Morihei Ueshiba & Aikido 1: Aiki Budo (On Demand)

This exciting video showcases the prewar Aiki Budo of Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido. The program begins with a documentary written and produced by Aikido Journal Editor-in-chief Stanley Pranin that traces the life of the Founder from his boyhood in Tanabe through his retirement to Iwama in 1942. Morihei’s early martial arts training, his study of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu under the famous Sokaku Takeda, his involvement with the Omoto religious sect led by Onisaburo Deguchi, and a history of Ueshiba’s Kobukan Dojo are presented.

This documentary also includes video and audio recordings of several prewar Aikido figures commenting on their remembrances of the Aikido Founder. Among those who appear are Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Gozo Shioda, Rinjiro Shirata, Takako Kunigoshi, and Kiyoshi Nakakura. 1935 Asahi News Film

Of the surviving documents of the prewar era, perhaps the most important is the 1935 film of Morihei shot in Osaka at the Asahi News Dojo. We present this amazing treasure in its entirety for the first time. One is struck by the modernity of many of the techniques and the “ki no nagare” like style of execution.

Morihei demonstrates numerous suwariwaza, hanza handachi (hanmi handachi), tachiwaza, multiple attacks, and sword and bayonet techniques. His partners are Shigemi Yonekawa and Tsutomu Yukawa. There are also brief appearances by Takuma Hisa and Rinjiro Shirata. Most of the techniques are advanced and performed in a flowing style building up to a spectacular multiple attack finale!