The Founder of Aikido Morihei Ueshiba Sensei

■About Manseikan Aikido The art of Aikido is the creation of its founder, Morihei Ueshiba, who passed away on April 26, 1969 at 86 years of age. Ueshiba Sensei was born in the city of Tanabe in Wakayama Prefecture. From a young age, the founder studied a variety of classical Japanese martial traditions, including empty-handed and weapons-based systems among them the study of the sword, the spear, and the staff. Along with mastering the esoteric principles of the Japanese martial arts, the founder deeply applied himself to the study of the spirit engaging in the study of philosophy and religion. The present art of Aikido is a culmination of the founder's many years of study and training in both the physical and the spiritual realms. In describing the heart or spirit of Aikido the Founder said, "Aiki is love. It is the path that brings our hearts into oneness with the spirit of the universe to complete our mission in life by instilling in us a love and reverence for all of nature. Aiki overcomes self. It not only takes hostility from our hearts but in making those who appear as enemies, enemies no more, it leads to absolute perfection of self. This martial art, therefore, is the supreme way and call to unite our body and spirit under the laws of the universe." The Biography of the Founder of Aikido To learn more about the art of Aikido and the life of the Founder Morihei Ueshiba please read Bu no Shinjin published by Tama Publishing (currently only available in Japanese.)