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INTRODUCTION

Aikido is a uniquely beautiful martial art. It is also deceptively powerful, effective, and efficient. In the hands of a master, a smaller person can use the power and momentum of a larger attacker to throw or control that person with little, or no, effort. While aikido may look easy, it is very hard to master; training takes time and discipline. However, as the advanced practitioner finds, aikido benefits all aspects of life—physical and emotional, mental and social, and spiritual.

THE FOUNDER: O'SENSEI MORIHEI UESHIBA (1883-1969)

The art of aikido was developed by O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba and can be looked at as an expression of his personal life and his struggle with the opposing beliefs and disciplines of the martial way of the warrior and the spiritual pursuit of peace and harmony.

Born a sick and weak child on December 14, 1883 in Tanabe, Kishu (Wakayama Prefecture) Japan, young Morihei Ueshiba faced many hardships. He attempted to overcome his physical hardships by studying very hard to develop his intellect and mental capabilities. Besides reading religious classics, he liked physics and mathematics. His mother considered having him enter the priesthood, but his father opposed that idea. His father preferred an education in strength and sumo competition.