| The martial art form known as Aikido was founded | | | | distance from Takeda could be seen. Ueshiba's |
| by a man by the name of Morihei Ueshiba. To those | | | | teachings flourished and several of his students went |
| who practice this martial art, he is known as Osensei, | | | | on to found Aikido in different parts of the world. |
| which means Great Teacher. When Morihei Ueshiba | | | | During the 1950's, Aikido was brought over to the |
| moved to Hokkaido in 1912, he was already well | | | | west by Minoru Mochizuki. He was soon followed by |
| versed in many forms of martial arts. In spite of his | | | | Tadashi Abe, who was the official Aikikai Honbu |
| vast knowledge of martial arts, however, he began | | | | representative. Kenji Tomiki toured in 15 states in the |
| to study the teachings of Takeda Sokaku, who | | | | USA with a group of martial artists from various |
| brought back Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. Around the year | | | | schools. Koichi Tohei was sent by Aikikai Honbu to |
| 1919, Ueshiba met Onisaburo Deguchi who was well | | | | set up several Dojos in Hawaii the same year as |
| known as a profound spiritual leader. This allowed | | | | Kenji did his tour. It was during this time that |
| Ueshiba contact into the political and military arenas | | | | Ueshiba's students helped bring Aikido to popularity in |
| and gave him access to gifted students in the martial | | | | the Western world and helped Aikido become the art |
| arts. This also afforded him the financial backing he | | | | form that it is known as today. |
| would need for the development of his martial art | | | | Aikido is an art form that is considered a way of |
| form. Ueshiba used techniques from his studies of | | | | peace. Although the concept of a form of fighting |
| the various forms of martial arts to develop his own | | | | being founded on peace and nonviolence seems |
| form of martial arts around the year 1937. This art | | | | unusual, however, it was during this time that such a |
| form was Then known as "Aiki Budo." | | | | form of self-defense was needed. Ueshiba followed |
| It was during the 1930's to 40's that the name of his | | | | his own path and took different, more non-violent |
| martial art was born, it became known as Aikido, and | | | | techniques from other forms of martial arts and |
| the form is still known by that name to this day. It | | | | blended them into a more peaceful form of fighting - |
| was also during this time when Ueshiba's growing | | | | Aikido. |