Who is Koichi Tohei

Koichi Tohei Founder of Ki Aikido

Koichi Tohei began practicing AIKI BUDO at the Kobukan Dojo in 1939 while still a university student. Koichi Tohei trained directly under O Sensei from 1943 and was chief instructor at the   Hombu dojo Japan for several years. Koichi Tohei, a distinguished contributor to this development, is perhaps one of those most qualified to talk about the history of aikido. In 1953, Koichi Tohei was sent to Hawaii to introduce aikido. At the time of Ueshiba's death, Koichi Tohei was chief instructor of the Hombu Dojo, the headquarters of Aikikai, a title he would retain until his official split from Aikikai in 1974.

Ki Aikido

Ki Aikido was first introduced to the United States in Hawaii by Koichi Tohei Sensei in 1953 and continues to florish.
Koichi Tohei's brand of Aikido in particular is know as Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, which is about coordination energy and a clear mind.

The Original students of Morihei Ueshiba

A complete line up of students that Morihei ueshiba taught is in a form here are a few names like the early days of Gozo Shioda, the founder of yoshinkan aikido, then you have Kenji Tomiki Founder of Tomiki Aikido, One of the Longest standing names is Morihiro Saito of the Iwama Ryu Aikido,

Koichi

Koichi Tohei went all over the world by himself and proved the power of Ki to all he met.  Koichi Tohei simplified the methods of understanding andpractising the Ki principles so that we all may attain new levels of mind andbody unification through the Art of Aikido.  These Ki Sayings by Koichi Tohei are read at the start of Ki Society classes.  His older brother Toshi, an Aikido student under Koichi Tohei Sensei, would often take the young Toyoda with him while attending classes.

Morihei Ueshiba

Koichi Tohei trained with Ueshiba for six months before being sent as a representative (dairi) to teach at the Shumei Okawa school and the military police academy. Tohei himself said, when he first met with an aikido student and tried some of their techniques at the Ueshiba dojo, he had serious doubts about aikido. 

That changed when Ueshiba entered the Dojo and started to perform his techniques on the instructors.  In 1969 Tohei was asked by Ueshiba to accept the new rank of 10th dan, which Tohei accepted, after having previously refused the same offer.  The events leading up to the split between the main Aikido-organization of Aikikai and Koichi Tohei were further fueled with the death of Morihei Ueshiba in 1969.