Iroshi Ikeda Shihan 7th Dan
Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, founder and lead instructor of Boulder Aikikai, Inc., a non-profit Aikido school in Boulder, Colorado, where he also lives. He currently holds the rank of 7th Dan through Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and the Aikido World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo) and travels extensively as a visiting instructor, conducting Aikido seminars at dojos around the world.
He was born in Hachijojima, Tokyo, and began studying Aikido when he was a student at Kokugakuin University. In 1970, he joined the Saotome Shihan Reimeijuku Dojo and in 1976 he moved permanently to the United States, becoming an instructor at Sarasota Aikikai and vice president of Aikido schools for the Ueshiba organization.
He settled in Boulder, Colorado in 1980 and founded Boulder Aikikai, a non-profit educational organization and school of Aikido, and spent the next 40 years traveling extensively throughout the United States and the world promoting the Aikido philosophy of nonviolence and peace. and self-development through constant training.
His teaching emphasizes learning and understanding Aikido with the body, specifically the concept of "chushin" or how to maintain one's center while breaking the balance of the other.
In addition to his responsibilities as an Aikido instructor and ambassador, he also founds several companies and organizations, including a martial arts apparel and equipment design company, Bu Jin Design, and Aikido Bridge, an organization created to bring together teachers and students from different organizations. and Aikido background to share your skills, build friendships, and support the future growth of Aikido.
In 2016 he joined the Aikido Shimbokukai organization as Vice President, working closely with its director, Tomoleoni Lisa Shihan.