Sensei von Krenner's Budo Biography

  • 1957 Started Judo and Daito Ryu Jiu Jitsu with H. Steffin Sensei in Germany.

  • 1958 Studied with Nagaoka and Kondo Sensei of Kodokan in Basel, Switzerland.

  • 1959 Competed in several regional championships, finally competing in German National Judo Championship in Hamborn, Germany. Won opportunity to train in Paris.

  • 1959-60 Trained in Paris, France with Anton Gesink, Courtin and other Sensei.

  • 1960 Came to USA. Trained with Harold Sharp Sensei and Gene Le Bell Sensei (judo), Nishiyama Sensei (karate).

  • 1962 Started Aikido with Takahashi Isao Sensei.

  • 1962-67 Trained with Tohei Koichi, Takahashi Isao and Ueshiba Kisshomaru (1963) Sensei. Studied Iaido and Kendo with Mori Tadao and Miahara (Sr.) Sensei. Trained and gave Sword Arts demonstrations with Yanagi-ryu Soke D. Angier. Charter member Nanka To Ken Kai (Japanese Sword Association). Started the first San Fernando Valley Aikido Dojo.

  • 1967-68 Studied at the old Hombu Dojo in Shinjuku, Japan with Ueshiba Morihei (O-Sensei), Ueshiba Kisshomaru (Doshu), Saito Sensei and others.

  • 1969-80 Trained in Hawaii with Tohei Koichi and Suzuki Sensei until the Ki no Kenkyo Kai separation. Joined Wailai Dojo to stay with Hombu; trained with Yoshioka Sensei and later Aoyagi Sensei.

  • 1972-73 Returned to Japan for studies.

  • 1973-75 Trained in Hawaii at the Hawaii Aiki Kai Wailai Dojo.

  • 1975 Returned briefly to Japan, last visit with Ueshiba Kisshomaru (Doshu).

  • 1975-80 Trained in Hawaii.

  • 1980 Moved to Montana and started Sandokan Aikido School.

  • 1984 Returned to Japan to revisit historic Aikido places like Tanabe, Shiratake Hokkaido, Aizu Wakamatsu.

  • 1994 Returned once more to Japan to visit historic Aikido places.

  • 1999 Shaolin Temple, China (returned to China annually through 2006.)

  • 1999 Published Training With The Master (with John Stevens).

  • wi1999-2004 Extensive travel for teaching and seminars.

  • 2000 Inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame (American Aikido Grandmaster).

  • 2001 Judge at NABA National Sword Cutting Competition.

  • 2001-2009 Teaching in Montana with additional seminars throughout USA.

  • 2009 Helped students found Aikido Kenkyu Dantai.

  • 2010 Teaching in Montana including classes/lectures through Flathead Valley Community College.

  • 2011 Seminar in Boston, MA.

  • 2012 Teaching Aikido classes through Flathead Valley Community College and seminars in Chelmsford, Boston and Rhode Island.

  • 2013 Published Aikido Ground Fighting (with Damon Apodaca and Ken Jeremiah).

  • 2014 Seminars in Chelmsford, Boston and Rhode Island.

  • 2016 Published Atemi: The Thunder and Lightning of Aikido (with Ken Jeremiah) in March and Following the Martial Path: Lessons and Stories from a Lifetime of Training in Budo and Zen (also with Ken Jeremiah) in December.

  • 2018 Visited Japan for research on Miyamoto Mushashi and visited Reigando.

  • 2020 Published Chadogu: The Art of Tea (with Ken Jeremiah).

  • 2022 Celebrated 60 years of Aikido with his students.