What is Aikido?
By Second Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba and Third Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba [Editor’s Note: This discussion appears in the Best Aikido: The Fundamentals . We thank Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba for giving us permission to reprint it. Photos courtesy Aikikai Foundation.] Those who are not well informed about the true character of Aikido consider it to be nothing more than one of the old-fashioned martial arts. It is true that Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), the Founder of Aikido, studied many different kinds of traditional martial arts, and used that experience to formulate the techniques of Aikido. However, Aikido is far more than a composite of various martial arts. The Founder made that very clear: “Heretofore, I studied many kinds of martial art systems — Yagyu Ryu, Shinyo Ryu, Kito Ryu, Daito Ryu, Shinkage Ryu, and so on — but Aikido is not a composite of those arts. All Aiki techniques are a function of ki.” Nevertheless, Aikido and Daito Ryu Aikijutsu are often confused even in Japanese referenc
Aikido is a powerful martial art developed throughout the mid 20th century by a Japanese named Morihei Ueshiba. Aikido differs from most other martial arts in that the practitioner seeks to achieve self-defense without injury to attackers. Furthermore, there are no competitions or tournaments in Aikido. Therefore, Aikido is non-competitive.
Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed in the early 1900s by Morihei Ueshiba. Ueshiba was a master swordsman and expert at jujitsu and other martial arts. Ueshiba combined the body movements of the sword with the locks and throws of jujitsu to create aikido. Aikido was designed for defense only; there is no sparring or competition in aikido.
On a purely physical level Aikido is a Japanese martial art that includes techniques for bare-handed wrestling, using weapons, and dealing with an armed enemy. It does not focus on punching or kicking opponents, but rather on using their own energy to gain control of them or to throw them away from you. It is not a static art, but places great emphasis on motion and the dynamics of movement. Philosophically speaking, it is a way of life and of being in harmony with others. Although the idea of a martial discipline striving for harmony may seem paradoxical, it is the most basic tenet of the art. At its core there are at least two fundamental teachings: a commitment to peaceful resolution of conflict whenever possible and a commitment to self-improvement.
Aikido is a Martial art that emphasizes blending with the attacker, rather than confronting the attacker with hard techniques such as punches and kicks. It was created in Japan by a man named Morihei Ueshiba (often referred to as “O’ Sensei”). Before creating Aikido, Ueshiba trained extensively in several varieties of jujitsu, as well as sword and spear fighting. Aikido is not primarily a system of combat, but rather a means of self-cultivation and improvement. Aikido has no tournaments, competitions, contests, or “sparring.” Instead, all aikido techniques are learned cooperatively at a pace commensurate with the abilities of each trainee. According to the founder, the goal of aikido is not the defeat of others, but the defeat of the negative characteristics which inhabit one’s own mind and inhibit its functioning. Each technique is first demonstrated by the instructor. The students then pair off and practice the technique, switching off who is the attacker. In this way we learn how to
