SUGANUMA SENSEI

Morito Suganuma Shihan, Aikikai 8th Dan, is the founder and chief instructor of Shohei Juku Dojo in Fukuoka, Japan and its' 80 branch dojo. He was born in 1942 in Fukushima, Japan. He attended Juntendo University in 1962 and in the following year he attended Asia University. It was here that he was first introduced to Aikido and trained under Nobuyoshi Tamura Shihan. After graduation from university in 1967, he became the last Uchi-deshi (live-in student) of the Founder of Aikido, Morehei Ueshiba, until the latter's death in 1969. In 1970, Suganuma Sensei was sent by the late Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba to Fukuoka as the shihan in charge of the Kyushu district. Currently, Suganuma Sensei conducts Aikido seminars all over the world. His other interests include calligraphy, Zen meditation and Yoga. The Chief Instructor of Shohei Juku Aikido Canada, Tamami Nakashimada Sensei, is a direct student of Suganuma Sensei.