The History of Budo in Japan
By the second century A.D., there was widespread use of sharp-edged
tools in Japan. Tools such as hatchets, knives, and arrowheads were
made of copper. These weapons were used for protection and to compete
and exert ones power over other people or other groups. With the
development of weapons came the study and development of fighting
The strongest of these groups was the Yamato family (the ancestors
of Japans Royal Family). The history of the Yamato was told and
handed down by professional kataribestorytellers who would
memorize and recite tales of their history before the written word was
used. Kataribe selected children with superior memories to carry on the
stories of the Yamato. When the written word was introduced in Japan
from China, these words were changed to become Japanese. Using these
words, the stories told by the kataribe were written down to form
Japans oldest book, the Kojiki.
In this book are stories of how the country of Japan was formed,
how the ancient Yamato planned the conquest of Izumo no Kuni, and how
battles were fought using weapons. The story of these battles begins
with Amaterasu, who sends her own child, Takemikazuchi no Kami, to
conquer Izumo no Kuni. He was met with resistance by the ruling family
of Izumo no Kuni, and his powers were challenged by Takeminakata no
Kami, the eldest son of the ruler of Izumo no Kuni. When Takeminakata
grabbed the arm of Takemikazuchi no Kami, the arm was thick and strong
like an ice pillar and could not be fully grasped, like the edge of a
sword. However, when Takemikazuchi grabbed Takeminakatas arm, he
could easily swing him around and throw him as if he were swinging a
piece of straw. In this way, it is said that Takemikazuchi no Kami was
able to take over Izumo no Kuni without a deadly battle.
This type of story is interesting because of its similarities with
Aikido. Through these stories, we can see that martial arts-like
principles existed even in ancient times. Since then, groups and
individuals studied and practiced martial arts, which led to its further
development. In the eighth century, martial arts study was promoted with
the establishment of the Butokuden, a government-sanctioned dojo,
in the city of Kyoto.
The actual basis of martial arts was established during the Samurai
rule of Japan during the Kamakura Era (twelfth century). From this time
until the breakdown of Samurai rule in the nineteenth century, all
Samurai were required to create, study, and develop martial arts. In the
beginning, however, fighting techniques were designed mainly for
exceptionally strong individuals.
During the Muromachi Era (fourteenth century), fighting techniques
became systematized and organized and were taught and passed down.
Complex techniques that had never been seen before were developed.
The techniques that were founded during this period became the basis of
the various martial arts that were created or changed over the next
several hundred years. Many of todays martial arts can be traced
back to this period.
With the arrival of the gun in Japan in the sixteenth century,
there was also a major change in martial arts. Techniques that were
originally designed for men in armor were changed and improved for use
with lighter clothing. Techniques of this sort became the mainstream for
martial arts during this period.
The Age of Provincial Wars came to an end in the seventeenth
century with the coming of the Edo Era. With the absence of battles and
less need for fighting techniques, the purpose of martial techniques
changed from solely a tool for fighting to a method for training and
disciplining ones body and mind. The development of Bushido,
the code for the Samurais life, was deepened under the influence
of Shintoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, and with the development of
Japanese literature. The purpose of the martial arts evolved from simply
killing the enemy to the development of a higher level of technique and
In the nineteenth century, the Samurai society came to an end. Budo
and Bujutsu were not as essential in the new society. Newly introduced
Western ideas and technologies were more favored than old traditions,
and Budo dojos and Budo styles dwindled rapidly as lifestyles
Upon entering the twentieth century, Budo was looked upon with
renewed interest as a part of the education of Japanese youth. Budo,
centered around Judo and Kendo, became so widespread that it seemed that
all Japanese were once again studying some sort of Budo. However, after
World War II, the Allied nations who occupied Japan outlawed the
practice of Budo in the belief that the martial arts lead to militarism.
With the rebuilding of Japan and the slow return of stability in the
lives of Japanese, this misunderstanding of Budo slowly faded, and
around the 1950s Budo began to regain its popularity once more. A key
person in popularizing Aikido was Gozo Shioda-sensei (see below).
Currently, Budos popularity has grown beyond Judo and Kendo to
classical martial arts styles. Some forms of Budo have even spread
However, with the widespread popularity of Budo, keeping a high
standard of teaching sometimes became difficult, and Aikido had its
share of instructors and high-ranking persons who did not have a full
understanding of correct techniques and philosophy. Consequently, rank
was easily given to many students who were not worthy of those ranks.
The number of groups or instructors who studied correct Budo and correct
Aikido were few.
In AYANA, we give the utmost effort to study and spread what we
believe to be the most correct and pure Aikido, with an understanding of
the history of Bujutsu and Budo. It is Kushida-senseis wish that
his teachings can reach each and every member and that they go forward
in this wonderful Aikido.
The Roots of Aikido: Aiki-jujutsu
The art of Aikido evolved from a variety of classical Japanese
combative arts. Many forms and movements in Aikido stem from sword,
knife, stick, spear, or archery movements. However, the majority of
Aikido comes from an extremely effective open-hand fighting art called
The development of Aikido from a purely combative art to a study of
the way of harmony can be followed from the founding of the roots of
Aikido in the ninth century to the teachings of Kushida-sensei today.
The very early history is not completely clear, but the roots of
this art are found in the ninth century in a fighting style developed by
Prince Sadazumi, the sixth son of Emperor Seiwa. This art, still in
simple form, was passed down in their family, the Minamoto, to Shinra
Saburo Minamoto no Yoshimitsu, who developed and organized the
fundamental principles of Daito-ryu. Yoshimitsu allegedly gained insight
by watching spiders subdue their prey. To develop more effective
techniques, he also studied the anatomy of joints and tissues by
Yoshimitsus second son, Yoshikiyo, moved to the Kai region of
Japan and established the Takeda family and clan. The familys very
sophisticated fighting art was passed down through the Takeda group in
secrecy. Eventually this art took on the name of Daito-ryu
(or Daito-style). The title "Daito" is said to
come from the name of Yoshimitsus Daito mansion. It is also
attributed to a twenty-fifth generation Takeda retainer, Daito Kyunosuke.
Throughout the history of the clan, only a select few were allowed to
In 1574, after the Takeda clan was defeated in a war, Takeda
Kunitsugu fled to the Aizu region, bringing the art of Daito-ryu with
him. The art was still only practiced by a chosen few and was one of the
secret Aizu Otome-waza, a group of secret martial arts in Aizu.
Eventually called Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu, it was to remain
completely unknown to the general public until three centuries later.
In the late nineteenth century, as Japan was evolving from a feudal
Samurai culture to a more Westernized modern society, a descendent of
the Takeda family, Takeda Sokaku, brought Daito-ryu to the public for
the first time in nearly a thousand years.
Takeda Sokaku traveled through Japan demonstrating Daito-ryu and
refining his techniques through actual combat by challenging other
martial artistsor anyone willing to fight. He finally settled in
Hokkaido to teach his secret techniques. Takeda Sokakus
descendants still follow his example and continue to teach Daito-ryu
Aiki-jujutsu today at their Daitokan Dojo in Abashiri, Hokkaido.
Ueshiba Morihei-sensei (1883-1969): The Founder of Modern Aikido
One of Takeda Sokaku's most gifted students was Ueshiba Morihei.
Ueshiba began the study of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu under Takeda-sensei in
Hokkaido. Later, he took this art through a tremendous change based on
his hard training and study of many years and on his previous studies of
other martial arts and religions.
Ueshiba-sensei completely changed this combative art to a way to
study harmony with nature. The principle of Aikido was transformed from
a fighting technique for the select few to a study of harmony for all.
Due to his great contribution, Aikido became an internationally known
and respected art.
Shioda Gozo-sensei (1915-1994): Yoshinkai Aikido
One of the earliest of Ueshiba Morihei's students was Shioda Gozo
(born September 9, 1915). Shioda-sensei began studying under
Ueshiba-sensei in May of 1932. It is said that Shioda-sensei had the
opportunity to study under Ueshiba-sensei during the period when
Ueshiba-sensei's techniques were the most active and clear. He continued
his training until he was forced to go to Formosa in World War II.
Shioda-sensei returned to war-torn Japan and found everything,
including all martial arts, nearly destroyed. Despite the prospect of
years of hardship, Shioda-sensei was determined to re-introduce Aikido
in Japan. Teaching first at private institutions, he was eventually able
to open the Yoshinkan Dojo in Tokyo. The re-flourishing of Aikido and
other Budo can be partly attributed to Shioda-senseis efforts to
popularize Aikido during those difficult years in postwar Japan.
In his teachings at the Yoshinkan Dojo, Shioda-sensei strictly cut
off any religious aspects to teach Aikido purely, basing his teachings
on Ueshiba-senseis sharp and clear techniques.
Shioda-sensei passed away on July 15, 1994, at the age of 78.
Takashi Kushida-sensei: Yoshokai Aikido
Kushida Takashi (born May 2, 1935) began
his Aikido study at the time Yoshinkai Aikido was founded. In the first
several months after he joined Aikido, Kushida-sensei commuted to the
dojo as a regular class member. Soon after, upon Shioda-sensei's
instruction and request, Kushida-sensei became one of the first
uchideshi (live-in student) at the Yoshinakan Dojo. For ten
years, Kushida-sensei lived in the dojo as an uchideshi and became a
certified instructor in 1964. After his marriage to Hisako Kono,
Kushida-sensei became Shihan (a senior instructor of 6th Dan or
above) and commuted from his home in Tokyo to the dojo every day. Even
as a senior instructor, Kushida-sensei continued to focus on his own
training while he devoted his energy to teaching junior students. The
students who studied under Kushida-sensei during the latter period of
his stay in Japan are now the main Yoshinkai instructors.
For twenty years, Kushida-sensei focused both his professional and
private life on following Shioda-sensei. During this time, Kushida-sensei
was Shioda-senseis number one Uke for demonstrations and in class.
In addition, Kushida-sensei handled Shioda-senseis administrative
duties and worked to create the Yoshinkai organization and to develop
good relationships between Yoshinkai Aikido and other martial arts.
In 1973, a request for an instructor was sent from Mr. Edward Moore
of the Detroit Budokan and from Takeshi Kimeda-sensei, who currently
teaches in Toronto, Canada. Kushida-sensei left his position as chief
instructor of Yoshinkai and came to North America in response to the
In 1976, Kushida-sensei started the Aikido Yoshinkai Association of
North America (AYANA) as a foundation for the study and teaching of
correct Aikido. Mr. Fukashi Hori was asked to be the chairman of this
In 1991, Yoshinkai Aikido in Japan established a group called the
International Yoshinkai Aikido Federation (IYAF). Their representatives
discussed the mission, policies, and activities of IYAF with
Kushida-sensei. However, Kushida-sensei did not wish to change
AYANAs standards to conform with those of the IYAF.
In December 1991, Shioda-sensei dismissed Kushida-sensei from
Yoshinkai Aikido. From that point Kushida-sensei changed AYANAs
name to the Aikido Yoshokai Association of North America and
began operating as an independent organization, completely separate from
Yoshokai Aikido has been developed by Kushida-sensei through years
of hard training and teaching experience and through his continuous
study and deep knowledge of the principles and philosophy of Budo.
Yoshokai Aikido became solidified with Kushida-senseis teachings
of the underlying philosophy of Aikido, the scientific principles behind
Aikido, and the importance of the relationship between Shite and Uke to
Kushida-sensei currently teaches Yoshokai Aikido through
AYANA, assisted by Akira Kushida-sensei, the
AYANA Steering Committee, and the teaching members of AYANA.
Kushida-senseis hope is that many people will be able to
understand and enjoy his pure Aikido as he himself continues to study
the beautiful way of Aikido.