To the Students of Shin Do Kan Dojo and the international aikido community,

Today, Sunday, August 29^th at 8:30 PM East Coast time, Seiichi Sugano Shihan, surrounded by his immediate family, passed away peacefully.

I send my condolences and my friendship to his family. I feel like I have lost a piece of my heart  and my soul. I have lost a mentor, a guru, and a dear friend. I shall miss him deeply. I don’t know if people realize what they have lost… what the international aikido community has lost. After losing Tamura Sensei last month and now Seiichi Sugano Shihan, there is a big hole to cover in the world of aikido. For me personally, the hole in my heart is much bigger.

 Although Sugano Shihan was a star on the world stage, there were actually very few people who had the privilege of being close to him. I am honored to count myself as one of these fortunate people.  This small group of individuals has grown closer over the past few months as we gathered to say “good-bye” to our beloved teacher.  We are the custodians of Sugano Shihan’s memory and the legacy he left all of those who follow in his footsteps.

 I know what Sugano Shihan would say to each of us now, “We have to move on. Keep doing what you’re doing and don’t change a thing.” As his loyal friend and one who always stayed on the path he set before me, that’s exactly what I intend to do.