It was by way of trade connections with Korea and China (under the Han Dynasty) that Japan gained the political and social foundations upon which Japanese culture was built. However, as cultural contact with China was interrupted towards the end of the 19th century due to war, Japanese civilization began to take on its own special characteristics and form. Life in the capital was marked by great elegance and refinement. While the court gave itself up to the pursuit of the arts and social pleasures, its authority over the martial clans in the provinces became increasingly uncertain. Effective control passed into the hands of two rival families, the Minamoto and Taira, who both traced their decent from previous emperors. The Minamoto finally prevailed, annihilating the Taira clan in 1185. The Minamoto victory marked the end of the Imperial throne as the effective political power in Japan, and the beginning of seven centuries of feudal rule.

The feudal Age and The Samurai

At the onset of the feudal age, the Samurai were peasant-farmers who fought for their lords to the best of their ability when the occasion rose. As conflict between landlords became more frequent, it became necessary to train armed groups to protect the respective boundaries. At this time, these armed groups were called Samurai or Bushi, but their status in society was not established until, a military government was formed by the Minamoto family in 1192. This military government (the Shogunate) encouraged austerity and the pursuit of the martial arts and related disciplines for the Samurai. These studies were eventually codified and called Bushido - The Way of the Samurai.

Early Development of the Martial Arts (Bugei) - 1000AD

As the Feudal era advanced, the Samurai came to occupy the uppermost strata of Japanese society. Their principal duty was to learn and practice many martial arts, the skills necessary to fulfill their allegiance to the feudal lord for whom they were expected to fight and die. There were numerous martial arts, which the Bushi were required to learn; Ken-jutsu (sword techniques), Ba-jutsu (horsemanship), Kyu-jutsu (archery) and So-jutsu (spear techniques) constituted the principal combat arts. A favourite saying among the Bushi at that time was "Master Eighteen Martial Arts".
In combat, A bushi relied primarily upon his sword and spear, nonetheless situations often arose in which this was quite impossible. Metal weapons of the period were not always sufficiently strong enough to withstand a long, fierce battle and confined spaces rendered his sword and spear useless. The Samurai were also restricted from carrying swords and other weapons in certain places during peace time. Therefore, it was essential that the Bushi utilize a secondary system of combat techniques to support their armed fighting methods. These unarmed techniques were referred to as Kumiuchi and involved a form of grappling techniques which evolved from Sumo (combat wresting). Kumiuchi also made use of small weapons. With the development of warfare throughout the feudal era, the distinction between armed and unarmed techniques became greater.

Development of Unarmed Techniques and Aiki-jujutsu

By degrees, unarmed techniques developed into different systems and styles. Varying battlefield situations and the technical requirements of feudal warfare led to the establishment of various ryu which were controlled by, and passed down through the large powerful families. One of these systems was Aiki-jujutsu. It is not completely clear when Aiki techniques began, but the Aiki system is said to have originated with Prince Teijun, the 6th son of the Emperor Seiwa (850-880 AD) and was passed on to succeeding generations of the Minamoto family. By the time the art reached Shinra Saburo Yoshimitsu, the younger brother of Yoshie Minamoto (the leader of the Minamoto clan), it seems that the foundations of modern Aikido had already been laid.

Yoshimitsu was a man of exceptional skill and learning. It is said that he devised much of his technique after watching a spider skillfully trap a large insect in its fine web. It is also reported that Yoshimitsu studied anatomy by dissecting the bodies of war dead and criminals. Yoshimitsu's house, Daito Mansion, had given its name to his style of Aiki-jujutsu (later called Diato Ryu Aiki-jujutsu).

Yoshimitsu's second son, lived in Takeda, in the province of Kai (a small feudal province in central Japan), and he became know by this name - Takeda. Subsequently, the techniques were passed onto successive generations as secret techniques of the Takeda House and made know only to its members and retainers. When Takeda Kunitsugu moved to Aizu in 1574, the techniques came to be known as Aizu-todome techniques (secret techniques).

During the 16th century, Japan was embroiled in civil wars. Each feudal lord tried to maintain a powerful, independent position within the country. But to do so it was necessary to create a stable unified force and this called for a strong bond between the lord and his Bushi. The "Code of the Samurai" (Bushido), in addition to encouraging the development of combat techniques, cultivating the qualities of justice, benevolence, politeness, honour and above all, loyalty to lord and cause.

It was during this period of independence and isolation that combat forms developed into numerous schools or ryu.

Aiki-jujutsu and it's Social Background

The next two and a half centuries (Tokugawa period) were relatively peaceful for Japan. The Samurai, as a class, saw little combat, though they continued to practice and refine the various martial arts of Ken-jutsu, iai-jutsu, ba-jutsu, and forms of Ju-jutsu.

Ju-jutsu is a term applied to numerous systems of combat which are not all similar in appearance or technique. The word "Ju" is a Chinese character meaning, "pliable", "harmonious", "adaptable" or "yielding"; "Jutsu" means technique. As a collective term applied to all fighting forms, Ju-jutsu came into existence long after the forms it describes were originated. While stressing unarmed techniques, Ju-jutsu also deals with small weapon techniques. It can, therefore, be defined as various armed or unarmed fighting systems that can be applied to armed or unarmed enemies. It is important though, to realize that combat Ju-jutsu was always a secondary system of the Bugie. Ju-jutsu's golden age extended from the late 17th century to the mid-19th century; it is thought that a Chinese immigrant of the early 1600's was the founder of Japanese Ju-jutsu. After the 1850's the truly fighting style of Ju-jutsu remained in its Bugei ryu, categorized with major weapons it supported.

However, as the martial arts became strongly influenced by Buddhist concepts they were transformed from combat techniques (Bugie) into combat "ways" (Budo), inculcating self-discipline, self-perfection and philosophy. Their dimensions grew until they went beyond the simple objective of killing the enemy to encompass many elements concerned with everyday living. Particularly after the decline of the Samurai class, the martial arts became martial ways, and great value was placed upon them as a means of generating the moral strength necessary to build a strong society.

Aikido at that time was know by many names, but it still remained an exclusively Samurai practice handed down within the Takeda family until Japan emerged from isolation during the Keiji period. The Meiji Revolution (1868) not only saw the return of the Imperial supremacy, but the adoption of a westernized cultural, political, and economic way of life in Japan. The Bushi class virtually disappeared under a new constitution that proclaimed all classes equal, but the Bushido spirit, cultivated for many centuries, continued to play an important part in daily lives. The Budo, being less combative and more concerned with the spiritual discipline through which elevates himself mentally and physically, were more attractive to common people and were readily taken up by them. Accordingly, Ken-jutsu had become Kendo, Iai-jutsu - Iaido, Kyu-jutsu - Kyudo, Jo-jutsu - Jodo, and Judo, a synthetic form, adapted some of the better techniques of Ju-jutsu.

Modern Aikido: Its Founder and Current Status

It is said that as a young boy, Morihei Ueshiba (b. 1883) had an unusual interest in the martial arts, philosophy and religion. The environment of his youth, being one of religious discipline and tradition, had an enormous effect on the course of his life.

Until the war (Russo-Japan, 1904), he trained exceedingly hard under the instruction of several famous martial art men; but the war itself provided a real situation in which Ueshiba found the opportunity to develop himself both physically and technically. Upon being discharged from the army, Ueshiba was engaged to lead a group of immigrants to Hokkaido (Northern Island of Japan). During this time, Sokaku Takeda, then head of the family, began to teach Aiki-jujutsu outside the Takeda household, travelling throughout Japan and finally settling in Hokkaido. Ueshiba studied Daito Ryu Aiki-jujutsu under Sensei Takeda until he had mastered it and had obtained a license to practice its techniques. In addition, he continued to investigate and practice other martial arts, particularly Ken-jutsu and So-jutsu.

Unfortunately, he was recalled home to his sick father; on the way, however, he met Oni Saburo Deguchi, leader of the Omoto religion. Ueshiba was very impressed by this man and subsequently became one of his disciples. Although this led him to further develop him mind, the martial arts were not neglected. In 1925, Ueshiba organized what would be referred to as his style of Aiki-jujutsu, largely for his own spiritual and physical development.

During the next decade, Ueshiba's students (Tomiki, Mochizuki, Shioda and others) were active in building a foundation for present day Aikido. Ueshiba, however, was interested in seeking the true martial way (Budo spirit). In his search he left the dojo to work at farming, and by practicing Aikido, he tried to unify his spiritual and physical being through a closeness with nature. After the war (1950), he returned to the Tokyo dojo with a mature, modified form which he then called Aikido.

Ueshiba continued to instruct at the dojo until his death in 1968. He received a government award as the designer of modern Aikido and for his contribution to its popularization.

After the war Ueshiba's students began teaching Aikido in their own different ways, not necessarily to restricted groups of people but in the way they thought best to tech and spread Aikido throughout Japan and the world.

Kenji Tomiki (b. 1900) one of Ueshiba's first students, began Aikido in 1926 after being sent from Kodokan Judo to learn Aikido. During the late 1930's he adopted Aikido into an education course at Manchuria University, where he was a professor, and invited Ueshiba to instruct there. Tomiki worked very hard to make Aikido a government foundation, and since 1949, has been active in the sport-education field, concentrating on Aikido as a sport at Waseda University where he is a highly respected professor.

Minoru Mochizuki, also from Kodokan, became an Aikido student in 1931 and established its first branch outside of Tokyo. In 1949, after 11 years in Manchuria as a government educational advisor, Mochizuki taught Aikido, Judo and Iaido (Katori shindo ryu) in Europe. He was the first Japanese to receive the French cultural prize for his contribution to French cultural development.

Gozo Shioda Kancho-Sensei

One of Ueshiba's outstanding students has been Gozo Shioda (b. 1915 - 1994) who has contributed much to bring about the popularity that Aikido has enjoyed since the war. Shioda entered Ueshiba's dojo at the age of 18, living and practicing there for eight years. Because he stayed at the dojo longer than any other student, Shioda learned to sense the ways of his master's mind and spirit.

Shioda was sent to Formosa with the occupational army during the war years, and like Ueshiba was able to utilize a real combat situation to train himself, mentally and physically. Shortly after his return, Shioda left the master's dojo. His principal concern was the promotion of Aikido since, until this time, Aikido has been restricted to special groups of people. Further, in popularizing Aikido Shioda was showing his gratitude for his Master's kindness. During the next two decades many demonstrations were presented to police forces, army groups and dock workers, much of the support for these demonstrations coming from financial institutions. The tremendous interest in Aikido since the war dates back to 1954 when, under the Life Extension Society, an exhibition of 160 martial arts from all over Japan was held. This was the first time that Aikido had been demonstrated to a large public audience and Shioda's first place performance attracted a great deal of attention.

Shioda's branch of Aikido is known as "Yoshinkan", a name which he had inherited from his father, whom owned a Kendo and Judo dojo under that name. "Yo" means cultivating; "Shin" translates to spirit or mind; and "Kan" means house. Sensei Shioda became highly respected in Aikido circles around the world for his attitude toward the Budo disciplines and for his belief in "Wa" (harmony) as a way of life.

It is amazing to think that Aikido's foundations were laid over 800 years ago, compared to the oldest Ju-jutsu (Takeuchi ryu 1530) this represents a 500 hundred year difference.

Present day Aikido was organized through Ueshiba's efforts to study various old martial art forms and combining them into Aiki-jujutsu. To this he added his own technical and spiritual ideas to form modern Aikido. Its spirit is profound since we can understand how great Morihei Ueshiba's efforts are to Aikido's development and popularization.

In the final analysis, however, Aikido was developed from the ancient martial combat techniques of the samurai, and consequently if they become a solely intellectual discipline then they will cease to exist. The basic "Budo Conduct" must not be treated lightly and the "Way of Technique" (realistic way) should not be disregarded as a way of spiritual and physical training.

To be able to cope with any situation or circumstance one must have strong capabilities and harmony of spirit. These two factors are based on a clear confident mind and discipline, which can only be developed through hard mental and physical training. In Aikido you must strive to co-operate with each other to create correct techniques and a better relationship between shite and uke. To achieve true Aikido requires a lot of diligent and sincere practice, at the same time it is important to progress by studying each technique and movement step by step.

Sensei M. Karasawa
February 13, 1975