T.K. Chiba Shihan, 8th Dan was born in 1940. In 1954 he began practicing Judo and Karate Shotokan intensively. In 1959, as a 19 year old, he became Uchideshi O`Sensei Morihei Ueshiba at Aikikai Hombu Dojo. He held this position until 1966 when he was sent to Great Britain. Until 1976, he was creating organizational basis of British Aikido. Aside from Great Britain, he taught in Switzerland, Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, and Ireland. In 1976, he returned to Japan where he took active part in forming International Aikido Federation. At the invitation of USAF WR (western region of American Aikido Federation) he went to the USA in 1981. He is a Technical Director at USAF WR. Chiba Sensei is a founder of Birankai International. He teaches Aikikai in San Diego, California. He conducts seminars and summer schools in France and Great Britain.