Sources: Webpages; John R. Marey web page; Aikikai World Headquarters; Aiki News Encyclopedia of Aikido, 1991; Aikikai Serbia sources, Magazine Aikido, etc. 9th July 2001 update:9th February.2006, 24th February.2007, 30th May 2007, last update: 31st August 2009
	A   Abbott, Dennis     Rank:    6th Dan, Aikikai  affiliated with USAF West Dojo:   Southwestern Aikikai, Albuquerque, NM    Abdul Hakeem, Luqman Stepen:    7th Dan Aikikai Aikido Schools of Maghreb Aikikai Maroco   Abe, Tadashi 1926-1984      Rank:   8th Dan, Aikikai  Started training under O Sensei in 1952.     Abe, Seiseki  1915-2011     Rank:  10th Dan, Aikikai (oraly promoted),  8th Dan registered like Michio Sensei He was both a student of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba as well as his calligraphy teacher. He was awarded 10th dan verbally by the founder, although the Aikikai only recognized him as 8th dan. Has taught in the France since1952.    Abrams, Mike Rank:      7th Dan, Aikikai Shihan   New York Aikikai.   Alexander, David    Rank:        6th Dan Student of Morihiro Saito Shihan Began Aikido c.1970. 10 years of training at Iwama dojo, Iwama, Japan. Highest ranked instructor of Iwama style Aikido regularly teaching in the US. MIT graduate, engineering. More information is available at the Westlake Village Aikido Club homepage.   Dojo: Westlake Village Aikido Club, California   Alvarez, Angel     Rank:     Dojo:    6th Dan, Shidoin, Aikikai  Student of Y.Yamade Sensei, USAF  South Beach Aikido, Miami Beach, FL Started Aikido in 1965. Received shodan in 1968. Uchideshi at NY Aikikai from 1968 to 1971. Appears in "Ultimate Aikido-Aikido Complete". Was a senior instructor at NY Aikikai until a recent relocation to Miami Beach.  vBarcelona Aikikaia.   Aoyagi, Robert   Rank:   Dojo::   7th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai Student of K. Tohei and Yamamoto senseis, Shihan for Pacific Region under USAF Chief Instructor of Hawaii Aikikai, Waialae Dojo   Arnold, Jack     Rank:   6th Dan , Aikikai Hombu Dojo Shihan affiliated with USAF Western Region Dojo: West Victory Blvd.  Burbank, CA Promoted to 6th dan in March 1996, one of the first four such promotions within the USAF Western Region.   Asai, Katsuaki     Rank:        8th Dan , Aikikai Hombu Dojo Shihan  Student of O Sensei Aikido Schule Asai,  Dusseldorf, Germany  Tehnical director  of Aikikaia Deutschland.1   Auge, Patrick   Rank:     Dojo::  8th Dan , Yoseikan Aikido  student of Mochizuki Sensei  Founded several dojos in Ottawa, Canada which are now run by students of Auge sensei. His wife, Kaoryu Sagiyama also teaches Aikido    Avy, Jean-Paul   Rank:     Dojo::  6th Dan  student of  Tamura senseia, affiliated with FFAB  Manosque, France    Arikawa, Sadateru 1930-2003. Rank:    9th Dan, Aikikai Shihan Born in Tokyo, Arikawa practiced karate as a youth. He began training in aikido at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1948. Arikawa was for many years the editor of the Aikikai's newspaper, and taught outside of Hombu at branch dojos including those of the Asahi Shimbun, Hosei University, and at several other universities.  Dojo:: Aikido World Headquarters: Aikikai Hombu Dojo   Aegerter, Jean-Claude  Rank:   Dojo::   6th Dan , Aikikai, Aikikai Swiss    Aikikai Basel     Aiello, Pasquale   Rank:   Dojo:: 6th Dan, Aikikai     Jikishinkai, Sorrento, Aikikai Italia   Aygun, Mustafa Stepen: Dojo::  6th Dan Aikikai    United Aikido Organization- Turkey B   Bardet, Jacques   Rank:     Dojo:  6th Dan Student of Tamura sensei, affiliated with FFAB  Paris, France   Barrish, Larry (Koichi)   Rank:     Dojo:  Soke, Ideta Ryu jujutsu Student of Tamura sensei  Kannagara Dojo, Granite Falls WA   Becart, Michel       Rank:    6th Dan  Aikikai  Student of Masamichi Noro and Nobuyoshi Tamura, affiliated with Federation Francaise d'Aikido et do Budo (FFAB) founded Association Culturelle Nationale d'Aikido (ACNA). Dojo: ACNA Paris, France   Bernath, Peter   Rank:      7th Dan, shidoin, Aikikai affiliated with USAF East Dojo:  Florida Aikikai - Boca Raton, and Florida Aikikai - Ft. Lauderdale, FL   Berthiaume, Claude   Rank:   Dojo:  7th Dan ,  Shihan, Aikikai (USAF)  Aikido de la Montagne, Montreal, Quebec, Canada   Bieri, Lary   Rank:      6th Dan ,  Shihan, Aikikai (USAF)  Finger Lakes Aikido   Blaize, Gerard   Rank:     7th Dan (Aikikai), 5th dan Masakatsu Bo, 6th dan Matsumura Jo Student of Michio Hikitsuchi sensei Paris, France A.F.A. (Association française d'Aikido) group with 44 clubs in France.  See video  .   Blok, Kevin   Rank:   7th Dan, Shihan, Yoshinkan Aikido; Shidoin, AAA; 1st dan Karate Student of senseis Takashi Kushida and Gozo Shioda, Director and Chairman of Chudokai International Aikido Federation Chudokan Aikido Dojo   Bookman, Bruce   Rank:      6th Dan  (Aikikai), Shidoin (USAF-East); 3rd dan Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido student of shihans Yamada and Chiba. Dojo: Seattle Aikikai, Seattle, WA   Brady, Peter   Rank:      6th Dan (Aikikai) Aikikai Shihan  United Kingdom Aikikaia UKA Shidoin.   Benedetti, Stéphane   Rank:      6th Dan (Aikikai)  student of  N.Tamure Shihan, born 1951.   Burrows, Brian    Rank:     6th Dan (Aikikai)  leave from  United Kingdom Aikikaia bifore 2004.   Bluhm,  Darrell   Rank:      6.dan, Aikikai Shihan  Siskiyou Aikikai,  USAF Western Region. (Birankai North America) C   Cassells, Tony   Rank:    6th Dan, Aikikai, Shihan Dojo:  British Birankai, UK   Caloz, Bernard   Rank:   6th Dan Aikikai, Aikikai Swiss Dojo:  Judo Club Onex   Chan, Stewart   Rank:    7th Dan, Seidokan  Head of Seidokan aikido  before 1995.  Chief Instructor, Aikido Institute of America, Silver Lake, CA   Chiba, T. Kazuo     Rank: 8th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai Uchideshi of O Sensei, Head of USAF-Western Region Dojo: San Diego Aikikai, San Diego, CA Born in 1940. Lived and taught for some time in the U.K. He has lived in San Diego since 1981. Birankai North Americai   Chida, Tsutomu   Rank:        8th Dan, Shihan (Yoshinkan)  Head of the International Yoshinkai Aikido Federation (IYAF)  A top international instructor of Yoshinkan Aikido. Thought to be Chief Instructor of black belts at the Honbu Dojo (not verified).   Dojo: Aikido Yoshinkan Honbu Dojo   Chen, Dee   Rank: Dojo:  6th Dan, Aikikai, Shihan  British Birankai, UK   Choate, Kevin   Rank:        6th Dan, Aikikai  Student of Mitsugi Saotome sensei   Early US student of Saotome sensei. Dojo: Chief Instructor, Chicago Aikikai, Chicago, IL     Clark, C. E. (Chuck)   Rank:        7th Dan Aikido, 5th Dan Judo, 2nd dan Karate, black belt in Jyodo & Jujitsu  former student of Karl Geis (Fugakukai), Head of Jiyushinkai Aikibudo  Professional Martial Arts instructor. Jiyushinkai Aikibudo incorporates many aspects of Tomiki Aikido training and teaching methods, but does not include the sport/competition part of Tomiki. Thanks to Hal Davis for information on Clark sensei and Jiyushinkai Aikibudo.   Dojo: Jiyushinkan Dojo, Tempe, AZ   Cottier, Ken 1933-2008   Rank: 7th Dan aikikai Shihan British Aikido Federation and Hong Kong Aikido Association Frst British Shihan! Dojo: Hong Kong Aikido Association Ltd.   Crane, Coryl   Rank:      6th Dan Aikikai Shihan   North County Aikikai USAF Western Region. (Birankai North America)     D   DiAnne, Lorraine     Rank:    6th Dan Aikikai Shihan  affiliated with USAF West Dojo: Aikido of Springfield, Springfield, MA Began Aikido 1970 at UMass, Amherst. Studied at Hombu Dojo for three years, 1976-79. Student of Chiba Sensei since this period.   Doran, Frank     Rank:   7th Dan, Aikikai Shihan one of 3 leaders of Aikido Association of Northern California (AANC) Dojo: Aikido West, Redwood City, CA Doran sensei began Aikido training in 1959. He has been a US Marine hand-to-hand combat instructor and a police defensive tactics instructor. More on-line information about Doran sensei is available from his secondary dojo, the Stanford Aikido Club.    Dziubla, Robert (Bob)  Rank:     Dojo:  6th dan, Shihan, JAA (Tomiki Aikido) Student originally of Kenji Tomiki, currently student of  Tetsuro Nariyama. Chief instructor for the Japan Aikido Association (JAA-USA) USC Aikido Club, and Downtown Los Angeles YMCA, Los Angeles, CA    Dobson,Terry 1937-1992.     An early American practitioner who lived among the UCHIDESHI at the AIKIKAI HOMBU DOJO in Tokyo for several years in the early 1960s. Dobson returned to the U. S. in the early 1970s and resided initially in the San Francisco area where he gave frequent seminars. He later moved to the East Coast and settled in Vermont. Student of O Sensei. See On a Tokyo subway.   Demko, Andrew   Rank:    6th Dan, Aikikai Shihan   Dojo: New Castle Aikikai   E   Eto, Harry 1906 - 2001. Rank:        7th Dan, Shinshin Toitsu Aikido  Early US student of Koichi Tohei sensei, Head of Honolulu Ki Society   Early practitioner in Hawaii, beginning with Tohei sensei's visits to the United States in the fifties. Eto sensei of the Aloha Ki Society in Honolulu, Hawaii, passed away 2001. He was 95 years old.   Dojo:  Honolulu, HI   Evenås, Ulf   Rank:   Dojo:    7th dan, Shihan, Iwama ryu, 7th dan Bukiwaza (Iwama style weapons teaching certificate)  6th dan Aikikai Shihan (January 2007)  trained under Morihiro Saito at Iwama  Goteborgs Aikidoklubb, Gothenborg, Sweden  Began Aikido training in 1969. Visited Iwama dojo several times beginning in 1973. Also teaches in Denmark, Poland, other European countries. Head teacher of Iwama Ryu Aikido in Sweden, member of the board of the Swedish Budo Federation. Saito sensei's representative in Northern Europe.  Goteborgs Aikidoklubb (Gothenburg Aikido Dojo) was founded by Evenas sensei in the late sixties, and is reportedly the oldest existing Iwama-Ryu dojo outside of Japan.   Endo, Soishiro     Rank:     8th Dan , Aikikai Shihan Dojo:   Aikido World Headquarters, Aikikai Hombu Dojo   Esposito, Brunello Rank:    6th Dan , Aikikai  Junsui Budo Gakkai , Aikikai Italia     Ezra, Terry Rank:    7th Dan , Shihan   Technical Director of the Komyokan Aikido Association, UK   F  Farrell, David   Rank:   6th Dan  Aikikai Shihan New England Aikikai  Flynn, Michael   Rank:   6th Dan, Aikikai, Shihan  British Birankai, UK   Fujimoto, Yoji     Rank:   8th Dan, Aikikai Shihan Vice-Director (North Italy) of Aikikai of Italy Dojo: Aikikai Milano, Milan, Italy 19 year technical director of Yugoslav aikido. See video: ,   Fujitani, Miyako   Rank:     7th Dan Aikikai Shihan Miyako Fujitani, 7th Dan by the Tokio Aikikai and director of the Aikido Tenšin Dojo in Osaka married Steven Seagal in 1975 when Seagal was in his twenties. Her father owned an aikido dojo in Osaka. Miyako Fujitani, a pioneer female Aikido instru ctor in Japan, stresses that the most important factor in the art of Aikido is not physical strength but the skill to control the flow of energy.  Aikido Tenšin Dojo   Fujii, Koichi   Rank:      6th Dan Aikikai Shihan  Aikikai Singapore   Furuya, Rev. Kensho     Rank:   6th Dan  Aikikai; 6th Dan , Kyoshi, Iaido first taught by M. Kanai and Doshu K. Ueshiba, affiliated with USAF Dojo: Chief instructor Aikido Center of Los Angeles; Chief instructor Los Angeles Sword & Swordmanship Society Kenshinkai Began Aikido circa early 1960's. Zen priest, Soto Zen Buddhism, Zenshuji Temple. Spoke before the United Nations with his Zen master in 1991. Author of "Kodo: Ancient Ways", and produced 9 volume video series, "The Art of Aikido". Promoted to 6th dan on January 14, 1996 at the 1996 Kagami Biraki celebration at Aikikai Hombu Dojo.   Fujita, Masatake     Rank: : 8th Dan , Aikikai Shihan Dojo:   Aikido World Headquarters, Aikikai Hombu Dojo Technical director of Aikikai Netherland, Aikikai  Bulgaria, Romania, and Aikikai Hungary.   Fontaine, Jean-Luc   Rank:      6th Dan, Aikikai   F.F.A.B     Frager, Robert   Rank:   6th Dan  Aikikai, California (USA) G   Garrison, James   Rank:     8th dan Hapkido; 7th dan Jujitsu; 7th dan Taekwondo; 6th dan Judo; 5th dan Aikido (Aikikai)  Vice President of the World Oriental Matial Arts Federation. Garrison Sensei's Aikido teachers currently include W. Todd, F. Toyoda, and H. Ikeda. Earlier teachers include L. Kunashima and K. Tohei.    Dojo: Pacific Rim Martial Arts Academy, Beaverton, Oregon      Gaku, Homma     Rank:      Founder  Nippon Kan . Dojo: Nippon Kan  is an independant Aikido Dojo located in Denver, Colorado. Homma Sensei was the last official uchideshi (live-in student) at Iwama dojo and is the best testimonial to the founder's private life at Iwama during the last years of his life.   Goldsbury, Peter     Rank:      6th Dan  Aikikai Early President of International Aikido Federation - IAF   H   Halprin, David Rank:      6th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai  Framingham Aikikai, U.S.A.F.   Hagihara, Eddie Rank:     7th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai     Hakeem, Luqman Abdul Rank:     6th Dan Hombu dojo Shihan  Aikido School of Maghreb,  U.S.A.F.      Hamada, Hiroyuki Tesshin   Dojo:  Dr. Hamada  is President of International part of Dai Nippon Butoku Kaia   Old Dominion univerzitetu u Norfolku, Virdzinija (USA).   Hagihara, Shigemi Edward Rank:      7th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai  New York aikikai, U.S.A.F.   Hatayma, Kengo   Rank:      6th Dan  Started training in Aikita under Asakura sensei in 1968. Assisted Asai sensei in Germany, 1979-1981 Participates in yearly summer training course in Germany.   Hattori, Takao Rank:    7.dan Hombu dojo Aikido Federation Singapore.   Heiny, Mary     Rank: :  6th Dan, Aikikai Studied in Tokyo and Shingu under Michio Hikitsuchi sensei in late '60s early '70s. One of highest ranking female aikidoka - may have been first female ever promoted to 6th dan by the Aikikai (not verified). Taught at UC Santa Cruz. Founded Seattle School of Aikido, 1976. Was chief instructor at Ottawa Aikikai, Ontario, Canada, but appears to have turned that position over to Don Dickie. Conducts frequent seminars, particularly on the US West Coast.   Hermansson, Jan   Rank:      7th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai (January 2007) Trained at Aikikai Hombu Dojo from 1965 thru 1979. Made a living for some years in Japan as a professional wrestler. Received 6th dan from Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba in 1994. Teaches seminars throughout Sweden.     Hirao, Richard   Rank:      7th Dan, Aikikai Student of Senseis K. Tohei and Yamamoto, President and Asst. Chief Instructor, Hawaii Aiki Kai Koboji Aikido Recently (as of May 1996) received 7th dan.     Hosokawa, Hideki     Rank: :  7th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai  began training under Tada sensei, also trained under O Sensei Dojo:   Musubi no kai ,Sardinia, Italy  Started training under Tada sensei in Jiyugaoka Tokyo in 1963. In Rome, Italy starting 1974. In Sardinia since 1983. Vice-Director (Central and South Italy), Aikikai Italy    Hreha, Frank     Rank:    6th Dan, Aikikai  Affiliated with ASU Dojo:  Columbus Aikikai, Columbus, Ohio  Early US student of Mitsugi Saotome, Shihan.   Holland, Matthew   Rank:   6th Dan Aikikai Shihan Scottish Aikido Federation   Hikitsuchi, Michio 1923-2004. Rank:      10th dan, Aikikai (oraly promoted).  8th dan registered like Michio Sensei   Hayward, Keith   Rank:      6th Dan Aikikai Shihan  United Kingdom Aikikaia UKA Shidoin.     I       Ikeda, Hiroshi     Rank:   7th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai Shihan-Dai (designated successor) to Mitsugi Saotome sensei (ASU) Dojo:  Boulder Aikikai, Boulder, CO   Aikido Schools of Ueshiba     Ikeda, Masatomi     Rank: :  7th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai  Taught by Hiroshi Tada, Aikikai Hombu representative for Switzerland Dojo:  Aikikai Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland  Taught in Naples, Italy for several years. Early technical director of Aikikai Yugoslavia, Aikikai Czech, Aikikai Slovakia.  See: .   Inoue, Kyoichi   Rank:       9th Dan, Yoshinkan Entered Yoshinkan Aikido Dojo in 1955  One of the most highly ranked instructors of Yoshinkan Aikido. Teaches ~1000 policewomen in the Tokyo area. Dojo:  Tokyo, Japan     Inoue, Noriaki 1902-1994. Rank:     Founder of Shin'ei Taido Nephew of O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, raised in his home in Tanabe and Hokkaido. Helped spread Aiki Budo during pre-war period. In 1956 founded Shinwa Taido, which later became Shin'ei Taido. Dojo:  Shin'ei Taido Dojo, Tokyo, Japan   Inoue, Takeshi   Rank:        6th Dan Tomiki, 3rd dan Judo student of Kenji Tomiki and Hideo Ohba Started aikido at age 12 in 1958. Beginning 1968, taught in England for 3 years   Iseri, Nobu Rank:        6th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai affiliated with USAF Western Region Promoted to 6th dan in March 1996, one of the first four such promotions within the USAF Western Region. Dojo: Ventura, California   Ishida Sensei   Rank:      8th Dan, Aikikai Was a top judo competitor when he began Aikido under K. Tohei in the 1950's. Promoted to 8th dan at the 1995 Kagami-biraki at Aikikai Hombu Dojo. May be the first American (-born?) 8th dan in the Aikikai.   Dojo: Waialua Dojo, Hawaii   Ichihachi, Norihiko   Rank:   Dojo:  8th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai  Aikido World Headquarters, Aikikai Hombu Dojo   Isoyama, Hiroshi   Rank:    8th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai     Iwata, Hajime   Rank:    9th Dan, Aikikai  Born in 1909. .    J   Jordan, Christine   Rank:        6th Dan, Aikikai student of M. Saotome, shihan, affiliated with ASU Began training at NY Aikikai in early 70's; began training with Terry Dobson and Ken Nisson of Bond Street Dojo in mid-70's. Currently senior instructor at Bond St., also instructor at Biwako Dojo in St. Mark's Place, NY, and monthly guest instructor at Palisades Aikido Club.   Dojo:  Bond Street Dojo (New York Aikido Club, Inc.)   Joannes, Jean Claude Rank:    6th Dan, Aikikai student of  Tamura, Yamada, Suganuma and Sugano Senseis, affiliated with  F.F.A.B Joannes sensei was awarded 6th Dan 1988.   Dojo: Saint Maur des Fosses     Jones, Gordon     Rank:     6th Dan, Aikikai Shihan Sensei Gordon Jones has been practising Aikido since 1964, and was a founder member of the Aikikai of Great Britain in 1966. He is also the vice-principal and the Chairman of the United Kingdom Aikikai, and was pro-moted to 5th Dan in 1990. Sensei Jones is also recognised as a Senior Coach by the British Aikido Board and Shidoin (senior teacher) within the UKA. Early this year, Sensei Jones was promoted to the rank of 6th Dan in 2001.  Dojo: Ren-Shin Kan dojo  See video .     K   Kanai, Mitsunari 1939-2004.   Rank:   8th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai . Also advanced Iaido practitioner. Uchideshi of O Sensei, One of top shihans in USAF Eastern Region Dojo: New England Aikikai, Cambridge, Massachusetts     Kanetsuka, Minoru     Rank:     7th dan, Shihan, Aikikai; 2nd dan YoshinkanTechnical director of British Aikido Federation (BAF). Holds similar positions in Greece, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Dojo: British Aikido Federation, London, U.K. Began training in Yoshinkan Aikido. Invited by Kazuo Chiba sensei to train in England, eventually became Chiba sensei's designated successor as BAF technical director when Chiba sensei returned to Japan in 1976. Kanetsuka sensei was awarded 7th dan in early 1995.   Kashiwaya, Koichi   Rank:      8th Dan Shinshin Toitsu Aikido (Ki no Kenkyukai), Okuden (Ki rank), Kohshi - Ki Lecturer (teaching certificate)  Chief Instructor of Ki Society for the United States Dojo:  Seattle Ki Society, Seattle, WA.   Kato, Hiroshi     Rank:    8th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai  ustudent of O Sensei Dojo: Aikikai Hombu Dojo; dojocho Suginami Aikikai, Tokyo, Japan Began Aikido at Aikikai Hombu Dojo under O Sensei c. 1950. Currently still at Hombu Dojo, and also Dojo Cho of Suginami Aikikai, Tokyo, Japan. Occasionally holds seminars in the United States.   Kawahara, Yukio 1940-2011.     Rank:    8th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai  Student of Bansen Tanaka, Official representative of Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Canada Dojo:  Vancouver Aikikai, Vancouver, BC, Canada   Kawai, Reishin Toshio Rank:      8th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai Student of Aritomo Murashigue, affiliated with Associacao Central de Aikido-Uniao Aikikai do Brasil Taught by Murashige in early 1960's. Opened first dojo in Sao Paulo in 1963. Named official Aikikai representative for Brazil in 1975. Dojo: Brazil Aikikai, Sao Paulo, Brazil   Kobayashi, Hirokazu 1929-1999.   Rank:   8th Dan, Aikikai    began training in early 1950's in Osaka Dojo:  Aikido Osaka Buikukai, Japan  Kobayashi Hirokazu Shihan has passed away 1999.     Kobayashi, Yasuo   Rank:    8th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai Head of Kobayashi dojos (80+ dojos in Tokyo area) Dojo:   Aikido Osaka Buikukai, Japan  Kobayashi Dojo, Tokyo, Japan Regularly teaches in Taiwan, Finland, Sweden, Canada, Brazil and Germany.   Kobayashi, Hiroaki Rank:        6th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai  Son of Yasuo Kobayashi sensei. Kobayashi Dojo, Tokyo, Japan    Konigsberg, Harvey   Rank:      7th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai USAF  Woodstock Aikido and NY Aikikai, NY, USA.   Kubo, Robert   Rank:    7th Dan Aikikai  Predsednik i glavni instruktor organizacije "Aikido of Hawaii"    Kurata, Katsutoshi Rank:    7th Dan Aikikai  Federacion Argentina de Aikido   Kurihara, Kaoru   Rank:    5th Dan Student of O Sensei and Tada Sense. Kurihara has left Aikikai and aikido founding the new "Shinkido" martial art    Kurita, Minoru     Rank: : 8th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai   Uchideshi of O Sensei. Also studied under Tempu Nakamura, founder of Shinshin Toitsu Do Head of Seikikai Aikido and Seiki Ryu Kenjutsu and Jodo Dojo: Kawagoe City, Saitama prefecture, Japan.   Younger brother of Yutaka Kurita. Kurita sensei and Seikikai Aikido are currently independent of the Aikikai In addition to his main dojo, he teaches at other locations in Saitama pref. and various locations in Tokyo including Seikei Univ. in Kichijoji. He has 4 schools in the US, in the Seattle, WA area.  Tempu Nakamura, founder of Shinshin Toitsu Do, was a contemporary and acquaintance of O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. His concepts and exercises had heavy influence on the Aikido of Koichi Tohei, Hiroshi Tada, Tadashi Abe and others.   Kurita, Yutaka     Rank:    7th Dan, Aikikai  Uchideshi of O Senseim, Aikikai representative in Mexico, head of Asociacion Mexicana de Aikido, head of Takemusu Aiki, Kurita-Juku. Dojo:  Mexico City, Mexico   Kuroiwa, Yoshio Rank:        6th Dan, Aikikai  Began training in Aikikai Hombu Dojo c.1954  Kuroiwa sensei occasionally makes appearances in the United States.   Kushida, Takashi   Rank:         8th Dan, Yoshinkan Aikido Head of Aikido Yoshokai Association of North America (AYANA) Entered Yoshinkan Dojo in Tsukudo Hachiman in 1955. Employed by Tokyo Metropolitan Police Dept. to teach Aikido to police officers. Relocated to US in 1973 and established Aikido Yoshinkai Association of America (AYANA). AYANA name change occured during August 1990 separation from Yoshinkan Aikido Hombu Dojo. Dojo:  Genyokan Dojo, Ann Arbor, MI   L   Leisinger, Karl-Friedrich  Rank:      6th Dan, Aikikai Aikikai Germany   Lehrman, Hal Rank:      7th Dan, Aikikai Shihan  Aikido of Park Slope     Lee, Paul C. N. Rank:      7th Dan, Aikikai Shihan  Aikikai, Taiwan     Lynn, Elizabeth Rank:       6th Dan Aikikai Shihan   member of USAF West Region. (Birankai North America)   Eastshore Aikikai   Lyons, George Rank:       6th Dan, Aikikai Shihan   member of USAF West Region. (Birankai North America)   Bucks County Aikido   M  M'barek, Alaoui   Rank:    7th Dan, Aikikai   Dojo: Aikikai Maroco Maruyama, Shuji   Rank:   Dojo:  6th Dan Aikikai Shihan Head of Kokikai Aikido Information about Kokikai Aikido is available at Kokikai-Ryu Aikido Homepage.   Masuda, Seijuro       Rank:   8th Dan, Aikikai Shihan Dojo: Aikido World Headquarters: Aikikai Hombu Dojo   Martin, Danijel Rank:      6th Dan, Aikikai  F.F.A.B.   Minegishi, Mutsuko     Dojo:  7th Dan  Guam Aikikai    www.guamaikikai.org   Mezzo, Gildo   Rank:    6th Dan, Aikikai, Aikikai Switzerland Dojo: Shung Do Kwan Genève    Mehter,  Ariff   Rank:    6th Dan Aikikai Shihan   Dojo:   Aikido of Cincinnati   Moriyama, Donald Rank:    7th Dan Aikikai Shihan   Aikido of Hawaii.   Mooney, Chris   Rank:  6th Dan, Aikikai, Shihan   Dojo: British Birankai, UK    Murashige,  Mark Rank:      6th Dan Aikikai Shihan  San Diego Aikikai, (Birankai North America)