Hideki Shiohira

Hideki Shiohira was born in Kyushu in 1948, began his training in Aikido when he was a freshman at Waseda University, Tokyo in 1967. The University was 20 minutes from the Aikido World headquarters (hombu dojo). He began to attend classes there and Waseda University Aikikai. He became a live-in (uchi deshi) student under Kisshmaru Ueshida Sensei for one year. He also studied under all of the leading Aikikai instructors there at the time. He received a Master degree in Metallurgical Engineering but decided his path in life was Aikido. He was sent to San Francisco in 1973 to be the chief instructor of the previous San Francisco Aiki Kai. He holds the rank of 7th Dan from the Aiki Kai, and the title of Shihan (master teacher). He is the founder and chief instructor of the Pacific Aikido Federation.Shinohira Shihan’s Aikido is deeply influenced by his study of Zen. He was a direct student of Tenshin Tanouye Roshi for over 20 years and also studied with his teacher, Omori Sogen Roshi, who was very well known in Japan as a master and an acknowledged expert in calligraphy (shodo), the sword (ken) and Zen. The last person to master these three arts was Yamaoka Tesshu.Shirohira Shihan has been training and teaching Aikido as the way: we must continue to grow and learn, not just physical techniques, but especially our minds and spirits. The mind needs to be clear and free of distractions so we can see things as they truly are. This type of deep, intense training (shugyo) should be carried out not only by practicing techniques (waza), but also by doing Zazen meditations.