Hiroshi Ikeda
Encyclopedia
Hiroshi Ikeda is a Japanese
aikido
teacher in the United States
. He holds the rank of 7th dan
(shihan
) from the Aikikai
. He is the most senior student of Mitsugi Saotome
of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
(ASU).
Ikeda was born in Tokyo
and began studying aikido in 1968 while attending college at Kokugakuin University
in Tokyo. He relocated to Sarasota, Florida
in 1976, and taught there under Saotome from 1978-1979. In 1980, he moved to Boulder, Colorado
to establish a dojo
there under Saotome's ASU organization.
He currently lives in Boulder, where he operates both his dojo, Boulder Aikikai, and his martial arts supply company Bujin Design. He also travels frequently to conduct seminars both in the United States and abroad.
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...
teacher in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He holds the rank of 7th 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...
(shihan
Shihan
- Title of "Master" is a Japanese Honorific Title, Expert License Certification used in Japanese martial arts for Master Level Instructors. The award of the Expert License Certification is if designated by the qualification by virtue of endorsement by the [A] Association of Chief Instructors or [B]...
) from the Aikikai
Aikikai
The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu . It is represented globally through the International Aikido Federation....
. He is the most senior student of 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....
of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
Aikido Schools of Ueshiba 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...
(ASU).
Ikeda was born in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
and began studying aikido in 1968 while attending college at Kokugakuin University
Kokugakuin University
Kokugakuin University is a private university, whose main office is located in Tokyo's Shibuya district...
in Tokyo. He relocated to Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
in 1976, and taught there under Saotome from 1978-1979. In 1980, he moved to Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
to establish a 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...
there under Saotome's ASU organization.
He currently lives in Boulder, where he operates both his dojo, Boulder Aikikai, and his martial arts supply company Bujin Design. He also travels frequently to conduct seminars both in the United States and abroad.