Aikido

Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art, developed during the 1920s and 1930s by Morihei Ueshiba, following his martial arts studies, philosophy and beliefs. The word aikido comes from Japanese and means 'The path of unifying life energy'. About 40 years ago the name of this highly specific martial art was known only to a handful of people. In our days over 700000 people practice aikido in Japan alone, and over a million worldwide.

Basically, aikido can be described as an art, delivering throws and locks in order to subdue an opponent, using his own momentum. As most modern Japanese martial arts, aikido was developed during the 20th century, but its roots follow back to ancient times, and it's complicated philosophical basis originates form Buddhism and Shintoism.

Morihei Ueshiba (1883 – 1969) was a heir to an old samurai family. After the reforms in Japanese society, his father, a professional martial arts teacher lost his place in the court and opened his own dojo. When he was 13, Ueshiba began to train jujutsu under the supervision of Tozawa Tokusaburo. But he wasn't satisfied with jujutsu alone and began traveling from dojo to dojo throughout Japan, seeking knowledge. The most influential school for the development of aikido was Daito-ryu. After returning to the Japanese mainland in order to take care of his sick father, Ueshiba met Onisaburo Deguchi, leader of a new religious sect, called Omoto-kyo. Joining the sect had an undeniable influence over the philosophy of aikido.