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Aikido Kaiso Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei
The Founder and Venerable Teacher of The Way of Aikido
Aikido, a traditional Japanese martial art, was developed in the early part of this century by Morihei
Ueshiba (1883-1969), now known as O-Sensei (venerable teacher). Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei, the Aikido Kaiso (founder), was
born in 1883 in Tanabe, a coastal town in southern Japan. From the time of his youth, he studied various martial arts, eventually
including sumo, swordsmanship, spear technique, staff technique, and various styles of jiujutsu, particularly the Yagyu and
Daito styles. From youth, Ueshiba also appears to have been a deeply sensitive and spiritual person. Eventually influenced
by the charismatic spiritual leader and artist Onisaburo Deguchi, he came to view his martial training as a means of personal
purification and spiritual training. The time of O-Sensei's life saw Japan involved in some of the most violent conflicts
of the 20th century, culminating in the Pacific war. However, it was during this time that he founded Aikido and declared
it to be a way of joining the peoples of the world together in peace. In this way, Aikido is truly Budo - a martial Way -
rather than simply a bujutsu (martial technique) or bugei (martial art). When martial training is undertaken not simply as
a means to conquer others, but as a means to refine and perfect the self, this can be said to be Budo. The famous motto of
O-Sensei, "Masakatsu Agatsu", contains the essence of the spirit of Aikido: "True victory is victory over the self. " The
Kaiso's incredible technical expertise and charisma brought him tremendous support from high-ranking military officers, government
personnel, and the Imperial family during his life. Following his death in 1969, he was posthumously awarded an Imperial medal
for his unique contributions. However, recognitions and honors aside, it was the universality of his insights, and his vision
of the martial Way being open to all sincere persons internationally, which have led to the phenomenal growth of Aikido. The
noblest philosophies and intentions of the samurai have become a part of world culture, and give spiritual sustenance to millions
of persons of all cultures; this is largely due to the groundbreaking influence of Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei.
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Aikido Nidai Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba
The Second Master of The Way of Aikido
Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Nidai Doshu (the second "master of the Way" of Aikido), son of Morihei Ueshiba,
was born in 1922. From early youth, he trained under the guidance of his father. During the confusion of the wartime period,
when allied fire-bombings reduced much of Tokyo to ruins, it was he who remained in the city and preserved the original dojo
building. Following the war, as Aikido entered its golden age and began to attract public attention, he was instrumental in
leading and organizing what would become the Zaidan Hojin Aikikai - the government-recognized, not-for-profit organization
which exists today as the center of world Aikido. Upon the death of O-Sensei in 1969, Kisshomaru Ueshiba was named the second
Doshu of Aikido. From that time on, Doshu quietly went about the business of spreading Aikido internationally. The tremendous
expansion of the art, and the now millions of practitioners, can largely be called his creation. It was he who coordinated
the sending of Japanese Shihan overseas, thereby founding and developing the seeds of large organizations in other nations.
He also maintained the strong support of government officials and businessmen in Japan, and built new support of this kind
internationally. His many publications of Aikido technique and philosophy have further spread Aikido's influence. The high
educational and professional standards of Aikido, and the respect it has gained, are a result of these efforts. In 1999 Kisshomaru
Ueshiba died in Tokyo, having successfully transformed the vision of his father into an international movement.
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Aikido Sandai Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba
The Third Master of The Way of Aikido
Moriteru Ueshiba, son of Kisshomaru Ueshiba, was named the Sandai (third Doshu shortly after his
father's death; before that time, he had served as the Aikikai Hombu Dojo-cho (headquarters dojo director). Now taking over
the leadership of the Aikikai organization, Doshu brings to his position an already full life of training and instruction.
The Aikido world has high expectations that, under his leadership, Aikido will continue to grow and expand in fulfillment
of O-Sensei's dream. The Doshu has carried on in his father's tradition with of Aikido at the highest level, clean and powerful.
Copyright Suginami Aikikai San Francisco
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Hachidan (8th Degree Black Belt)
Born in Tokyo in 1935, Kato Sensei began Aikido training at the age of nineteen in
1954 at Hombu Dojo, under the instruction of O-Sensei. Kato Sensei trained daily at the dojo as well as spending long hours
perfecting his internal practice; to this day he frequently visits mountain shrines and stays up all night practicing weapons
and meditating. James Friedman had admired Kato Sensei's Aikido for many years before he was formally introduced to Kato Sensei
in 1996, trained with him at Hombu Dojo, and initiated a correspondence. Kato Sensei was shortly thereafter invited to San
Francisco, California. He now visits twice a year, teaching and overseeing the direction and testing for Suginami Aikikai
San Francisco. He teaches full time in Tokyo at the Suginami Aikikai Tokyo Dojo, in Ogikubo.
Copyright Suginami Aikikai San Francisco
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