Past ASU Summer Intensives have typically featured Mitsugi Saotome Shihan’s weapons kata. Saotome Shihan is the Founder and supervisory instructor for more than 100 affiliated Dojos of the international Aikido Schools of Ueshiba association.
Master Saotome has devoted his entire adult life to the study and teaching of Aikido. He began as a special apprentice with the Founder of Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei (O Sensei) in 1955 and continued for 15 years until the Founder’s death in April of 1969. Read More
Featuring
William Gleason Sensei, 7th Dan
William Gleason Sensei studied Aikido from 1970 to 1980 at the main world headquarters (Hombu Dojo) in Japan and also with Yamaguchi Seigo Shihan. During that same period, Gleason Sensei studied swordsmanship (kenjutsu) as well as Japanese language, classical music, and Eastern religion. Since 1985 Gleason Sensei has continued to practice and teach under the auspices of Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba.
Gleason Sensei founded Shobu Aikido, Inc. in 1980 in Boston, Massachusetts, and there are presently five Shobu affiliate Dojos from the Midwest to the East Coast. His latest book is Aikido and Words of Power: The Sacred Sounds of the Kototama. He is also the author of The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido, which has been translated into four languages.
His first DVD, Aikido and Japanese Sword, shows how the movements in traditional swordwork and those in Aikido barehanded techniques are essentially one and the same. His second, William Gleason at Aikido Eastside, explores the secrets of aiki hidden within Aikido techniques.
And
George Ledyard Sensei, 7th Dan
Ledyard Sensei began his Aikido studies in 1976 under the direct instruction of Saotome Sensei. Ledyard Sensei currently holds the rank of nanadan (7th dan) in Aikido and Shodan in Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu. He has over 35 years of Aikido teaching experience. Sensei Ledyard believes that Aikido should be both a spiritual practice and a martial art. He is known for his work with the staff and sword and also for an innovative approach to applied empty-hand technique.
Ledyard Sensei has received the Ueshiba Juku designation by Saotome Sensei. This connotes a direct line of “transmission” from the Aikido Founder, Morihei Ueshiba, through Saotome Sensei to his personally trained students.
Chuck Weber Sensei, 7th Dan
In his own words:
“I started Aikido in 1975 in Denver, Colorado, with Seiji Tanaka sensei of Waseda University and Tomiki Aikido. Tanaka sensei and his assistant Stan Hartz were very kind to me. When Hiroshi Ikeda Sensei moved to Boulder he and Glenn Bluestone introduced me to Mitsugi Saotome Sensei. I was fortunate to have these people share their ideas about aikido with me as an aikido-crazy beginner. In 1981, I moved to Washington, D.C., to be a bicycle messenger and study with Saotome Sensei. In 1988, Saotome sensei asked me to start a dojo with Charles Page in Baltimore.
2023 ASD Instructors
Robert was made a member of the Ueshiba Juku by Saotome Sensei. This connotes a direct line of “transmission” from the Aikido Founder, Morihei Ueshiba, through Saotome Sensei to his personally trained students. Robert was also a founding member of the ASU Board of Directors and served two years as President.
Steve has been a major contributor lending a hand in the operations of the dojo, supporting camps, and assisting with Sensei’s accommodations. We are grateful for his expertise and care, especially looking after many members’ eyes. He can often be found during mid-morning classes, seminars, and when he’s helping care for the dojo and its many members.
Ueshiba Juku
The Ueshiba Juku designation is awarded by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan to selected senior students and instructors in recognition of their loyalty and dedication to building ASU and promoting O Sensei’s vision. It declares that they are not only true deshi (direct disciple) of Saotome Sensei and inheritors of his teachings, but are also part of O Sensei’s own school and pure lineage as only a true Uchi Deshi of O Sensei can recognize. The status is indicated by special kanji worn on the formal Dogi of the authorized individual, and is an honor independent of specific rank or Shihan status.