Tsuneo Ando

Tsuneo Ando is an 8th dan Yoshinkan Aikido teacher. He spent 14 years as uchi deshi to Gozo Shioda, the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido. He is said to most closely resemble Shioda in terms of size; speed and style. He is highly sought after as a teacher both in Japan and all around the world for his technique and for the warmth of his personality.
Tsuneo Ando was born in 1956 in Nihama City, Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. He attended Tokushima University where he studied engineering. Ando joined the Tokushima University Aikido Club where he first became captivated by aikido. During his time at Tokushima University, he reached the rank of 2nd dan in aikikai. After graduating from university Ando was briefly employed by a chemical company. However he quickly decided that the life of a Japanese salary-man was not for him. He had already been greatly impressed by Shioda's technique when he attended a Yoshinkan Aikido training camp and so, in 1981, he joined the Yoshinkai as uchi deshi. He was awarded the title of shihan (Master) in 1993 and he currently holds the rank of 8th dan in Yoshinkan Aikido. He also holds the title of syuseki shihanat the Yoshinkan Aikido Headquarters in Tokyo.

Ando has produced several DVDs for aikido training.

• Aikido for Beginners DVD
• 合気道達人列伝 安藤毎夫 DVD 2000. ISBN 4-87389-646-0
• Aikido no Akashi DVD
• Aikido Tatsujin Retsuden DVD
• Dekiru Aikido DVD
• Ukemi DVD
• The Special Series Volume 1; Volume 2 and Volume 3.
• Buki waza DVD
• Aiki Jo DVD
• A range of DVDs designed for test preparation and covering the Yoshinkan Aikido test syllabus from kids beginners all the way up to yudan.
• Instructors Test Syllabus DVD

He has also published two books Chushin Ryoku no Jidai ('The Age of Center Power') and Aikido no Kai ('Aikido Answers'). Chushin Ryoku no Jidai is available in Japanese (published by BAB Japan) and in German (published by Bill Verlag). Aikido no Kai is currently only available in Japanese.

Ando lives in Chiba Prefecture with his wife, South African Stephanie Ando (3rd dan), and their two sons. He has two children from his first marriage to Naomi Ando, also a student of Gozo Shioda, who died in 1997.