Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) drew on his extensive martial arts experience as a young man, fusing this knowledge with his deeply-held religious beliefs, to create the modern self-defense art of Aikido.

During his long career, Ueshiba associated with some of prewar Japan’s most colorful characters, including famous jujutsu master Sokaku Takeda, the charismatic religious leader Onisaburo Deguchi, and numerous members of Japan’s military, political, and business elite. Here is the captivating story of the birth of aikido, based on the first-hand accounts of Ueshiba’s top students prior to World War II.

The interviews contained in Aikido Pioneers – Prewar Era have been meticulously edited from hundreds of hours of conversations conducted over a 30-year period with those closest to the Founder. These early devotees of the art offer an insightful portrayal of the character of the Aikido Founder, and a detailed description of his teaching and activities, spanning nearly half a century. More than 100 photos, many published for the first time, add an important visual dimension to the testimonies of the interviewees. This is an essential volume for those desiring to discover the roots of Aikido, a true cultural treasure of Japan.

Contents

Historical Overview by Stanley Pranin - 20 interviews with the following Aikido Pioneers of the Prewar Era:


Kenji Tomiki - began Daito-ryu aikijujutsu in 1925 under Morihei, later becoming Waseda University professor and Founder of Tomiki Aikido, the only form of the art to incorporate competition



Minoru Mochizuki - judo champion sent to study with Morihei by Jigoro Kano of Kodokan Judo fame who later pioneered aikido in France and created Yoseikan Budo

Shigemi Yonekawa - one of the most skilled of the prewar uchideshi known for appearing with the Founder in the famous Noma Dojo photo series

Rinjiro Shirata - the pride of the Kobukan Dojo who, following World War II, taught aikido in the Tohoku region and was later awarded 9th dan

Gozo Shioda - dynamic early disciple of Morihei who took the lead in developing postwar aikido and established Yoshinkan Aikido

Yoshio Sugino - judo and Katori Shinto-ryu adept who enrolled at Kobukan Dojo, and later choreographed martial arts scenes for Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai and Yojimbo

Kiyoshi Nakakura - adopted son of Morihei Ueshiba, and one of Japan’s top swordsmen of the twentieth century

Takako Kunigoshi - one of the few female Aiki Budo practitioners, and skilled artist who created technical drawings for Budo Renshu

Zenzaburo Akazawa - from a family of Omoto believers, began Aiki Budo at 12 years old and served Morihei and his family during the prewar era

Tenryu - the famous sumo wrestler who rebeled against the feudalistic prewar Sumo Association, and who studied under Morihei after finding himself powerless against the Founder

Bansen Tanaka - prewar student of Morihei from Osaka who created a large aikido organization after the war, and was awarded 9th dan

Shigenobu Okumura - a student at famous Kenkoku University in Manchuria, who became one of the backbones of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo after the war, and rose to the rank of 9th dan

Minoru Hirai - General Affairs Director of Kobukan Dojo who had a key role in selecting the name “aikido,” and who would later found Korindo Aikido

Kisaburo Osawa - devoted early student of Founder who served as Dojo-cho of the postwar Aikikai Hombu Dojo, and rose to the rank of 9th dan

Kanshu Sunadomari - from a family of devout Omoto believers, trained at Kobukan Dojo during the war, and later pioneered aikido in Kyushu, reached the rank of 9th dan, and established Manseikan Aikido

Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba - Morihei’s son, administrator and leading figure of postwar aikido, prolific author, and the art’s Second Doshu

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