Aikido is a modern martial art developed in the last century by Morihei Ueshiba, also known as "O'Sensei" (Great Teacher). Essentially Aikido is made up of throws, joint locks and immobilizations, but from this basic framework there are literally hundreds of techniques to learn, train and practice. Integral to Aikido is the practice of weapons training (Buki Waza). Many movements and techniques of Aikido were developed by O'Sensei from his understanding of the sword. The body movement through the practice of Aiki-Ken (sword) and Aiki-Jo (staff) is the same as tai-jutsu (empty hand techniques), and vice versa. The practice of one strengthens the practice of the other.
Aikido is a very practical martial art, a true budo, and although the techniques can be very powerful, the feeling should never be one of trying to hurt your partner. It is not a competition, and there is no room for the ego to flourish on the mat.
Sometimes Aikido is referred to as "the gentle way" . Aikido is both gentle and hard, firm and yet flexible, strong and yielding. It is a misconception to see Aikido as "self-defense", as it is not only a system of defending yourself, but can be pre-emptive, with the practitioner initiating many of the techniques, depending on the situation.
Aikido is about harmony, blending with your partner / attacker. This can take
the form of a decisive entering movement, or it may allow the attack / energy to
flow past you. This principle of "awase" is in all techniques and should be
alive and apparent throughout every practice.
Although, as a martial art Aikido is very effective, it is also much more
than that. Aikido touches us deeply and the practice of the physical permeates
into our daily life. The principles of blending and being in harmony with your
surroundings can be of great benefit in your daily life.
Iwama
After the second World War O'Sensei moved to a town called Iwama in the Ibaraki prefecture north of Tokyo. Here he built his own dojo and small farm , and it was here that O'Sensei devoted himself to the development of Aikido as we see it now, and to his spiritual practice that had been so heavily influenced by the Omoto leader Onisaburu Deguchi. It was when O'Sensei was teaching in Iwama that Morihiro Saito enrolled in the dojo. Saito was to become his longest serving student. He trained under, and cared for O'Sensei until the founders death in 1969.
