Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido

Originally developed by Morihei Ueshiba (pictured right) during the late 1920s, Aikido combines several martial arts and a personal philosophy of peace and reconciliation to make the most truly self-defensive martial art. Aikido etymologically can be split into three parts - 合 (ai) meaning harmony, 気 (ki) meaning energy, 道 (dō) meaning way - adding up to “way of combining forces” or “way of unifying energy”. Aikido does just that, as it aims to blend the energy of the attackers and use it against them.

Morihei Ueshiba had previously studied Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, which Ueshiba studied directly with Takeda Sōkaku, the reviver of that art, which became the primary technical influence on aikido. Aikido in addition to usual martial arts’ empty-hand throwing and joint-locking, incorporates training movements with weapons, such as the jo and bokken. Ueshiba was also heavily influenced by spiritual leader Onisaburo deguchi, who preached extending love and compassion especially to those who seek to harm others, explaining why most aikido techniques aim to harmlessly redirect the attackers. The art Ueshiba had been calling “aiki budo” was officially recognized as “aikido" by the Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society in 1942. Over the rest of the 1900s, Aikido was spread throughout the world and many independent organizations derived their own unique styles, but all still recognize its core values.

Aikido practitioners mainly focus on redirecting ki, “life energy”, which lies in timing and applying an entire body’s strength to one point so as to take down attackers as safely and efficiently as possible. Aikido training can be split into two parts, attacking (uke) and defending (nage, 投げ). Of course, the nage’s role is important because they execute the techniques, but knowing Ukemi (受身), the art of receiving a technique, is also important for aikido students, because they need to be able to safely fall or roll out of a nage’s technique.

Aikido is the only true self-defense martial art because our techniques are straightforward yet adaptable, suitable for use against many opponents, and always react to an initial attack. Because Aikido emphasizes full body movement, Aikido schools generally focus on controlled relaxation and endurance rather than strength training, usually beginning each class with warm-up exercises like stretching and break falls (ukemi).  Since Aikido techniques are defenses from attacks, students learn strikes (that resemble sword cuts), punches, grabs, and kicks (these are usually reserved for higher-ranking variations). In addition, technique names will have a second component, a specified pin or throw, which explains how it should be executed. For instance, in the beginner’s Katatedori Ikkyo (wrist-grab, first pin), the uke grabs nage’s wrist, and nage executes the first pin. Of course, there are variations for every technique, most commonly split into irimi (entering) and tenkan (turning), but the base remains the same, making the techniques very adaptable to various combat. 

Special to Aikido, we practice techniques with weapons, which can be classified as either mirror movements (uke and nage execute the same way) or kagrames (where nage reacts to uke’s swings). Aikidokas also train to relax in stressful situations, to think clearly and to “live under the blade”. Morihei Ueshiba once said aikidokas "must be willing to receive 99% of an opponent's attack and stare death in the face" in order to execute techniques without hesitation. This philosophy is of the utmost importance in practicing randori (freeform defense against multiple attackers), in stressful working situations, in actual combat, and in general daily life.