Significant controversy arose with the departure of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo's chief instructor Koichi Tohei, in 1974. Tohei left as a result of a disagreement with the son of the founder, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, who at that time headed the Aikikai Foundation.
A major controversy ensued when Koichi Tohei, the chief instructor of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, left in 1974. Tohei's departure was due to a conflict with Kisshomaru Ueshiba, the founder's son and the head of the Aikikai Foundation at the time.