What is Aikido?

About Aikido History

Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba (1883 – 1969), known to all Aikidoka (practitioners of aikido) as “O-Sensei” (Great Teacher). As a young man, Ueshiba trained in many forms of martial arts and studied Budhism. He served in the Japanese infantry for four years beginning in 1903 (serving in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05). He became quite skilled in the use of the bayonet. After the war he became involved in community activism and organizing. In 1912 He led a group of settlers to Hokkaido, known for harsh winters and difficult farming conditions. It was in Hokkaido that he met Takeda Sokaku, founder of Daito-ryu Aiki-Jujutsu. From 1915 until 1919 Ueshiba received regular instruction in Daito-Ryu from Sokaku. During a visit to Ueshiba’s home in 1922, Sokaku granted him a teaching certificate in the art.

At the same time, Ueshiba was drawn to various ascetic and spiritual practices. In 1919 he became a member of the Omoto-kyo religion. Emerging from Shinto, this religion emphasized the goal unifying the people and religions of the world. In 1924 he was arrested and briefly held by Chinese authorities in Mangolia where he and a group of Omoto-kyo members had traveled to establishing a kingdom based on their religious beliefs. His spiritual growth and continuing exploration of Budo (the martial way) left him increasingly dissatisfied with Daito-Ryu.

For a time during this period Ueshiba only instructed members of Omoto-kyo. He soon began to teach military officers, members of the royal family, and other prominent persons. He relocated with his family to Tokyo in 1927, initially teaching in the billiard room of Prince Shimazu. In 1931 Ueshiba opened the Kobukan Dojo, which the students nicknamed “hell dojo” because of the hard training. During this period he tried several different names for his art, such as “Ueshiba Aiki-jutsu” to further distinguish his it from Daito-ryu. For the duration of World War II he retreated to the village of Iwama in Ibaragi Prefecture, where he constructed the Aiki Shrine dojo. It was during this period that Ueshiba developed the foundation of what would later become modern Aikido, settling on the name Aikido in 1942. During the occupation of Japan after the war the practice of martial arts was forbidden. O-Sensei convinced general MacArthur, however, that Aikido was a new martial art of peace and was given permission to begin teaching the art in 1948.

The destruction caused in the war, as well as a series of what he would describe as enlightenment experiences, had accelerated the evolution of Aikido. As O-Sensei told Michio Hikituchi Sensei (who had been his student from 1927 to 1939) in 1949: “I have changed how we do everything… Until now all Budo has been for destruction, for killing. From now on Budo must become… the Budo of love.” This meant that one should even try to protect one’s attacker. This is a truly radical shift in martial arts philosophy. Before World War II, Aikido was practiced by only a few people. One needed a formal introduction even to be considered for admittance as a student. But with the lesson of war fresh in his mind, he opened the practice of Aikido to the general public in the late 1940’s, hoping that his art might help to contribute to greater social and personal harmony. Since then, under the leadership of his son Kisshomaru Ueshiba (1921-1999) and grandson Moriteru Uesheiba, Aikido has spread throughout the world. In the United States, there are now Aikido schools in every state and major city.

Roughly speaking aikido training has three dimensions: physical, applied philosophical, and spiritual. Aikidoka (practioners of aikido) learn a series of techniques adapted to respond to a variety of attacks and to multiple attackers. Embodied in those techniques are various principles which can be applied to everyday situations such as arguments or dealing with a difficult boss. At Utsusemi Aikikai we explore these principles, their applications, and the larger philosophy in which they are grounded. The third dimension of training, the spiritual, aims at eliminating the spirit of conflict and experiencing our unity with all things and all beings.

On a physical level Aikido is an effective martial art for self-defense because it uses an attacker’s momentum, does not engage in the conflict on the attacker’s terms, and therefore minimizes the importance of size or strength. The psychological and spiritual benefits that O-Sensei refers to result from the training process and mindset in Aikido. Aikido training is cooperative rather than competitive. It encourages mercy rather than revenge. The student’s goal is not to “win” but to practice, improve, and to help others improve. Because of this emphasis on cooperation, Aikido offers the possibility of “polishing one’s ego,” changing how one views and responds to conflict.

Individualized for each student, training can range from meditative to highly aerobic. Students take turns attacking, unbalancing their partner, and safely falling. Because Aikido is based on traditional Samurai arts, it also contains weapon forms using the wooden sword, staff and knife. The goal of such training is to explore the timing and mai-ai in weapons practice, thereby increasing our understanding of Aikido. Aikido training burns calories, improves stamina, increases strength and dexterity, while teaching martial awareness and self-defense.

Traditional Post-war Aikido

We are a traditional martial arts dojo. We follow the approach to training and etiquette as taught by the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshbia (O-Sensei). Our dojo is affiliated with the Classical Aikido Association, an organization headed by John Stevens Shihan. Classical Aikido is affiliated with the International Aikido Federation in Japan which is headed by Moriteru Ueshiba, grandson of the founder.

Utsusemi Aikikai

The first part of our dojo name, “Utsusemi,” is taken from the title of a chapter in the novel The Tale of Genji. Written in the eleventh century in Japan, it is considered one of the first novels in the world. “Utsusemi” refers to the shedding of the locust shell so as to begin anew. As applied to our approach to the study of Aikido, it means not to be overly dependent on earthly things, not to think of technique alone, but to also consider to the philosophical aspects of the art. The second part of our dojo name, “Aikikai”, refers to our training in the tradition of O-Sensei’s teachings following World War II, in the style that is practiced to this day at the Aikido World Headquarters in Japan where he taught.

Dojo History and Location

The Utsusemi Aikikai dojo, under the leadership of Ken McGrew Sensei, provided instruction in the martial art of Aikido from 2005 through 2012 in Birmingham, Alabama. The dojo relocated to the Houston Bay area of Texas in January of 2013. In 2020 Sensei gave leadership of the Houston dojo, which continues to operate, to the senior student under a new name. Currently the dojo is located in Cebu City in the Philippines.

Instructor

Ken McGrew Sensei is the Dojo Cho and a Senior Instructor at Utsusemi Aikikai. Sensei has trained in the martial arts since 1986. He began training in Aikido in 1991 with affiliation to Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, an Uchi Deshi (live in direct student) of O-Sensei. In 1993 he became a student of Mitsugi Saotome Shihan in 1993 under the instruction of John Stone and Robin Cooper Senseis. Since 2018 Sensei has been a direct student of John Stevens Shihan, direct student and inheritor of Shirata Rinjiro Shihan, an Uchi Deshi of O-Sensei.

In addition to training under these Senseis, McGrew Sensei has frequently attended seminars led by Saotome Shihan (including invitational sessions at his home Shrine dojo in Florida), dozens of seminars led by other Uchi Deshi of O-Sensei, numerous Shihan instructors from Japan or from other parts of the world, and various other structors in Aikido, both nationally and internationally. McGrew Sensei tested for and was promoted to the rank of Sandan (3rd Dan) by Saotome Shihan in 2011. He was promoted to the rank of Yondan (4th Dan) by Stevens Shihan in 2023.

Lineage

John Stone and Robin Cooper began training in Aikido in 1974. They have been direct students of Saotome Shihan since 1978. They began teachin g Aikido in 1980. They have been the Dojo Chos of Aikido of Madison since 1984. In addition to their extensive training with Saotome Shihan and dojo instruction, they have instructed Aikido seminars both nationally and internationally. Cooper Sensei has served on the board of Aiki Extensions. Stone Sensei is the author, with Ron Meyer, of the book Aikido in America. They were promoted to the rank of Rokudan (6th Dan) by Saotome Shihan in 2006. Cooper Sensei currently holds the rank of Nanadan (7th Dan).

Mitsugi Saotome Shihan began studying the martial arts, and Judo in particular, at the age of 16 in 1953. Shortly thereafter he also began studying Aikido under the direction of Seigo Yamaguchi Sensei. By 1955 Saotome Shihan was also studying as a direct student of O-Sensei, becoming an Uchi Deshi soon after. Sensei spent a great deal of time with O-Sensei and the Ueshiba family, and he frequently accompanied O-Sensei during his travels. He taught at the orld Aikido Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan from 1960 until 1975, when he relocated to the United States. Saotome Shihan is the author of four books about Aikido including Aikido and the Harmony of Nature and The Principles of Aikido. Six studio quality videos featuring his instruction and translated narration have been produced, including The Principles of Aikido, The Sword of Aikido, and Oyo Henka. Sensei holds the rank of Hachidan (8thDan).

John Steven Shihan began studying Aikido in 1973 under the instruction of Shirata Rinjiro Shihan, shortly after having moved to Japan to study Buddhism. He remained in Japan until 2013, teaching Eastern philosophy at Tohoku Fukushi University, and training extensively under the instruction of numerous Uchi Deshi of O-Sensei as well as Doshu and Nodai Doshu (son and grandson of O-Sensei). Stevens Shihan is the author of 17 books related to Aikido, Buddhism, and Eastern philosophy. He has also translated for English 12 books of similar kind, including The Art of Peace by Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei). Sensei has taught numerous international seminars, ran his own dojo for many years, and holds the rank of Shichidan (7th Dan) in Aikido.

Adult Classes

Our Adult Aikido Classes are for participants ages 12 and older. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for the children of adult students. These classes range from basic to advanced and train students in all aspects of the art including defense against various attacks, throws, rolling, and Aikido weapons. Though the adult classes place more emphasis on the self-defense aspects of the art, the cooperative nature of the practice along with the option to skip or work up to any activity that a student does not feel ready for, allows people of varying physical abilities to participate and learn at their own pace. The flexible nature of Aikido, that there are usually multiple alternatives in a given situation, can even allow people with physical limitations to work around them when training in Aikido. The partner-based practice simultaneously allows students who are able to train more vigerously to do so in the same class.

Kid’s Classes

We do not have a dedicated kid’s class at this time. Children younger than 12 will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be able to join the adult classes, especially if an adult from their family is training. We provide a caring and compassionate environment. Our goals for the program are to teach conflict resolution skills, increase attention span, increase awareness of surroundings, and the ability to focus. Aikido instruction for kids includes the focus on health and discipline found in other martial arts for kids, such as karate for kids, but with greater emphasis on compassion and conflict resolution. Our instructors help students learn to take care of their partner and keep them safe. This directly relates to their school life: working with others for a mutually beneficial outcome. Because Aikido practice is cooperative and non-competitive, it is well suited to these goals.

Students also learn self-protection concepts. They become “friendly with the ground” by learning to fall to avoid injury. They develop self-confidence. They learn how to “get off the line” and move to a safe place. They learn to avoid engaging unnecessarilly with anger or being drawn into fights. These skills will be useful throughout their lives. Because Aikido does not depend on size or strength, and because it is based on the physical application of non-resistance and conflict avoidance concepts, it helps students to be on guard against potential dangers, such as traffic, or even abduction attempts.

Aikido works for all sizes and ages. It does not rely on height or weight, so all age groups can practice together. The multi-age grouping has many positive outcomes. Siblings can train together. Older students can mentor younger students. Parents who are active members of the Adult class can assist with the kids’ class.