Tohei, Akira

(1929 - 1999)

Tohei Shihan

    Tohei Sensei had been a staff instructor at Hombu Dojo (Aikido World Headquarters) in Tokyo and at several affiliate dojo throughout Japan. He also taught for some time in the Hawaiian Islands. In 1966 he was awarded the title of Shihan or Senior Instructor by Morihei Ueshiba (O'Sense), the founder of Aikido. Tohei Sensei moved to Chicago in 1972 and spent the next 27 years teaching and promoting the ideals of O'Sensei throughout the Midwest. He was promoted to 8th Dan in 1989 by the son of O'Sensei, Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba and serving as the Chairman of the Technical Committee of the United States Aikido Federation as well as Chairman of the North American Shihankai. Up until his death in 1999, he was the most senior Aikido instructor in the United States.