Mark Larson, EAP/Global and Cultural Studies faculty, was promoted to 7th-degree black belt (nana-dan) by the World Aikido Federation (Aikikai) Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on January 12, 2025.
The highest rank any non-Japanese practitioner has ever attained in the history of aikido through the Aikikai World Headquarters is 8th Degree鈥擫arson is now just one dan rank below this, which is no small feat. In fact, one of the people still living who received the 8th Degree is Bill Witt Shihan who Larson co-taught with at a recent seminar in San Mateo, California, this past November 2024. Witt trained directly under the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, from 1967-1969, then after the founder passed, he studied with Morihiro Saito Shihan鈥攖he founder鈥檚 longest trained student who taught Larson directly for 10 years between 1992-2002.
Larson is only once removed from the founder of this art, learning for a decade in Japan under Saito at the birthplace of aikido, Iwama, Ibaraki Prefecture. Larson was first introduced to aikido 35 years ago at his college in Minnesota. He is considered a legacy of Morihiro Saito Shihan and was Saito鈥檚 last American uchideshi (live-in disciple).
We have a Global and Cultural Studies Aikido class (GCST 1211 The History, Philosophy, and Practice of Traditional Aikido) here at NHCC. The class is 3 credits and fulfills MnTC Goal Areas 8 & 9.
Aikido of NHCC was founded by Larson in August 2005, and the first course that ran for credit was in Spring Semester 2008. In May of 2023, Aikido of NHCC celebrated its 15 Year Anniversary with over 50 faculty, staff, students, and alumni participating. You can learn more about the event and Aikido of NHCC in the short video below.
Aikido of NHCC | Celebrating 15 Years
Larson Shihan has a saying, 鈥淚f I teach you once, I will teach you for life,鈥 providing a place for students who go through his class to always return to NHCC. Alumni of the course often serve as mentors for new students.
Quotes by current and past students:
鈥淗e teaches you about Traditional Aikido but more importantly about life!鈥
鈥淟arson Sensei is a gift to this college and students. Everyone who attends NHCC should take his aikido class.鈥
鈥淭he course is authentic and has changed my life for the better.鈥
鈥淚 came to NHCC to do aikido.鈥
Larson says, 鈥淭raditional Aikido is educational and life-giving. Anyone and everyone can do it. What is important is to learn skills such as focus, awareness, and control, integrating them into your education, career, and life. Over the 35 years I have been involved in this art, the most important thing has been the positive human relationships I have developed through it.鈥
Aikido is currently practiced in 140 countries and growing.
For more information about Mark Larson Shihan and Aikido of NHCC visit Mark's NHCC bio page.