Lineage

9th Dan Aikikai. An Iwama native, Morihiro Saito started training in Aikido in 1946. For 23 years, he was a student and close confidant of O’Sensei. Then, after the founder’s passing, Morihiro Saito Shihan was put in charge of the Iwama Dojo and became the guardian of the Aiki-Shrine.

He published many books of Aikido techniques. He also organized and preserved a huge number of O’Sensei’s empty hands and weapon’s techniques. Many of today’s teachers from around the word came to live in his dojo and learn from his clear and structured way of teaching.

7th Dan Aikikai. In 1975, Patricia Hendricks Shihan started her Aikido career in Monterey, California. Since 1977 she has often traveled to to the Iwama Dojo in Japan where she was a live-in student under Saito Sensei. Since founding her own dojo, Aikido of San Leandro, she has mentored hundreds of students (who come from all over the world to live and train in her dojo). She also travels extensively (Europe, South America, US) giving seminars.

Aikido of San Leandro 

6th Dan Aikikai. Louis Jumonville Shihan is the Dojo Cho, and Chief Instructor of Hikari Dojo. Hikari Dojo was located in Contra Costa County for over 20 years. In 2020, Jumonville Shihan moved Hikari Dojo to Sunderland MA where he opened his beautiful new dojo: http://www.hikaridojo-aikido.com/

Jumonville Shihan has been training in the martial arts for over 40 years. He spent a total of 6½ years continuously as a live-in student, first in Japan with Saito Shihan for 1½ years, then for 5 years at Aikido of San Leandro Dojo, under Hendricks Shihan.

3rd Degree Black Belt, she is the Chief Instructor and runs/manages the Aikido Contra Costa dojo. While Carla started Aikido late in life she still trains 4 or 5 times per week. In addition to being the Dojo Cho at ACC, she has the privilege of training regularly at ASL with Patricia Hendricks, Shihan, 7th Dan (and the head of our division at the CAA). She began her Aikido  journey in 2009 with Louis Jumonville, Shihan, Dojo Cho of Hikari Dojo (our Sensei before he moved to MA in 2020). Carla is responsible to bring Hendricks Sensei’s teachings to our dojo as well as maintaining what we’ve learned over the years from Jumonville Sensei.

Kisshomaru Ueshiba Shihan, was the son of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, and served as the Second Doshu (hereditary head) of the Aikikai Foundation from 1969 until his death. He is widely credited with modernizing Aikido and transforming it from a niche Japanese martial art into a global movement practiced by millions. 

Kazuo Chiba Shian, served for seven years as uchideshi at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo before being dispatched abroad to help develop Aikido internationally. He held an 8th dan in Aikido, issued by Aikikai world headquarters in Tokyo, Japan and was active in Aikido for over 50 years.

Gabriel Valibouze, 6th dan, Shihan, is Strasbourg Aikikai's Chief Instructor. He trained for 36 years and stayed more than 6 years at Hombu Dojo, where he studied under the Japanese Aikido masters, including Kisshomaru Ueshiba Sensei (1923 - 1999), the founder's son, as well as Chiba Sensei and Shibata Sensei. Gabriel Valibouze continues his training in California.

Aikido de l'Aikikai de Strasbourg 

Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan (1938–2023) was a pivotal figure in spreading Aikido to the United States and the world. He entered the Aikikai Hombu Dojo as an uchi deshi (live-in student) in 1955 at age 17 As a direct student of founder Morihei Ueshiba and longtime chief instructor of the New York Aikikai, he founded the United States Aikido Federation (USAF) and was a major international instructor renowned for his powerful, direct technique and charismatic teaching style. Passed away on January 15, 2023, at age 84.

5th dan Aikikai, in 1988. Began training in New York Aikikai dojo in 1960, under Yamada Shihan. He taught at the Aikido of Houston dojo.

Motokage Kawamukai Shihan, 6th dan Aikikai, is considered one of the "fathers" of Italian Aikido. He collaborated with Hiroshi Tada Sensei (9th Dan) to found the Aikikai d'Italia and served as an advisor for the organization until the 1990s.

Federico Aquilotti Sensei began practicing in the mid-seventies at the Ren BU Kan gym in Segrate, under the guidance of Master Giovanni Filippini.

He obtained the rank of Shodan (black belt) in Florence in September 1979 comm. F.i.k.d.a. In 1980 he officially chaired the first AiKiDo course.

Lorenzo Santarella Sensei (4th dan), was the dojo cho (owner) in Italy where Gil started training in 1995. Teaching for more than 30 years before retiring, he blended different styles mainly following Kawamukai Sensei teaching, with many influences by Kobayashi Sensei.