Moriteru Ueshiba

Moriteru Ueshiba
Born (1951-04-02) April 2, 1951
Tokyo, Japan
Native name植芝 守央 Ueshiba Moriteru
NationalityJapanese
StyleAikido
TeachersKisshomaru Ueshiba,
Morihei Ueshiba
Rank3rd Dōshu
Other information
ChildrenMitsuteru Ueshiba

Moriteru Ueshiba (植芝 守央, Ueshiba Moriteru; born April 2, 1951) is a Japanese teacher of aikido. He is a grandson of Morihei Ueshiba and son of Kisshomaru Ueshiba. Ueshiba is the third and current Dōshu.[1]

Biography

Ueshiba was born on April 2, 1951, in Tokyo, Japan.[2][3] 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."[4]

In 1976, Ueshiba graduated from Meiji Gakuin University with a degree in economics.[3] In 1996, he assumed the position of Dojocho (director/owner) of Aikikai Hombu Dojo.[3] In 1997, he visited Ireland.[5] He assumed the title of Dōshu on January 4, 1999, following the death of his father, Kisshomaru Ueshiba.[3] In January 2006, as part of Aiki-Kai Australia's 40th anniversary, Ueshiba visited and taught in Australia.[6] Also, in 2019 he led a seminar in San Mateo[7] organized by the California Aikido Association.[8] On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the New York Aikikai, he held a seminar in Galloway in 2025.[9][10]

In 2006, Ueshiba awarded the Anchieta Medal of São Paulo, Brazil. In 2009 he awarded the Order of Friendship from the President of Russia. Also, in 2012 he awarded the Gold Medal of Valencia Polytechnic University in Spain and in 2013 he receives the Medal with Blue Ribbon of Honor from the Emperor of Japan.[11] In 2025 Dōshu was awarded by Emperor of Japan the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette for the spread and promotion of aikido during the Spring Honors.[12]

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

Works

  • Best Aikido: The fundamentals (2002, co-authored with Kisshomaru Ueshiba)[13]
  • The Aikido master course: Best Aikido 2 (2003)[14]
  • Progressive Aikido: The essential elements (2005)[15]

References

  1. ^ "Moriteru Ueshiba". senseiaikido.com. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  2. ^ Pranin, S. A. (c. 2009): The Encyclopedia of Aikido: Ueshiba, Moriteru Archived 2007-08-24 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on February 28, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Aikikai Foundation: Doshu chronology Archived 2009-10-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on February 28, 2010.
  4. ^ Kitaura, Y. (2004): Interview with Doshu Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine The Kiai, 10(1):1–2.
  5. ^ Irish Aikido Federation: Ireland Aikikai Archived 2017-11-14 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on March 11, 2010.
  6. ^ Aikido Australia: 40th Anniversary issue Archived 2009-09-13 at the Wayback Machine (2006). Retrieved on March 14, 2010.
  7. ^ "Blog". cos-aikido.com. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 2025-10-11.
  8. ^ "Doshu Seminar in California: Photo Journal Part 1". aikidojournal.com. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 2025-10-11.
  9. ^ "Event". aikidocenters.com. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 2025-10-11.
  10. ^ "New York Aikikai". nyaikikai.com. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 2025-10-11.
  11. ^ "Doshu's Biography". aikikai.or.jp. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 2025-10-11.
  12. ^ "About the celebration for Ueshiba Moriteru Aikido Doshu having been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette". aikikai.or.jp. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  13. ^ Ueshiba, K., & Ueshiba, M. (2002)
    • Best Aikido: The fundamentals. Tokyo: Kodansha (ISBN 978-4-7700-2762-7)
  14. ^ Ueshiba, M. (2003): The Aikido master course: Best Aikido 2. Tokyo: Kodansha. (ISBN 978-4-7700-2763-4)
  15. ^ Ueshiba, M. (2005): Progressive Aikido: The essential elements. Kodansha. (ISBN 978-4-7700-2172-4)