Misogi Aikido

Ueshiba O'Sensei the Founder of modern Aikido said:

"Aikido wa Misogi desu"
"Aikido wa Budo desu"

The meaning is:
As for Aikido, it is the way of purification of all things
As for Aikido, it is the martial path

"When the founder of Aikido, Venerable Morihei Ueshiba, visited Tsubaki O Kami Yashiro - head shrine of Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami - and made special prayer, the secret of waza was brought forth through the divine revelation. Since then day and night he practiced Misogi Shu Ho to reach the state of unity between the Kami (divine beings) and human beings.
Venerable Morihei Ueshiba cultivated spirituality so profoundly that he created Takemusu Aiki, and he taught the great power and wisdom of Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami to students of Aiki. Later he was able to show Jintsuriki, special divine power. Jintsuriki means that Shinriki - or the ki of the Great nature - is transformed to Jinriki or, actual power or waza, which will be delivered by man after being absorbed and accumulated by man's spirit, mind and body. " by Honorable High Priest, Rev. Dr. Yukitaka Yamamoto in August of 1997 about Shinto & Aikido.
More story about founder and Misogi
"Master Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, visited Tsubaki grand shrine in spring of 1958, guided by master Michio Hikitsuchi of Kumano Aikido dojo. As soon as master Ueshiba arrived at the shrine, he told me he would practice the misogi (a waterfall purification) at Konryu-Myojin's waterfall of Tsubaki Grand Shrine, and he practiced misogi with me.

Then he participated in a purification ceremony at Haraiden (the Shrine purification hall), and prayed at Honden (the main sanctuary). After I finished reciting the Norito (prayer) he chanted, "Su-U-Ah-Oh-Uh-Eh-Ih" then took the wooden sword and offered several Aikido moves to OhKami. At that time he said, "these are the basics of Aikido. Moves which unite the being with the great nature, all of them given by Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami." He continued, "Aikido is misogi. Misogi of ourselves. Aikido is the way of misogi itself, the way to become Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami and stand on the Ame- no-Ukihashi (the bridge between heaven and earth). In other words, the skills of misogi are Aiki, the way of uniting heaven and earth, the way of world peace, the way of trying to perfect humanity, the way of the Kami, the way of the universe.

He rested at my house and he told me and my father, "I have been given many teachings by Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami. OKami told me, 'By the work of Takehaya Susanowo no Mikoto, you will worship the Ame no Murakumo KuKamisamuhara Ryu O (Kami of Takemusu) and build an Aiki shrine and dojo.' Then I built the Aiki shrine and dojo in Iwama, Ibaragi prefecture in 1940. Since then I have been searching for the main shrine of Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami. I heard Tsubaki Grand Shrine is the main shrine of Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami, so I visited here today."

After that day master Ueshiba visited the shrine many times a year. When he came to the shrine in 1959, he said he would like to enshrine Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami at the Aiki shrine. In July 1960 I, instead of my father, took the Goshintai of Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami (statue of Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami) to the Aiki shrine in Iwama and performed the enshrinement ceremony. I went there with Mr. Shoji Gomi, who made the Goshintai, Mr. Akihide Isokai, and Mr. Masanori Fukuchi, shrine supporters. I remember that day: Master Ueshiba had great joy. It was a big ceremony with many participants, including master Kisshomaru Ueshiba of the Tokyo dojo.

After that he came to the shrine often. He planted a tree by the waterfall of the shrine. That tree remains there today.

I think master Ueshiba's words, "Aikido is misogi" are true. Human beings are born as children of the Kami and can become Kami. Misogi is the practice of uniting with the great nature and uniting with the universe. Of course humans have flesh and blood, but by practicing misogi we can elevate our spirits. At the same time, Aikido misogi is a way of harmonizing heaven and earth, a way of producing harmony and a way of uniting everything with the Kami. In other words, Aikido and misogi erase the mind that fights and and create a heart of harmony, a way of having a heart of Kami and a way of becoming the Kami of Takemusu.

Later, he had a trip to Hawaii. He went to attend the opening of an Aiki dojo. When he returned from Hawaii, he came to the shrine and reported his trip to Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami. He told me that he finished the misogi of Hawaii and showed me the key he had received as an honorary citizen of Honolulu.

In 1967 Mr. Akihide Isokai came to the shrine. At that time master Ueshiba said, "I can't go by myself already. At last the time has come. I would like to give Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami my address." So he sent mr. Isogai instead of himself.

Now I remember these things. These things remain with me, the faith of master Ueshiba and the Ueshiba who became Kami.

I would like to pray that the spirit of master Ueshiba shines on.

I am very glad that we enshrined him as one of the leaders at this Kototama ceremony."
Written by the honorable Rev. Dr. Yukitaka Yamamoto
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What is Misogi:

[Misogi Shuho at Konryu-Myojin-no-Taki (sacred waterfall of Tsubaki O Kami Yashiro in Mie Japan). Yamamoto Yukiyasu Guji is instructing Barrish Sensei.]

~ Misogi is the genius of Shinto.
Thru Misogi Shuho we sharpen our senses and our ability to respond to the divine in Nature. ~

Misogi Shuho is the Shinto practice of purifying oneself by washing away impurity/obscuring energies in a river, waterfall or sea. Misogi is a profound spiritual technology whose meaning is to sharpen the senses and increase one’s ability to respond to Divine Nature.

At Tsubaki Grand Shrine in Mie Japan Misogi Shuho has been practiced for centuries in the sacred waterfall Konryu Myojin no Taki.

For more information about Misogi Shuho, please visit the web site of Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America.
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Effects of Misogi ShuHo:

  1. True understanding of our lives as Kami-no-Ko children of Divine Nature.
  2. Cultivation of the the Heart/Mind/Spirit of service to society.
  3. Transcending Ego and greed and understanding the Mission of Human. Beings. Understanding of Kyoson Kyoeiprincipal of mutual co-existence and co-prosperity.
  4. Health benefit of increased circulation of blood and KI and spiritual revitalization.
  5. Strengthening overall constitution to become more genki.
  6. Sharpen the intellect (mind).
  7. Tamashii (soul) is renewed…you can feel Inochi (life principal).
  8. Bring new creativity to daily life.
  9. Misogi purifies the three temporal worlds: past/present/future…you receive KI of Divine Nature and give KI to others.
  10. Power to improve KI of Family.
  11. By raising spirituality you increase your contact with OKami and your ability to feel the heartbeat and breath of OKami.
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Misogi at Kannagara:

Here at Kannagara Aikido we are doing our best to research the inner meaning of the Founder's words through daily practice.

At Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America, Misogi Shuho is practiced each morning (even during the extreme cold of the winter season) in the sacred Pilchuck River that flows through the shrine grounds from Mount Pilchuck WA on its way to the sea. Barrish-sensei, the senior Shinto priest who built Kannagara Jinja has practiced the Misogi Shuho for 35 years and each day without fail for last 18 years as of year 2010.
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Misogi Shuho is the unmediated experience with Divine Nature. If you would like to participate please contact Tsubaki Shrine. Through this sacred practice you can research personally the meaning O'Sensei's heartfelt words.

Please contact Kannagara Aikido with any questions.
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