2004 aged 80. The dojo was founded by Ueshiba in 1953. Hikitsuchi traveled twice to the United States, and regularly to European countries, teaching at dojos that had been started by his students. American Aikido instructors who trained extensively under Hikitsuchi and the other senior instructors at Shingu include Mary Heiny (Seattle), Linda Holiday (Aikido of Santa Cruz), Jack Wada (Aikido of San Jose), Laurin Herr (San Francisco), Tom Read (Northcoast Aikido), John Smartt (New School Aikido), and Daniel Caslin (Aikido of Owensboro). His student Clint George is no longer teaching.) Hikitsuchi was described by other teachers in Shingu as an "Aiki computer" because of his ability to recite virtually verbatim the speeches Ueshiba had given. He also had extensive knowledge of Shinto Norito (chanting) and the spiritual teachings of the Kojiki—areas of personal emphasis by his teacher, the founder of aikido. He passed this experiential knowledge of the Shinto Norito to Sensei Jack Wada, who demonstrates it regularly and passes it on to good students. Hikitsuchi's reverence for Ueshiba and his message was total. Senior students Anno Motomichi 8th Dan Tomio Ishimoto 8th Dan Gerard Blaize 7th Dan Linda Holiday 7th Dan Tsutomu Sugawa 7th Dan Jack Wada 7th Dan References External links Kumano Juku Dojo website - Switzerland Kumano Juku Dojo website - Shingu, Japan 1923 births 2004 deaths Japanese aikidoka