 In 2016, Saotome Shihan transferred ownership of the Aiki Shrine to ASU to preserve as a lasting and physical legacy, and to unify future generations of ASU students and instructors through a living heritage and lineage to the spirit of O Sensei.The "Ueshiba Juku" (literally, "Academy of the Founder") is a special designation issued by Saotome Shihan to his personal disciples.Based on statements by Saotome Shihan, the Ueshiba Juku designation declares that the recipients are not only true "deshi" (direct disciple) of Saotome Sensei and inheritors of his teachings, but are also part of O Sensei's own school and pure lineage as only a true "uchi deshi" of O Sensei can recognize.