Morihei Ueshiba, O'Sensei Founder of Aikido Very advanced student of Daito-Ryu Aiki Jutsu from Sokaku Takeda. Many of the techniques and concepts of Aikido can be found in the Daito-Ryu Aiki Jutsu Body Guard, Confidant and Close Student of Onisaburo Deguchi.
Sokaku Takeda Master and Disseminator of Daito-Ryu Aiki Jujutsu Primary Instructor of Morihei Ueshiba
Morihiro Saito Sensei 9th Dan Longest time as student of O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba Guardian of the Aiki Shrine Manager of O'Sensei's house and Dojo in Iwama Codifier of O'Sensei's Empty Hand and Weapons Techniques
Shoji Nishio Sensei 8th Dan Developer of Nishio Style of Aikido Founder of Aikitoho Iaido Great Innovator of integrating empty hand, sword and jo techniques with similar hand and foot movements.
Tasaburo Tokutomi Sensei 10th Dan Head of Toyama-Ryu Hon Iaido Battoh Maintained the Morinaga line of Toyama-Ryu in the suburb of Zushi /village of Toyama, near the Toyama officer training base, on the Miura Peninsula.
Seikichi Odo Sensei 10th Dan Head of Okinawan Kenpo Karate Kobudo Student of Shigemi Nakamura Maintained a dojo in Agena, Okinawa
Maehara Sensei 10th Dan Contemporary of Odo Sensei Student of Shigemi Nakamura Maintained a dojo in Henoko, Okinawa
Onisaburo Deguchi Omoto Kyo Head Priest Co-Founder of Omoto Kyo Religion Head of religion that believed in one God promoting world peace. Mentor and Religious leader to Morihei Ueshiba Ascetic and Mystic