Modern Aikido has his origins in "Daito-ryu Aikijutsu", founded probably by Prince Teijun, the sixth son of Emperor Seiwa (850 - 880 AD). Through his son it passed on to the next generations of the Minamoto family. This art came to Shinra Saburo Yoshimitsu, brother of Yoshiie Minamoto, a man of exeptional skill; the name of the palace where he lived, "Daito Palace", gave the name to his style of Aikijutsu. His son Yoshikiyo lived in Takeda in the province of Kai, so that he became known by this name. Since this period these techniques remained a secret art of the Takeda family until 1868, during the Meiji period, when for the first time Sokaku Takeda - then at the head of the family - began to teach this art outside the Takeda household.
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One of Takeda Sensei's students - the most outstanding one - was Morihei Ueshiba; he unified Daito Ryu with other schools of Jujutsu and with Kenjutsu, the art of Sword-fighting, creating modern "Aikido". Shioda Gozo Sensei (1915 - 1994), the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido , was one of the first students of Ueshiba Sensei. He entered Ueshiba Sensei's Dojo at the age of 18 and for 8 years he dedicated himself solely to the practise of Aikido. In 1954 he opened the first Yoshinkan Dojo. After his death, his teachings are being faithfully carried on by Kai Kuniyuki Sensei. With his incredible skill and deep knowledge and understanding, he preserves the power of his teacher, handing on his ideals along the same choosen path. |
