Kisshomaru Ueshiba

was a Japanese teacher of aikido. He was the son of Morihei Ueshiba. After his father's death in 1969, he became the 2nd Dōshu.

Biography He was born on 27 June 1921, in the city of Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. He was the third son and fourth child of Morihei Ueshiba and Hatsu Ueshiba (née Itokawa). Ueshiba began training under his father around 1937.

Beginning in 1948, Ueshiba oversaw the development of the Aikikai Hombu organization (and eventually the tearing down of the Kobukan Dojo in 1967 to construct the Aikikai headquarters). In 1952, Ueshiba became a founding member and appointed head of the Aikido Division of the Kokusai Budoin (International Martial Arts Federation) by Prince Kaya Tsunenori to help spread aikido worldwide.

After Morihei Ueshiba's death in 1969, Ueshiba took on the mantle of Dōshu (hereditary head). In 1986, in recognition of his contributions to the public good through the development and growth of Aikido, Ueshiba received the Medal of Honor with Blue Ribbon from the Japanese Government. In 1990, In recognition of his distinguished services and contributions to cultural exchange between France and Japan, Ueshiba received a gold medal Sports Merit award from the French government. This is the first time a Japanese citizen has received this medal. In 1995, Ueshiba received the Third Order of the Sacred Treasure Award from the Japanese government. By 1998, Ueshiba's health had declined and this necessitated visits to hospital.

Works Aikido (1985) The Spirit of Aikido (1981) Best Aikido: The fundamentals (2002, co-authored with Moriteru Ueshiba) The Art of Aikido: Principles and Essential Techniques (2004) A Life in Aikido: The Biography of Founder Morihei Ueshiba (2008)