Morihei Ueshiba

Lore & Background

A weak and sickly child, he was encouraged by his father to take up sumo and swimming, and was influenced by stories of his samurai great-grandfather. He served in the Japanese Army during the Russo-Japanese War, being promoted to sergeant before his discharge in 1907. The following year, Ueshiba experienced a profound spiritual event, after which his martial arts technique became gentler, with greater emphasis on the control of ki. He taught at military academies and other dojos around Japan. After World War II, the Hombu dojo temporarily closed, and Ueshiba retired to Iwama, continuing training at his dojo there. From the end of the war until the 1960s, he promoted aikido throughout Japan and abroad.

Reader's Guide

Morihei Ueshiba's significance lies in his creation of aikido, a martial art that diverged from earlier combative systems by emphasizing harmony, non-resistance, and the control of ki. After his death, aikido was promulgated by his students, many of whom became noted martial artists, and it is now practiced around the world. Ueshiba's legacy is that of a martial artist who transformed his art from a system of combat into a path of personal and spiritual development, influencing both martial arts and broader cultural perceptions of conflict resolution.

Did You Know?

• Ueshiba failed his initial military physical exam because he was shorter than the regulation 5 feet 2 inches, but he stretched his spine by hanging weights from his legs to gain the necessary height.