage in sumo wrestling with local fishermen’s children. This training helped him grow into an energetic and determined youth who also enjoyed diving and spearfishing.
Early Career And Martial Arts Training
After completing his education at Tanabe Secondary School, Ueshiba briefly worked at the Tax Office in Tanabe. However, he resigned due to his involvement in a fishing rights dispute. In 1902, he moved to Tokyo, where he established Ueshiba Commercial Firm, a wholesale stationery business. During this time, he trained in Tenjin-shinyo Jujutsu and Shinkage Ryu fencing. Unfortunately, he contracted beriberi, forcing him to return to Tanabe to recover. Determined to regain his health, he strengthened his body by running barefoot through fields and mountains.
In 1903, Ueshiba joined the Japanese army and trained under Masakatsu Nakai, a master of Yagyu-shingan Ryu Jujutsu. His outstanding skills in marching and bayoneting earned him the reputation of “Paragon of a Soldier.” He even served as a substitute bayonet instructor. Though he considered a military career, he ultimately returned home due to his father’s wishes. By 1908, he had earned a Yagyu-shingan Ryu license from Masanosuke Tsuboi.
Back in Tanabe, Ueshiba struggled with a sense of aimlessness until his father converted their barn into a judo dojo and invited Kiyoichi Takagi (later 9th Dan Kodokan Judo) to teach. Immersed in judo, he quickly developed a passion for martial arts, attracting other young people to train with him.
Hokkaido Settlement and Encounter with Sokaku Takeda
In 1912, Ueshiba led a group of settlers to Hokkaido as part of a government land cultivation initiative. Despite the harsh conditions, he played a key role in developing infrastructure, including a primary school, shopping streets, and residential areas. His leadership earned him the title “King of Shirataki.”
During this time, he also confronted a yakuza gang to rescue mistreated laborers, further cementing his reputation. While on a business trip to Engaru, he met Sokaku Takeda, the master of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu. Deeply impressed, Ueshiba became Takeda’s disciple and later built a dojo in Shirataki, inviting Takeda to teach. By 1915, he had earned a Daito Ryu “secret art” license.
Ueshiba Morihei
the Founder of Aikido
Ueshiba Morihei – The Founder of Aikido
Spiritual Awakening and Oomoto Influence
By 1919, Ueshiba learned that his father was gravely ill. On his way home, he visited Ayabe, Kyoto, where he met Onisaburo Deguchi, the leader of the Oomoto religious movement. Deeply influenced by Deguchi’s teachings on universal love and harmony, he decided to join Oomoto in 1920.
At Deguchi’s encouragement, Ueshiba dedicated himself entirely to martial arts. He founded Ueshiba Juku Dojo at Ayabe and combined physical training with spiritual practice. In 1922, he renamed his martial art “Aiki Bujutsu,”integrating spiritual concepts from Kotodama and the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters).
The Birth of Aikido and Expansion to Tokyo
In 1925, Ueshiba’s martial reputation reached Admiral Isamu Takeshita, leading to a demonstration before Count Gonnohyoe Yamamoto. Impressed by his skill, Yamamoto encouraged him to teach Aikido to Imperial retainers and military officers.
By 1927, he moved to Tokyo, first setting up a temporary dojo in Shiba before completing the Kobukan Dojo (now Aikikai Hombu Dojo) in 1931. Initially, admission was restricted to aristocrats, police officers, and military personnel, requiring applicants to have two guarantors.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Ueshiba trained military officers at the Toyama Army School, Nakano School, and the Naval Academy. Meanwhile, Aikido continued to spread through the Dainihon Budo Sen’yokai, an organization that grew to 129 branches and over 2,400 members.
Iwama Retreat and the Spiritual Evolution of Aikido
In 1935, anticipating the destruction of war, Ueshiba purchased land in Iwama, Ibaraki Prefecture, with the goal of creating a self-sufficient lifestyle that combined martial arts and agriculture.
By 1942, he entrusted the Tokyo dojo to his son, Ueshiba Kisshomaru, and withdrew to Iwama. Here, he focused on deepening the philosophical and spiritual foundations of Aikido. Meanwhile, Kobukai (the predecessor of Aikikai)was officially recognized as a juridical foundation by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Legacy and Impact
Ueshiba Morihei’s journey—from a frail child in Tanabe to a martial arts visionary—was shaped by his physical discipline, spiritual enlightenment, and deep sense of responsibility toward humanity. His teachings evolved into Aikido, a martial art that emphasizes harmony, non-resistance, and the unity of body, mind, and spirit.
Today, Aikido is practiced by millions worldwide, carrying forward Ueshiba’s vision of martial arts as a path to peace and self-improvement.
Ueshiba Kisshomaru
the Second Doshu
Hope of ‘Making Aikido Accessible to the General Public’
Ueshiba Kisshomaru’s vision and perseverance transformed Aikido from an exclusive martial art into a globally practiced discipline. His principle of “making Aikido accessible to the general public” remains the foundation of its modern development.
The Founder and Kisshomaru, the second Doshu in front of the Hombu Dojo in the mid 30s of the Showa era.
The Role of Ueshiba Kisshomaru in the Expansion of Aikido
Looking back at the history of Aikido, we always return to the undeniable influence of Ueshiba Morihei, the martial arts genius from whom everything began. However, the Founder originally taught what was then called “aiki-budo” only to a select group—soldiers, aristocrats, and reputable businessmen—to prevent its misuse.
The spread of Aikido, however, was made possible by those who recognized its deeper value. Among them were Admiral Isamu Takeshita, who invited the Founder to Tokyo; Kozaburo Okada, who introduced his budo to businessmen and financiers; Kin’ya Fujita, who strongly advocated for the establishment of a juridical foundation; and Teruzo Miyasaka, who provided financial support.
Amid these efforts, Ueshiba Kisshomaru, the Second Doshu, played a crucial role in structuring the organization to make Aikido accessible to the general public. Thanks to his keen insight and unwavering dedication, Aikido has grown into a globally practiced martial art.
Rebuilding Aikido in Postwar Japan
In 1942, ‘aiki-budo’ was officially renamed ‘aikido’, and that same year, Ueshiba Kisshomaru, at just 21 years old, became Director of the Hombu Dojo under the Kobukai Foundation while still an undergraduate at Waseda University. The Founder reportedly told him,
“You take care of social activities; I’ll spend the rest of my life practicing Aikido.”
At this time, the Pacific War had already begun, and Japan was entering a period of great turmoil.
On August 15, 1945, the war ended. The Founder’s directive to “defend the dojo to the death” was strictly followed, and the Hombu Dojo survived the intense air raids that devastated much of Tokyo. The dojo became a shelter for war victims, at times housing over a hundred people. Some of these individuals remained even after Kisshomaru’s son was born, with two families still living there until he was five years old.
Despite the dojo’s survival, the sight of Japan’s burned-out ruins left a lasting impact on Kisshomaru. Listening to Emperor Showa’s announcement of Japan’s surrender, he later recalled how he and a friend fell prostrate before the Imperial Palace, shedding bitter tears. Many of his friends had perished as student soldiers on the front lines.
For the rest of his life, each time he passed Yasukuni Shrine on the way to Nippon Budokan, he would bow silently in remembrance. His profound grief and deep respect for the fallen strengthened his determination to spread his father’s art. He believed that Aikido could restore the spirit of the Japanese people and serve as something that could be shared even with the victorious nations.
Aikido’s Transition and the Impact of War
In 1947, amid Japan’s postwar confusion, Kisshomaru reorganized the Kobukai Foundation into the Aikikai Foundation, now based at Aiki-en in Iwama. He submitted a request to the Ministry of Education to revise the foundation’s articles of association.
In February 1948, the ministry granted its approval. Ueshiba Morihei was officially designated First Doshu of Aikido, while Ueshiba Kisshomaru became Director of the Hombu Dojo. From that moment, Kisshomaru devoted himself to the promotion of Aikido.
In 1949, he resumed regular training, and by 1951, he moved the Hombu Dojo from Iwama back to Tokyo.
Ueshiba Kisshomaru
the Second Doshu
Hope of ‘Making Aikido Accessible to the General Public’
Ueshiba Kisshomaru, the Second Doshu in 1958.
A Lasting Legacy
Kisshomaru’s dedication transformed Aikido from an exclusive martial art into one that could be practiced by people from all walks of life. His belief in making Aikido accessible became a guiding principle that continues to shape its global growth today.
Thanks to his efforts, Aikido is now recognized worldwide as a path to self-improvement, harmony, and peace, staying true to the values he tirelessly worked to uphold.
Challenges and Growth
His approach was not without controversy. Even a senior Aikikai master reportedly suggested that sending instructors to non-profit university clubs was a mistake. Despite such concerns, Kisshomaru never wavered in his commitment to the policy.
Over time, Aikido’s growth proved him right. Many prewar disciples of the Founder resumed training and established local dojos, which later became affiliated branches of Aikikai. Meanwhile, students from university clubs went on to form Aikido clubs for working professionals.
The idea of promoting Aikido in cultural education centers was initially dismissed. However, through Kisshomaru’s patience and perseverance, it eventually became another successful avenue for Aikido’s expansion.
The Philosophy of Making Aikido Accessible
At the heart of Kisshomaru’s vision was the belief that:
“Budo is of little value in the modern world unless it can be practiced by anyone, regardless of age, and is connected to our daily lives.”
This philosophy became the foundation for Aikido’s postwar expansion. To make this a reality, he focused on initiatives such as:
- Sending instructors to university clubs and international dojos
- Organizing public demonstrations
- Opening Aikido classes at cultural education centers
- Publishing books on Aikido
From a financial standpoint, it would have been far more profitable to teach only executives and professionals. However, unlike his father—who had limited Aikido’s access to a select few before the war—Kisshomaru chose to prioritize university student clubs.
He believed that young practitioners would continue training after graduation, eventually becoming influential figures in society and strengthening Aikido’s foundation.
At the time, Japanese universities were few in number but provided rich academic and cultural experiences, producing future leaders. Kisshomaru wanted Aikido to take root among this new generation.
Ueshiba Moriteru
the Third Doshu
‘A Member of the Ueshiba Family Should Take Charge of
Training at the Hombu Dojo Once a Day’
Doshu demonstrates the Shiho-nage technique.
Succession of Ueshiba Moriteru as Doshu
Ueshiba Moriteru succeeded as Doshu in 1999, following the passing of his father, Ueshiba Kisshomaru, the Second Doshu. His transition to leadership was the result of years of preparation under his father’s guidance, ensuring a smooth continuation of Aikido’s development.
Ueshiba Kisshomaru played a crucial role in modernizing and expanding Aikido globally. However, in his later years, his health declined, leading to multiple hospitalizations between 1997 and 1998. Despite his illness, he remained committed to his responsibilities, continuing to oversee Aikido-related activities. He passed away on January 4, 1999, at the age of 77.
At the time of succession, Ueshiba Moriteru was 47 years old, the same age at which his father had inherited the role from the Founder, Ueshiba Morihei. Having worked closely with Ueshiba Kisshomaru in managing the Aikikai Foundation, Ueshiba Moriteru was well-prepared to assume leadership. His succession marked the continuation of Aikido’s legacy, with a focus on preserving its principles while further promoting its growth worldwide.
As Doshu, Ueshiba Moriteru has emphasized the importance of Hombu Dojo training as the foundation of Aikido practice. His role also includes overseeing the Aikikai Foundation, guiding Aikido practitioners globally, and maintaining the art’s traditions. The responsibility of leadership is expected to continue with the next generation, as his son, Ueshiba Mitsuteru, currently serves as Hombu Dojo Director.
Under Ueshiba Moriteru’s leadership, Aikido has continued to develop as a global martial art while staying true to the teachings of his predecessors.
Source: Aikido – The Contemporary Martial Art of Harmony by Ueshiba Moriteru.
