Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
Encyclopedia
Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU) is an aikido
organization founded by Mitsugi Saotome
upon moving from Japan to the United States in 1975. ASU's headquarters dojo
is the Aikido Shobukan Dojo in Washington, DC where Saotome initially taught. Saotome has retired to Myakka City, Florida
and now comes to Washington, DC to teach several times a year.
ASU is a federation of about 100 dojos throughout North America
. Although not initially connected to the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, affiliation was later established. While Mitsugi Saotome is the Chief Instructor, other instructors include Hiroshi Ikeda
of the Boulder Aikikai and Patty Saotome.
ASU teaches both open hand and weapons work, although there is a comparatively greater focus on weapons work as the foundation of aikido.
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
organization founded by Mitsugi Saotome
Mitsugi Saotome
is a Japanese aikido Master Instructor currently living in the United States.Mitsugi Saotome is a master in the martial art of aikido and is a direct disciple of the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba....
upon moving from Japan to the United States in 1975. ASU's headquarters dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
is the Aikido Shobukan Dojo in Washington, DC where Saotome initially taught. Saotome has retired to Myakka City, Florida
Myakka City, Florida
Myakka City is an unincorporated community in southeastern Manatee County, Florida, United States. It lies along State Road 70 southeast of the city of Bradenton, the county seat of Manatee County. Its elevation is , and it is located at...
and now comes to Washington, DC to teach several times a year.
ASU is a federation of about 100 dojos throughout North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Although not initially connected to the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, affiliation was later established. While Mitsugi Saotome is the Chief Instructor, other instructors include Hiroshi Ikeda
Hiroshi Ikeda
Hiroshi Ikeda is a Japanese aikido teacher in the United States. He holds the rank of 7th dan from the Aikikai. He is the most senior student of Mitsugi Saotome of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba ....
of the Boulder Aikikai and Patty Saotome.
ASU teaches both open hand and weapons work, although there is a comparatively greater focus on weapons work as the foundation of aikido.