was a Japanese

Japanese people

The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...

 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...

 and judo

Judo

is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...

 teacher and the Second Director of Japan Aikido Association

Shodokan Aikido

is the largest organized branch of the Tomiki Ryu founded by Kenji Tomiki（富木 謙治 Tomiki Kenji, 1900–1979). Tomiki Ryu is sometimes referred to as "Sport Aikido" because of its use of regular competitions, and although Tomiki used the name Shodokan without any reference to his own name, the...

 after the death of Kenji Tomiki

Kenji Tomiki

was a Japanese aikido and judo teacher and the founder of aikido style Shodokan.Tomiki was one of the early students of the founder of aikido Morihei Ueshiba, and also of Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo. In 1925, the year he joined Morihei Ueshiba, he obtained 5th dan in judo...

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He was born as Hideo Tozawa in a village called Nakagawa in Akita prefecture

Akita Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region of northern Honshu, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Akita.- History :The area of Akita has been created from the ancient provinces of Dewa and Mutsu....

. In 1936, he adopted his wife's name upon marriage in deference to her fame as a young teacher of the Japanese harp.

The year 1931 was pivotal for Hideo Ohba. He was awarded 2nd dan

Dan rank

The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...

 in judo, met Kenji Tomiki and was called up to serve in the military which he did with distinction. His professional and personal relationship with Kenji Tomiki became very close. He was awarded 5th dan in judo in 1933. From 1940 he was teaching judo at Kenkoku University in Manchukuo

Manchukuo

Manchukuo or Manshū-koku was a puppet state in Manchuria and eastern Inner Mongolia, governed under a form of constitutional monarchy. The region was the historical homeland of the Manchus, who founded the Qing Empire in China...

.

In 1942 he was awarded 5th dan by Morihei Ueshiba

Morihei Ueshiba

was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....

, the founder of aikido, who used him as uke

Uke

In Japanese martial arts, the is the person who "receives" a technique.The exact role of uke also known as a partner, varies between the different arts and often within the art itself depending on the situation...

 during the budo festival on the 10th anniversary of the foundation of Manchukuo. It was during this demonstration that he gained notoriety by attacking Ueshiba for real. He is quoted as saying Ueshiba was a little stiff but he knew then he was in the presence of a true master.

The following year he was awarded 6th dan in aikido, his 6th dan in judo was awarded in 1950. In 1978 he was awarded 9th dan by the Japan Aikido Association. He was also considered adept at kendo

Kendo

, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...

, naginata

Naginata

The naginata is one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades in the form of a pole weapon. Naginata were originally used by the samurai class in feudal Japan, and naginata were also used by ashigaru and sōhei .-Description:A naginata consists of a wooden shaft with a curved...

 and iai

IAI

IAI is an acronym for:* The Information Architecture Institute* Institute of Art and Ideas* Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research* International African Institute* International Association for Identification...

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Sources

• Shodokan Honbu profile of Hideo Ohba
• Aikido Journal Encyclopedia entry for Hideo Ohba
• Aikido Journal Encyclopedia Article on Hideo Ohba written by Fumiaki Shishida
  Fumiaki Shishida
  Fumiaki Shishida is a Japanese aikido teacher, and one of traditionally two Shihan of the Japan Aikido Association where he holds the rank of 8th dan....
  
  (Part 1)
• Aikido Journal Encyclopedia Article on Hideo Ohba written by Fumiaki Shishida (Part 2)