The History of Aikido

O-Sensei - The Founder of Aikido

Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei) spent much of his life studying various martial and spiritual disciplines. This included Daito Ryu Ju-jutsu as well as several classical weapon systems. These years of training culminated in the development of aikido. Morihei Ueshiba became dissatisfied with the conflictive nature of many martial arts and believed that in true budo, there should be no opponent or struggle. He believed one should seek to harmonise with the world around and that this concept could be expressed physically through the techniques of aikido.

About Tamura Shihan

Tamura Shihan (8th Dan Aikikai) joined the Aikikai in 1953, becoming a long term uchi-deshi (live in student) of O-Sensei. He moved to France in 1964 as the official representative of the Aikikai, to spread aikido to the international community. Tamura Shihan has massively influenced the direction of aikido throughout Europe. The focus of his teaching is in France where he is the technical director of the Federation d'Aikido et de Budo (FFAB). The teaching at the Edinburgh Aikido Club follows the direction of Tamura Shihan.