Rinjiro Shirata was born on March the 29th 1912. He was 9th dan Aïkikaï, and was to be named 10th dan at his death.

He received his 2th Judo dan in 1932 and then he joined the Kobukan Dojo.

He was one of Master Ueshiba's first Uchi Dechi during the pre war period. He posesed a great physical strength.

He taught very often in the Tokyo Dojos, during the fifties, after an interruption during the war. He was the president of the Aikido High Counsel until his death.

           He died, aged 81, on May the 29th 1993.