Aikido Origins

Aikido is a Japanese martial art created by Morihei Ueshiba Sensei (often referred to as 'O Sensei' by Aikido practitioners) in the early 1930s. Before creating Aikido, the founder practiced many different martial arts, mastering several armed and unarmed disciplines. In 1915, he became a student of Sokaku Takeda, leader of Daito Ryu Aiki-jujutsu, which became the main influence for Aikido's unarmed style. A few years later, Ueshiba met Onisaburo Deguchi, who became Ueshiba's spiritual mentor. 

 

These influences with the addition of Kenjutsu (sword) and Jojutsu (staff) techniques, formed the basis of Aikido which the founder also called 'takemusu aiki'. Morihei Ueshiba opened a dojo in Tokyo in 1931 and in 1940 his organisation, the Aikikai Foundation, was officially approved by the Japanese government. Today, the foundation is led by his grandson Moriteru Ueshiba, whose title is 'Doshu'. The Aikikai Foundation approves and issues Agatsu Aikido Club with all of our grades.

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