Kobayashi Yasuo (soshihan)
8. dan (1990)

Kobayashi Yasuo, 8th dan Aikikai, is the representative of Aikido Kobayashi Dojo which has more than 120 affiliate dojos around the grove.  He is the honorary director at Meiji University Aikido Club, and the honorary shihan at Saitama University Aikido Club and Tokyo Economics University Aikido Club.

In 1987, Aikido Kobayashi Dojo received a medal for excellence in developing martial arts by Japan Martial Arts Association.  And in 2005, Kobayashi Yasuo as an individual received a medal for outstanding contribution to the development of Aikido.

Kobayashi was born on September 20, 1936, in Kudan, Tokyo.  He began his martial arts training with Judo when he was at 5th grade in elementary school.  He entered Meiji University, department of electrical engineering, and started aikido training at Hombu Dojo in 1954.  For a while, he continued both Judo and Aikido.

He founded Meiji University Aikido Club when he was a junior.  He was then very much inspired by Aikido, so he became an uchideshi at Hombu Dojo while he was still a university student.

He learned aikido from many instructors including the founder Morihei Ueshiba, the 2nd doshu Ueshiba Kisshomaru, chief instructor Tohei Koichi, (currently leads Ki no Kenkyukai), Osawa shihan, Saito shihan, Yamaguchi shihan, Arikawa shihan, Tada shihan, Tamura shihan, Noro shihan (currently in France and leads Ki no Michi), and others.

He is senior to Asai shihan of Germany who entered Hombu Dojo when he was a junior high school student. Asai shihan then became a Meiji University student, and became a member of the University Aikido club which Kobayashi founded.

In 1985, after graduating from university, Kobayashi becomes a teaching staff of Hombu Dojo.  He then continued training diligently under the 2nd doshu, Kisshomaru Ueshiba.

In Nov. 1972, he opened 48-tatami dojo in Tokorozawa, Saitama.  He started to spread aikido in areas around Tokyo-Santama, Saitama, Kanagawa and Chiba.  At the same time, he started training the next generation of Aikido Instructors. In 1975, he sent Shikanai shihan to Brazil.  As Kobayashi accompanied him in South America, he stopped by some part of American continents and felt the possibility of developments in aikido in these areas.  Since then, he frequently visited many areas including Asia and Europe.

He made diligent efforts in training aikido instructors, such as Kazuo Igarashi, Kengo Hatayama, Haruyoshi Horikoshi, Haruo Ishigaki, Hiroyuki Hasegawa, Takuya Oiwake, Katsutoshi Shirakawa, and many others.  He continues to train aikido instructors, Hiroaki Kobayashi and others, at Aikido Kobayashi Dojo.

Today, instructors are being sent to more than 20 countries, including American continents, Europe, and Southeast Asia. To 2011 he was the leader (dojocho) of Aikido Kobayashi Dojo network. From 2011 he is held soshihan rank.

Kobayashi Hiroaki (dojocho - Aikido Kobayashi Dojo)
6. dan (2003)

Birthplace:
Born in Kodaira, Tokyo

Graduated form Takushoku University, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Department of Chinese Language. Graduated form Kyorin University, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies.

Dojos in charge:
Tokorozawa, Tachikawa, Kami-Itabashi, and Tanashi.

Specialties:
Skiing, Playing at cup-and-ball toy.

As the first member of Kobayashi Dojo, started aikido at 3. When in school, visited the Solomon islands, Papua New Guinea, and Iwo Jima as a volunteer member of Japan Youth Memorial Association (a student organization that intend to collect remains of Japanese war veterans).

After graduating from school, stayed in Indonesia for 2 and half years to teach aikido as a JOCV (Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers) aikido instructor, then stayed in Poland for half a year to teach as a JOCV aikido instructor.

To 2011 he was the acting leader (fuku- dojocho), he was the faculty leader, from 2011 he is the leader (dojocho) of Aikido Kobayashi Dojo network.

Fluent in Chinese, Indonesian, and English.

Staying outside of Japan, in total, a few months a year for aikido instruction.

Masuda Manabu
6. dan, Kobayashi Dojo shidoin (instruktor)

Birthplace:
Born in Kodaira, Tokyo.

Graduated from Chuo University, Department of Economics.

Dojos in charge:
Minamikoshigaya, Todahigashi, Yoshikawa, and Soka.

Specialties:
Applying the whole of his profound knowledge to wine, holding karaoke microphone for long period of time.
Joined to Kobayashi Dojo when he was a first grader in elementary school. Were good friends in dojo with fuku-dojocho (then a nursery school child), practicing together.

When he was a university student, he helped kids class as an assistant instructor.  After school, worked several years in a major housing sales company. Then, from 1989, lived in Tokorozawa dojo for 3 years as an uchideshi (a live-in apprentice).

While being as an uchideshi, experienced instructions in foreign countries such as Germany and Northern Europe.

Married to a nurse who was a member at Tokorozawa dojo.

Succeeding editor in chief of Aikido Kobayashi Dojo Newsletter.

Aikido Masuda Dojo dojocho.

Koyanagi Shunichiro
5. dan, Kobayashi Dojo shidoin (instruktor)

Birthplace:
Born in Kodaira, Tokyo.

Graduated from Toyo University, Department of Indian Philosophy.

Dojos in charge:
Fuchu, Hibarigaoka, and Niiza.

Specialties:
Cycling, Tennis.

Joined to Kobayashi Dojo when he was a second grade in junior high school. When he was a university student, helped kids class. Worked as an optician for two years. Became one of the best salesperson in the company, and rewarded a Hawaii trip for his exceptional achievement. The company asked him to stay, but he became an uchideshi and lived in Tokorozawa dojo.

Although for short term, experienced instructions in Germany, Hungary, Northern Europe, and some parts of the United States.

Because of his background on philosophical studies, better at explaining aikido techniques than dojocho, yet advised by dojocho often not to be over-excited easily while teaching aikido.

Married to an ex-member of Saitama University Aikido Club whom he met when he was a university student.

Weighing over 0.1 ton (because of his happy marriage?).

The first of Kobayashi Dojo Instructors Enlargement Project.