Ueshiba Morihei
The founder of Aikido
1883-1969
O Sensei, or “Great Teacher,” refers to Ueshiba Morihei, the founder of Aikido and a leading student of Sokaku Takeda, who taught the art of Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu. Ueshiba refined this martial art and, in 1936, renamed it “Aiki Budo” to distinguish his teachings from Daito-Ryu. By 1942, as Japan embraced the concept of “The Way” (Do), Ueshiba further evolved his art into what is now known as “Aikido.” Revered for his teachings, O Sensei’s influence is seen in the various Aikido styles still practiced today, developed by his master pupils such as Minoru Mochizuki, Kenji Tomiki, and Gozo Shioda