Noro sensei has passed away on friday 15th march 2013. He was an aikido pionneer in Europe and particularly in France. Masamichi Noro was born on the 21th January 1935. He was introduced to the founder of aikido Sensei Morihei Ueshiba in 1955 and became one of his uchidechi until 1961.

In 1961, in order to develop Aikido in Europe and Africa, O Sensei sent him there, with the title “Official Delegate for Europe and Africa”. He arrived in Marseille the 3th of September 1961. The beginning was difficult, and everything had to be constructed, understood and made accessible to the western body and mind. He put first all his energy in teaching in south-east of France and Italy. He was then called to Belgium, where he opened his first dojo. In ploughing these new lands for the budōs he opened more than 200 dojos, as many in Europe as in Africa, flying from Sweden to Senegal. In 1964, he establishes his base in Paris where he left a strong imprint on French aikido.

In 1979, his research and teaching lead him to create Kinomichi.

Our sincere condolences go to the family, friends and his fortunate students.

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