Kisshomaru Ueshiba
Encyclopedia
was a prominent Japanese master
of aikido
. He was the son of Morihei Ueshiba
, founder of aikido, and became the international leader of aikido after his father's death.
, Japan. He was the third son and fourth child of Morihei Ueshiba and Hatsu Ueshiba (née Itokawa). Ueshiba began training under his father around 1937.
, Morihei Ueshiba (who was retiring to Iwama
) appointed him the head of the Kobukan Dojo in Shinjuku, Tokyo. He saved the dojo from fire bombing several times during the World War II
. Ueshiba graduated with a degree in economics in 1946.
Speaking about the period just after World War II, Moriteru Ueshiba
said, "there was not yet much activity at the Hombu Dojo. For a time my father [Kisshomaru Ueshiba] was actually in Iwama instead ... starting around 1949, he worked for about seven years at a company called Osaka Shoji. He had no other choice. Even if you have a dojo, you can't make a living if nobody is coming to train, which was largely the case after the war. So, he took a job as an ordinary company employee during the day and taught only in the mornings and evenings."
Beginning in 1948, Ueshiba oversaw the development of the Aikikai Honbu
organization (and eventually the tearing down of the Kobukan Dojo in 1967 to construct the Aikikai headquarters).
. By 1998, Ueshiba's health had declined and this necessitated visits to hospital.
Ueshiba died around 5:30 PM on January 4, 1999, in a Tokyo hospital. The cause of death was respiratory failure. As his father was the first Doshu, he was the second Doshu, and after his death, his son Moriteru Ueshiba became the third Doshu, following the iemoto
system.
Grandmaster (martial arts)
Grandmaster and Master are titles used to describe or address some senior or experienced martial artists. Such titles may be, to some extent, aligned to the elderly martial arts master stock character in fiction...
of aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
. He was the son of Morihei Ueshiba
Morihei Ueshiba
was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....
, founder of aikido, and became the international leader of aikido after his father's death.
Early life
Ueshiba was born on June 27, 1921, in the city of Ayabe, Kyoto PrefectureKyoto Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Kyoto.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Kyoto prefecture was known as Yamashiro....
, Japan. He was the third son and fourth child of Morihei Ueshiba and Hatsu Ueshiba (née Itokawa). Ueshiba began training under his father around 1937.
Aikido career
In 1942, while he was still studying at Waseda UniversityWaseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
, Morihei Ueshiba (who was retiring to Iwama
Iwama, Ibaraki
is a small town in Nishiibaraki District, Ibaraki, Japan.On March 19, 2006 Iwama, along with the town of Tomobe, also from Nishiibaraki District, was merged into the expanded city of Kasama.-Geography:...
) appointed him the head of the Kobukan Dojo in Shinjuku, Tokyo. He saved the dojo from fire bombing several times during the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Ueshiba graduated with a degree in economics in 1946.
Speaking about the period just after World War II, Moriteru Ueshiba
Moriteru Ueshiba
is a Japanese master of aikido. He is a grandson of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of aikido, and son of Kisshomaru Ueshiba. Ueshiba is the third and current Doshu of the Aikikai.-Biography:Ueshiba was born on April 2, 1951, in Tokyo, Japan...
said, "there was not yet much activity at the Hombu Dojo. For a time my father [Kisshomaru Ueshiba] was actually in Iwama instead ... starting around 1949, he worked for about seven years at a company called Osaka Shoji. He had no other choice. Even if you have a dojo, you can't make a living if nobody is coming to train, which was largely the case after the war. So, he took a job as an ordinary company employee during the day and taught only in the mornings and evenings."
Beginning in 1948, Ueshiba oversaw the development of the Aikikai Honbu
Aikikai
The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu . It is represented globally through the International Aikido Federation....
organization (and eventually the tearing down of the Kobukan Dojo in 1967 to construct the Aikikai headquarters).
Later life
After Morihei Ueshiba's death in 1969, Kisshomaru Ueshiba took on the mantle of Doshu (hereditary head). In 1995, Ueshiba received the Zui Hosho Medal from the Japanese governmentGovernment of Japan
The government of Japan is a constitutional monarchy where the power of the Emperor is very limited. As a ceremonial figurehead, he is defined by the 1947 constitution as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people". Power is held chiefly by the Prime Minister of Japan and other elected...
. By 1998, Ueshiba's health had declined and this necessitated visits to hospital.
Ueshiba died around 5:30 PM on January 4, 1999, in a Tokyo hospital. The cause of death was respiratory failure. As his father was the first Doshu, he was the second Doshu, and after his death, his son Moriteru Ueshiba became the third Doshu, following the iemoto
Iemoto
Iemoto is a Japanese term used to refer to the founder or current head master of a certain school of traditional Japanese art...
system.
Publications
- Kisshomaru Ueshiba, A Life in Aikido: The Biography of Founder Morihei Ueshiba (2008), Kodansha International, ISBN 978-4-7700-2617-0 http://www.kodansha-intl.com/books/html/en/9784770026170.html
- Kisshomaru Ueshiba, The Art of Aikido: Principles and Essential Techniques (2004) Kodansha International, ISBN 978-4-7700-2945-4 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kisshomaru_Ueshiba&action=edit
- Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Best Aikido: The Fundamentals (2002) Kodansha International, ISBN 978-4-7700-2762-7 http://www.kodansha-intl.com/books/html/en/9784770027627.html
- Kisshomaru Ueshiba, The Spirit of Aikido (1987), Kodansha International, ISBN 978-0-87011-850-0 http://www.kodansha-intl.com/books/html/en/9780870118500.html
- Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Aikido (1985), Japan Publications Trading, ISBN 978-0-87040-629-4