Gozo Shioda

Gozo Shioda (1915 to 1994) was a Japanese master of aikido who founded the Yoshinkan style. Born in Shinjuku, Tokyo, the son of a physician who also taught judo and kendo, he reached third dan in judo while still at school and began training under aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba in 1932, living in as a student for eight years. He studied at Takushoku University, served in administrative posts in China, Taiwan and Borneo during the Second World War, and started teaching aikido again in 1950. Although he stood only about 155 centimetres tall, he became known for effective technique, and he held ninth dan in Aikikai and tenth dan in the IMAF. He was one of Ueshiba's most senior students.