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Aikido (合氣道) literally "way of harmony of ki", is a modern Japanese martial art. It
was developed by Morihei Ueshiba over the period of the 1930s to the 1960s.
Ueshiba is also known by practitioners of aikido as O-sensei or "Great Teacher".
Technically, the major parts of aikido are derived from Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, a
form of jujutsu with many joint techniques, and kenjutsu, or Japanese sword
technique (some believe the tactics in aikido are especially influenced by Yagyū
Shinkage-ryū). Aikido contains a very significant spiritual component which is the
result of Osensei's interaction with the Oomoto-kyo religion, as well as Shinto and
Buddhism.
The Spirit of Aikido
Aikido was born out of three Enlightenment experiences of Osensei. One
occured in 1925, after Osensei had defeated a high-ranking swordsman's vicious
attacks, unarmed and without hurting him. Ueshiba then went into his garden and
Suddenly, the earth shook. Golden vapor welled up from the ground and
engulfed me. I felt transformed into a golden image, and my body seemed as
light as a feather. All at once I understood the nature of creation: the Way of a
Warrior is to manifest Divine Love, a spirit that embraces and nurtures all things.
His second experience occurred in 1940 when,
Around 2 o'clock in the morning as I was performing ritual purification, I suddenly
forgot every martial art technique I had ever learned. All of the techniques
handed down from my teachers appeared completely anew. Now they were
vehicles for the cultivation of life, knowledge, virtue, and good sense, not devices
to throw and pin people.
His third occurred in 1942 during the most grim period of WWII, Ueshiba had a
vision of the "Great Spirit of Peace"
The Way of the Warrior has been misunderstood as a means to kill and destroy
others. Those who seek competition are making a grave mistake. To smash,
injure, or destroy is the worst sin a human being can commit. The real Way of a
Warrior is to prevent slaughter - it is the Art of Peace, the power of love.
was developed by Morihei Ueshiba over the period of the 1930s to the 1960s.
Ueshiba is also known by practitioners of aikido as O-sensei or "Great Teacher".
Technically, the major parts of aikido are derived from Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, a
form of jujutsu with many joint techniques, and kenjutsu, or Japanese sword
technique (some believe the tactics in aikido are especially influenced by Yagyū
Shinkage-ryū). Aikido contains a very significant spiritual component which is the
result of Osensei's interaction with the Oomoto-kyo religion, as well as Shinto and
Buddhism.
The Spirit of Aikido
Aikido was born out of three Enlightenment experiences of Osensei. One
occured in 1925, after Osensei had defeated a high-ranking swordsman's vicious
attacks, unarmed and without hurting him. Ueshiba then went into his garden and
Suddenly, the earth shook. Golden vapor welled up from the ground and
engulfed me. I felt transformed into a golden image, and my body seemed as
light as a feather. All at once I understood the nature of creation: the Way of a
Warrior is to manifest Divine Love, a spirit that embraces and nurtures all things.
His second experience occurred in 1940 when,
Around 2 o'clock in the morning as I was performing ritual purification, I suddenly
forgot every martial art technique I had ever learned. All of the techniques
handed down from my teachers appeared completely anew. Now they were
vehicles for the cultivation of life, knowledge, virtue, and good sense, not devices
to throw and pin people.
His third occurred in 1942 during the most grim period of WWII, Ueshiba had a
vision of the "Great Spirit of Peace"
The Way of the Warrior has been misunderstood as a means to kill and destroy
others. Those who seek competition are making a grave mistake. To smash,
injure, or destroy is the worst sin a human being can commit. The real Way of a
Warrior is to prevent slaughter - it is the Art of Peace, the power of love.
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