Ueshiba Morihei

Morihei Ueshiba (1883 – 1969), Founder of Aikido, spent his life learning different forms of martial arts (Jujitsu, Judo, and Kendo), their essence and applications. He led a path of spiritual understanding, and with his various life experiences merged the knowledge and inspiration he attained to develop what is today known as Aikido. Today he is referred to as O-Sensei (Great Teacher).

O-Sensei wrote many poems about Aikido; here, we quote three of them:

Life itself is always a trial,
In training, you must
Test and polish yourself
In order to face the
Great challenges of life

From ancient times
deep learning and Bu[do]
have been two wheels of the Path;
through the virtue of practice
enlighten body and mind

One who is
enlightened
to all things
will have no need
to draw his sword rashly.