Daitō-ryū aiki-jūjutsu (大東流合気柔術), originally called Daito-ryū jujutsu (大東流柔術), is a Japanese martial art that first became widely known in the early 20th century under the headmastership of Sokaku Takeda (武田 惣角 Takeda Sōkaku). Takeda had extensive training in several martial arts (including Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryu and sumo) and referred to the style he taught as Daito-ryū. Although the ryū's traditions claim to extend back centuries in Japanese history there are no known extant records regarding the ryū before Sokaku Takeda. Whether he is regarded as the restorer or founder of the art, the known history of Daito-ryū begins with Sokaku Takeda. Perhaps the most famous student of Sokaku Takeda was Morihei Ueshiba (植芝 盛平 Ueshiba Morihei), founder of aikido.

Sokaku Takeda's third son, Tokimune Takeda, became the headmaster of the art following the death of Sokaku Takeda in 1943. Tokimune Takeda taught what he called Aikibudo, an art that included the sword techniques of the Ono-ha Itto-ryu along with the traditional techniques of Daito-ryū aikijujutsu. It was also under Tokimune Takeda's headmastership that modern dan rankings were first created and awarded to students. Tokimune Takeda died in 1993. In addition to the mainline ryū under the Takeda family, there exist several branch organizations of Daito-ryū that maintain their own hierarchy and curriculum.

Hisa Takuma (whose students formed the Takumakai in his honor) was perhaps the only undisputed person who has received complete instructions from Takeda Sokaku as he was the only person who can produce the Menkyo Kaiden (license of complete transimission) as proof. The headquarter of the Takumakai is currently in Osaka.

The Korean martial art of Hapkido is believed to have been adapted from this Japanese system of the martial arts although there is no documentary proof and solely based on the oral accounts of its founder Choi Yong Sul.

External links

• Nihon Daito-ryu Aikibudo Daitokai
• Daito-ryu Aiki jujutsu Takumakai
• Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Roppokai
• Daito-ryu Aiki Bujutsu Rengokai

Jujutsu

Daito Ryu | Daitō-Ryū | Daito-ryu Aiki-jutsu | Daitōryū aikijūjutsu | Daito-Ryu | Aikibudo | 大東流合気柔術