Tribute to Anno Motomichi Sensei
Anno Motomichi Sensei was a direct student of Ō Sensei. He received his first six dan ranks directly from him. In 1977, he was awarded 8th dan. He trained for more than 50 years with Hikitsuchi Michio Sensei, 10th dan, to whom he gave unwavering support. Following Hikitsuchi Sensei’s passing, he assumed leadership of the Kumano Juku Dojo, and later of the Kishu Kumano Aikikai Funada Dojo.
Anno Motomichi Sensei passed away during the night of January 31, 2026, in his 95th year. He fell asleep peacefully.
I do not have the words to express how immense my gratitude is for having been guided by him over the past thirty years. Over the years, we grew closer; our hearts came to resonate in unison. I am filled with wonder and feel profoundly enriched.
Recently, Anno Sensei said to me: “Aikido is Ō Sensei. Ō Sensei is Aikido.” I can affirm that, in recent years, Anno Sensei had, in turn, become Aikido. A remarkable being, free of all ego, empty. The purest embodiment of gratitude, joy, and love. He had become a living kami.
At every moment of his life, Anno Sensei breathed Aikido, thought Aikido, spoke Aikido, lived Aikido—wherever he was, whoever he met, and whatever activities he undertook. In his gaze, his words, and his calligraphy were reflected both the complete sincerity of the budōka and the unconditional love of a man whose heart was wide open.
For him, Aikido was a prayer, and his life itself had become a prayer.
Just a few months ago, he reminded me once again that Aikido is sincerity, gratitude, prayer, joy, and love.
Let us not forget that it is thanks to Anno Sensei’s total devotion throughout his life—to Aikido, to Ō Sensei, and to Hikitsuchi Sensei—that he was able to inspire us and guide us in such a rich and profound way. A true blessing!
We have lost a man with a great heart—the companion, the friend, the elder brother, the father, the grandfather—this man so kind and so generous, whose joyful laughter will forever echo in my soul. A moment of deep sadness.
Yet Anno Sensei now takes his place among the kami. This is a moment of intense clarity and great purity—a moment he would invite us to welcome fully, with that beautiful joy that never left him.
Many of us have had our hearts deeply touched and inspired by this exceptional master. May we all, together, continue to nurture and spread throughout the world that divine spark he transmitted to us through his example. In this way, we will carry on the work of Ō Sensei.
With his departure, he leaves us the space to shine in our turn. He will now be a star in the sky, shining within our hearts. It is now up to us to shine in the world of the living. The divine light that dwelled within Anno Sensei will be reflected by the many that we are, and the entire world will be touched by it.
Recently, Anno Sensei declared: “The time of the great prophets is over. Now the time has come for all of us to become prophets.” Let us honor these precious words and move forward together!
On this path, surely, the spirit of Anno Sensei will continue to accompany us, guide us, and protect us with his immense benevolence.
My prayers go with him.
With all my gratitude,
Jean-Pierre Kunzi
AIKIDO GENEVA TAKEMUSU DOJO