Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei) 1883-1969

The founder of Aikido Morihei Ueshiba was born on December 14th, 1883 in Western Japan.  Aikido is a relatively new martial art formally established in 1948 but is deeply rooted in the old Samurai traditions. 
Morihei Ueshiba, more commonly known as O-Sensei (Great Teacher) dedicated his life to the study of Budo including Jujitsu, Judo, and Sumo wrestling.
Aikido is very spiritual in nature; Aikido can be translated as “The Way of Harmony with the Universe”.  O-Sensei believed the unification of mind, body and spirit would lead us to a path of peace and resolution without the need for violence.

Aikido is a highly dynamic martial art that is purely defensive which uses an attacker’s own size and force against them, thus not requiring great size or strength on behalf of the practitioner.

“Fully knowing it to be a matter of life and death before us, we may choose to withdraw but the enemy will not allow it.” – Morihei Ueshiba