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Morihei Ueshiba’s Path from Kenjutsu to Aiki-Ken (Part I)
The origin of Aiki-ken can be traced back to Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, and his study of various martial arts styles throughout his life. Some of the major ken-related arts that Ueshiba had exposure to include Yagyu Shinkage Ryu 柳生新陰流, Yagyu Shingan Ryu 柳生心眼流, Daito Ryu 大東流, and Kashima Shinto Ryu 鹿島新当流. In 1902, when Ueshiba was 19, he moved to Tokyo to start a stationery business but returned to Tanabe in less than a year due to a health problem. It was during this short period of time that he trained in Yagyu Shinkage Ryu, but it is unclear who his teacher was. Yagyu Shinkage Ryu was…
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Ueshiba’s Jo in Aikido: Unification of Martial and Spiritual Principles
The history of the jo 杖 in Aikido can be traced back to the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, who was known for his extensive martial arts training, including the art of the jo. The origins of the jo in Japanese martial arts can be traced back even further, to the 17th century, when Muso Gonnosuke 夢想權之助, a samurai who was defeated in a duel with the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi 宮本武蔵, developed a new form of martial art that focused on the use of a short staff, which he called Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu 神道夢想流杖術. Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu 神道夢想流杖術 Over time, jojutsu was also incorporated into other martial…
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A Very Brief Biography of the Founder
Morihei Ueshiba 植芝 盛平, known as O-Sensei (Great Teacher 大先生) by his followers, is the founder of Aikido. He lived during a time of great social, political, and economic upheaval in Japan. Born in 1883 in Wakayama Prefecture 和歌山県, Ueshiba grew up in a country that was rapidly modernizing and westernizing, as the government implemented policies to modernize the country’s economy, education system, and military. As a young man, Ueshiba trained in a range of martial arts, including Jukenjutsu 銃剣術, Kenjutsu 剣術, Jujutsu 柔術 and Judo 柔道. He also served in the military during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, where he saw firsthand the devastating effects of violence and war.…
