Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU) is an aikido organization founded by Mitsugi Saotome upon moving from Japan to the United States in 1975. ASU's headquarters dojo is the Aikido Shobukan Dojo in Washington, DC where Saotome initially taught. Saotome has retired to Myakka City, Florida and now comes to Washington, DC to teach several times a year.
ASU is a federation of about 100 dojos throughout North America. Although not initially connected to the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, affiliation was later established. While Mitsugi Saotome is the Chief Instructor, other instructors include Hiroshi Ikeda of the Boulder Aikikai and Patty Saotome.
ASU teaches both open hand and weapons work, although there is a comparatively greater focus on weapons work as the foundation of aikido.