Recommended reading: “Founder of Aikido (16): Master Onisaburo Deguchi” by Kisshomaru Ueshiba

The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

There are few famous personalities who are as misunderstood by the general public, whether for better or for worse, as Master Onisaburo Deguchi. Even today, when such impressive books as the two volume, 2,200 page 70 Years of Omoto religion, or The Giant, Onisaburo Deguchi by Mr. Kyotaro Deguchi, or Exploring Japan by Kyoto University Professor Tadao Umezao all portray quite accurate accounts of the man, there remains a residue of prejudice that looks down upon him as the founder of one of those weird, new cults, and dismisses him without actually knowing anything about his life. However, though he attracted several hundred thousand believers or, as some would call them, “fans”, one cannot deny that he really did have an unorthodox side to his behavior that made some people consider him a fraud or some kind of a monster or dangerous person.

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