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
	N   Nadeau, Robert     Rank:   7th Dan Aikikai Shihan   studied with O Sensei at Aikikai Hombu Dojo one of 3 leaders of Aikido Association of Northern California Dojo: City Aikido, San Francisco, CA, i Aikido of Mountain View, Mountain View, CA Began Aikido training in the early 60's. Also gives seminars in meditation and energy awareness   Nagahisa, Alan     Dojo:  7th Dan Aikikai Hawaii     The Aikido Ohana   Nariyama, Tetsuro   Rank:      8th Dan, Shihan, Tomiki; 5th dan Aikikai Technical Director and member of Board of Directors of the Japan Aikido Association Dojo: Shodokan Dojo, Osaka, Japan   Nishio, Shoji 1927-2005. Rank:      8th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai Nishio sensei travels regularly to Scandinavia, the US and France to conduct seminars. Also an advanced practitioner of judo, karate, and iaido   Dojo: Tokyo-Yokohama area, Japan   Noel, Franck Rank:     Dojo:    7th Dan Influenced by Yamaguchi sensei has a number of dojos in France Lived as uchi-deshi at Hombu dojo for several years before returning to France. Gives seminars and workshops regularly in Europe.   Noro, Masamichi   Rank:       6th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai, 1963 uchideshi of O Sensei, Founder, Ki No Michi (The Way of Ki) No longer has links to the Aikido world, according to ANEA Dojo: Centre d'Etude pour le Ki No Michi, Paris, France     Nocquet, André 1914 -1999. Rank:    8th Dan Aikikai Uchideshi of O Sensei. Organizations G.H.A.A.N. (Groupe historique d'Aikido André Nocquet) in France has 1996. 63 clubs.  Nocquet Sensei died in 1999.   Nomura, Eiko Gloria   Rank:    6th Dan Aikikai Shihan, San Diego Aikikai (Birankai North America) Dojo: v Aikido Institute of San Francisco According to USAF Western Region   Nour, Juba Rank:   Dojo:   6th Dan Aikikai Shihan  Aikido of Manhattan, (Birankai North America)  O   Obata, Toshishiro     Rank:   Soke, Founder and head of Shinkendo Uchideshi Gozo Shiode Dojo: N. Highland Ave, Los Angeles CA n 1980, Obata Soke came to the USA after being entrusted with the title of Chief Instructor for North America of Toyama Ryu.. In 1996, he founded the Aikido & Aikibujutsu Tanren Kenkyuka. His works in the film industry writing screenplays, action coordinating and acting.   Okumura, Shigenobu 1922-2008.   Rank: 9th Dan, Aikikai Shihan Dojo: Aikido World Headquarters, Aikikai Hombu Dojo   Osawa, Kisaburo 1908-1991.   Rank:    9th Dan, Aikikai Shihan   Dojo: Aikido World Headquarters, Aikikai Hombu Dojo     Osawa, Hayato   Rank:       7th Dan, Aikikai Shihan  Son of Kisaburo Osawe    Dojo:  Aikikai Hombu Dojo.     Ozeki, Jane Rank:     7th Dan Aikikai Shihan  More inf:  USAF Aikido News Dojo: New York Aikikai P   Patt, Heinz . Rank:       6th Dan Aikikai  Born 1955., student of  Tamura, Jamaguchi and Asai Sensei.  Dojo:  Aikido Bonn, Germany   Pimsler, Steve . Rank:      7th Dan Aikikai Shihan  New York Aikikai   Pellerin, Claude . Rank:       6th Dan  Student of Tamure senseia Dojo:  Marseille, France Q R     Rifkin, Eliot   Rank:    6th Dan   USAF S   Sasaki, Masando       Rank:   8th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai         Aikido World Headquarters: Aikikai Hombu Dojo       Saito, Hitohiro   Rank:      6th Dan Aikikai-Iwama  Son of Morihiro Saito  Dojo:  Baragi Dojo, Iwama, Japan   Saito, Morihiro 1928-2002.   Rank:   9th.Dan, Shihan, Aikikai Uchideshi of O Sensei, Chief instructor of what is commonly called Iwama-style Aikido Dojo: Ibaragi Dojo, Iwama, Japan Author of a number of books on Aikido. Creator of a traditional-style certification system for Aiki-ken and Aiki-jo. There is no formal Iwama style or organization, but "Iwama-style" is used informally to refer to the style of Aikido, Aiki-ken and Aiki-jo taught by Saito sensei and his direct students. It is reportedly the style of Aikido that was taught by O Sensei during the early post-WWII era (1946-55). Mr. Morihiro Saito passed away on May 13th, 2002 at the age of 74. Interview with Saito sensei >   Saotome, Mitsugi     Rank:    8th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai Dojo:  Uchideshi of O Sensei, Head of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU)  Aikido Shobukan Dojo, Washington, DC, USA  Saotome sensei has been teaching in the US since 1975. Travels extensively to lead seminars, particularly in the US and France. Author of two books, instructor in two recent videotapes on Aikido. Aikido Schools of Ueshiba operated independently in the US for many years until becoming formally affiliated with Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1988. Interview with Saotome sensei  > See video    Sasaki, Masando   Rank: Dojo:  7.dan, Aikikai Shihan  Aikido World Headquarters: Aikikai Hombu Dojo  Seagal, Steven     Rank:  7th Dan, Aikikai Dojo::  founded Tenšin Bugei Gakuen  Began Aikido in late 1960's or early 1970's under Harry Ishisaka. Received 1st from Koichi Tohei in 1974, and traveled to Japan soon thereafter. Assumed direction of Tenšin Aikido Dojo in Osaka, Japan, which was owned by his Japanese parents-in-law, and was rapidly promoted to 5th dan in consideration of his position as chief instructor. Eventually promoted to 6th, and recently to 7th dan. After returning to the states, established Ten Shin Bugei Gakuen in West Los Angeles, CA, where administrative and instructional responsibilities are currently handled by Matsuoka sensei, a long-time student of Seagal sensei. See Steven Seagal.com .and  See .   Shibata, Ichiro   Rank:    7th Dan Aikikai Uchideshi at Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Shihan-Dai (designated successor) to T.K. Chiba sensei (USAF-West) Born in 1950. Shibata sensei was a junior instructor for several years at Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan. He relocated to Berkeley, CA from Japan in 1989.   Shikanai, Isshitami   Rank:        6th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai. 3rd dan Iaido. 3rd dan Jodo uchideshi of Yasuo Kobayashi Sensei Born 1947 in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. Graduated in Economics from Meiji University. Began Aikido as a university student, then entered the Kobayashi dojo as uchi deshi. Has been teaching in Brazil since the mid-1970's. Represents Kobayashi sensei in South America. Dojo:  Nakatani Dojo, Brazil   Shimizu, Kenji     Rank:   8th Dan, Shihan   Student of O Sensei, Founder of Tendoryu Aikido Dojo: Tendokan, Tokyo, Japan Received 1st thru 6th dan from O Sensei. Separated from the Aikikai around 1973. Author, "Aikido, The Heavenly Road", and co-author (with Shigeo Kamata) of "Zen and Aikido". Regularly travels to Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium to hold seminars.. See video    Shioda, Gozo 1915-1994.   Rank: 10th Dan, IMAF Student of O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Yoshinkan Aikido Dojo: Yoshinkan Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan Trained at Kobukan Dojo under O Sensei 1932-1941. Briefly trained in Iwama after the war, then established Yoshinkan Aikido in 1955. Contributed greatly to the revival of Aikido in post-war Japan. Author of numerous books in Japanese and English. It was reported on Aikido-L that Shioda sensei passed away circa 1994. Posthumously awarded 10th dan by the International Martial Arts Federation, for his contributions to the martial arts.   Shioda, Yasuhisa          Son of Yoshinkan Soke Gozo Shioda Designated successor of Yoshinkan Aikido Soke Gozo Shioda Began training in 1970. Taught Yoshinkan Aikido in the U.K. from 1981-1984. Dojo: Yoshinkan Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan   Shiohira, Hideki   Rank:        6th Dan, Shinshin Toitsu Aikido. Shihan affiliated with Aikikai Hombu Dojo Trained at Waseda University, and Aikikai Hombu Dojo with O Sensei. Shiohira sensei came to San Francisco in 1973 at the invitation of Aikikai of San Francisco, and has taught in Northern California since that time. Was a Chief Instructor of the Ki Society. Dojo: Aikido Center, Mt. View, CA   Scoville, Randy     Dojo:  7th Dan Aikikai Hawaii     Nuuanu Aikido Club   Sogi, Gayne     Dojo:  7th Dan Aikikai Hawaii     Hawaii Betsuin Aikido Club   Sosa, Bill   Rank:        6th Dan, Seidokan Founder of International Aikido Association (IAA) Sosa sensei was a top instructor in Seidokan Aikido until breaking away and forming the IAA, circa 1995. He teaches full-time and gives seminars in the US and Mexico. He has authored at least one book on Aikido.   Dojo: Southwestern Aikido Institute, Dallas, TX   Stickles, Rick   Rank:      7th Dan, Aikikai Shihan   Aikido School of New Jersey  U.S.A.F.   Suga, Toshiro   Rank:    7th Dan, Aikikai   Student of O Sensei, Tamura sensei   Born in Tokyo, his aikido teachers include Morihei Ueshiba and Morihiro Saito. For many years he taught military forces in Canada. He takes part in international seminars. He had a brief career in cinema, thanks in part to his student Michael G. Wilson, where his best known part was as Chang in the 1979 James Bond film Moonraker  Instruktor of Budo savez Srbije.   Dojo: Brest, France   Sugano, Seiichi   1939 - 2010     Rank:  8th Dan, Shihan, Aikikai  Uchideshi O Senseia, Shihan pri USAF-East Dojo:  NY Aikikai, New York, NY Born in 1939. Sugano sensei taught in Sydney, Australia from 1965 to 1979. Later taught for several years in Belgium, Luxembourg and France. He traveled frequently for seminars in the US and overseas. Promoted to 8th dan in January 1996. The New York Aikikai website has announced, "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Seiichi Sugano Shihan on Sunday, August 29, 2010."   Suganuma, Morito   Rank:        8th Dan, Aikikai   Born in 1942.  On 1970, shortly after the death of Morihei Ueshiba, Suganuma was sent to Fukuoka by Kisshomaru Ueshiba as the Aikikai's representative for the Kyūshū district. He is the founder and dojocho of Aikido Shoheijuku Dojo, which today encompasses about 70 dojo and 4.000 students. Dojo:  Aikido Shoheijuku Dojo   Sylvain, Paul   Rank:      6th Dan, Aikikai, and 7th Dan, Shihan, Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido student of shihans Chiba, Yamada, and Kanai. Student of Iaido shihan T. Mitsuzuka, 9th Dan. Special student to T. K. Chiba in Japan during the 70's. Sylvain sensei was killed in a car accident on May 25, 1996. He was postumously awarded 6th dan by senseis Yamada, Chiba, Kanai and Shibata on June 8, 1996 at a memorial seminar at Valley Aikido, and was also recommended for shihan at that time, potentially making him the first American shihan recognized by the USAF. Valley Aikido continues in his legacy. Dojo:  Valley Aikido, Hadley, MA   Seki, Shoji   Rank:   Dojo:  7th Dan, Aikikai Shihan  Aikido World Headquarters: Aikikai Hombu Dojo   Shirata, Rinjiro 1912-1993.   Rank:    9th Dan, Aikikai Shihan  Started at Kobukan Dojo under O Sensei on Kobukan dojo 1930.  See video Smith, William MBE 1929-2006.  Rank:     6th Dan, Aikikai So Hombu, Shihan  Early Technical director of Aikikai Serbia.  UKA PRINCIPAL & TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, UK  See video .   Dojo:   Ren-Shin Kan dojo  Smith, Philip   Rank: 6th Dan, Aikikai  Shihan   United Kingdom Aikikaia UKA Shidoin.   Dojo: Ren-Shin Kan dojo   See video ili .  Sogi, Gayne Rank:     7th Dan, Aikikai Hombu Dojo:   Aikido Hawaii   T  Tada, Hiroshi     Rank:   9th Dan Aikikai Shihan Student of O Sensei, Director of Aikikai of Italy Dojo: Jiyugaoka, Gessoji, and a regular instructor at Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan Dispatched to Rome, Italy in 1964 to teach Aikido. Returned to Japan c.1973.   Takahashi, Isao ? - 1972.  Rank:        7th Dan Aikikai (posthumous) One of the first students of Koichi Tohei sensei in Hawaii Relocated from Hawaii to Los Angeles in 1960. Later moved to Chicago to serve as chief instructor of Illinois Aikido. Key figure in early development of Aikido in the United States. Died in 1972 of stomach cancer   Tanaka, Shigeho   Rank:    8th Dan Aikikai, 9.dan Yoshinkan  Born in 1928.   Dojo: Meiji Shrine Dojo   Takase, Nobuo   Rank:    7th Dan Aikika Shihan  New Zealand Aikido Federation   Take, Shigemichi      see Seagal, Steven     Takeda, Satoshi     Rank:  7th Dan, Aikikai Aikido Kenkyukai International   Takeguchi, Clyde   Rank: Dojo:  6th Dan Aikikai Affiliated with USAF-East  Tamura, Nobuyoshi     Rank:   8th Dan, shihan, Aikikai uchideshi of O Sensei leading figure in Federation Francais d'Aikido et de Budo (FFAB) Dojo: Shumeikan dojo, Bras, France Entered Aikikai Hombu Dojo as uchideshi c.1953. Dispatched by the Aikikai to France in 1964. Author of two books in French on Aikido. Has tremendous influence on Aikido in Europe.   Tiki Shewan, Malcom   Rank:    6th Dan  Student of Tamura sensei, affiliated with FFAB   Dojo: Cannes, France F.E.I. (Fédération Européen d'Iai).  Tissier, Christian     Rank: 7th dan, Shihan, Aikikai a leading figure in the Federation Francaise d'Aikido, Aikibudo et Assimiles (FFAAA) Dojo: Cercle Christian Tissier, Paris, France Began Aikido as a child in France. Went to Japan at age 18, stayed 7 years. Returned c. 1979 and established a large following in France. Author of several books in French on Aikido.   Todd, Walter   Rank:    6th Dan Aikido, 9th dan Shudokan Karate, 8th dan Judo Student of K. Tohei, Kyuzo Mifune (Judo), Hironishi Ohtsuka (Karate) and others   Dojo: nternational Martial Arts, Berkeley, CA, USA   Tohei, Akira 1929-1999      Rank: 8th.dan Aikikai Uchideshi of O Sensei, Head of USAF-MAF Dojo: Midwest Aikido Center, Chicago, IL First taught by Koichi Tohei sensei. Began training under O Sensei c.1956. Akira Tohei Shihan has passed away 1999.   Tohei, Koichi 1929-2011       Rank: 10th Dan (Aikikai) Uchideshi of O Sensei, Founder of Shinshin Toitsu Aikido and Ki No Kenkyukai (Ki Society) Dojo: Shinshin Toitsu Aikido Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan Began training under O Sensei in 1939. Introduced Aikido to the United States in Hawaii in 1953. Separated from the Aikikai and formed the Ki Society in 1974. See video  . Has passed away 2011, May 19.   Tomiki, Kenji 1900-1979         Rank:  8th Dan from IMAF (international martialarts federation) and 7th Dan aikikai. Uchideshi at Iwama under Morihiro Saito Aikido Dojo Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden Began training under Shoji Nishio sensei in 1962. Relocated to Sweden in 1969. Teaches frequently in Denmark, the UK and Italy. See video .   Tomita, Takeji   Rank:      8th Dan  IMAF Takemutsu Aiki i 7. dan aikikai.  Uchideshi in Iwami in Morihiro Saito dojos. Dojo: Aikido Dojo Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden    Tomita, Seiji   Rank:    8th Dan Osaka Aikikai, 7.dan Eishin Ryu Iaido  See video .     Takezawa, Etsuo   Rank:   Dojo:  7th.Dan, Aikikai Shihan  Aikido World Headquarters: Aikikai Hombu Dojo   Toyoda, Fumio   Rank:        6th Dan (Shinshin Toitsu Aikido), Shihan Uchideshi at Aikikai Hombu Dojo under Koichi Tohei sensei and Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba Head of Aikido Association of America (AAA) Sided with Koichi Tohei sensei when he separated from Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1974. Separated from Shinshin Toitsu Aikido c. 1980 and remained independent until reestablishing ties with Aikikai Hombu Dojo c. 1989. AAA was formally affiliated with Aikikai Hombu Dojo in January 1994.   Dojo: Ten Shin Kan Dojo, Chicago, IL   Trognon, René   Rank:   Dojo:  6th Dan, Aikikai    Charmes, Francuska   U   Ueshiba, Kisshomaru 1921-1999.         Rank:       None (see below) Son of O Sensei Began serious training c. 1936. Became Dojo-Cho of O Sensei's Kobukan Dojo in 1942. Became 2nd Aikido Doshu upon the death of O Sensei in 1969. Significant technical influence on Aikikai Aikido. His personal style emphasizes flowing, Ki-No-Nagare movements. Doshu (leader of the way) of a system or school (martial or otherwise) is normally considered to be outside of whatever ranking system exists therein, therefore Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba and designated 3rd Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba have no rank in Aikido. Ueshiba Kisshomaru died in a Shinjuku hospital on January 4th at 5:39pm (JST) due to respiratory failure. He was 77 years old. The formal funeral date is not decided yet.   Ueshiba, Morihei 1883-1969.    Student primarily of Sokaku Takeda, head of Daito-ryu (Aiki)Jujutsu  Founder of Aikido Founded Aikikai Hombu Dojo O Sensei is known to have studied Tenjin Shin'Yo-Ryu Jujutsu, Goto-Ha Yagyu Shingan-Ryu, Judo, and Daito-Ryu Jujutsu (receiving Hiden Mokuroku, Hiden Ogi, and Goshin'Yo No Te scrolls, in addition to Kyoju Dairi certificate). Also influenced by Kashima Shinto-Ryu sword and possibly Yagyu Shinkage-Ryu sword styles. Initially taught Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu, later (in the 30s) called his style Aiki Budo. The name Aikido was formally adopted in 1942.     Ueshiba, Moriteru     Rank:   Dojo:    None  Grandson of O Sensei, son of Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba  Designated 3rd Doshu of Aikido  Dojo-Cho, Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Tokyo Japan  Ueshiba sensei travels frequently conducting Aikido seminars all over the world. . See: Trip to Japan 2005.         Utada, Yukio   Rank:    7th Ddan  yoshinkan AANA President Chief Instructor, Doshinkan Dojo  www.yoshinkai.org   V   Vandrogenbroeck,   Rene VDB   Rank:  7th Dan Aikikai    Student of Tamura sensei, affiliated with FFAB Dojo:  Le Havre, France   Vazquez, Pablo   Rank:        6th Dan, Aikikai affiliated with USAF Western Region Often does seminars in conjunction with senseis Chiba or Shibata. Promoted to 6th Dan in March 1996, one of the first four such promotions within the USAF Western Region.   Dojo: Aikido Institute of West Los Angeles, CA     Vecchio, Linda Lee   Rank:       6th Dan Aikikai Shihan  Aikido of Cleveland, USAF   Veneri, Giorgio 1937-2005.   Rank:   6th Dan Aikikai  affiliated with Aikikai Italy Dojo:   Budokai  Mantova, Italy  Began Aikido in 1964, promoted to Sho dan 1964. Founder of Aikikai Italia and IAF (International Aikido Federation). His Technical Director of Aikikai South Africa.   Varjan, Kristina   Rank:       6th Dan, Aikikai Aikikai Shihan   Aikido of Albuquerque  New Mexico Aikikai, (Birankai North America) W   Watanabe, Nobuyuki   Rank:  8th Dan, Aikikai Shihan   (born  1930) Entered the AikikaI Hombu Dojo as an Uchideshi in the early 1960`s. Dojo: Aikido World Headquarters: Aikikai Hombu Dojo   Wada, Jack   Rank:    6th Dan, Aikikai Student of Michio Hikitsuchi   Dojo: Aikido of San Jose, San Jose, CA   Waite, Donovan      Rank:  7th Dan, Aikikai Shihan  USAF Dojo:  student of Yoshimitsu Yamada NY Aikikai, 722 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 NY Aikikai  Holds seminars in Brazil as well as the US. Also teaches classes in nearby Connecticut dojos.   Witt, William   Rank:        7th Dan, Aikikai Uchideshi of Morihiro Saito sensei, Head of Section I of AANC Began Aikido in 1967 at Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan. Translator of Saito Sensei's "Traditional Aikido", vols I and II. Teaches occasionally at AANC Section I dojos in the San Francisco Bay Area, Reno NV, and Richmond VA.    Workoff, Robert   Rank:      6th Dan, Aikikai Shihan  NY Aikikai   Y   Yamada, Senta   Rank:    6th Dan Tomiki Aikido, 6th dan Judo trained under both Morihei Ueshiba and Kenji Tomiki Taught Judo and Tomiki Aikido in England from c. 1958 to 1965   Yamada, Yoshimitsu     Rank:   8th Dan, Aikikai Shihan  Uchideshi of O Sensei, Head of USAF Eastern Region Dojo:  New York Aikikai, New York, NY Has taught in the U.S. since 1964.   Yamaguchi, Seigo 1924 - 1996   Stepen: 9th Dan, Aikikai Shihan   Dojo: Aikido World Headquarters: Aikikai Hombu Dojo   1924 Seigo Yamaguchi was born in Fukuoka Prefecture. 1950 Having been presented to Morihei Ueshiba Sensei he became Uchi-deshi of O Sensei and hereafter he specialized in aikido until the end of his life.   Yasuno, Masatoshi   Rank:    7th Dan, Aikikai Shihan   Dojo: Aikido World Headquarters: Aikikai Hombu Dojo   Yokota, Yoshiaki   Rank:    7th Dan, Aikikai Shihan Dojo: Aikido World Headquarters: Aikikai Hombu Dojo    Yoshioka, Sadao   Rank:    7th Dan   Z   Zimmermann, Robert   Rank:   6th Dan, Shihan (USAF), Aikikai Affiliated with CAF and USAF Eastern Region   Dojo: Toronto Aikikai, Toronto, Ontario, Canada