Aikido is a Japanese Martial Art developed by O'Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying (with) life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." O'Sensei's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury

Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. This requires very little physical energy, as the Aikidoka (Aikido practitioner) "leads" the attacker's momentum using entering and turning movements. The techniques are completed with various throws, joint locks and immobilisations

Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu, but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s, partly due to O' Sensei's involvement with the Omoto-kyo religion. O'Sensei's early student's documents bear the term Aiki-jujutsu. Many of O'Sensei's senior students have different approaches to Aikido, depending on when they studied with him. Today, Aikido is found all over the world in a number of styles, with broad ranges of interpretation and emphasis. However, they all share techniques learned from O'Sensei and most have concern for the well-being of the attacker

The word "Aikido" is formed of three Japanese Kanji Characters as follows:

Ai - joining, harmonizing

Ki - spirit, life energy

Do - way, path

Photo of: O'Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba; Founder of Aikido

Aikido was created by O'Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba (Ueshiba Morihei, 14 December 1883–26 April 1969). O'Sensei envisioned Aikido not only as the synthesis of his martial training, but also as an expression of his personal philosophy of universal peace and reconciliation. During his lifetime Aikido has evolved from O'Sensei's study of Koryu (old-style martial arts) and Aikido continues to evolve today

Photo of: Takeda Sokaku, reviver of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu

O'Sensei developed Aikido primarily during the late 1920s through the 1930s through the synthesis of the older martial arts that he had studied. The core martial art from which Aikido derives is Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu, which O'Sensei studied directly with Takeda Sokaku, the reviver of that art. Additionally, O'Sensei is known to have studied Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu with Tozawa Tokusaburo in Tokyo, Japan in 1901, Gotoha Yagyu Shingan-ryu under Nakai Masakatsu in Sakai, Japan from 1903 to 1908 and Judo with Kiyoichi Takagi (Takagi Kiyoichi, 1894–1972) in Tanabe, Japan in 1911

The art of Daito-ryu is the primary technical influence on Aikido. Along with empty-handed throwing, joint-locking techniques and immobilisation techniques, O'Sensei incorporated training movements with weapons, such as those for the spear (yan), short staff (jo), and perhaps the Bayonet (juken). However, Aikido derives much of its technical structure from the art of swordsmanship (Kenjutsu)

Ueshiba moved to Hokkaido, Japan in 1912, and began studying under Takeda Sokaku in 1915. His official association with Daito-ryu continued until 1937. However, during the latter part of that period, Ueshiba had already begun to distance himself from Takeda Sokaku and from Daito-ryu. At that time O'Sensei was referring to his martial art as "Aiki Budo". It is unclear exactly when O'Sensei began using the name "Aikido", but it became the official name of the art in 1942 when the Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society (Dai Nippon Butoku Kai) was engaged in a government sponsored reorganisation and centralisation of Japanese martial arts

Photo of: Onisaburo Deguchi, Spiritual Leader of the Omoto-kyo Religion

After O'Sensei left Hokkaido, Japan in 1919, he met and was profoundly influenced by Onisaburo Deguchi, the spiritual leader of the Omoto-kyo religion (a neo-Shinto movement) in Ayabe, Japan. One of the primary features of Omoto-kyo is its emphasis on the attainment of utopia during one's life. This was a great influence on O'Sensei's martial arts philosophy of extending love and compassion especially to those who seek to harm others. Aikido demonstrates this philosophy in its emphasis on mastering martial arts so that one may receive an attack and harmlessly redirect it. In an ideal resolution not only is the receiver unharmed, the attacker is also unharmed

In addition to the effect on his spiritual growth, his connection with Onisaburo Deguchi gave O'Sensei entry to elite political and military circles as a martial artist. As a result of this exposure, he was able to attract not only financial backing, but also gifted students. Several of these students would found their own styles of Aikido

Photos of: Minoru Mochizuki Sensei above left & Kenji Tomiki Sensei above right

Photos of: Koichi Tohei Sensei above left & Masamichi Noro Sensei above right

Aikido was first brought to the West in 1951 by Minoru Mochizuki with a visit to France where he introduced aikido techniques to judo students. He was followed by Tadashi Abe in 1952 who became the official Aikikai Hombu Dojo representative, remaining in France for seven years. Kenji Tomiki toured with a delegation of various martial arts through fifteen continental states of the United States in 1953. Later in that year, Koichi Tohei was sent by Aikikai Hombu Dojo to Hawaii, for a full year, where he set up several Dojo. This was followed up by several further visits and is considered the formal introduction of Aikido to the United States. The United Kingdom followed in 1955; Italy in 1964; Germany and Australia in 1965. Designated "Official Delegate for Europe and Africa" by O’Sensei, Masamichi Noro arrived in France in September 1961. Today there is Aikido Dojo available throughout the world

Photos of: Aikido Hombu Dojo, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan & Shioda Gozo Sensei 

Founder of Yoshinkan Aikido

The biggest Aikido organisation is the Aikikai Foundation Tokyo which remains under the control of the Ueshiba family. However, Aikido has many styles, mostly formed by O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba's major students

The earliest independent styles to emerge were Yoseikan Aikido, begun by Minoru Mochizuki in 1931, Yoshinkan Aikido founded by Gozo Shioda in 1955, and Shodokan Aikido, founded by Kenji Tomiki in 1967. The emergence of these styles pre-dated O'Sensei's death and did not cause any major upheavals when they were formalised. Shodokan Aikido, however, was controversial, since it introduced a unique rule-based competition that some felt was contrary to the spirit of Aikido

After O'Sensei's death in 1969, two more major styles emerged. Significant controversy arose with the departure of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo's chief instructor Koichi Tohei, in 1974. Tohei left as a result of a disagreement with the son of the founder, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, who at that time headed the Aikikai Foundation Tokyo. The disagreement was over the proper role of ki development in regular aikido training. After Tohei left, he formed his own style, called Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, and the organization which governs it, the Ki Society (Ki no Kenkyukai)

Photos of: Morihiro Saito Sensei and the Iwama Dojo in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

A final major style evolved from O'Sensei's retirement in Iwama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, and the teaching methodology of long term student Morihiro Saito. It is unofficially referred to as the "Iwama style", and at one point a number of its followers formed a loose network of schools they called Iwama Ryu. Although Iwama style practitioners remained part of the Aikikai until Saito Sensei's death in 2002, followers of Saito Sensei subsequently split into two groups; one remaining with the Aikikai and the other forming the independent organization the Shin Shin Aikishuren Kai, in 2004 around Saito's son Hitohiro Saito Sensei

Today, the major styles of Aikido are each run by a separate governing organization, have their own headquarters (honbu dojo) in Japan, and have an international breadth

Photo of O’Sensei

Was born on 14th, December 1883 in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. In 1912 he moved to Hokkaido Prefecture and met Takeda Sokaku from whom he trained in Daito-ryu Aiki-Jujitsu. In 1919 in Ayabe, Kyoto he met O'Deguchi of the Omoto Sect. In 1927 he moved to Tokyo with his family and he began teaching the Way of Aiki. In 1960 he received the Shiju Hosho Medal from the Japanese Government. On 26th, April 1969 at the age of 86 O'Sensei sadly passed away

Photo of last Doshu - O’Sensei’ son

Was born on 27th, June 1921 in Ayabe, Kyoto. In 1946 he graduated from Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science. In 1956 he gave his first Aikido demonstration and started to teach to the public. In 1957 he published the first Aikido text book. In 1969 following the passing of his father he assumed the title of Aikido Doshu. In 1995 he received the Zui Hosho Medal from the Japanese Government. On the 04th, January 1999 at the age of 77 he sadly passed away.

Photo of Doshu - O’Sensei’ grandson

Was born in Tokyo on the 02nd, April 1951. In 1976 he graduated from Meiji Gakuin University from the faculty of Economics. In 1996 he became General Director of Aikikai Headquarters, Hombu Dojo, Sinjuku, Tokyo. In 1999 following the passing of his father he assumed the title of Aikido Doshu