Hikitsuchi Michio was born on 1923. 10th dan [directly awarded by Morihei Ueshiba]. B. Wakayama Prefecture. Head of Kumano Juku Dojo in Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture. Met Morihei UESHIBA as a child and studied various traditional martial arts during his youth. Said to have taught martial arts to military in Japan and Korea during World War II. Resumed practice under Ueshiba about 1951 when the latter visited the Kansai area. Traveled abroad on numerous occasions beginning 1974, mainly to the U. S. and France. Many foreign students trained as UCHDIESHI at his Shingu Dojo beginning in the early 1970s. Released instructional aikido video in 1987.

       He died on February the 02 th, 2004, aged 81