Morihei Ueshiba was an original artist and an exceptional master of budo. What he was doing was more than just passion. He involved finesse and sensitivity into war craft. Today it is difficult to undermine the thesis that he devoted his whole life searching for a method of combining the martial art with the ideas of justice and peace. Devoting to budo, he entered a difficult and winding road. Initially, he did not meet the enthusiasm of the scene, and moreover, many contradictions of fate emerged. However, his persistence, determination and exceptional genius led his art to the heights of popularity. He became a valued person not only in budo, but also in the world of culture and art. Morihei Ueshiba was a frequent visitor in various social circles, and extensive contacts, among others between the high officers of the army made him attract the attention of government officials and the imperial court. The West also became interested in aikido. In the last years of the master’s life there were numerous invitations from the western world, asking for the presentation of his art.

Morihei Ueshiba developed his art throughout his life. Even on his deathbed, he did not see its final shape. By giving his art the name aikido, he wanted to understand it as a way of life that allows finding a universal harmony with the world. On the basis of traditional martial schools and his inner experiences, he created principles and rules for seeking ki energy and the harmony of the so-called aiki. Through aikido he set a new and extremely original direction for human development through martial arts. He created that his original solutions of aikido techniques are awe-inspiring all over the world today.

Morihei Ueshiba opened a new chapter in budo. He shaped many masters who gave birth to several aikido organizations operating today in Europe, Asia, both Americas, Australia, and also in Africa.

About the Author:

Bartosz Ciechanowicz graduated from the Institute of Physical Culture at the University of Szczecin. During his studies he was a multiple scholarship holder. He obtained a diploma of a physical education teacher. He was professionally associated with the Department of Human Anatomy of the University of Szczecin, where as an assistant and lecturer he taught courses in human anatomy and exercise physiology (including Public Health education). A passionate teacher of aikido and enthusiast of Japanese culture and art, especially bonsai. He has been training aikido continuously since 1993. Since 2005, he has been teaching aikido and conducting trainings at the Pomeranian Academy of Aikido in Koobrzeg and Koszalin (Poland). He is the author of scientific publications in the field of physical culture, including publications on aikido.

164 pages

Language: English

Published in 2023