Birth of Aikido
Preceding Arts

The Founder's love for budo was so strong that in his young days he never failed to visit or invite any man of budo who came to his home province and ask them for instruction. His pilgrimages to various traditions of martial arts originated from his driving hunger to know. The first teacher that the Founder studied under in his teens was Toku Saburo Tozawa of Kito Ryu Jujutsu. The next was Masakatsu Nakai of the Goto-Ha Yagyu Ryu of Jujutsu who lived in Sakai City at that time. The Founder has said that vestiges of this study are utilized in Aikido hand motion and footwork. He was about twenty when he studied under Nakai. When he joined the 61st Regiment of the Japanese Army in 1903, his study stopped for a while. He returned from Manchuria after the Russo-Japanese War and was stationed at Hamadera. He again visited Nakai to study during his free time. Nakai was a descendant of the Yagyu family, famous for its sword tradition, and is said to have been a toughly built man, although he was only a little over five feet tall. He was also a man of fine warrior spirit. The Founder obtained a certificate from this ryu in July, 1908. The Founder later obtained a certificate from Sokaku Takeda of the Daito Ryu of Jujutsu in May, 1916. This period of study had a deep relationship with the birth of Aikido, as will be explained later. Then in 1924 or 1925 the Founder was absorbed in the study of the spear. The author, as a child, felt like crying when he saw his father taking such great pains in his study. He was probing innumerable body changes and motions. It is clear that this became the basis of his movements in using a club, stick, or staff, and also of Aikido ENTERING (IRIMI). The Founder thoroughly studied old Jujutsu, particularly intense ly during the period from 1910 to 1925. Had he stayed in any one "ryu" or tradition, Aikido would not have been born, because while Aikido makes use of elements of the old traditions, it is a dynamic part of modern society.

The Founders Eighty Six Years of Study

The First Gleam of Budo in a Child's Mind. Founder Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Kii Province (now known of study as Wakayama Prefecture), a south-central peninsula of the Japanese main island, in November, 1883. Until he was 14 or 15 years old, the Founder looked quit e weak with his short, thin body, but he was strong and his behavior was quite different from others. He had already had a general interest in budo since he was around ten. When he was just twelve, his father, Yoroku, a member of the local council, was th e main caretaker of the village. The so-called Toughs of the town, the hoods of his father's political opponents, would come to his house to negotiate. Sometimes they would rough up his father quite severely. The Founder said that seeing this happen so frequently seared a deep sentiment into his mind. He swore to become strong no matter what it would take, and throw out his father's attackers. Young Days as a Soldier In 1901 when he was 18, the Founder took the first steps in the direction of achieving hi s driving ambition. He had come to Tokyo because he wanted to be a great merchant. He spent busy days working on a wholesale street, and studied Jujutsu of the Kito Ryu at night. Some- times he went to hear political speeches, as well. However, within a few months he developed heart beriberi and had to return home. On this occasion, he made up his mind to build a strong body and after recovering began walking two and a half miles every day. This continued for ten days then twenty. Eventually he began running. He slowly gained physical strength and became capable of lifting two straw bales of rice, while previously he had not been able to lift even one. By the time he was about twenty he began to look quite different. Although he was still short his body w as much stronger than ordinary people's. But the Founder was not satisfied only to be strong. He went to Sakai to study Yagyu-Ryu Jujutsu. During this time he was involved in fishery and boundary problems of his village, and helped in solving them. Through this work he became well known locally. It was also about this time that he became involved in so many activities that more than once he was a headache for his father. The Founder was full of youthful vigor. He had an unyielding spirit. If others did twice as much as ordinary people, he would do four times. If others carried 80 pounds, he would carry 160 pounds. His quick temper found good opportunities for expression in the rice-cake-making contests of his village. In these contests a large scoop of a special type of cooked rice is placed in a huge stone mortar or bowl. Then a large sledge, something like a wooden mallet with elongated head, is used to pound the cooked rice. An assistant constantly turns the rice over on itself as it is being pounded. Gradually the rice is transformed into a rubber-like substance which is laid out in flat cakes to cool before eating. The weight of the sledge with its awkwardly-shaped elongated head, and the force and frequency of the kneading means that making the cake requires a great deal of strength. In these contests the Founder eagerly matched himself against other strong young men-four, six, then ten. All were defeated. Finally the Founder broke the pounder. He would go to other places to pound rice and again broke many pounders. People eventually had to politely refuse the Founder's offer to help make rice cakes for fear he might break more of them. Instead, they served tea and pastries, in the Japanese way reserved for honored guests, to keep him away from the rice -cake - making area.

When the situation between Russia and Japan became threatening he wanted to become a soldier and joined the Wakayama Regiment. He showed his excellent ability in all stages of physical training, and while only a common-foot soldier, was noticed by the commander of the regiment. He was only 157 cm tall (5'2"), but he had a tank-like structure and weighed more than 81 kilogram (180 lbs). He played second to no one in his troop when it came to heavy gymnastics, running and carrying. As Japan was at war, training was twice as hard as usual. Many soldiers dropped out. The Founder used to march at the head of the troops carrying two or three persons' heavy equipment. He was considered a valuable man in the battle of Manchuria and prevented a crisis among his troops more than a few times. Hence when he was discharged from military service he was requested by his officer-in-charge to volunteer for regular service and enter the military academy. He received several visits from his company commander, battalion' commander, and regimental commander, all trying to persuade him to reenlist.

Although he refused to enter the academy, he did not want to return to an ordinary life. Therefore the vigorous and spirited young man became a community leader in his village of Tanabe and managed the activities of his district. Kiyoichi Takagi, then just a third grade holder in judo, visited the Founder's home town. The Founder put together a group at the Young Men's Club of the town and had Takagi teach. Takagi later became a judo 9th Dan holder. The Founder himself studied judo with great diligence.

But then, perhaps because of the fatigue resulting from his military life, the Founder had to say in bed for about half a year. He suffered from severe headaches and some strange disease. His parents were very worried. Finally, however, he completely recovered. In the spring of 1910, he applied to become a settler in Hokkaido, the northern frontier of Japan at that time. He greatly anticipated the change of air and the opportunity to work in an undeveloped land.

The Founder went to Hokkaido in March of 1911 as leader of a group of pioneers from his area and started developing the land centering around Shirataki, Mombetsu Country, of Kitami Province. Having regained his health and renewed his sp irit, and being in his vigorous thirties, he devoted himself to performing his duties. His physical condition improved greatly. He became a horseback rider and would go back and forth in the mountains and fields on business, occasionally braving storms. I n this way his heavy training also included developing a resistance to severe cold. Being adventurous -in this way, he was elected a member of the council of Kamiyubetsu Village, Shirataki in 1911. He helped and encouraged Mayor Urataro Kaneshige on behalf of the settlers, and was in contact with the Governor's Office of Hokkaido. He organized an association for the realization of the Sekihoku Line, aiming to lay a railroad into the district, and was recommended to preside over the association. His sincere efforts won public approval, and in 1912 the inhabitants of Shirataki (an area about 25 square miles) gave him a full vote of confidence for his activities and respectfully called him the "King of Shirataki."

Caretaker of Settlers

Sokaku Takeda, a master of the Daito Ryu of Jujutsu, was in Hokkaido. At this time the Founder's land development work had made much progress and he had a great desire to study with Takeda.

At the age of 32 he met Master Takeda at the Hotel Hisata in Engaru in 1915 and was told, "You have potential and exceptional ability. So I will teach you." He became a student.

Daito Ryu Jujutsu has a long history, traditionally claiming to have been started by Prince Sadazumi, the sixth prince of Emperor Seiwa of the ninth century, and has been developed and preserved up to the present. Its theory is deep and the number of its techniques is great. Master Sokaku was quite an expert even though he was short; the Founder had great respect for him. Thus after they met he had an unexpected one-month stay at Hotel Hisata to study with Takeda. Later,

In 1916, the Founder invited Takeda to his home, received instruction. and took care of him, including cooking for him and bathing him. The Founder eventually built a new house for his teacher. Takeda was a man of violent spirit and ver y severe with students who were studying under him. This made no difference to the Founder. He forgot his food and sleep, and concentrated all his energy into their study. This fact has a deep relationship with present-day Aikido.

The Founder's study of the Daito Ryu started in 1915. In 1916 he got the precious certificate signifying his having mastered all his studies. Over that period it was less than one hundred days that he actually studied with Takeda person ally. The rest of the time he studied and trained by himself.

For the budo he studied at that time he had to pay the teacher three hundred to five hundred yen for each technique (one yen then being equal to about half a dollar). In addition to that, the Founder had to work hard cutting wood and carrying water for his teacher before receiving the lesson. Thus he spent almost all the capital that he had received from his parents.

Serious Illness of His Father

Late in the spring of 1919 the Founder received a telegram telling him that his father was in serious condition. The Founder gave all his property to his teacher Takeda and left Hokkaido.

In Hokkaido, under the guidance of the Founder, the development of land had progressed well. The village was founded, a school had been constructed, and he had gained social prestige and property. But things such as these did not concer n him. Only his painfully pleasant and fruitful studies were on his mind. Thus the young Founder returned from the north in the same condition he had gone: with no possessions, save a vigorous spirit.

Study at Ayabe

As he rode the train home he happened to hear of the Rev. Wanisaburo Deguchi the leader of the Omotokyo, a new religion: The Founder, desiring to do anything to heal his father, decided at once to change course for Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture, where the Omotokyo headquarters were located, and ask for prayers for the recovery of his father.

Ever since he was a child, the Founder had naturally had an extraordinary interest in the study of spiritual thought and was raised with deep understanding by his parents. When he was seven years old, he studied under Priest Mitsujo Fujimoto of Jizoji Temple, of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism, and at the age of ten he had studied Zen Buddhism at

Homanji Temple in Akitsu Village. Growing older, the Founder's seeking for spiritual food became stronger. He would visit wherever he could and ask for instruction.

The desire for his father's recovery was his main reason for visiting the Rev. Deguchi. However, after having listened to the priest he was struck by his profound insight.

When he arrived at his home in Tanabe, to his sorrow, he learned his father had passed away. Confronted with the death of the person whom he loved most in the world the Founder swore before the grave to break out of his mental deadlock, develop further, and reach for the secret of budo.

After that, the daily life of the Founder changed greatly. At times he stood on the top of a rock in a white robe and made pious prayer; or he would kneel somewhere on the top of a mountain, reciting Shinto prayers continuously. His old friends in his village were amazed at this change and worried that he had become mad. Later in 1919 he was attracted with the memory of Deguchi whom he had previously encountered, and moved to Ayabe with his entire family. He sought a light to brighten h is heart. A house at the foot of the main shrine mountain in Ayabe became his home. There he taught Jujutsu and studied actively under Reverend Deguchi until 1926.

Going to Mongolia with Deguchi

Rev. Deguchi, who advocated a principle of human love and goodness, had an idea to unify the moral world by means of religion. He dreamed of constructing a Peaceful Kingdom in Mongolia with the power of new religions, free from the bond age of old customs, in order to realize the unity and mutual prosperity of the East. Toward this end, Rev. Deguchi had made contact with the Putienchiao religion of Korea and the Taoyiian Hungwantzuhui religion of China. In the early spring of 1924, at an opportune time, he decided to go to Mongolia himself. He .invited Masumi Matsumura and the Founder to the Shounkaku Shrine in Ayabe, outlined his program, and asked them to travel with him. At that time Deguchi had been implicated in the 1921 Omotokyo Scandal (for lack of respect to the Emperor), so his departure was in profound secrecy. Most of his confidants were not told about it. Thus Deguchi's party got on a train at Ayabe at 3:28 a.m. February 13, 1924. The Founder joined the party at Tsuruoka and they departed for Manchuria and Mongolia.

Failure of the Attempt

The tentative aim of this party was to reach Mukden and meet Lu Chan-K'uei, a general of Chang Tso-lin, and then filter into Mongolia with his cooperation.

However, due to the internal problems of China during that time the Deguchi party soon found themselves without help and became wandering fugitives. There were no roads, little food and all they could do was continue to flee from the en emy. During the whole of the five-month trip, the Founder always accompanied Rev. Deguchi and shared his fate. At one point, during a surprise attack by local forces the entire group was captured and robbed of everything they possessed. Even their shoes and clothing were taken. They were put in chains, forced to wear only breech cloths and kept in a prison in Paiyintails for some time. The Founder's manner was somewhat different from the others and his captors immediately sensed he was extraordinary when the group was arrested. Because of this they treated him severally. He was walked in fetters and a pillory. At one point, they were all lead before a firing squad. On the way to the execution ground, the bodies of Lu's forces cluttered the ground, having been shot only moments before. The group did not show fear and strode over the bodies, going calmly to their fate. The Founder, in particular, had an unchanging manner during this critical moment. He was as stable as in his daily life. The others were said to have stared at him in wonder. Fortunately, the intervention of the Japanese consulate at Chenkiatum was able to forestall the sentence and pluck them from the jaws of death. At last, the Japanese government was able to obtain their release and they w ere repatriated. Arriving at Port Moji on July 25, 1925, they were met by a great crowd which welcomed them as if they had been returning generals.

Though they failed in their original plans, the Founder had had an opportunity to put his daily self-discipline to the test.

Having returned to Ayabe, the Founder devoted himself to his previous life of study and concentrated on learning more deeply the secret of budo. The mountains of Ayabe offered an excellent gymnasium for study and practice. The Founder selected a suitable place, hung seven or eight sponge balls in a circle under the trees and with a nine foot practice spear, beautifully thrusted at them in turn. His various skillful movements were engraved on the memories of the students at his side.

At the time of the Founder's return from China, Ayabe was still a lonely country town. Foxes and badgers were seen around his isolated home. Because the facilities of the town were inadequate, the habitants were often asked to donate their labor. As he worked among the laborers the Founder showed his gifted power. Once he pulled out a pine tree which was four or five sun in diameter (about 15 cm or 51/2 in) and relocated a big stone which more than ten laborers could not move. He would often astonish people in this way. He said, "I taught myself that an extraordinary spiritual power of the soul lies within the human body."

Reaching A New Stage

As his study progressed he developed a type of sixth sense with which he could feel the intended movements of his opponent. When he was traveling in Mongolia he was held up at the point of a Mauser pistol. He became aware of the opponent's intention to shoot because of a small "spiritual bullet" which went through him before the opponent actually pulled the trigger. Then with rapid movement he stepped to the opponent's side a split-second before the gun fired, threw him down and gained possession of the weapon. This is a well-known episode among people who are interested in Aikido.

In spring of 1925 a navy officer, a teacher of kendo, visited the Founder and asked to become his student. Then during a conversation, they happened to disagree over a trifle matter. Tempers rose. They agreed to have a match. The office r dashed forward to strike him, swinging his wooden sword. The Founder dodged his sword very easily each time. The officer finally sat down exhausted without having once touched him, The Founder says he felt the opponent's movements before they were actually executed in the same way as during his time in Mongolia. Resting after this match, the Founder went out into the near-by garden in which there was a persimmon tree. As he was wiping off the perspiration from his face, he was greatly overcome with a feeling which he had never experienced previously. He could neither walk nor sit. He was just rooted to the ground in great astonishment.

The Founder Recalls His Experience

I set my mind on budo when I was about 15 and visited teachers of swordsmanship and Jujutsu in various provinces. I mastered the secrets of the old traditions, each within a few months. But there was no one to instruct me in the essence of budo; the only thing that could satisfy my mind. So I knocked on the gates of various religions but I couldn't get any concrete answers.

Then in the spring of 1925, if I remember correctly, when I was taking a walk in the garden by myself, I felt that the universe suddenly quaked, and that a golden spirit sprang up from the ground, veiled my body, and changed my body into a golden one.

At the same time my mind and body became light. I was able to understand the whispering of the birds, and was clearly aware of the mind of God, the Creator of this universe.

At that moment I was enlightened: the source of budo is God's love - the spirit of loving protection for all beings. Endless tears of joy streamed down my cheeks.

Since that time I have grown to feel that the whole earth is my house and the sun, the moon and the stars are all my own things. I had become free from all desire, not only for position, fame and property, but also to be strong. I under stood, "Budo is not felling the opponent by our force; nor is it a tool to lead the world into destruction with arms. True budo is to accept the spirit of the universe, keep the peace of the world, correctly produce, protect and cultivate all beings in Nature." I understood, "The training of budo is to take God's love, which correctly produces, protects and cultivates all things in Nature, and assimilate and utilize it in our own mind and body,

This revelation may have been only a momentary event, but it was the first such experience that he had ever had. It revolutionized the Founder's life and gave birth to Aikido.

From Aiki-Jujutsu to Aikido

Tracing the Founder's eighty-six years of study, we find that he was deeply interested in budo when he was young. He had gifted ability. Then came his pilgrimage throughout the world of Jujutsu beginning in the middle of the Meiji era ( 1868-1912), during which he also devoted himself to the sword and other weapons, and the study of religions. Then, at last, the truth burst upon him.

The budo which he attained through his experience he later named Aikido.

When we look back to the old records and scrolls, in a few cases, we come across words like "a technique of aiki" or "aiki throw." But their explanations are abstract. "Don't be aiki-ed by the opponent." That is, don't drawn into the opponent's 'spirit harmony.' It is quite doubtful that a deeper meaning of the word was understood.

It was the Founder who clarified the superior way of Aikido as a separate entity in the society of budo-a society whose the members tended merely to emphasize techniques and strength. He asserted: "It is the way of budo to make the hear t of the universe our own and Perform our mission of loving and protecting all beings with a grand spirit. The techniques of budo are only a means to reach that end." The Founder,

having thoroughly studied budo and acquired its essence through his severe training, first set up above all a goal for spiritual guidance and then fused the techniques of Aiki into the "stream of spirit, spirit power, or soul power." He gave life to the highly technical and spiritual side of Japanese budo within the society of man.

The Founder was the first who ever indicated clearly the world of Aiki and revealed its aim. From Jujutsu to do (techniques to the Way)this is the way to evolve endlessly toward the goal set up by the Master.