One of the first aikido books published in English appeared in 1963. It was authored by Morihei Ueshiba’s son, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, who later became the Second Doshu. This book contained a short section titled...
Archive - 2014
Kobukan Dojo Era, Part 1 by Stanley Pranin
This is the first part of a two-part article. Read the second part here. Introduction In April of 1931, Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, opened a private dojo in the Shinjuku ward of Tokyo called the “Kobukan.”...
Aiki Expo
The Aiki Expo events were major aikido seminars sponsored by Aikido Journal and conceived and organized by Stanley Pranin that gathered together many high-ranking teachers from Aikido, Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, classical...
“Competition and Budo – Oil and Vinegar?” by Ken Teshima
This piece was originally contributed by Ken Teshima in 2014. As I sit here writing my paper, I am contemplating the Judo tournament I competed in recently. I was eliminated early in a pool of talented Judoka, and what...
“Interview with André Cognard (3),” by Stanley Pranin
André Cognard was born in France in 1954. He was 17 years old when he started teaching aikido to adults, by opening five dojos in several cities in France. Four years later, he received the French state diploma for...
Morihiro Saito’s Aiki Ken and Aiki Jo
Bequeathed by the Founder These are the aikido sword and staff forms taught by Morihiro Saito, 9th dan. Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba spent many years studying these weapons — called the Aiki Ken and Jo —...
“Martial Arts, Aikido, and Peace?” by George Ledyard
The one thing that is absolutely assured in this world is change. Change is constant, unstoppable. The entire Universe is in constant flux. At each instant structures are being created and structures are passing out of...
The Co-founder of Aikido? “The Strange Saga of Noriaki Inoue”
Before dismissing such a preposterous claim, consider the following. Inoue was a nephew of Morihei Ueshiba, and 19 years the latter’s junior. You’ll recall that Morihei was born in Tanabe, a seacoast town in...