Moriteru Ueshiba (植芝 守央, Ueshiba Moriteru, born April 2, 1951) is a Japanese master of aikido. He is a grandson of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of aikido, and son of Kisshomaru Ueshiba. Ueshiba is the third and current Dōshu (hereditary head) of the Aikikai.

Moriteru Ueshiba
Born (1951-04-02) April 2, 1951 (age 73)
Tokyo, Japan
Native name植芝 守央 Ueshiba Moriteru
ResidenceJapan
NationalityJapanese
StyleAikido
Teacher(s)Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Morihei Ueshiba
ChildrenMitsuteru Ueshiba

Biography

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Ueshiba was born on April 2, 1951, in Tokyo, Japan.[1][2] Recalling his childhood during a 2004 interview, he said, "The first time I wore an Aikido uniform I was in the first grade of elementary school. But my family didn’t force me to do keiko (training) then, I just did it when I felt like it. I started training seriously in my high school years. My intention then was to become a successor to my father, and to preserve Kaiso’s [Morihei Ueshiba's] legacy for the future."[3]

In 1976, Ueshiba graduated from Meiji Gakuin University with a degree in economics.[2] In 1996, he assumed the position of Dojocho (director/owner) of Aikikai Hombu Dojo.[2] In 1997, he visited Ireland.[4] He assumed the title of Dōshu on January 4, 1999, following the death of his father, Kisshomaru Ueshiba.[2] In January 2006, as part of Aiki-Kai Australia's 40th anniversary, Ueshiba visited and taught in Australia.[5]

Ueshiba wrote the books Best Aikido: The fundamentals (2002, co-authored with his father Kisshomaru Ueshiba),[6] The Aikido master course: Best Aikido 2 (2003),[7] and Progressive Aikido: The essential elements (2005).[8]

Following the iemoto system, he is expected to be succeeded as Dōshu by his son Mitsuteru Ueshiba.

References

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  1. ^ Pranin, S. A. (c. 2009): The Encyclopedia of Aikido: Ueshiba, Moriteru Archived 2007-08-24 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on February 28, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d Aikikai Foundation: Doshu chronology Archived 2009-10-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on February 28, 2010.
  3. ^ Kitaura, Y. (2004): Interview with Doshu Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine The Kiai, 10(1):1–2.
  4. ^ Irish Aikido Federation: Ireland Aikikai Archived 2017-11-14 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on March 11, 2010.
  5. ^ Aikido Australia: 40th Anniversary issue Archived 2009-09-13 at the Wayback Machine (2006). Retrieved on March 14, 2010.
  6. ^ Ueshiba, K., & Ueshiba, M. (2002): Best Aikido: The fundamentals. Tokyo: Kodansha. (ISBN 978-4-7700-2762-7)
  7. ^ Ueshiba, M. (2003): The Aikido master course: Best Aikido 2. Tokyo: Kodansha. (ISBN 978-4-7700-2763-4)
  8. ^ Ueshiba, M. (2005): Progressive Aikido: The essential elements. Kodansha. (ISBN 978-4-7700-2172-4)
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Preceded by Dōshu of Aikikai
January 4, 1999 – present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Dōjōchō of Aikikai Hombu Dōjō
1986 – present
Succeeded by
Incumbent