As presented by the Aikido Association of America
Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed in the twentieth century by a man named Morihei Ueshiba, now called O’Sensei which means venerable or great teacher. He was born in Tanabe, a coastal town in southern Japan in 1883. From the time O’Sensei was young, he studied martial arts. Some of the styles he studied were Sumo, Swordsmanship, Spear techniques, Staff techniques, and various styles of Jujitsu, particularly the Yagyu and Daito styles. Even in his youth, O’Sensei 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 with the Pacific war. It was during that time that O’Sensei founded Aikido and declared it to be a way of joining the people of the world together in peace. In this way, Aikido is truly Budo (a martial way) rather than simply a Bujitsu (a martial technique) or Buggei (a martial art). When martial training is undertaken 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 incredible technical expertise and charisma that O’Sensei possessed, 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, recognition's and honors aside, it was the universality of his insight, 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.