Ninth rank or grade. Ninth degree black belt in martial arts ranking systems. Among those holding this rank in aikido are: Hajime IWATA, Kisaburo OSAWA, and Rinjiro SHIRATA.
Archive - August 2011
Josh GoldKyu 級
Class; grade. Part of dan ranking system and refers to ranks below SHODAN or first-degree black belt.
Kyoshu
Spiritual leader. The title used for the leader of the Omoto religion. In this tradition, the spiritual leader is always a female. The first kyoshu was Nao DEGUCHI, followed by her daughter Sumi, and her daughter Naohi.
Kyoju Dairi 教授代理
Teaching assistant. Certification awarded to high-ranking practitioners of DAITO-RYU AIKIJUJUTSU by Sokaku TAKEDA. Knowledge of the following techniques was required: SHODEN MOKUROKU (118 techniques), Aiki No Jutsu (53...
Takashi Kushida 串田誉司
(b. 2 May 1935). 8th dan Yoshinkan Aikido [rank withdrawn August 1, 1990]. Graduate of Chuo University. Entered YOSHINKAN AIKIDO dojo in Tsukudo Hachiman in 1955 at the same time as Kyoichi INOUE. Employed by Tokyo...
Yoshio Kuroiwa 黒岩洋志郎（雪吉）
(1932-19 January 2010). 6th dan Aikikai. B. Tokyo. Extensive boxing background. Began training in AIKIKAI HOMBU DOJO c. 1954. Emphasizes the practicality and effectiveness of aikido techniques. Published a series of...
Yutaka Kurita 栗田豊
(b. 20 April 1940). 6th dan Aikikai. B. Tokyo. Enrolled at AIKIKAI HOMBU DOJO in 1959 and became an UCHIDESHI in 1960. Abandoned aikido for eight years following the death of Morihei Ueshiba in 1969. Returned to aikido...
Minoru Kurita 栗田稔
(b. 3 September 1943). First began aikido training at age 17 at the AIKIKAI HOMBU DOJO in Tokyo at the urging of his older brother Yutaka KURITA. Later became an UCHIDESHI and professional instructor at the Aikikai...
Zenya Kunii 国井善弥（道之）
(1895-17 August 1966). 18th headmaster of Kashima Shin-ryu and is credited with reestablishing the art. Several well-known aikidoka such as Seigo YAMAGUCHI, Minoru Inaba, Masatake SEKIYA, Christian TISSIER and others...