Aikido Schools of Ueshiba

The Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU), established by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan in 1975, is the membership organization that affiliates all of the Aikido dojos under the instruction of Saotome Shihan and his senior students. ASU is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is recognized by Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan as an international Aikido organization. Currently there are over 100 ASU member dojos in North America with around 700 active yudansha.

The ASU is under the general management of its Executive Board, consisting of seven senior instructors. Mitsugi Saotome Sensei and Patty Saotome Sensei are special advisors to the Board, which meets regularly to conduct business and to hold Town-Hall meetings with the membership. An Advisory Council has been established to introduce fresh ideas and to communicate the interests and concerns of the general membership to the Board. In addition, Examination, Instructional and various other committees have been established to advise the Board in the general functioning of ASU, especially with regard to the quality of our Aikido and the consistency of training opportunities for all ASU members.

ASU is an inclusive and non-discriminatory organization that values the growth and educational fulfilment of all of its members, as well as strong mutual support between its member Dojos. In addition, ASU reaches out in friendship to all Aikido practitioners, regardless of affiliation, as well as to all Aikido organizations, with the aim of advancing O Sensei’s Aikido in the world.