| The Aikido is not meant to be a life threatening | | | | When Ueshiba was young his father was killed and |
| art form. The skill set and techniques that one | | | | he vowed to avenge his death. He began to |
| learns are smooth and controlled. The definition of | | | | study various martial arts and became well |
| Aikido is 'joining the way of the spirit'. Joining is 'Ai" | | | | versed in them all. There are stages and awards |
| Spirit is 'ki' and Way is 'do'. The creators name is | | | | provided and he is well trained in all aspects of |
| Morihei Ueshiba. | | | | various spiritual arts. |
| Warriors that learned the skill of Aikido used | | | | Feeling somewhat empty still even with his |
| methods to not hurt or maim their counterpart, | | | | extended knowledge, he met Onisaburo |
| but rather subdue them. The skills taught were | | | | Deguchiof. Deguchiof was a spiritual leader that |
| that of slight, ways to confuse your enemy or | | | | taught Ueshiba his way. |
| opponent were many. The art is truly one of the | | | | Ueshiba soon realized that using his spiritual |
| most peaceful and calm as compared to other | | | | strength on top of his skills of martial arts he |
| spiritual art forms. | | | | could form his own particular art from, which he |
| The 'Great Teacher' also known as Osenset was | | | | did and called it Aikido. |
| Ueshiba, he formed Aikido using the direction of | | | | There are many martial art forms that you can |
| Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu. Weapons of choice we the | | | | learn. Most cities offer various types of martial art |
| yari (spear),a bayonet type weapon called a juken | | | | classes. Some have actual schools that teach |
| and a ¼ bowstaff called a Jo. It is important to | | | | Karate, Judo, Kung-Fu, and many more. If you |
| note that while those trained in Aikido can use | | | | are interested in the spiritual martial art form of |
| weapons exceptionally well, they are just as | | | | Aikido, you may have to do a bit of research in |
| dangerous when empty handed. | | | | your area to find an instructor. Good luck. |