Kisshomaru Ueshiba was the third son of Morihei and Hatsu UESHIBA.  He was born on June 27th, 1921 in Ayabe, Kyoto, Japan and graduated from Waseda University in 1946 with a degree in economics.   As a teenager, Kisshomaru began serious training in 1936.  In 1942, while still a student and after his father retired to Iwama, he was appointed director of Kobukan Dojo (and later Hombu Dojo).

During the war, Kisshomaru saved the dojo from burning as a result of the bombings on Tokyo on various occasions.  In 1948 he took on the post of Executive Director of Central Aikido Dojo.  Kisshomaru supervised the development of post-war Hombu Aikikai.  He was employed for many years by a security company, but left his job in 1955 in order to dedicate his time to the growth and supervision of Aikikai.  In 1957, Kisshomaru Published his first book: “Aikido” published by Kowado Press.  He wrote more than 20 volumes, the most important being “The Spirit of Aikido”.  In 1963 he made his first trip to the United Status and later traveled to Europe and South America.  Even though his efforts to make Aikikai an official organization are well known, he also had great influence in the development of technique.

Kisshomaru slowly modified the Aikikai technique curriculum.  He was named president of Aikikai Foundation (the main Aikido organization the world over) in 1967 and was recognized as DOSHU (Guardian of the Way) after his father’s death in 1969.

In 1986 he was decorated with the Blue Ribbon medal, and in the fall of 1995 he was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure with Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.

Among the numerous honors he received are the Japanese government’s Blue Ribbon Medal in 1987 and the Gold Medal from the French government on May 19th, 1990.

Kisshomaru Ueshiba passed away on January 4th, 1999.  For his efforts in the development and spread of Aikido, he was presented with the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Japanese Government.

Moriteru Ueshiba, grandson of Aikido’s founder and second son of Kisshomaru Ueshiba, was born on April 2nd, 1951.  He graduated with a degree in economics from Meji Gakuin University in 1976.  Moriteru was prepared to follow in the footsteps of the founder and had been training very hard in Aikido.  He began to study Aikido under the direction of his grandfather, O’Sensei, when he was 6 years old.

In May of 1986 he became the general director of Aikikai Foundation.  With the passing of his father in 1999, and in accordance with tradition, Moriteru Ueshiba was declared the new Doshu for Aikido Aikikai in a ceremony held in Japan with more than 2000 people in attendance from all over the world.  Before taking on the post, Moriteru Ueshiba served as Aikikai’s Chairman at Hombu Dojo.  He then became the third Doshu.