“What happened behind the scenes when
Kisshomaru Ueshiba was chosen to succeed his father?”

During the course of this week, we introduce you to the Ki Aikido curriculum of Shizuo Imaizumi Sensei, one of Koichi Tohei’s finest students. These video lessons and interview excerpts with Shizuo Imaizumi have been adapted from his Ki Aikido Course.

As a well-rounded aikidoka, you should not only be skilled at technique, but also familiar with the history of the art, the philosophy of its Founder, and have integrated aikido’s principles into your life. A knowledge of the evolution of aikido will serve you well in navigating today’s political waters. You will gain insight into the character, values, and objectives of leaders and instructors with whom you come into contact based on your understanding aikido’s historical timeline. If you regard aikido as a life-long pursuit, making yourself conversant in these subjects should be a priority.

Interwoven among the many techniques presented in the Ki Aikido Course are interview segments where Imaizumi Sensei speaks in depth about Morihei Ueshiba’s near death experience in Manchuria, Kenji Tomiki and the introduction of competitive aikido, Koichi Tohei’s role as chief instructor of the Aikikai, his vigil during O-Sensei’s final days, and the issue of succession.

In our video today, Imaizumi Sensei recalls the events immediately following the passing of Morihei Ueshiba on April 26, 1969. He describes how the issue of who was to succeed the Founder was settled. It was not a foregone conclusion as you might think because there were also strong voices urging that Koichi Tohei take the helm of the Aikikai and that Morihei’s son, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, continue on as Dojo-cho.

Here are the subjects discussed in this portion of the interview with Imaizumi Sensei:

• After O-Sensei’s passing on April 26, 1969, an all-night wake was held at the Hombu Dojo where those close to the Founder, his family and uchideshi gathered together to show their respects and reminisce about Morihei Ueshiba.
• After the funeral, the issue of who would succeed Morihei Ueshiba remained to be determined.
• Among the decision-makers at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, there were those who favored Koichi Tohei Sensei, then the chief instructor, to succeed the Founder.
• In this scenario, the Founder’s son, Kisshomaru would continue as Dojo-cho, the top administrative position.
• As it was O-Sensei’s view that aikido was the responsibility of the Ueshiba family, the decision was finally made for his son Kisshomaru to succeed him as the Second Doshu, while Koichi Tohei would continue on as chief instructor of the dojo.

Here is the interview segment along with an introduction by Aikido Journal Editor Stanley Pranin. Kindly enter your information below to gain immediate access to this free video.