Daitō-ryū (大東流), aiki-jūjutsu, originally called Daito ryu jujutsu, 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 had extensive training in several martial arts (including Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage ryu and sumo) and referred to the style he taught as Daito Ryu. Although the ryu's traditions claim to extend back centuries in Japanese history there are no known extant records regarding the ryu before Sokaku Takeda. Whether he is regarded as the restorer or founder of the art, the known history of Daito ryu begins with Sokaku Takeda. Perhaps the most famous student of Sokaku Takeda was Morehei Ueshiba, founder of aikido. Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... Sokaku Takeda (武田惣角 Takada Sokaku, October 10, 1859 - April 25, 1943) was one of the last generation samurai and prominent master of martial arts. ... Aikido (合気道 Aikidō, also 合氣道 using an older style of kanji), literally meaning harmony energy way, or with some poetic license, way of the harmonious spirit, is a gendai budo â€” a modern Japanese martial art. ...

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 ryu 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 ryu under the Takeda family, there exist several branch organizations of Daito ryu that maintain their own hierarchy and curriculum. A dan is a martial artist who has surpassed the rank of kyu. ...