Kimeda shihan (9th Dan AYF) is the Chief Instructor of Aikido Yoshinkai Canada and the most senior teacher of Yoshinkan Aikido in the world. He was born in Tokyo in 1941. He began his study of Aikido at Meiji Gakuin University under Takashi Kushida sensei. He became the captain of the university Aikido club, and at the time of his graduation he had achieved the rank of 3rd degree black belt.
Shortly after his graduation, Kimeda sensei arrived in North America, and began to lay the foundations of Yoshinkan Aikido on this continent. He subsequently returned to Tokyo to live at the Hombu (headquarters) Dojo of the Yoshinkan, where he trained under the supervision of Gozo Shioda. After completing his training at the headquarters dojo, he returned to Canada and settled in Toronto.
Kimeda sensei continues to teach Yoshinkan Aikido. He has been instrumental in bringing virtually all of the top Yoshinkan instructors to Canada to share their experience with his students. He has also been instrumental in bringing hundreds of students to the black belt level. He is considered by many as the father of Yoshinkan Aikido in North America. He continues to be intimately involved with the affiliate dojos of AYC; including, Aikido Yoshinkai Ottawa.