AIKIDO
Fundamentals
What is Aikido?
Ueshiba Morihei
(植芝 盛平, 1883 – 1969)
Founder of Aikido
Introducing
AIKIDO
The Way of Harmony and Strength
Aikido is not just about defeating an opponent—it is about mastering oneself. It is a martial art that teaches harmonization rather than confrontation, transforming force into fluid movement rather than meeting aggression with resistance.
While it is true that Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), the founder of Aikido, studied various martial arts—including Yagyu Ryu, Shinyo Ryu, Kito Ryu, Daito Ryu, and Shinkage Ryu—Aikido is far more than a simple combination of these styles.
Ueshiba himself made this clear:
“Heretofore, I studied many kinds of martial art systems, but Aikido is not a composite of those arts. All Aiki techniques are a function of Ki.”
Aikido is often mistaken for Daito Ryu Aikijutsu, as Ueshiba was once a disciple of Sokaku Takeda (1859-1943), the Grandmaster of Daito Ryu. However, when asked whether Aikido was simply a continuation of Daito Ryu, Ueshiba responded:
“No. It is more accurate to say that Master Sokaku opened my eyes to the true nature of Budo.”
Unlike martial arts that emphasize combat and victory, Aikido embodies the principles of fluidity, balance, and non-resistance. It is more than just self-defense—it is a lifelong path of self-refinement, where strength comes from harmony, not dominance.
合 気 道
The Founder teaching his pupil at Ueshiba school in Ayabe circa 1920.
Source: Aikido – The Contemporary Martial Art of Harmony by Ueshiba Moriteru.
Aikido’s Place in Martial Arts History
Traditional Japanese martial arts hold immense cultural and historical value. However, after the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Japan underwent rapid Westernization, which threatened these traditions.
Jigoro Kano (1860-1938), the founder of Judo, saw the importance of preserving martial arts. He struggled to find authentic masters since many had disappeared. With perseverance, he established Kodokan Judo in 1882 as a modernized system to preserve Japan’s martial traditions.
However, Ueshiba Morihei followed a different path. While Kano introduced competition into Judo, Ueshiba rejected competition altogether. This has led some to question:
“Aikido is not really a martial art, is it?”
Some misunderstand Aikido as a mere health exercise, a dance, or even “martial mesmerism.” But Aikido is true Budo – a refined martial art blending traditional techniques with a profound spiritual philosophy.
Source: Traditional Aikido by Morihiro Saito.
Aikido in Action: The Mongolia Incident
In 1924, Morihei Ueshiba accompanied Onisaburo Deguchi (1871-1947), a leader of the Omoto-kyo religious sect, on a mission to Mongolia.
While traveling through the mountains, they were ambushed by bandits who fired upon them from all directions.
At first, Ueshiba believed there was no escape. Then, suddenly, a profound calm overcame him. He could sense the bullets’ trajectories before they reached him. Moving instinctively, he avoided every shot. The entire group escaped unharmed.
Later, Ueshiba described this experience as sumikiri, the ultimate stillness within movement. This was the moment he realized:
“True Budo is not about destruction—it is about harmony and awakening.”
This remarkable episode demonstrates that such heightened awareness is not supernatural but the result of years of training, discipline, and unity between mind and body.
The Founder and Ueshiba Kisshomaru in prayer preparing to perform misogi in a waterfall.
Source: Best Aikido – The Fundamentals by Ueshiba Moriteru.
The Way of Harmony and Strength
Aikido is more than just a martial art—it is a way of life. Through training, practitioners cultivate:
- Physical strength and flexibility
- Mental clarity and emotional balance
- Self-defense skills rooted in awareness and adaptability
- A lifelong path of personal growth and harmony.
Ueshiba Morihei often said:
“Aikido is not for fighting. It is a path that unites people, bringing them together in harmony and love.”
Whether you seek self-defense, self-improvement, or a deeper connection to Japanese martial arts, Aikido offers a timeless path to inner strength and peace.
