AFFILIATION

Vegas Valley Aikido is very honored to be affiliated with Aikido Schools Of Ueshiba headed by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan (8th Dan).  

Saotome Sensei was an uchi deshi (live in student) to the founder of Aikido for fifteen years until his passing in 1969.  In 1975 after much soul searching and thought Saotome Sensei left his prestigious position as a senior instructor at World Aikido Headquarters in Tokyo to move to the United States.  He then established the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba organization.  

Today Saotome Sensei directs his Aikido Schools of Ueshiba headquarters dojo, Aikido Shobukan Dojo in Washington, DC and his AikiShrine Dojo in Florida.  He also frequently travels to teach seminars at Aikido Schools of Ueshiba affiliated dojos in North America.  For Saotome Sensei's full biography please visit the Aikido Schools Of Ueshiba web page.