The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

Indulge me for a short while as we board together a time-machine to the golden years of aikido’s infancy in the USA in the mid-1960s. We see a totally different landscape when compared to the art of today. The name of Koichi Tohei is on everyone’s lips. He is now in his vigorous 40s, handsome, charming, and physically gifted. He is a fluent speaker of English, the author of best-selling books on the art. He is supremely confident, a wonderful teacher. He is the chief instructor of the World Headquarters Dojo, the Mecca of aikido, and he is the “ambassador of ki.” Yes, Koichi Tohei is the man every devotee wants to see in the flesh, the one whose techniques are to be emulated, the one who inspires. His interpretation of techniques represents “the” standard. His views on the principles of aikido and the “mysterious” concept of ki are unending topics of conversation. He is the motive power driving the spread of the art. Koichi Tohei IS aikido!

The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

Morihei’s attitude during worship in the Omoto shrine in the morning and evening was so sincere and devout that all who lived with him at that time were surprised. Worship continued for many hours with the name of each kami (deity) being called out respectfully and he continues this practice today. The main aim of his study was to explain to his satisfaction the many miracles revealed by the kami that he experienced. He prayed to the kami to grant his wishes. He desired to look into and be convinced of the validity of the kotodama he was taught by Reverend Onisaburo while at work, the holy method of chinkon-kishin and other practices he learned after coming to Omoto and introduce them into the world of martial arts.

The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

In part one, we saw the dramatic effect of the Second Omoto Incident and its aftermath on the life and psychology of Morihei Ueshiba. Many of the ties he had developed over a period of 15 years became instantly severed or pushed into the background due to the persecution by the Japanese government of the Omoto religion. After a period in hiding in the house of the Sonezaki police chief, Morihei was able to resume his life and teaching activities.

The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

Master Onisaburo insisted that he would carry out his role as a religious leader in the spirit of the view that “All religions have the same root.” As a matter of convenience he created what he called “Omoto Lamaism” and took the titles of Dalai Lama and Su Son Kan. The Master changed his name to O Bun Sho, a Chinese name and the Founder (O-Sensei) became O Shu Ko.

The article below by Don Angier Sensei has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

Although Yoshida Sensei spoke English poorly, he had a way of getting things across by body language and using simple physics demonstrations. The main thing he stressed was that the forms were only examples of how the principles were to be used. As long as the principle is used correctly, the form itself is of little importance. Only basic moves and forms have names. It would be impossible to name every form. He told me to name them anything I wanted as long as it helped me to remember them

The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

They call him “Hambei,” but no one knows why. For many years one of his character traits has been to annoy people by appearing in unexpected places at unexpected moments. If I remember correctly, it was one morning in early autumn of 1959 or 1960 when Mr. Kanai appeared in front of me while I was sprinkling water on the stepping stones at the front entrance to the old Hombu Dojo. He and I had become very close friends during our youthful years while immersed from morning till night in judo training.Together we had read the novel, Sugata Sanshiro, by Tsuneo Tomita so many times that we wore it out.

“Generally speaking one can say that Aikido doesn’t include the “jujutsu” type of techniques of Aikijujutsu concentrating more in what is called the “aiki no jutsu” part of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, or techniques that emphasize in the timing, and syncronization of mind and body with the opponent’s attack (Obviously both require proper breathing). However Aikido was influenced by other schools in addition to Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu.”

The article below by Aikido Journal Editor Stanley Pranin has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

What is the headmaster of a classical martial school to do to fulfill with honor his role as the keeper of a tradition and ensure the survival intact of his art? This is the dilemma faced by the heads of the few remaining classical martial art schools in Japan today. It is not a new problem as these historical ryuha have been in decline since well before the Meiji Restoration (1868) when the death knell was sounded with finality for the samurai caste.

The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

Sokaku’s birthplace was near the Seinei Temple in Fukushima Prefecture, which was built by Tamuramaro Sakanoue (758 — 811), the military commander of an expeditionary force against the “Barbarians”. Also known as Aizu Ise Shrine, it was dedicated to the spirit of the Great Ise Shrine in Mie. Successive generations of the Takeda family served this shrine

The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

I am a little bit surprised that people have never heard about Russian martial arts and that they are surprised to hear that they exist. Look at the huge territory Russia occupies. Someone had to protect this territory. In Russia there were always warriors who were known for their bravery. And if you look at the development of Russia in the olden times, cities were built by rivers and monasteries were the sources of the first settlements. There were no roads so people traveled by river in boats in summertime and in sleds in wintertime. All the infrastructure of the early settlements came from monasteries. They provided the livelihood for communities. All of the functions of life were centered in them.

The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

After moving to Ayabe in 1920, the founder was immediately made one of the close servants of Onisaburo. He took care of the Omoto Master and took part in meetings with high officials and other visitors. In response to this instant show of trust, the founder tried his hardest to pay back the Master for his kindness. Thus, the Master’s every action seemed something absolute for Morihei.

The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

I had thought that people involved in something as traditional as Japanese gardening would make fairly conservative tourists. It turned out, however, that most of the staff were quite young and they wanted “adventure.” In less than a week, in addition to more conventional sightseeing, they did bungy jumping, parachuting, scuba diving, horse trekking, kayaking, and “black water rafting,” which consists of floating down a subterranean river, in pitch darkness, through glow-worm caves, while suspended in an inflated truck inner-tube. They also managed to visit the hot spring resort of Rotorua, Lake Taupo, (“bigger than Singapore”) and Coromandel Peninsula, which features some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. Several young women in the group were just as active as the men, but also found time to shop for sheepskins and “All Blacks” rugby jerseys.