Chief Instructor: Shihan Mitsugi Saotome  The Aiki Shrine was built by Saotome Shihan on his private property in Myakka City, Florida, to recreate and preserve the deep sense of spirituality and connection to nature that he recalled of the original Iwama Shrine from his years serving and living with the founder as personal live-in disciple. In 2016, Saotome Shihan transferred ownership of the Aiki Shrine to ASU to preserve as a lasting and physical legacy, and to unify future generations of ASU students and instructors through a living heritage and lineage to the spirit of O Sensei. The "Ueshiba Juku" (literally, "Academy of the Founder") is a special designation issued by Saotome Shihan to his personal disciples. Based on statements by Saotome Shihan, the Ueshiba Juku designation declares that the recipients are not only true "deshi" (direct disciple) of Saotome Sensei and inheritors of his teachings, but are also part of O Sensei's own school and pure lineage as only a true "uchi deshi" of O Sensei can recognize. It is denoted by a special kanji (Japanese calligraphy) which is worn on the left lapel of the recipient's "dogi" (training uniform).