Aikido - A History
Morihei Ueshiba O'Sensei
Aikido is a Japanese Martial Art founded in the early 1900s by Morihei Ueshiba (O'Sensei).
The ultimate aim of Aikido is Love and Harmony. To defend yourself without harming your attacker and to use their attack and energy against themselves. Even so you must always remember that Aikido is a true Budo (Martial Art) and is capable of inflicting severe damage or even death.
Aikdo has three fundamental forms, Ken (Sword), Jo (Staff) and Tai Jutsu (Empty hand). The founder stated that the study of all three together is Aikido. All three forms follow the same three principles of Hanmi (posture), Awase (blending) and Kokyu (breath power).
Morihiro Saito Sensei was one of the closest students to the founder and studied under him for twenty four years. Saito Sensei's expertise in weapons, tai-jutsu and his way of emphasising the relationship between these forms, soon had students from all over Japan and the rest of the world arriving in Iwama to study with him. This was the beginning of the Aikido style called Iwama Ryu. Due to Saito Sensei's never ending dedication to preserving the founders Aikido, he travelled the world teaching and helped many people see the true meaning of Aikido. Saito Sensei continued to study and teach until his passing on May 12th 2002.
