Aikido is a relatively new self-defensive art, founded in Japan by Professor Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). As a youth, Ueshiba Sensei, or O-Sensei (Great Teacher) as he was called, applied himself to many years of intense training in budo, or the Japanese martial arts. He was a master of Jiu-jitsu, the spear, and the staff, and was considered unbeatable with the sword. O'Sensei also delved deeply into religion and the meaning of life, studying Zen Buddhism and Shinto. Although he became very strong and won many challenges, Ueshiba Sensei was troubled with the idea that winning at someone else's expense was not true victory. Though he was an acknowledged master, he began to study movement and technique even more intensely, and he eventually came to realize that true self-defense was not winning over others, but winning over the discord within oneself.

The word Aikido in Japanese is made up of three kanji (characters). "AI" means "to meet, to come together, to harmonize"; "KI" means "energy, spirit, mind" (in a larger context "KI" means "the spirit" or "the nature" or "of the universe," and not just the spirit of human beings). "DO" means "the Way" which signifies that the study of Aikido does not involve merely self-defense techniques but includes positive character-building ideals which a person can incorporate into his or her own life. AIKIDO therefore means the way of harmonizing with the spirit of the universe.