Aikido Sensei, What It
Means and Highest Ranks

Aikido Sensei


What does Aikido sensei mean?


Well, a sensei is a term that is usually used for someone who teaches martial arts. They will have studied and practiced for many years, before developing the skills required to be termed a Sensei.


The exact meaning of sensei in the Collins dictionary is: " a Japanese title for a teacher, master, or professional... used especially for a martial arts teacher "


Therefore an Aikido Sensei is an instructor, teacher, or coach. They may teach as their main job and be a professional. More rarely they may also be regarded as a master teacher. Often master teachers also have other titles too.


Grandmaster or Master are titles for senior or experienced martial artists. These titles are often honorary, meaning that they do not describe rank, but state the individual as highly regarded in their martial art school, system, or style.


I am regarded as an Aikido Sensei, because I have been studying since 1985. I founded the Arun Aikido Club in Bognor Regis, West Sussex UK in 1992. We offer aikido classes 7-70 years. Also Self Defence Seminars and Private Lessons.


Many Asian martial art terms translate as teacher, master or grandmaster. Dan or Black belt ranks in martial arts come from Jigoro Kano the founder of Judo.


Japanese martial arts commonly use Sensei which means: teacher, born first, or one who has gone before. A Sensei is someone who has gained knowledge and willing to teach it to others. More terms here... 


  • O-Sensei: grandmaster given to Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei.
  • Shihan: high ranking or highly distinguished instructor.
  • Soke: head family or founder of style, ultimate authority of a martial art.
  • Sifu: means teacher or mentor. 

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Who Were The
Top Aikido Sensei?

Aikido Sensei


Interested in learning who were the top Aikido Sensei?


The founder of Aikido was THE highest ranked Aikido Sensei... even though he was above any rank as he founded the art of Aikido.


Morihei Ueshiba - O-Sensei


Kisshomaru Ueshiba - son of founder, second Doshu


Moriteru Ueshiba - son of Kisshomaru, third Doshu


Mitsuteru Ueshiba - son of Moriteru presumed successor


Koichi Tohei - 10th Dan officially awarded - certified by O-Sensei)


Michio Hikitsichi - 10th Dan - unofficially awarded - not certified by O-Sensei


Seiseki Abbe - 10th Dan - given verbally by O Sensei - Officially 8th Dan


Minoru Mochizuki - 10th dan - given by the IMAF in 1979


Yoshio Sugino - 10th dan - Katori Shinto Ryu headmaster by IMAF


Rinjiro Shirata - 10th dan - Aikikai - after deceased.


Gozo Shioda - 10th dan - given by the IMAF. Given 9th dan by O Sensei.


Osawa sensei - 10th dan - Aikikai - after deceased.


These were the highest ranked Aikido Sensei. Here are some more...


Noriaki Inoue - Aiki Budo


Kenji Tomiki - Shodokan Aikido


Kanshu Sunadomari - Manseikan Aikido


Rinjiro Shirata - Aikikai


Seigo Yamaguchi - Aikikai


Kisaburo Osawa - Aikikai


Bansen Tanaka - Aikikai


Hiroshi Tada - Aikikai


Shoji Nishio - Aikikai


Nobuyoshi Tamura - Aikikai


Kazuo Chiba - Aikikai


Mitsugi Saotome - Aikikai


Yoshimitsu Yamada - Aikikai


Kenshiro Abbe - Aikikai


Andre Nocquet - Aikikai


Steven Seagal - Aikikai


Robert Nadeau - Aikikai


Robert Frager - Aikikai


Christian Tissier - Aikikai


We hope you enjoyed reading my Aikido Sensei list... truly great masters. 


Aikido Success Blueprint offers you unique aiki principles to speed up your learning curve. Plus free bonuses and Key Action Steps for FAST Results!


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