Dōshu

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Dōshu (道主, Dōshu^?) is a martial arts title, literally translated as 'Master of the Way'.

[edit] Aikido

In aikido, for example, dōshu is a hereditary title denoting the head of the Aikikai.

Three men have so far held this role:

• Morihei Ueshiba, from the title's first use to 1969.
• Kisshomaru Ueshiba, from 1969 to 1999.
• Moriteru Ueshiba, from 1999 to present.

In keeping with the iemoto system, when the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, died in 1969, his son Kisshomaru became the second dōshu. When Kisshomaru died in 1999, his son Moriteru took on the role. Moriteru is expected to be succeeded as dōshu by his son, Mitsuteru Ueshiba.^[1]

[edit] See also

• Sōke

[edit] References

1. ^ Interview with Masaki Tani