Aikido is a modern, nonviolent Japanese martial art that was developed in the earlier part of last century by the late master, Morihei Ueshiba. The Founder passed away in 1969 at the age of eighty-six.
Effective as Aikido is as a martial art, its essence goes beyond the resolution of physical conflicts. Based on his background of rigorous training in several traditional Japanese jujutsu, the Founder spent the years from the middle of his life developing his art as a means of refining and uplifting the human sprit. The Founder succeeded in creating what he then named "Aikido", "The Way of Harmony with the Forces and Principles of Nature." Aikido is a true "budo", a path in which the keen edge of martial training is utilized as a "Way" to spiritual growth.
Despite its growing popularity, Aikido remains true to the goals of "budo". Its methods are based on the Founder's deep faith in "austere training for the sake of improving the human sprit through tireless polishing and perfection of the mind and body." In accordance with the Founder's ideals, the art has been kept separate from sports, in which one person competes with another. Aikido is rather, a path of personal development for people who sincerely desire to perfect their own human nature. As such, Aikido places great importance on the Oriental conception of the universal principle, "Ki"―the life-force or breath. Aikido seeks to achieve the total unification of this universal "ki" with the "ki" of the individual human "self". Aikido is a budo to harmonize the individual with the universal Principle, and to establish concord among all peoples. Out of the ancient traditions of Japanese martial arts, Aikido thrives today as a source of harmony to counter the disharmonious forces that exist in the world today.