About Ueshiba

Morihei Ueshiba was a well-known martial artist who founded the martial art of Aikido in Japan in the early nineties. He was born December 14, 1883 in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan and died on April 26, 1969. Morihei was weak and sickly in his youth and a penchant for reading. His father was a wealthy land owner who traded in fishing and lumber and who was active in politics. His father encouraged him to try out Sumo Wrestling, Swimming, and other physical activities, suggesting that strength ran in their family. While still young, Ueshiba witnessed his father come under the attack of supporters of an opposing politician. This emphasized in Ueshiba’s mind the importance and need of strength in life.

Ueshiba studied non-extensively in several martial arts throughout his life, and served in the Japanese military for a time as well. He trained under Tozawa Tokusaburō in Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū jujutsu for a short time in 1901; in judo under Kiyoichi Takagi 1911 in Tanabe; and in Gotō-ha Yagyū Shingan-ryū under Nakai Masakatsu from 1903 to 1908 in Sakai.

His martial arts training became more serious and in-depth when he moved to Hokkaidō in 1912 with his wife. There he studied Daitō-ryū aiki-jūjutsu under its reviver Takeda Sokaku.

Contact Info

Terry Lunam, Chief Instructor

613-769-1312

Address:

Aikido School of Ottawa
250 Clarence Street
Ottawa Ontario K1N 5R3

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