Aikido is an art directed toward the coordination of your body rhythm and movements with those of your opponent, and it develops an efficient use of mind and body. It involves the physical skills of power, speed, coordination, and movement perception.

Technically, you attack your opponent's physiologically weak structural points, such as the vital spots and joints of the human body, as well as the dynamic weak points, such as the opponent's balance (i.e., when the opponent's balance is in flux.) For example, if your opponent is bigger than you and pushes against your chest, you will naturally lose your balance and fall down. But if, when the same opponent pushes you, your feet and body move backward faster than you are pushed, your opponent will lose balance in direct relation to the exertion of their own strength and may even fall down. If at this time you apply the techniques of Aikido, you need only the minimum of effort to achieve maximum results. Another example: When your opponent strikes at your face with a fist, you can avoid this blow by turning your body to either the left or the right so that the opponent will miss you, leaving their arm extended (a position commonly referred to as "dead of power"). At this time, it is easy to grasp the opponent and apply one of the techniques of your art. To take the advantage successfully, you must know your opponent's speed, attacking pattern, and direction of movement. Generally, the practice of Aikido presupposes non-resistance theory, non-violence, and non-aggression; it is an art that cultivates character and charisma without ego.

By practicing methods of both attack and defence, you train to control your opponent without harm. You learn to move cordially, responding to the opponent's power and actions, in order to achieve utmost competence. You learn to use your opponent's strength for your own advantage. Developing self-confidence and self- discipline, you become strong in both mind and body.

The practice of Aikido is not just a physical activity or sport. A look at the meaning of the word "Aikido" shows that Aikido is, in fact, an attitude for existence.

"Ai" is harmony, togetherness, unification, and love, including harmony between persons, with nature, and world harmony. The realization of ai means that you love other people and do not turn against them. It means that you follow the laws of nature and live at one with all things.

"Ki" represents two kinds of power. I would describe ki as both the power of the human being and the power inherent in nature. The human ki is the source of human power; and it develops together with the mind and body. For example, when you are afraid of your opponent, your power moves away from your internal body and are lost to you; but if you develop fearlessness or courage, ki will build in your entire body. The feeling of ki transforms human power, so you should develop this positive, strong feeling. You should feel that the body is full of a power (ki) that comes from your centre of gravity (just below the navel), travels through your fingertips, and extends in the direction of your body movement. Below are several examples of ki development and training.

If your opponent pushes against your chest, you should project your ki to his/her rear, and then your opponent cannot push you back easily because of the opposition provided by your own creative power (ki). Suppose you are not feeling well. If you believe in and develop the feeling of ki, you can overcome illness and eventually get better.

The other ki refers to the power of nature. This" concept represents the forces of nature that we cannot control - the sun shining, water running downhill, the force of gravity causing things to fall, etc. We must live in harmony with these forces and follow in the path of nature.

"Do" is the way of life of a human being. Following this path you will never give way to temptation or difficulties, you will strive continuously to attain your object and to win your way to higher forms of happiness, love, and success.

Always live in the midst of human power and the power of nature. Aikido provides the way to blend nature and human power. It is the way of happiness, peace, and love.

Life of Ueshiba Morihei

• Morihei Ueshiba born December 14 in Tanabe, Kishu ( Wakayama Prefecture )

• Moves to Tokyo in September, starts stationery store

• Briefly studies Tenjin Shin’yo-ryu Jujutsu

• Marries Hatsu Itogawa, a distant relative, in Tanabe
• Joins 61^st Army Infantry Regiment of Wakayama, late December

• Departs for Manchurian Front (Russo-Japanese War)

• Discharged from army, returns to Tanabe

• Receives certificate from Yagyu-ryu Jujutsu

• Travels to Hokkaido

• First daughter born (Matsuko)

• Leads settlers from Kishu to Hokkaido (Aza-Shirataki, Kamiyubetsu village, Mombetsu County )

• Meets Sokaku Takeda (Daito-ryu jujitsu) at Hisada Inn in Engaru

• First son born (Takemori), July

• Serves as town councilman in Kamiyubetsu village, June 1918-April 1919

• Leaves Hokkaido in December due to father’s illness
• Turns land and property over to Sokaku Takeda

• Meets Onisaburo Deguchi of Omoto religion in Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture
• Father (Yoroku) dies in January
• Returns to Tanabe
• Moves with family to Ayabe (site of Omoto religion)
• Builds “Ueshiba Juku” dojo
• Second son born (Kuniharu), August
• First son dies (Takemori), August
• Second son dies (Kuniharu), September

• Third son born (Kisshomaru - birth name Koetsu), June

• Mother (Yuki) dies
• Sokaku Takeda visits Ayabe along with family to teach, staying from circa April 28 to September 15
• Receives “kyoji dairi” (teaching assistant) certificate from Takeda (September)

• Goes to Mongolia with Onisaburo Deguchi with goal of establishing a utopian community. (February to July) The party, led by Onisaburo Deguchi, including Ueshiba, is captured and held prisoner by the Chinese military for plotting the overthrow of the existing government. Released after short period of internment through intervention of Japanese consulate and returned to Japan .

• Gives demonstration in Tokyo for former Prime Minister Gombei Yamamoto at Isamu Takeshita’s residence
• First vision

• Moves to Tokyo with entire family
• Establishes temporary dojo in billiard room of Count Shimazu’s mansion in Shiba, Shirogane in Sarumachi

• Moves to Shiba, Tsunamachi, site of temporary dojo

• Moves with family to Shiba, Kuruma-cho, sets up temporary dojo

• Moves to Shimo-Ochiai in Mejiro
• Jigoro Kano of Judo observes demonstration by Ueshiba in Mejiro dojo and dispatches several students from Kodokan, including Minoru Mochizuki, to study

• Dedication of Kobukan dojo in Ushigome, Wakamatsu-cho

• Budo Sen’yokai (Society for the Promotion of Martial Arts) is established with Ueshiba as its first head

• Technical manual “Budo Renshu” published

• Film documentary of Aikido Budo made by Asahi Newspaper Company in Osaka . Only known pre-war film of Morihei Ueshiba (Available from Aikido Journal)

• Ueshiba’s name appears in enrolment book of Kashima Shinto-Ryu

• Technical manual “Budo” published

• Invited to instruct in Manchuria

• Attends martial arts demonstration in Manchuria commemorating 2600^th anniversary of Japan
• Second Vision

• Gives demonstration at Sainenkan dojo on imperial grounds for members of the imperial family
• Teaches at military police academy
• Invited to Manchuria to instruct during University Martial Arts week
• Becomes martial arts advisor for Shimbuden and Kenkoku universities in Manuchuria

• Name “Aikido” becomes official and is registered with Ministry of Education
• Invited to Manchuria as representative of Japanese martial arts to attend Manchuria-Japanese Exchange Martial Arts demonstrations in commemoration of 10^th anniversary of Manchurian Independence (August)
• Moves to Iwama, Ibaraki Prefecture
• Kisshomaru Ueshiba becomes Director of Kobukai Foundation
• Third vision.

• Aiki Shrine built in Iwama

• Kobukai Foundation ceases activity due to post-war ban on martial arts
• Iwama dojo completed

• Hombu Dojo moves to Iwama, office opened in Tokyo
• Kisshomaru Ueshiba becomes Director of Aikikai Foundation

• Regular practice resumes at Tokyo dojo

• To Osaka for several weeks to instruct in dojo of Bansen Tanaka

• Hombu Dojo moves back to Tokyo from Iwama
• Several foreign ambassadors invited to public exhibition

• U.S. television documentary “Rendezvous with Adventure” filmed (Available from Aikido Journal)

• Receives Medal of Honour with Purple Ribbon from Japanese government

• Invited to Hawaii by Hawaii Aikikai (February)
• Television documentary made by NHK company (Available from Aikido Journal)
• All-Japan Student Aikido Federation established with Ueshiba as president

• First All-Japan Aikido Demonstration (October)

• Receives Order of the Rising Sun, 4^th Class, as Founder of Aikido

• New Hombu Dojo building completed

• Gives final demonstration January 15 at Kagami Biraki celebration
• Dies April 26
• Ashes buried at Kozanji, Tanabe
• Hair preserved at Iwama, Kumano Dojo, Ayabe and Aikikai Hombu Dojo
• Made honorary citizen of Tanabe and Iwama
• Wife, Hatsu, dies in June