A Brief History of Aikido

Morihei Ueshiba is the founder of Aikido. Born in December 1883, Ueshiba began his martial arts training as a young boy in a variety of styles, including weapons training. Ueshiba practiced these arts to combat his early childhood frailness and protect his family. He would excel in each art, then relate his existing knowledge to new arts. Standing just under 5 feet tall as a grown man, Ueshiba earned a reputation as a great martial artist early; his strength and skill throughout Japan became legendary. Combining the principles of these arts and refining the movements to harmonize with each other, Ueshiba developed a style unique to martial arts. Throughout the development of aikido, Ueshiba continually improved his techniques and refined the philiosophy of aikido. Ueshiba constantly sought knowledge, even until his passing in April of 1969.

Dr. Guy Haskell Sensei began the Emory Aikido club in 1997. Michael Magno, (Nidan), and Jon Reading, (Shodan), currently lead class at Emory Aikikai. Sensei Magno began his training in Pensacola, Florida, under Frank Calhoun Sensei, (Yondan). Sensei Reading began his training in Nashville, Tennessee, under Kevin Sparkman Sensei, (Yondan). Emory Aikikai is affiliated with the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba, under Mitsugi Saotome Shihan. Emory Aikikai is dedicated to the teachings of ASU and supportive of aikido study nationwide; the club funds multiple seminar trips each school year. The mission of Emory Aikikai is to expose aikido students to fundamental aikido and prepare them for a lifetime of aikido training; many dojo students are enrolled at Emory University and transient in their time with the club. In addition to training Emory affiliated students, the club also works with the community to offer limited training and educational seminars. Atlanta visitors are always invited to bring their dogi and train with the club.