Tsuneo Ando is an 9th dan Yoshinkan Aikido teacher. He spent 13 years as uchi deshi to Gozo Shioda, the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido. He is said to closely resemble Shioda in terms of size; speed and style. Tsuneo Ando was born in 1956 in Nihama City, Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. He attended Tokushima University where he studied engineering. Ando joined the Tokushima University Aikido Club where he reached the rank of 2nd dan in aikikai. After graduating from university Ando was briefly employed by a chemical company. In 1981, he joined the Yoshinkan as uchi deshi. He was awarded the title of shihan (Master) in 1993 and he currently holds the rank of 8th dan in Yoshinkan Aikido.[1] He also holds the title of shuseki shihan (主席師範, chairman shihan) [2] at the Yoshinkan Aikido Headquarters in Tokyo.[3]