and preserve the deep sense of spirituality and connection to nature that he recalled of the original Iwama Shrine from his years serving and living with the founder as personal live-in disciple. In 2016, Saotome Shihan transferred ownership of the Aiki Shrine to ASU to preserve as a lasting and physical legacy, and to unify future generations of ASU students and instructors through a living heritage and lineage to the spirit of O Sensei. Ueshiba Juku The Ueshiba Juku (literally, "Academy of the Founder") is a special designation issued by Saotome Shihan to his personal disciples. Based on statements by Saotome Shihan, the Ueshiba Juku designation declares that the recipients 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. It is denoted by a special kanji (Japanese calligraphy) which is worn on the left lapel of the recipient's dogi (training uniform). References External links Aikido Schools of Ueshiba Aikido organizations