AIKIDO is a positive and non-aggressive martial art. It is a weaponless system designed solely for self-defence. It is essentially non-violent and, as conceived by its creator, non-competitive. Force is never opposed by force. By means of spherical movements an attacker's force is diverted and turned back upon them. In addition to throws to bring the assailant to the ground there is also a variety of joint locks for controlling the attacker; but though these are painful and induce immediate submission, they are applied so as not to cause injury. Aikido is perhaps the most subtle and graceful of the various martial arts. Since Aikido techniques do not demand physical strength or aggressive spirit, it is practised by people of all ages, genders and physical abilities. At the core of almost all philosophical interpretations of aikido there are at least two fundamental threads: (1) A commitment to peaceful resolution of conflict whenever possible. (2) A commitment to self-improvement through aikido training. Aikido's founder, Morihei Ueshiba, was born in Japan on December 14, 1883. As a boy, he often saw local thugs beat up his father for political reasons. He set out to make himself strong so that he could take revenge. He devoted himself to hard physical conditioning and eventually to the practice of martial arts, receiving certificates of mastery in several styles of jujitsu, fencing, and spear fighting. In spite of his impressive physical and martial capabilities, however, he felt very dissatisfied. He began delving into religions in hopes of finding a deeper significance to life, all the while continuing to pursue his studies of budo, or the martial arts. By combining his martial training with his religious and political ideologies, he created the modern martial art of aikido. Ueshiba decided on the name "aikido" (the way of harmony) in 1942. "Aikido is not a way to fight with or defeat enemies; it is a way to reconcile the world and make all human beings one family." "The essence of aikido is the cultivation of ki [a vital force, internal power, mental/spiritual energy]." "The secret of aikido is to become one with the universe." "Aikido is primarily a way to achieve physical and psychological self-mastery."