FREE VIDEO thru Monday: Focus on History — “Morihei on Weapons in Aikido… More evidence!,” by Stanley Pranin

In this screencast, Stanley Pranin presents an unusual photo of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba shot around 1961. The Founder is shown handling a jo thrust attack from his son, Kisshomaru Ueshiba.

Transcript of screencast

Hi, I’m Stanley Pranin, and welcome to another episode of “Focus on History”

Today, we have another unusual photo to show you. Of course, on the right is Morihei Ueshiba, the Founder of Aikido, and I would estimate him to be about 77 years old. That would date the photo to around 1961. Morihei’s partner is none other than his son, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, who would have been about 40 at this time.

Notice that both father and son are dressed formally on this occasion. They appear to be inside a tatami room, perhaps in a private residence. Chances are that this was a private aikido demonstration given before some prominent individual or small group. It may have have taken place before a politician, a wealthy businessman, perhaps a religious group, or in a similar setting.

O-Sensei’s demonstration was no doubt accompanied by a lecture in which he mentioned aikido’s universal principles, and social goals, with a liberal sprinkling of the names of various Shinto deities from out of the “Kojiki.” As aikidoka, you should be familiar with the “Kojiki,” which is Japan’s collection of creation stories and myths, roughly analagous to the Bible. This ancient text contains many of the stories and metaphors that Morihei would draw upon when explaining aikido’s principles…

Duration: 4:40 minutes
Access: free through Monday, January 30

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