YOSHINKAN AIKIDO MALAYSIA

HISTORY of YOSHINKAN AIKIDO

CONCEPTS, PRINCIPLES AND METHODS

Modern day aikido can trace its origins back to the feudal society of 9th century Japan. The aiki system of techniques is said to have originated with Prince Teijun, the sixth son of the Emperor Seiwa (850-880ad) and was passed down through the Minamoto family.

Over following generations, the techniques were eventually handed down to Yoshimitsu Shinra Saburo, the younger brother of Minamoto Yishiie. Yoshimitsu was a man of exceptional talent and skill. It was said that he devised many of his techniques by a watching a spider skilfully trap a large insect in its fragile web. His house, the Daito Mansion, gave its name to his system of aikijutsu, which became known as daito ryu aikijustu.

The daito ryu techniques were handed down in secret to family members and retainers, eventually reaching Takeda Sokaku (1859-1943), who was later to play a major role in the foundation of modern day aikido. The daito ryu system that was handed down to Takeda was undoubtedly different from that which was taught a thousand years before. The specific arts studied by Takeda are unknown except for his training in ono-ha itto-ryu kenjutsu. All evidence points to the conclusion that the daito-ryu arts that Takeda taught are as much a synthesis of his vast training experience and technical innovation as they are a faithful continuation of the Aizu clan martial tradition.

One of Takeda's students was Ueshiba Morihei, the founder of aikido. Born December 14th 1882, Ueshiba met Takeda in 1915 after attending a ten-day seminar conducted by Takeda. Ueshiba was so impressed by Takeda's techniques that he began to study daito ryu immediately. In addition, Ueshiba also studied kito ryu jujitsu, yagyu shinkage ryu kenjutsu and other empty hand and weapon arts.

Ueshiba, a deeply spiritual man, was a follower of the Omotokyo sect of Shintoism. As a consequence, the development of aikido was strongly influenced by the beliefs of the Omotokyo sect.

In 1931, Ueshiba opened up the Kobukan or "Hell" dojo. This was around the time that Ueshiba was reaching his physical peak. One of his students at this time was Shioda Gozo, who would later found Yoshinkan aikido.

Ueshiba was held in very high regard by other martial artists of the time including Jigaro Kano (the founder of Judo) who sent many of this top students to learn aikido. These included Tomiki Kenji, who would later go on to develop a sport style aikido and Mochizuki Minoru who would later go on to form Yoseikan budo.

In 1942, Ueshiba moved to Iwama, where he opened up a dojo and established the Aiki shrine. In 1945 the Aikikai was set up, even though all forms of budo had been banned after the second world war. The main Aikikai dojo was set up in Tokyo, though Ueshiba was mainly based at his Iwama dojo. The Tokyo dojo was left in the care of his son Kisshomaru (1921-1999) and other leading instructors such as Kohichi Tohei, who would later go on to form Shin Shin Toitsu aikido (better known as the Ki Aikido Society).

On April 16th 1969, Ueshiba Morihei passed away at the age of 86. Ueshiba Sensei has left behind a legacy of martial techniques and spiritual teachings that are now being taught all over the world.