One of the greatest students of O´Sensei Morihei Ueshiba is Kenji Shimizu Sensei. Born in 1940 Shimizu Sensei was uchi-deshi – a student living with his master – between 1962 and 1967. During this time he learnt Aikido in its most advanced form. After O´Sensei Morihei Ueshiba's death Shimizu Sensei founded the Tendoryu (“School of the Heavenly Way”) style of Aikido in the early 70s. Since then Kenji Shimizu Sensei is teaching in his own Aikido school – the Tendokan in Tokyo. Since 1978 master Shimizu is visiting Germany and Europe several times a year to teach his style which is characterized by harmony, elegance and efficiency. Many of his German students return this honour by visiting Shimizu Sensei in Tokyo.

Shimizu Sensei is the only aikidoka to this day who has been decorated for his efforts to the japanese culture by the japanese Foreign Office. He also was the first aikidoka to be welcomed by the Emperor of Japan at his summer celebration in 2002.