Aikido Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba: Gratitude from Behind Masks

Source: Aikikai Foundation, Tokyo, Japan

Japan is primarily a peaceful and amiable country. However, the fight against the invisible corona virus continues. Not just Japan, but around the world the requests to “Please cooperate in not doing ~,” and “Please do ~,” make it feel as though various freedoms were being stolen from us. On the other hand, many things that I took for granted in the previous lifestyle were brought to my attention. For example, knowing that I am alive, and the patterns of my daily life, as well as being able to go where I wanted when I wanted, all of these things that used to be commonplace are now special, and it is hard to come to accept these changes. It is said that there is a high risk to people who have reached advanced ages, but I have not paid much attention to my age until now.

Under these circumstances, how do we live life with the same relaxed feeling, how do we follow the directives for business and social life, how do we continue to safely hold Aikido practice? These questions fill my mind. But listing out things we cannot do, over and over again, does nothing. We must give our best efforts towards what can be done now in these circumstances to move forward. When I think about the two-month period the dojo was required to be closed because of the Emergency Declaration, the current situation feels like a dream. Without comparing it to the regular times, when I compare it to the worst times my heart becomes light. With sufficient protections against the spread of infection and while wearing masks, the Aikido Hombu Dojo reopened for practice on June 1st. At first, the no- touch only practice consisting of taisabaki and other solo exercises felt stiff and constrained, and there was a fearful atmosphere. Even so, I found meaning in that type of practice, and as the situation changed while watching it closely, we have been able to slowly return to a more regular practice style. From July 27th through August 7th we held shochugeiko, midsummer intensive training, in which 77 people participated in one practice every day. (2019: 110 people). The joy that comes from being able to practice is a great, precious gift.

Approaching the Spirit of Aikido

By Giorgos Sardelis, Aikicosmos editor

There are three stages of mastering aikido: the physical (somatically), the psychological and finally the spiritual. Starting from continues repetition of the forms, one builds oneself until the moment - after a long and sincere training - that the technique and ultimately the art will fulfill entirely his/her existence. 

IAF in international sporting bodies explained

As the older readers of Aikicosmos already know, Aikicosmos supports Doshu, Aikikai and IAF on their path spreading and promoting aikido around the globe. Today aikido has spread into about 140 countries. This is something that didn't happen accidentally. Through continues articles Aikicosmos has tried to bring to the viewers how this started, continued and will continue happenning. Of course there are still aikidoka who have a misunderstanding of this fact or little information of how these steps supposed to be taken correctly. IAF DC Chairman Mr. Kei Izawa Sensei posted on his personal facebook account few words, which I would like to transmit to the readers:

Aikido in international affairs

Photo by Giorgos Sardelis

by Giorgos Sardelis, Aikicosmos editor

I guess that one of the major wishes of those who really love aikido is to see the martial art created by O-Sensei UESHIBA Morihei and preserved and promoted by the current Doshu UESHIBA Moriteru, spread all over the world. In order that to be achieved, Aikido should participate through its international body, that is International Aikido Federation (IAF), in international sports governing bodies. And that has been achieved since 1984 and continues today as a result of the continues work of aikido officers under the direction of Doshu. 

Is Aikido a sport?

By Giorgos Sardelis, Aikicosmos editor

The immediate answer would be "No. Aikido is not a sport". And that's because many people and sports bodies consider as a sport an activity which should have an element of competition and aikido as created by Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, and preserved from the current doshu bears no competive elements.

Aikido Headquarters, Aikikai

Officially recognized by the Japanese government in 1940, the Aikikai Foundation is the parent organization for the development and popularization of Aikido throughout the world.

In 1931, the Founder built a dedicated Aikido Dojo. This was a wooden building approximately 120 square meters (80 tatami mats) in size, called the Kobukan, located in present-day Wakamatsu-Cho, Shinjuku. In 1967 the original wooden structure housing the Aikido Hombu Dojo was replaced by a modern concrete building. In 1973 the building was modernized, and the fourth and fifth floors were added to the building.

International Aikido Federation (IAF)

The creation of the International Aikido Federation is the result of the vision of the second doshu UESHIBA Kisshomaru, son of the founder, for the  better securing, spread, promotion and recognition of aikido on global scale.

In 1976, to unite Aikido practitioners from around the world, the International Aikido Federation (IAF) was formally established, paving the way for Aikido activities to be conducted on a truly global scale. In 1984, the IAF became member of international sport bodies. [Read more >>>]

The International Aikido Federation (IAF) is the world federation of Aikido organizations, which are directly affiliated to the Aikikai Hombu in Japan, the principal organization of Aikido. It is the only worldwide federation of such Aikido organizations. The recognition by the Aikido World Headquarters is quite different from Membership of the IAF. At present the IAF has a rule that only one organization from each country may be a member, while the Aikikai Foundation recognizes any aikido organization that fulfills the conditions for the Hombu Recognition.

What is Aikido?

Aikido is a Budo (Japanese martial art), created during the early 20th century by O-Sensei Ueshiba Morihei (1883-1969), who had an extensive knowledge in martial arts and spirituality. After the Second World War, Aikido became one of the most popular martial arts in the world under the leadership of the Founder's son, the Second Doshu Ueshiba Kisshomaru (1921-1999). Today, the Third Doshu Ueshiba Moriteru (born in 1951), the grandson of the Founder, is the leader of the Aikido World Headquarters, the Aikikai Foundation and the world Aikido community.

Message from Doshu

The Founder, Morihei Ueshiba, through intensive Martial Arts training and strict cultivation of mind, created Aikido. Kisshomaru 2nd Doshu devoted himselfl to promote Aikido’s great value and to open the doors to the world.
It has been 82 years since the current Hombu Dojo was found in 1931. Aikido has been spread to 130 countries: North, Central and South America; Western and Eastern Europe; and Southeast Asia.
In 2012, the Aikikai Foundation embarked on the new phase as a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation.

Aikido Charter of Ethics・Code of Conduct | 合気道倫理憲章・行動規範

Doshu's New Year Statement

Aikikai Hombu Dojo

by Aikido Doshu Ueshiba Moriteru

Step by step, steadily

I would respectfully greet you with a Happy New Year.

I am very happy that we are able to start a New Year again, calmly. While the world is changing quickly year from year, I spent a year as if it was swept away.

It was not only Japan attacked by forces of nature, such as the extreme heat of last year, local rainstorms, tornados and powerful typhoons. When I think of the people who encountered these natural disasters, I really appreciate that we are able to turn over a new calendar safely and feel happy for that.