| Aikido is a simple Japanese martial art which was | | | | achieve his dreams of making this discipline a truly |
| created in the early parts of the 20th century. It | | | | universal martial art. Today the art transcends |
| was created by Morihei Ueshiba who was also | | | | both natural and cultural boundaries. Hawaii in the |
| known as O Sensei or Great Teacher. The O | | | | United States was the first country to experience |
| Sensei was a disciplined master of different | | | | true Aikido and it was then followed by California. |
| martial arts principles and philosophies. Out this | | | | This then increased quite exponentially with the |
| exhaustive knowledge in both armed and | | | | arrival of the masters who came directly from |
| unarmed combats Ueshiba formed Aikido. This far | | | | the Aikido World Headquarters to establish |
| eastern discipline was termed a very efficient | | | | outposts in major cities throughout the entire |
| martial art but the training espoused is not for | | | | United States. Gradually the art spread to cover |
| street fighting or the advancement of students in | | | | the entire country and today it is one of the |
| sporting tournaments. This sport focuses on the | | | | more popular martial arts here. |
| perfection of character as well as the | | | | From the year 1969 onwards the son of the O |
| development of positive human qualities like | | | | Sensei bred new breeds of Shihan through the |
| compassion, courage, endurance and inner | | | | means of the training program at the Aikido |
| strength as well. | | | | World Headquarters known as the uchideshi. |
| Aikido training is taken not only to improve an | | | | These masters in turn have successfully spread |
| individual but the general society as well. Tokyo | | | | the martial art by their use of a wide and broad |
| was the founding center of Aikido and the main | | | | reaching outreach program. |
| dojo or training hall is located at the Aikido World | | | | Over a relatively small amount of time and with |
| Headquarters there, known as the (Aikikai Hombu | | | | the guidance of Doshu Ueshiba, this art has |
| Dojo). The son of the O Sensei who was Doshu | | | | evolved from a simple path sought by few people |
| Kisshomaru Ueshiba has carried on the practice of | | | | into a martial art practiced by millions of people |
| the martial art to various places all over the world | | | | the world over. Doshu Ueshiba has been |
| initially starting with Europe. In Europe, this martial | | | | recognized for his many efforts and one of the |
| art was first taught in France before it moved to | | | | laurels to testify as to his abilities and success in |
| the rest of the continent. In the Americas it | | | | the world of martial arts was the medal given to |
| started with Hawaii when the well know teacher | | | | him in the year 1995 by the Japanese emperor. |
| of Aikido Koichi Tohei Sensei taught the art and | | | | Doshu Ueshiba was the president of the |
| he was followed by the O Sensei as well. | | | | International Aikido Federations and the All-Japan |
| The first shihan of master of Aikido who qualified | | | | Aikido Federation until his death in the month of |
| as instructors where direct students of the O | | | | January 1999 when he was almost eighty years |
| Sensei. These students strove to help the master | | | | old. |