(28 December 1867-20 October 1945). B. Ibaragi Prefecture. Older brother of Wasaburo ASANO. Vice-admiral in Imperial Japanese Navy. A devout believer in the OMOTO RELIGION, Asano began training under Morihei Ueshiba while a reservist in Daito-ryu jujutsu c. 1922 in Ayabe. Awarded KYOJU DAIRI certification by Sokaku TAKEDA (1922). Provided the introduction between Isamu TAKESHITA, a naval colleague, and Morihei Ueshiba in Ayabe in 1925. Was a student and patron of Ueshiba for more than 20 years.