The movement of Aikido is the dynamic movement of the universal energy force. The power of Aikido is the power of a strong and unified spirit, mind and body moving in harmony with everything around it. Its origin is Budo. Its development is the result of two thousand years of a cultural process of change and refinement, a continuing martial contest of natural selection. It is an evolution etched in blood.

The study of Budo and the development of Aikido was the life work of Morihei Ueshiba, a figure of great renown who traveled the length and breadth of Japan studying under the greatest masters of many arts. Hard work, severe discipline and all the money he could earn were poured into his mastery of the sword, the spear and the arts of self defense. Deeply interested in the study of spiritual thought, he had also practiced many different spiritual disciplines. Yet he was unable to unite his spiritual beliefs with his physical accomplishments.

A short time after returning from military action in the Russo-Japanese War, he retired to a small house located on a mountain outside his village. There he lived and studied silently; his days spent training his body and his nights spent deep in prayer. It was at the end of this time of severe training that he had the realization he had been seeking all his life. At that moment nature's process became clear and he knew that the source of Budo is the spirit of protection of all things.

"Budo is not felling the opponent by force; nor is it a tool to lead the world into destruction by arms. True Budo is to accept the spirit of the universe, keep the peace of the world, correctly produce, protect and cultivate all beings in nature."

Morihei Ueshiba intimately recognized and understood the harmony and power of the creative process from which all things evolve. His art was the sword, his creative way was Budo. His understanding and enlightenment is creatively expressed by the protection of all life through a powerful and graphic application of universal truth. Aikido is creation, not destruction. It is a positive energy which creates harmony and justice out of violence.

To talk of harmony and justice is simple. But to apply those principles to the conflicts which we face everyday requires a deep understanding and sincere trust. Logic may tell us that truth lies within the process of harmony, but the moment something of value rests on the outcome of a situation we no longer trust that logic. The beautiful ideas and eloquent phrases are forgotten under the pressures of reality. In philosophy a theory of truth is expressed in words, but the truth of Aikido is expressed in action, the theory proven in practice. By the physical application of its principles we develop a deeper understanding in the heart instead of the mind. Through practice and experience we learn to trust its power.

Aikido training is to challenge yourself, not the other. You will develop confidence by facing your fears, and negative fighting spirit will become creative fighting spirit. The stress and pressure of serious Aikido training brings this spirit to the surface, exposing it so that it can be examined and refined in a controlled atmosphere of respect and mutual study.

1915 Born in Tokyo on September 9th, the second son. Martial arts experience began in elementary school where he trained in kendo, and later in Junior High school, at which time he studied Judo and became quite adept.

1932 (age 17) Already a sandan in Judo, requested and was accepted as a student of Ueshiba Morihei in May 23rd, and studied directly under Morihei for the next eight years. Later received the Hiden Mokuroku in Daito ryu aikijujutsu (lost after WWII).

1941 (age 26/27) Graduated Takushoku University. Acted as uke for Morihei during a fourty minute demonstration for the Emperor. Japan became involved with America in WWII. Broke from training to visit China, Taiwan, Southern Borneo and the Celebes Islands as the private secretary for General Hata Shunroku.

1946 (age 31/32) Returned to Japan in May following the conclusion of WWII. Moved to Iwama in September to continue training (for a short time) and pursue farming at what Morihei was calling the "aiki-en" (aiki farm).

1950 (age 35/36) Hired to assist with security for a few months at the Nihon Kokan Steel Company.

1952 (age 37/38) Asked to return to the Nihon Kokan Steel Company to teach aikido. Also visited 83 police departments, demonstrating at each of them and establishing a name of himself within the law enforcement community.

1954 (age 39/40) Performed an aikido demonstration in Tokyo at the Life Extension Society Martial Arts Exhibition and received the prize for "outstanding demonstration" over the other performers, including Tohei Koichi, who demonstrated in place of Morihei. Within a year, interested investors asked Gozo to found a training hall to teach aikido.

1955 (age 40/41) Opened the "Yoshinkan" ("hall for cultivating the mind & spirit") honbu June 10th in Tsukudo Hachiman, Tokyo. The dojo was hyaku-jo (100 tatami mats) in size, and the name of the facility was chosen after the his father's dojo of the same name.

1956 (age 41/42) Demonstration held in June for the American, English and German embassies.

1957 (age 42/43) The first twelve members of the Tokyo Police Kidotai (riot control unit) began intensive training.

1960 (age 45/46) Moved the Yoshinkan honbu to Yoyogi, Tokyo. The dojo would again move to a two story facility in Koganei, Tokyo, to accomodate increased membership.

1962 (age 47/48) Robert Kennedy visits the Yoshinkan. One of his body guards challenges Gozo and was immediately incapacitated. Popularity of Yoshinkan aikido jumped as a result of this visit and the media coverage that followed.

1964 (age 49/50) The Tokyo Police Kidotai arranges an annual program (senshusei course) in which ten candidates go through intensive training at the Yoshinkan.

1966 (age 51/52) Obata Toshishiro (age 18) was accepted as an uchi-deshi (live in disciple) after viewing a demonstration by honbu shihan.

1968 (age 53/54) Wrote the book "Dynamic Aikido".

1983 (age 68/69) Wrote the book "Aikido Gijutsu Kyohon" (later traslated to English and published as "Yoshinkan Aikido - an introduction to basic technique").

1984 (age 69/70) Opened a Yoshinkan dojo in Shinjuku, Tokyo (present location) June 10th.

1985 (age 70/71) Wrote the autobiography "Aikido Jinsei".

1989 (age 74/75) Moved the honbu officially from the Koganei location to the Shinjuku location, consisting of a 155 tatami mat training area on the third floor of the "Takayama" building.

1990 (age 75/76) Founded the "International Yoshinkai Aikido Federation" (IYAF) January 1st. Famed American boxer Mike Tyson visits the Yoshinkan and watches a demonstration.

1993 (age 78/79) Travelled to America to conduct seminars.

1994 (age 79) Passed away July 17th. His son, Shioda Tetsudaro (eldest son) succeeds Gozo as Aikido Yoshinkai Soke (a title Gozo assumed a few years prior to his death).