Butoku Ryu Instructors

Tanaka Shigeho
(田中 茂穂)

Tanaka Shihan was a senior disciple of the founder of modern Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei, and is currently a 9th Dan in this style. Further, he received the Menkyo Kaiden from Kuni Zenya of Kashima Shinryu for Kenjutsu and Taijutsu (sword and body techniques). For a period reaching 50 years, Tanaka Shihan has fostered many people in the political, economic, administrative and education worlds while acting in the office of the Shihan of Aikido first at The University of Tokyo, and then Chuo University, Senshu University, Kanazawa University, and Toyama University, as well as in the office of the Principal of the Meiji Jingu Budo Dojo Shiseikan (now emeritus principal).

Tanaka Shihani is the only living member of the Aikido world that has received the Mokuhai from the Japanese government for recognition of his level of achievement in Budo. He has studied deeply Chinese classics, modern Japanese history and Shinto history. Within Budo he has trained firstly in Aikido but also in Judo, Karate, Kendo, Kashima Shinryu Kenjutsu and many Ko Budo (classic martial arts). Tanaka Shihan is also a 9th Dan in Butokuryu Aikijujutsu.

Fujimori Akira
(藤森 明)

Fujimori Akira Shihan is a student of Tanaka Shihan. He is the founder of Butoku Ryu Aikijujutsu and a 9th Dan in the style. He has been training in the martial way for over 50 years, specifically in Judo, Jujutsu, Sumo, Kenjutsu and Jojutsu. He has been awarded a 7th Dan directly from the Ueshiba family in recognition of his style of Jujutsu. His training regimen exceeds 8 hours a day of personal training as well as teaching.

Brett Nener
(ブレット ネナア)

Brett Nener is the Australasian representative of Butoku Ryu. He holds the rank of 6th Dan and has trained mostly in Aikijujutsu but also Judo, Karate and Aikido.