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Morihei Ueshiba is the founder of Aikido. He is well known as a martial artist of Japanese traditional kenjutsu(sword fighting techniques). He is referred to by the martial artists as not only the master of taijutsu(body techniques) but also the master of Japanese traditional martial arts, kenjutsu(sword techniques), jojutsu(spear, stick techniques) and jujutsu(body & joint techniques). Aikido is based on taijutsu but has similarities in the movements, principles, and spirits of kenjutsu.
Morihei Ueshiba overcame a lot of hardships and his life was journey to found this martial art, Aikido. Also, Aikido is the result of his profound spirit-discipline and the creative expression of the spirit searching for 'do(way)'. This is a brief history of Aikido, although several books could be written on the subject.
Morihei Ueshiba was born in 1883. When he was a boy, He practiced Kito-ryu (Kito style) jujitsu, and practiced Shinkage-ryu kenjutsu in 1901.
He received a certificate of menkyo(mastery) in Yagyu Shinkage-ryu from Masakatsu Nakai sensei.
Later, his budo theory was very effected by Yagyu style sword fighting.
He had learned Daito-ryu-(aiki)jujutsu from the master, Sogaku Takeda in 1915 at Hokkaido , this martial art became the main frame of Aikido.
Nowadays, Aikido is distinctly different from Daito-ryu-(aiki)jujutsu in smooth movements and spirits, even though there are similarities in techniques between those.
Another difference is the root of sword fighting techniques in each art. Daito-ryu -(aiki)jujutsu is effected by Itto-ryu style, especially OnoHa Itto-ryu kenjutsu (sword fighting techniques), but Aikido is effected by Yagyu Shinkage-ryu and Shinto-ryu.
In the begining of founding Aikido, The body techniques were much rougher than today's movements. Around 1940s, the development of his spirit changed and developed Aikido as the present style. It made Aikido very distinctive from other Japanese traditional martial arts.