What Is Aikido?

Japanese martial art Aikido incorporates training in traditional Japanese weapons such as the sword, staff, and knife.

Morihei Ueshiba founded Aikido in the early twentieth century after studying many different types of armed and unarmed martial arts.

It is a potent distillation of centuries of Japanese martial arts knowledge. It is one of the most popular forms of martial arts globally.

Aikido can be used for more than just fighting. Often, Japanese martial arts have been influenced by the internal and meditative practices from India and China. Contemplative practices led to an emphasis on inner and physical strength development.

Japanese think of an ideal warrior as a person who exhibits honesty, courage, and loyalty, willing to give up his life (but not his honor) for principle and duty.

As a result of these traditions, O-Sensei saw Aikido not only as a person capable of defeating an enemy but also someone who ultimately ended the dualistic nature of a conflict through the strength of his character.

For O-Sensei, Aikido was a way to improve yourself that anyone could use anywhere in the world.

Aikido and effective self-defense techniques are intensely spiritual and physical training to reach true wisdom by improving human character.