(b. 2 May 1935). 8th dan Yoshinkan Aikido [rank withdrawn August 1, 1990].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 Metropolitan Police Department to teach aikido to police officers in 1971. Also, a former aikido instructor at Meiji Gakuin University. Relocated to the United States in 1973 at the invitation of Takeshi KIMEDA. Based in Michigan, Kushida originally established an organization called AIKIDO YOSHINKAI ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA. The Yoshinkan Aikido Hombu Dojo severed ties with Kushida in August 1990 over a dispute surrounding the creation of the INTERNATIONAL YOSHINKAI AIKIDO FEDERATION. Following his separation, Kushida established a new organization called the AIKIDO YOSHOKAI ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA in 1991. Genyokan Dojo, 749 Airport Blvd. , Suite 4, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 USA (734)662-4686.