When he was a young boy he was of fragile constitution and that motivated him to start his journey into the martial arts.Known as O Sensei (Great Teacher) amongst his students, he spent most of his life mastering many and different style of traditional Japanese Martial Arts.
He carefully chose elements from each to fashion the Art of Aikido, a system which embodied his ethical beliefs and philosophy.

In his youth, he served in the Russo-Japanese War; he later battled bandits during an adventure in Mongolia, and then, after mastering a number of Martial Arts, served as an instructor at Japan's elite military academies.
Although invincible as a warrior, he was above all a man of peace who hated violence.

O Sensei died on the morning of April 29, 1969, from liver cancer. He passed away with a smile on his face, and his final instructions were the following: "Aikido is for the entire world. Train not for selfish reasons, but for all people everywhere."

The following quotations were compiled from O Sensei's various talks, poems, and calligraphy, or transferred down to us orally. Aikidokas or practitioners of Aikido consider these words the very core of the Art. The Art of Peace begins with you.

Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow. You are here for no other purpose than to realize your inner divinity and manifest your innate enlightenment. Foster peace in your own life and then apply the Art to all that you encounter.

One does not need buildings, money, power, or status to practice the Art of Peace. Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is the place to train.

The Art of Peace is medicine for a sick world. There is evil and disorder in the world because people have forgotten that all things emanate from one source. Return to that source and leave behind all self-centered thoughts, petty desires, and anger. Those who are possessed by nothing possess everything.

To practice properly the Art of Peace, you must calm the spirit and return to the source; cleanse the body and spirit by removing all malice, selfishness, and desire; and be ever-grateful for the gifts received from the universe, your family, Mother Nature, and your fellow human beings.

As soon as you concern yourself with the "good" and "bad" of your fellows, you create an opening in your heart for maliciousness to enter. Testing, competing with, and criticizing others weaken and defeat you.

Daily training in the Art of Peace allows you inner divinity to shine brighter and brighter. Do not concern yourself with the right and wrong of others. Do not be calculating or act unnaturally. Keep your mind set on the Art of Peace, and do not criticize other teachers or traditions. The Art of Peace never restrains, restricts, or shackles anything. It embraces all and purifies everything.

Instructors can impart only a fraction of the teaching. It is through your own devoted practice that the mysteries of the Art of Peace are brought to life.

A true warrior is always armed with three things: the radiant sword of pacification; the mirror of bravery, wisdom, and friendship; and the precious jewel of enlightenment.

The Art of Peace is the principle of nonresistance. Because it is nonresistant, it is victorious from the beginning. Those with evil intentions or contentious thoughts are instantly vanquished. The Art of Peace is invincible because it contends with nothing.

To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace.

Always practice the Art of Peace in a vibrant and joyful manner.

A good stance and posture reflect a proper state of mind.

The key to good technique is to keep your hands, feet, and hips straight and centered. If you are centered, you can move freely. The physical center is your belly; if your mind is set there as well, you are assured of victory in any endeavor.

Techniques employ four qualities that reflect the nature of our world. Depending on the circumstance, you should be: hard as a diamond, flexible as a willow, smooth-flowing like water, or as empty as space.

When an opponent comes forward, move in and greet him; if he wants to pull back, send him on his way.

In the Art of Peace we never attack. An attack is proof that one is out of control. Never run away from any kind of challenge, but do not try to suppress or control an opponent unnaturally. Let attackers come any way they like and then blend with them. Never chase after opponents. Redirect each attack and get firmly behind it.

Do not stare into the eyes of your opponent: he may mesmerize you. Do not fix your gaze on his sword: he may intimidate you. Do not focus on your opponent at all: he may absorb your energy. The essence of training is to bring your opponent completely into your sphere. Then you can stand where you like.

In your training do not be in a hurry, for it takes a minimum of ten years to master the basics and advance to the first rung. Never think of yourself as an all-knowing, perfected master; you must continue to train daily with your friends and students and progress together in the Art of Peace.

The Art of Peace can be summed up like this: True victory is self-victory; let that day arrive quickly! "True victory" means unflinching courage; "self-victory" symbolizes unflagging effort; and "let that day arrive quickly" represents the glorious moment of triumph in the here and now.

Masakatsu Agatsu. True victory is self-victory.