Description
Morihei Ueshiba (植芝 盛平, Ueshiba Morihei; December 14, 1883 – April 26, 1969)
was a Japanese martial artist and founder of the martial art of aikido. He is
often referred to as 'the founder' Kaiso (開祖) or Ōsensei (大先生/翁先生),
'Great Teacher'.
Teachers (3)
-
Takeda Sōkaku
sports_martial_artsDaitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu
Confirmed
(1915–1922)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Independent sources state it, including Ueshiba's own interview.
“The young Ueshiba met Takeda Sōkaku, the founder of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, at
the Hisada Inn in Engaru, in March 1915 [...] He received a kyōju dairi
certificate, a teaching license, for the system from Takeda in 1922, when Takeda
visited him in Ayabe.”
visibilityFirst-hand
“while staying at Hisada Inn in Engaru, Kitami Province, I met a certain Sokaku
Takeda Sensei of the Aizu clan. He taught Daito-ryu jujutsu. During the 30 days
in which I leamed [sic] from him I felt something like an inspiration. Later, I
invited this teacher to my home and together with 15 or 16 of my employees
became a student seeking the essence of budo.”
— Interview with Morihei Ueshiba and Kisshomaru
Ueshiba (Aikido Journal)link
-
person
Tozawa Tokusaburo
sports_martial_artsTenjin Shin'yō-ryū
Confirmed
(1901)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
4 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Ueshiba's own interview and an independent biography state it.
“Iso Mataemon Masatomo had amongst his students Inoue Keitaro and Tozawa
Tokusaburo, who were the teachers of Miyamoto Hanzo). Morihei Ueshiba, founder
of aikido, studied Tenjin Shinyo-ryu with Tozawa Tokusaburo”
— BUYENS, Guy. Introduction to Traditional martial
systems. 2016link
“Teacher of TENJIN SHIN’YO-RYU JUJUTSU in Tokyo in late 1800s and early 1900s.
Taught Morihei UESHIBA for brief period in 1901”
— Josh Gold. (2011). Tokusaburo Tozawa 戸沢徳三郎. Aikido
Journallink
history
info
visibilityFirst-hand
“First I learned Tenshinyo-ryu Jiujitsu from Tokusaburo Tozawa Sensei”
— Josh Gold. (2016). Interview with Morihei Ueshiba
and Kisshomaru Ueshiba. Aikido Journallink
history
info
“The first teacher that the Master learnt under in his teens was Tokusaburo
Tozawa, of Kito Jujutsu sect.”
— Simone Chierchini. (2020-07-17). Ueshiba's
Martial Arts Career Before Aikido Was Bornlink
history
info
-
person
Masakatsu Naka
sports_martial_artsYagyū Shingan-ryū
Probable
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Yagyū Shingan-ryū training from 1903-1908 under Masakatsu Nakai in Sakai,
documented by Kisshomaru Ueshiba's biography as cited in Chierchini's
specialist article; the Yagyū Shingan-ryū Wikipedia article names both Ueshiba
and Nakai but gives no year or duration for this relationship
“The first teacher that the Master learnt under in his teens was Tokusaburo
Tozawa, of Kito Jujutsu sect. The next was Masakatsu Nakai of the Yagyu sect of
encing, who lived in Sakai at that time”
— Simone Chierchini. (2020-07-17). Ueshiba's
Martial Arts Career Before Aikido Was Bornlink
history
info
visibilityFirst-hand
“O-Sensei: At about the age of 14 or 15. First I learned Tenshinyo-ryu Jiujitsu
from Tokusaburo Tozawa Sensei, then Kito-ryu, Yagyu-ryu, Aioi-ryu, Shinkage-ryu,
all of them jujutsu forms.”
— Josh Gold. (2016). Interview with Morihei Ueshiba
and Kisshomaru Ueshiba. Aikido Journallink
history
info
Ranks (1)
-
receipt_longShoden
Probable
Menkyo Licence System (1908)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source
expand_more
fact_check
Chierchini's specialist article, drawing on Kisshomaru Ueshiba's
biography, dates the Shoden makimono to 1908; the article itself notes the
document lacks the school's official seals and the master's signature,
so its authenticity is doubted.
“probably went to Sakai a number of times between 1907 and 1908, when he
obtained a Yagyū Shingan-ryū Shoden-level license to transmit the art”
— Simone Chierchini. (2020-07-17). Ueshiba's
Martial Arts Career Before Aikido Was Bornlink
history
info
Students (21)
-
Roy Y. Suenaka
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Confirmed
Uchi-deshi (1961–1969)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
EN Wikipedia states Suenaka was a 1st generation student of aikido founder
Morihei Ueshiba and studied directly under him at the Hombu dojo in Tokyo from
1961; his official biography confirms menkyo kaiden from Ueshiba in 1961
“At his request, he was transferred in 1961 to Tachikawa Air Base in Japan,
which enabled him to study directly under Morihei Ueshiba at the Hombu dojo in
Tokyo [...] Suenaka was a 1st generation student of aikido founder Morihei
Ueshiba.”
visibilityFirst-hand
“Suenaka Sensei began his aikido study upon Koichi Tohei's 1953 visit to
Hawaii, and continued his study directly under Founder Morihei Ueshiba
O'Sensei at the Aikikai Hombu for eight years, beginning in 1961.”
-
Steven Seagal
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Refutedbalance
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Seagal claimed to have been a student of Morihei Ueshiba, but Ueshiba died in
1969 when Seagal was 17, five years before Seagal moved to Japan at age 22;
Wikipedia explicitly states the claim is false
“Seagal has stated that he was a student of the founder of aikido, Morihei
Ueshiba”
— Wikipedia contributors. Steven Seagal - Wikipedia
(English). Wikipedia (English)link
history
info
blockdisputes
“despite the fact that Ueshiba died in 1969 when Seagal was 17 and five years
before Seagal moved to Japan at age 22”
— Wikipedia contributors. Steven Seagal - Wikipedia
(English). Wikipedia (English)link
history
info
-
person
Tomiki Kenji
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Confirmed
(1926)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Independent sources state it, including Mochizuki's first-hand account.
“In early 1926, he encountered the founder of aikido Morihei Ueshiba. [...]
Tomiki introduced himself and became one [sic] Ueshiba's early students.”
— Kenji Tomiki - Wikipedialink
visibilityFirst-hand
“Je ne pense pas qu'une autre personne au monde ait reçu du Maître ce genre
de certificat. Tomiki Sensei avait reçu son manuscrit un peu avant moi.”
— Garnier Sinclair, Eric. (2005). Minoru Mochizuki,
le dernier des géants - entretien en deux parties
info
-
Koichi Tohei
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Confirmed
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
3 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Independent sources state it.
“In 1940, when he was 19, Tohei's judo instructor, Shohei Mori, recommended
that Tohei meet with the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba.”
— Wikipedia contributors. Koichi Tohei - Wikipedia
(English). Wikipedia (English)link
history
info
“reestablished contact with his teacher Morihei UESHIBA who was retired in
IWAMA.”
— (2011-08-27). Koichi Tohei - Aikido Journal
Encyclopedia. Aikido Journallink
history
info
alt_routeIndirect
“He was promoted to 8th dan by UESHIBA in 1952.”
— (2011-08-27). Koichi Tohei - Aikido Journal
Encyclopedia. Aikido Journallink
history
info
-
Tamura Nobuyoshi
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Confirmed
Uchi-deshi (1953–1964)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
3 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Tamura entered the Aikikai Hombu Dojo as an uchi-deshi of Morihei Ueshiba in
1953 and remained until his departure for France in 1964, documented by
Wikipedia, the Aikido Journal interview and the Budo Japan article
“Tamura entered the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1953 as an uchi-deshi (live-in
student) of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba.”
— Wikipedia contributors. Nobuyoshi Tamura -
Wikipedia (English). Wikipedia (English)link
history
info
visibilityFirst-hand
“Nobuyoshi Tamura was a direct student of Morihei Ueshiba. [...] Tamura entered
the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1953 as an uchi-deshi (live-in student) of aikido
founder Morihei Ueshiba.”
— Stanley Pranin; Didier Boyet. (2015). Taking Ukemi
for Morihei Ueshiba - Interview with Nobuyoshi Tamura (Aikido Journal). Aikido
Journallink
history
info
“Entered as an uchi deshi at the Honbu dojo of the aikikai on August 5, 1952, he
stayed there until his departure for Europe in October 1964.”
— Eric Grousilliat. (2020). Tamura Nobuyoshi - the
body, core of the practice (Budo Japan). Budo Japan (BAB Japan)link
history
info
-
Takeshita Isamu
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Confirmed
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Two sources explicitly identify Takeshita as a student of Ueshiba at the Kobukan
from 1925, recording detailed notes of classes
“Takeshita became a patron and enthusiastic student of Morihei UESHIBA in 1925.
He recorded hundreds of pages of detailed notes of classes taught by Ueshiba in
the late 1920s to early 1930s.”
— Gold, Josh. (2011-08-27). Isamu Takeshita 竹下勇 -
Aikido Journal Encyclopedia. Aikido Journallink
history
info
“in Tokyo he patronized a martial art dojo called the Kobukan. Methods taught at
that school included aikibudo -- Morihei Ueshiba was the instructor”
— Svinth, Joseph R.. (1999). Aikido Comes to America
- September 1935. Journal of Combative Sportlink
history
info
-
person
Sugino Yoshio
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Confirmed
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Studied aikido under Morihei Ueshiba in early 1930s, received teaching license
by 1935 and opened Aikikai-affiliated dojo, documented in multiple sources
“He met aikido's founder Morihei Ueshiba in the early 1930s, and studied
aikido sufficiently to gain a teaching license and open an Aikikai-affiliated
dojo by 1935.”
“Yoshio Sugino was a direct student of Morihei Ueshiba in the early 1930's
and opened an Aikikai-affiliated dojo by 1935.”
— The Last Swordsman: The Yoshio Sugino Story, Part 2
- Aikido Journallink
history
info
-
Sugano Seiichi
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Confirmed
Uchi-deshi (1959–1969)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
3 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Sugano entered the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1957 and was an uchi-deshi of Morihei
Ueshiba from 1959, corroborated by Wikipedia, the Aikido Journal interview and
the Aiki Kai Australia biography
visibilityFirst-hand
“I was around 18 at the time, so instead of going to the university I joined the
dojo. About a year later I signed on as an uchideshi.”
— Fuyuo Nanaura; Stanley Pranin. (2002). Interview
with Seiichi Sugano (Aikido Journal). Aikido Journallink
history
info
“Sugano entered the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1957 and by 1959 was an Uchi-deshi of
Morihei Ueshiba living at the main school.”
— Wikipedia contributors. Seiichi Sugano - Wikipedia
(English). Wikipedia (English)link
history
info
visibilityFirst-hand
“Sugano entered the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1957 and by 1959 was a direct student
(uchi-deshi) of Morihei Ueshiba, the Founder of Aikido.”
-
person
Gozo Shioda
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Confirmed
Uchi-deshi location_onKobukan dojo
badge (1932–1940)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Independent sources state it.
“Shioda began training under the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, in 1932.
His training as an uchi-deshi (live-in student) under Ueshiba continued for
eight years.”
“Entered the KOBUKAN DOJO in 1932 where he studied for eight years under Morihei
UESHIBA through 1941.”
— (2011-08-27). Gozo Shioda - Aikido Journal
Encyclopedia. Aikido Journallink
info
-
person
Saotome Mitsugi
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Probable
Uchi-deshi (1959–1969)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Wikipedia states Saotome was a direct disciple of Morihei Ueshiba, became
uchi-deshi at Hombu Dojo in April 1959 and remained so until the founder's
death in April 1969.
“Kisshomaru Ueshiba goes on to confirm that Mitsugi Saotome became an uchi-deshi
(live-in student at the dojo) in April 1959 [...] and remained uchi-deshi until
the founder's death in April 1969.”
alt_routeIndirect
“He entered the AIKIKAI HOMBU DOJO as an UCHIDESHI in April 1961”
— (2011-08-27). Mitsugi Saotome - Aikido Journal
Encyclopedia. Aikido Journallink
history
info
-
Saitō Morihiro
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Confirmed
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Independent sources state it.
“It was at this time, at the age of 18, that Saito joined Ueshiba for training
[...] From 1946 until Ueshiba’s passing in 1969, Saito served as Ueshiba's
assistant in a variety of ways at Iwama while his wife served Mrs. Ueshiba.
During Saito’s period as a deshi he taught classes in the Iwama dojo.”
“First taught by Morihei UESHIBA in Iwama in the summer of 1946.”
— (2011-08-27). Morihiro Saito - Aikido Journal
Encyclopedia. Aikido Journallink
history
info
-
Saitō Hitohiro
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Confirmed
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Hitohiro Saito began learning aikido from Morihei Ueshiba at the Iwama dojo at
age seven, corroborated by Wikipedia, the Aikido Blog biography and the Aikido
Journal interview
“At age seven, he started to learn aikido from Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of
aikido, who cared for him as a grandson. After Ueshiba died in 1969, he
continued his practice with his father.”
— Wikipedia contributors. Hitohiro Saito - Wikipedia
(English). Wikipedia (English)link
history
info
visibilityFirst-hand
“he started studying Aikido under Morihei Ueshiba at the age of 7 and continued
learning from his father Morihiro SAITO Shihan after the Founder's death in
1969.”
— Stanley Pranin; Sonoko Tanaka. Interview with
Hitohiro SAITO Sensei (Aikido Journal 113). Aikido Journallink
history
info
-
Noro Masamichi
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Probable
Uchi-deshi (1955–1961)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
EN Wikipedia states Noro became an uchi-deshi of Morihei Ueshiba in 1955 and
followed him from Tokyo to Iwama from 1955 to 1961; corroborated by the Wikidata
P1066 claim
“In 1955 [...] his uncle arranged for him to be presented to the founder of
Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba [...] that same day he decided to renounce his plans in
order to become uchi deshi [...] from 1955 to 1961, Masamichi Noro followed
Morehei Ueshiba from Tokyo to Iwama where he had his private dojo.”
alt_routeIndirect
“Entered the AIKIKAI HOMBU DOJO as an UCHIDESHI in 1955.”
— (2011-08-27). Masamichi Noro - Aikido Journal
Encyclopedia. Aikido Journallink
info
-
Nakakura Kiyoshi
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Confirmed
Uchi-deshi location_onKobukan dojo
badge (1932–1937)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
3 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Nakakura married Ueshiba's daughter Matsuko in 1932, was adopted into the
Ueshiba family as Morihiro Ueshiba, and lived and trained at the Kobukan until
leaving the family in 1937; documented in both the Aikido Journal interviews and
the Wikipedia articles.
visibilityFirst-hand
“I married the daughter of Ueshiba Sensei in 1932. [...] Therefore, when I was
in the Kobukan I was known as Morihiro Ueshiba. [...] It was just before I left
the Kobukan. I departed in 1937.”
— Hideo Yamanaka; Stanley Pranin. (2015). Interview
with Swordmaster Kiyoshi Nakakura, Part 1 (Aikido Journal). Aikido Journal
link
history
info
“Nakakura married Ueshiba's daughter Matsuko and was legally adopted into
the Ueshiba family, taking the name Morihiro Ueshiba.”
“同年10月、剣道を続けてもよいとの条件で清は植芝の婿養子となった。植芝と中山の名前から一字ずつ貰い、「植芝盛博」と名乗った。”
-
Mochizuki Minoru
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Confirmed
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
3 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Sent by Kano to study aikijujutsu with Ueshiba in 1930, became uchi-deshi and
supervisor of the other students, received the Daito-ryu transmission
manuscripts in 1932 and the Okuden Inka diploma in 1933; mentioned as direct
student in multiple sources
“That was back in 1930 when Ueshiba Sensei still didn’t have a place of his own
and was teaching in the living room of a regular private house in the Mejiro
area of Tokyo. But just after we started going there, we all moved to the newly
finished Ushigome dojo (site of the present Hombu Dojo)”
— Josh Gold. (2002). Interview with Minoru Mochizuki:
Part 1. Aikido Journallink
history
info
visibilityFirst-hand
“C'était en 1930, Maître Ueshiba n'avait pas encore de dojo à lui et il
enseignait dans le salon d'une maison privée du quartier de Mejiro à Tokyo.”
— Garnier Sinclair, Eric. (2005). Minoru Mochizuki,
le dernier des géants - entretien en deux parties
info
“1930年（昭和5年）、講道館の四段位を授けられる。嘉納治五郎の指示により、植芝盛平に入門。合気道の修行を始める。”
-
person
Konishi Yasuhiro
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Confirmed
(1924)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Two independent sources (Japanese Wikipedia, Web Hiden) confirm Konishi trained
under Ueshiba Morihei; neither names a dojo or a year, so no interactionPlace is
recorded and the 1924 startYear is an unsourced estimate, not an attested date
“その後、植芝盛平より合気道（当時は大東流）を、藤田西湖より南蛮殺到流拳法を学んだほか、揚心古流柔術、柴真楊流柔術、不遷流柔術、柳生心眼流と多くの柔術流派を学んだ。”
— Japanese Wikipedia article on Konishi Yasuhiro
link
history
“また、東都へ進出してきた、のちの合気道開祖、植芝盛平に入門。植芝の多大な影響を受けつつ、昭和８年（1933）、自らの流派「神道自然流空手術」を起ち上げる。”
— Web Hiden article on Konishi Yasuhirolink
-
Kobayashi Hirokazu
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Probable
Uchi-deshi (1946–1954)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Kobayashi entered the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1946 on a recommendation letter from
his karate teacher and studied under Morihei Ueshiba for about nine years until
returning to Osaka in 1954, documented by the English and Japanese Wikipedia
articles
“In 1946 his karate teacher gave him a recommendation letter for Morihei
Ueshiba. With this letter he went to Tokyo, in order to learn the Japanese
martial art aikido.”
— Wikipedia contributors. Hirokazu Kobayashi
(aikidoka) - Wikipedia (English). Wikipedia (English)link
history
info
“1946年、当時師事していた空手の師匠を通じて合気道の存在を知り、その師匠に紹介状を書いてもらい合気会本部道場に入門。以降約10年にわたり植芝盛平に師事する。”
— Wikipedia contributors. 小林裕和 (合気道家) - Wikipedia
(日本語). Wikipedia (Japanese)link
history
info
-
Mochizuki Hiroo
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Probable
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source
expand_more
fact_check
The fr Wikipedia article states Hiroo studied directly with Ueshiba, whom he
considered the model of a budo master
“Il étudie lui-même directement avec Ōsensei Ueshiba qu'il considère comme
le modèle même du maître de budō”
-
person
Miyako Fujitani
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Probable
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source
expand_more
fact_check
Tenshin Dojo's own instructor profile states she was granted shodan by
Morihei Ueshiba; no independent source corroborates it
“10代の頃より合気道を始め、合気道開祖植芝盛平翁より初段を允可される”
— 指導者紹介 (Tenshin Dojo - Instructors). 天心道場 (Tenshin
Dojo official website)linkhistory
info
-
person
Araki Sadao
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Probable
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
2 sources
expand_more
fact_check
Single source; it reports Ueshiba Kisshomaru's account.
“According to Ueshiba’s son Kisshomaru (1921–1999), one of his father’s students
(and “a close acquaintance”) was General Araki Sadao, who from 1931 was Deputy
Inspector-General of Military Training and Minister for War.”
— Green, Thomas A.; Svinth, Joseph R.. (2010).
Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation
info
“Among his students were Admiral Yamamoto Eisuke (1876–1962), Baron General
Araki Sadao (1877–1966)”
— Green, Thomas A.; Svinth, Joseph R.. (2010).
Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation
info
-
Abbe Kenshirō
sports_martial_artsAikidō
Probable
(1937–1947)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source
expand_more
fact_check
Website biography mentions studying aikido under Ueshiba
“In 1937, at the age of 23, Abbe was awarded his Rokudan (6th Dan) rank and in
June of that year he enlisted in the Japanese army, serving for four years in a
garrison in the Toan-sho Province in Manchuria. It was during the time in
Manchuria that Abbe began formulating his theory of Budo (the Way of the
Warrior), Kyu-Shin-Do. And it was also at this time that Abbe was invited by
O'Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba to study Aikido under his care.”
— Kenshiro Abbe, The Kyu-Shin-Do And Zen Judo - Keo
Cavalcanti, 6th Dan Zen Judolink
history
Honours (1)
-
receipt_longKyōju Dairi
Probable
Title (1922)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source
expand_more
fact_check
Rank granted by Takeda Sokaku, well-documented in Daito-ryu lineage records
“He received a kyōju dairi certificate, a teaching license, for the system from
Takeda in 1922, when Takeda visited him in Ayabe.”
Identifiers
https://martial.is/entity/01KJJAWN28MWKKSN4J02MVY1TV
Cite and reuse
CC BY-SA 4.0expand_more
Plain text
Muñoz, Frederico (YEAR_PLACEHOLDER). Ueshiba Morihei. In Martialis: Martial Arts
Lineage Database. https://martial.is/entity/01KJJAWN28MWKKSN4J02MVY1TV - CC
BY-SA 4.0. Accessed ACCESSED_DATE_PLACEHOLDER.
BibTeX
@incollection{martialis_01KJJAWN28MWKKSN4J02MVY1TV, author = {Muñoz, Frederico},
title = {Ueshiba Morihei}, booktitle = {Martialis: Martial Arts Lineage
Database}, year = {YEAR_PLACEHOLDER}, url =
{https://martial.is/entity/01KJJAWN28MWKKSN4J02MVY1TV}, urldate =
{ACCESSED_DATE_PLACEHOLDER}, note = {CC BY-SA 4.0} }
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