In the mid-1950s, the first female practitioners joined the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. Fukiko is one of the first to occasionally live with boarding students (uchi deshi).
In addition, Fukiko Sunadomari sensei held the role of Fujin Bucho (婦人部長 / “Head of the Women’s Section”) of the Aikikai and was responsible for the inner workings of the dojo and in the affairs of the Ueshiba family.
Fukiko becomes the confidant and personal assistant of Master UESHIBA.
The latter personally assigns him the grade of 6th dan.
In 1969, after the Founder’s death, Fukiko carried outextensive research to help his brother Kanemoto write the first authorized biography of Master UESHIBA entitled ” Aikido Kaiso Morihei Ueshiba “.
In the mid-1980s, Fukiko wanted to pay homage to the memory of the Founder. To this end, she sells some calligraphy that O Sensei had given her to finance a small votive temple in her memory in the city of Kumamoto.
Fukiko SUNADOMARI passed away on May 1, 2006 in Fujisawa, at the age of 92.
Although little known to the general public, Fukiko SUNADOMARI is an important figure in the history of Aikido. She was one of the first instructors of the Hombu Dojo and the only woman who received the rank of 6th dan directly from the Founder.
Source: Aikido/Facebook
