Kisshomaru Ueshiba
Click to play a video
Kisshomaru Uesiba (1921-1999) was the son of Morihei Ueshiba (the founder). He became the international leader of the aikido world after his father's death. He was known as the second doshu (his father being the first doshu), a term which translates to "Master of the Way" (Source: Wikipedia).
Moriteru Ueshiba
Click to play a video
Moriteru (born in 1951) is the grandson of Morihei and the third and current doshu of aikido. Moriteru has taught aikido to students throughout the world and has written several books on the subject: Best Aikido (The fundamentals), The Aikido master course, and Progressive Aikido (The essential elements) (Source: Wikipedia).
Steven Seagal
Click to play a video
Steven Seagal (born in 1952) is an American movie star born in Lansing, Michigan. He moved to Japan in his late teenage years and eventually became the first non Japanese sensei (teacher) to run a dojo in Japan (his dojo was in Osaka). He trained under many notable aikidoists, including the second doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba. He returned to America in 1983 and opened a dojo in Burbank, California with one of his senior students. He worked as a martial arts coordinator and actor in West Hollywood. Seagal holds a 7th degree (there are only 10 degrees in Aikido) black belt (Source: Wikipedia).
Christian Tissier
Click to play a video
Christian Tissier (born in 1951) is one of the most famous aikido teachers in Europe and helped champion the practice of aikido in France. He received the rank of 7th dan (degree) in 1998 and is one of the few "westerners" to be honoured with the title of Shihan (a Japanese title meaning "Master"). He is the founding member of the Fédération Française d'Aïkido Aïkibudo et Affinitaires and is also responsible for awarding many dan grades and teaching certificates (Source: Wikipedia).