Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), also known as O-Sensei (great teacher), - a respectful title given to him by his students - was born on December 14, 1883 in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.  He studied various classical martial arts of the time the most notable being, Kito-ryu jujitsu, Shinkage-ryu kenjitsu (swordsmanship), Yagu Shingan-ryu jujitsu, and Daito-ryu Aikijujitsu.  O-Sensei mastered empty-handed arts, as well as the sword, and jo (short staff).  These weapons are still an integral part of Aikido training today.

In the latter years of his life O-Sensei retired to Iwama, a small farming town in Ibaraki Prefecture, to continue his study o the martial arts - the more esoteric aspects - in an effort to discover the true meaning of the martial arts of which he was already considered to be a master.
A well known quote of O-Sensei's was Masakatsu Akatsu, - "By acting in accordance with the truth we always emerge victorious".