Mike Smith Shihan
Sadly, Mike Smith was awarded the title of “Shihan” by the Mother Dojo in Hombu Japan on 1 April shortly before his untimely and unexpected death on 20 April 2022. He is a huge loss to all of us.
Shihan Michael Smith had over 50 years experience in aikido and a wealth of weapons knowledge handed down from Shihan’s Chiba and Smith.
HISTORY
Michael Smith began practicing Aikido in 1968 with Mr W.J. Smith M.B.E, that year he was promoted to 5th Kyu on his first gwas later this year he met Chiba Sensei and soon realised that this was the path of Martial Arts training he wanted to take.
On being promoted to 3rd Kyu on his second grading by Chiba Sensei in early 1969, (this is when he joined the Aikikai of Great Britain) he embarked on almost eight years of dynamic concentrated training in Bokken, Jo, Bo, Iaido and of course the body art itself.
These years with Chiba Sensei, and under the strict instruction of Mr Smith gave him and many others a good realisation of Aikido, making the foundations of what is practised and taught today. Already being 1st Kyu he was given permission to wear Hakama in 1973 and then promoted to Shodan in 1974.
His progression took him to 6th Dan in January 2010, by the way of 2nd Dan in 1989, 3rd Dan in 1993, 4th Dan in 1996, and 5th Dan in 2002 gaining his coaching qualifications on the way, being awarded Fukushidoin in 1989, Senior Coach in 1994 and Coach Tutor for the British Aikido Board in 1995. In January 2000 he was promoted to Shidoin. Michael Smith is a Senior Instructor at the U.K.A. Headquarters Dojo (Ren Shin Kan) at Dudley.rading. It was later this year he met Chiba Sensei and soon realised that this was the path of Martial Arts training he wanted to take.
On being promoted to 3rd Kyu on his second grading by Chiba Sensei in early 1969, (this is when he joined the Aikikai of Great Britain) he embarked on almost eight years of dynamic concentrated training in Bokken, Jo, Bo, Iaido and of course the body art itself.
These years with Chiba Sensei, and under the strict instruction of Mr Smith gave him and many others a good realisation of Aikido, making the foundations of what is practised and taught today. Already being 1st Kyu he was given permission to wear Hakama in 1973 and then promoted to Shodan in 1974.
His progression took him to 6th Dan in January 2010, by the way of 2nd Dan in 1989, 3rd Dan in 1993, 4th Dan in 1996, and 5th Dan in 2002 gaining his coaching qualifications on the way, being awarded Fukushidoin in 1989, Senior Coach in 1994 and Coach Tutor for the British Aikido Board in 1995. In January 2000 he was promoted to Shidoin. Michael Smith is a Senior Instructor at the U.K.A. Headquarters Dojo (Ren Shin Kan) at Dudley.
