Aikikai
The Aikikai Foundation (財団法人合気会) is the original organisation for the
Japanese
budo art
aikido, officially recognized by the Japanese government in
1940. It describes itself as "the parent organization for the development and popularization of aikido throughout the world", although there are several offshoots whose arts all are named aikido. The Aikikai is often referred to as an umbrella organisation for various national and other aikido organisations. Its headquarters,
Aikikai Hombu Dojo is located in
Tokyo.
After the passing of
Morihei Ueshiba, his son
Kisshomaru Ueshiba took over the leadership of the organisation. Current
doshu of the Aikikai is the grandson of Morihei Ueshiba,
Moriteru Ueshiba. This system that the heir of a
martial arts school or system should be the son, either natural or adopted for the sake of succession, was common in
koryu (old) budo and is referred to as
iemoto.
Aikikai is sometimes described as Ueshiba Aikido, and is thought by some to be the most traditional of the aikido schools remaining. It has retained many of the aspects which Morihei Ueshiba valued in his original aikido, such as the non-competitive training styles and the emphasis on flowing technique.
Aikikai is also often referred to as an 'aikido style', although aikido within the Aikikai technically can be very different. The students of Morihei Ueshiba each had their own interpretation of his art, and in many cases other influences as well. This is reflected in the technical diversity within the organisation.
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Aikikai Foundation webpage 
