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.