The History of Aikido
The martial art Aikido was created by Ueshiba Morihei, an unrivaled, genius martial artist, by incorporating the essence of a variety of Japanese ancient martial arts and adding his own ingenuity. The core of Aikido originated from Daitouryuu Aikijyutu.
Daitouryuu Aikijyutsu, according to legend, was founded by Sadazumi, the sixth prince, of Seiwa,
the 56th emperor. It was inherited in succession by Tsunemoto, Mitsunaka,
Yorinobu, and Yoriyoshi. Yoshimitsu, the third son of Yoriyoshi and a eccentric
person, created Aikijyutsu.
It was taken over by Yoshikiyo, the second son of Yoshimitsu. Yoshikiyo
came to live in the Takeda village, Kai, and assumed the name Takeda. Since
then, Aikijyutsu was transferred from generation to generation inside the Takeda family.
The name of Daitouryuu Aikijyutu came from the name of Daito Hisanosuke, a subject of the Takeda family.
For a long time, Aikijyutsu was kept as a secret martial art and was practiced and handed over exclusively
within the Takeda family. It was only in the Meiji Era, Master Takeda Soukaku,
the descendent of the takeda family and the inheritor of Aikijyutsu, disclosed this marvelous martial art to the public. Master Soukaku traveled
around Japan and gave personal instruction to those who he considered talented.
At the same time, Master Ueshiba Morihei went to Hokkaido on business. It was 1910, which was immediately after the Japanese-Russia war. By sheer chance, Ueshiba encountered Master Soukaku, received his instruction, and acquired his license and permission to practice and teach Aikijyutu.
Master Ueshiba was born in Wakayama-ken in 1883. Ever since he could remember,
he wanted to become a martial artist. He showed talent when he was a small
child. He was in his late twenties when he met Master Soukaku. Master Ueshiba
was strong and sturdy, and had already mastered a variety of Jyuujitu such
as Shinkage-ryuu, Daitou-ryuu, Yagyu-ryuu, as well as Houzouin-ryuu-soujyutu
(a school of martial arts using a spear). He was already a well-versed
martial artist in his own right.
Having a keen eye for talent, the great Master Soukaku recognized the unparalleled
potential of Master Ueshiba. After going through all sorts of hardship,
Master Ueshiba created Aikido, the modern martial art of harmony.
Master Takeda Soukaku passed away in 1943 at the age of 86. His son, master
Takeda Tokimune, the 26th head of the Daitou-ryuu Aikido, is engaged in
teaching and spreading Daitou-ryuu Aikido in Abashiri, Hokkaido.
When Master Ueshiba practiced Aikido with bare hands, it looked soft, mild
and gentle, yet it was full of tremendous power. When he practiced Aikido
with a weapon in hand, his agility and speed were unsurpassed. He had an
affectionate voice, warm heart and gentle character, unlike a person who
had gone through so much troubles and hardships in life.
Master Shioda Gouzou studied under Master Ueshiba Morihe, and was notable
for his outstanding talent among Ueshibafs other highly capable pupils.
Shioda apprenticed himself to Master Ueshiba at a time when Ueshiba attained
maturity in his martial art. Shioda lived with master Ueshiba for 8 years.
With his gifted sense of martial arts, Shioda felt and experienced Ueshibafs
divine skill continuously during this period. As a result, a new master
of Aikido was born.
Master Shioda founded and presided over Youshinkan, a new school of Aikido.
Youshinkan now has tens of thousands of followers, men and women, young
and old, all over the world. The instruction in Youshinkan is careful,
detailed, and based on well-organized guidelines.
--- From gIllustrated Introduction to Aikidoh, by Kiyoyuki Terada
Introduction to Seisei-kai
The Youshinkai Incorporated Foundation was granted its corporation status by the Tokyo Metropolitan government. The places to practice and spread Aikido, collectively called Yousinnkann, was established by Youshinkai and constitute the center of Youshinkai Aikido both in Japan and in the world.
Inside Youshinkai, the assembly of the groups evolved from the long years of activities of teaching and spreading Aikido by Master Terada Kiyoyuki is called Youshinnkann Seiseikai, or the headquarter of Teradafs district.
The organization supervising all the groups that practice Youshinnkann Aikido in Japan is The League of All Japan Youshinnkann Aikido. |
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