The Art of Aikido

Unlike other martial arts, which focus on fighting and breaking bones, aikido is based not on attack, but rather harmoniously subduing an opponent. This is accomplished by blending with the energy of the attacker through circular movements. This is referred to as aikido ki ( ). The study of aikido incorporates both physical and mental training.

Aikido was first brought to the West in 1951 by Minoru Mochizuki. He toured the United States extensively demonstrating aikido. His visit was a pivotal point in the development of aikido.

Although he had a reputation as being virtually unbeatable, O Sensei was deeply troubled by the conflict that arose between his martial skills and his spiritual training. He came to believe that winning at someone else’s expense was not really winning, and spent long hours in meditation searching for a way of resolving conflict through cooperation rather than destruction.

O Sensei’s search led to the discovery of movements within the Japanese martial arts that could be used to subdue an opponent without hurting him. These techniques were then combined with the spiritual concept of katsujinken / satsujinken – the unification of all humanity in a single heavenly kingdom on earth – to create aikido.

Ultimately, O Sensei’s students took this art worldwide. One such student was Kisshomaru Ueshiba, who is known as the second Doshu. He sent aikido teachers to the world to establish dojo and teach his style of aikido. Despite its initial obscurity, aikido is now practiced all over the world by people of diverse backgrounds.