Kisshomaru Ueshiba was born in Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture, on June 27, 1921 as the fourth child and third son of Morihei Ueshiba. Asked in an interview when he began training in martial arts, he responded, “a boy who lives near a temple will chant a sutra even if untaught”, same way I began my practice, when I was a boy, without even realizing it. By 1936 it had become my duty to be uke for my father in his demonstrations. I practiced kendo for a short period, and also Kashima Shinto-ryu, the old-style. In Morihei Ueshiba’s 1938 training manual, Kisshomaru appears in many of the photos as his uke.
He graduated Waseda University in 1942, with a degree in economics. During the early days of World War II, Kisshomaru was entrusted with the operations of the Kobukan Dojo. At that time, the dojo was nearly empty, with only a few students and Kisshomaru’s duties were mostly administrative.
After the end of the war the practice of all martial arts was prohibited by the Allied Forces and Kisshomaru openes the doors of the dojo to hundreds of people who were left homeless by the bombardments of the war. He traveled between Tokyo and Iwama during this period. Kisshomaru got a job at a security company where he taught aikido during morning and evening classes. His father remained in Iwama training a few close students, among them Morihiro Saito.
Kisshomaru published his first book, titled Aikido, in 1957. More than twenty other books have followed, at regular periods of time.
The son of the Founder of Aikido created a non-profit organization that was acknowledged by the Government, and which exists today under the name of Zaidan Hojin Aikikai.
The Aikido development continuous and many Dojos in many cities are established. Aikido becomes popular to the big Japanese public. Kisshomaru also focused on the world wide development of the organization. He began sending abroad many Japanese Shihans, to set up dojos and teach. Together with Koichi Tohei, Kisshomaru travels to the United States in 1963, for the first time. Kisshomaru and Koichi Tohei were the major figures at Hombu Dojo. After the death of O-Sensei in 1969, Kisshomaru Ueshiba was named the second Doshu of Aikido.
He also maintains diplomatic relations with the Government and Japanese businessmen. Aikido has high standards and a lot of respect because of Kisshomaru Ueshiba’s efforts.
Kisshomaru Ueshiba passed away in 1999, in Tokyo. He made the dream of his father, Morihei Ueshiba, come true, transforming his vision into an international movement.
