Shigenobu Okumura 奥村繁信

(1922-12 August 2008). 9th dan Aikikai. B. Hokkaido. Aikikai Shihan. Standing Director of All-Japan Aikido Federation. Okumura entered KENKOKU UNIVERSITY in Manchuria in 1938 where he began training in AIKI BUDO under Kenji TOMIKI. He was detained in a Russian prison camp after the war in Bucky, Russia where he served as a Russian-Japanese interpreter. Upon his return to Japan, Okumura settled in Hokkaido for several years before relocating to Tokyo. He became part of the AIKIKAI HOMBU DOJO teaching staff in the early 1950s and played a significant role in the post-war development of aikido. Okumura taught at the Tax Revenue Institute until his retirement. He then became a licensed tax accountant. Member of the Association of Accountants. Member of Nihon Budo Gakkai (Japan Martial Arts Association) and Japanese Classics Research Society. Okumura also wrote a book entitled Aikido. He received the Budokorosha award from the Japanese government in 1987. Interviewed AN#58-59, 86-87. Aikikai Hombu Dojo, 17-18 Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162 Japan (03)203-9236.