There are so many types of martial art forms with the help of which one can defend themselves if they are in trouble. These forms are practised from ancient times and represent a country’s culture. In these art forms, there are several techniques with the help of which we can defeat our enemy easily.
Aikido and Aikijutsu are fighting forms. In these forms, several fighting techniques are explained or taught by the instructor of these forms. These two forms are from Japan, and among these two, Aikido is more practised by the people.
People think that these forms are similar, but it is not like that. They have different fighting methods.
Key Takeaways
- Aikido and Aikijutsu are both martial arts that originated in Japan.
- Aikido uses an opponent’s energy and movements against them, while Aikijutsu is a more direct and aggressive martial art.
- Aikido is more commonly practised today, while Aikijutsu is a less popular and more traditional martial art.
Aikido vs Aikijutsu
Aikido is a more modern martial art developed in the 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba, it is on non-violent conflict resolution, and using techniques to redirect an opponent’s energy and neutralize their attack. Aikijutsu is a traditional martial art that dates back to the samurai era.

Aikido is a Japanese art form of fighting. It has fewer methods of fighting when compared to Aikijutsu. There are soft throws when using the Aikido technique for fighting. It teaches shielding or protecting techniques while fighting, and that is why it is the defensive type and has a softer style.
Aikijutsu is also a Japanese fighting form that is very old and is very rough in nature. It uses attacking methods instead of defending methods. It was created during the civil war that erupted in Japan to kill enemies.
The fighters who learn Aikijutsu are more attacking in nature as compared to Aikido fighters.
Comparison Table
Parameters of Comparison | Aikido | Aikijutsu |
---|---|---|
Definition | Aikido is a fighting art form where the person applying Aikido uses challengers load resistance to themselves. | Aikijutsu is a fighting art form of japan. That uses offensive methods. |
Type | Aikido is a fighting art form of japan which is also performed as a sport. | Aikijutsu is also a fighting art form of japan. |
Origin | Aikido is originated in Japan in the late 19th century. | Aikijutsu is also originated in Japan. |
Nature of technique | Aikido uses protecting or shielding techniques for fighting. | Aikijutsu uses attacking and offensive techniques for fighting. |
Techniques used | Some examples of techniques used are Entering throw, breath throw, hip throw, and wheel throw, etc. | Some examples of techniques used are striking and kicking, grappling, etc. |
Style | Aikido does not use a rough style in its techniques or methods. | Aikijutsu uses rough and attacking styles in its methods of fighting. |
Creator | It was founded by Morihei Ueshiba. | Minamoto no Yoshimitsu. |
What is Aikido?
Aikido is a fighting form that is used against enemies and contains lots of techniques with the help of which we can defeat our enemies. It is a type of sport played in Japan, an East Asia country from where it originated.
Morihei Ueshiba made this art form, which became popular in the late 19th century.
Aikido is more protective in nature as compared to Aikijutsu, which is attacking in nature. Aikido has tender techniques that can be used more for defending than attacking. Entering throw, breath throw, hip throw, and wheel throw are some of the techniques used in Aikido.
Aikido is now popular in over 140 countries as a fighting sport. Aikido does not support violence by teaching defending techniques to the learners. Throws and joint locks are the main techniques in Aikido.

What is Aikijutsu?
Aikijutsu is an old fighting art form that is created in Japan during the civil war for attacking enemies. Aikijutsu learners mainly use attacking or offensive methods in their moves. Minamoto no Yoshimitsu is the founder of this art form, and it came into action after Aikido.
Aikijutsu techniques have power moves that are not for defending. Some of the techniques followed in Aikijutsu are striking, kicking, and grappling.
It has both hard and soft styles but mainly focuses on forming hard moves. Some forms or moves of Aikido are also added while using Aikijutsu techniques.
Throwing techniques of Aikido are mostly used when performing Aikijutsu. Aikijutsu is a transformed version of Aikido with more attacking moves that are less defensive in nature. Joint locks, strangulation methods, and choke methods are some examples.

Main Differences Between Aikido and Aikijutsu
- Aikido always uses the technique where the person applying Aikido uses challengers loads resistant to themselves, and it comes under the fighting sports. But Aikijutsu uses some bit of Aikido techniques mixed with other methods, and it is not a sport.
- Some techniques that are used in Aikido are Entering throw, breath throw, hip throw, wheel throw, etc. And techniques that are used in Aikijutsu are Joint locks, strangulation methods, choke methods, etc.
- Both art forms originated in Japan, but Aikijutsu is a transformed version of the Aikido art form with subtle changes in style and technique types.
- Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba. In contrast, Aikijutsu was founded by Minamoto no Yoshimitsu.
- Aikijutsu uses rough techniques and focuses more on attacking than defensive techniques. On the other hand, Aikido has softer methods, and it focuses more on defending techniques or moves by which one can defend themselves from the opponent.
