About Aikido
Morihei Ueshiba, Osensei of Aikido.
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art, developed by Morihei Ueshiba, as a means of defending one's self without injuring an attacker. Aikido techniques generally involve irimi (entering) and tenkan (turning) movements which redirect a partner's momentum, rather than clash as an opponent.
Moriteru Ueshiba (right), current Doshu of Aikido.
Ueshiba is regarded as the Osensei (Great Leader) of Aikido. In 1940 he founded the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, which is now directed by his grandson, Moriteru Ueshiba, the current Doshu (Master of the Way) of Aikido.
“The foundation of AIKI is love. It is the embodying spirit of the heaven and earth in one’s heart, and the maintaining the great spirit of loving embrace for all, in order to fulfill one’s mission, that ought to be the way of the martial art.
AIKI is to win over the self. This does not mean to forfeit the will to fight in the face of the enemy, but to gain absolute self-completion through the removal of all enemies. This is the Way of AIKI.
Furthermore, AIKI is a martial technique in which the law of the universe is taken into the body, in order to attain the higher realm by uniting one’s soul and body. This is the process of the Way of AIKI.”
