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| Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) |
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Aikido is a Japanese martial way created during the first half of the twentieth century by Morihei Ueshiba (1883 – 1969), who aikidoist refer to as O'Sensei (Great Teacher).
Aikido means the Way of Harmony. It is an extremely efficient and effective means of defense as it does not rely on physical strength. Rather, in Aikido, one blends and absorbs – harmonizes – with the force of an attacker and uses the attacker’s energy to neutralize the attack.
O'Sensei, in creating Aikido, combined elements from a number of Japanese martial ways that he had studied. As a result, Aikido training involves taijutsu (empty hand techniques) employing throws, joint locks, pins and strikes; kenjutsu (sword techniques); and jojutsu (staff techniques). The sword, staff and knife defense training in Aikido compliment the empty hand training and employ the same body actions as the empty hand techniques; a unique feature of the art.
Since Aikido is not a sport and involves no competition, it allows individuals to practice at their own level of ability and progress at their own pace. It is actively practiced by members of both sexes and by individuals of all ages.
Aikido is also unique as a martial art, as O'Sensei envisioned Aikido to be a moral discipline for personal development, and an effective means of self-defense. His goal was to create a martial art that would allow practitioners to develop physically and ethically, bringing balance to their lives. While O'Sensei's vision of Aikido being a martial discipline that develops peace and harmony while retaining combative effectiveness may seem to be a paradox, this is the ultimate purpose of his art.
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