Morihei Ueshiba – often referred to as O-Sensei (great teacher) or The Founder ( Kaiso in Japanese). Morihei Ueshiba was born on December 14th in Tanabe City, in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.
In 1912 Morihei Ueshiba – known as O-Sensei (great teacher) moved to Hokkaido, where he met Sokaku Takeda, and learned Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu. In 1919 O-Sensei met Onisaburo Deguchi of the Omoto Kyo Shinto sect in Ayabe, Kyoto. In 1927 O-Sensei moved to Tokyo with his family and began teaching what was to be known as Aikido. In 1960 he was awarded the Shiju Hosho Medal from the Japanese government. Morihei Ueshiba passed away on April 26th , at the age of 86.
Kisshomaru Ueshiba, the son of O-Sensei. The Nidai (second) Doshu (leader of the “way”), the son of Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei – Kisshomaru Ueshiba, was born in Ayabe on June 27th 1921.
He graduated from Waseda University, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, in 1946. Kisshomaru Ueshiba Sensei gave his first aikido demonstration in 1956, and began teaching the public from this time. He published his first of many books – the textbook entitled “Aikido” in 1957. In 1969 Kisshomaru Doshu Sensei assumed the official title of Aikido Doshu. He was awarded the Zui Hosho Medal from the Japanese government in 1995. In 1999, at the age of 77, Kisshomaru Doshu passed away.
Moriteru Ueshiba, the grandson of O-Sensei. The grandson of O-Sensei, Moriteru Ueshiba – son of Nidai Doshu (second Doshu) Kisshomaru Ueshiba.
He was born April 4th 1951 in Tokyo. In 1976 Moriteru Ueshiba Sensei graduated from Meiji Gakuin University, Faculty of Economics. In 1986 he became the General Director of the Hombu Dojo, International Headquarters of Aikido. In 1986 Moriteru Ueshiba Sensei became the Chairman of the Aikikai Foundation. In 1999 Moriteru Ueshiba Sensei assumed the title of Aikido Doshu. He is now Sandai Doshu (third leader of the “way”).