The passing of an incredible Aikidoka

We are deeply saddened to report the passing the president and head instructor of the Yoshokai Aikido Federation, Sensei Takashi Kushida, who died on May 10, 2012 after an extended illness. Kushida-sensei was one of the first uchideshi of Gozo Shioda-sensei—an original student of Morihei Ueshiba-sensei.


Sensei Takashi Kushida
May 2, 1935 - May 10, 2012
http://www.aikidoyoshokai.org/

Happy Mother's Day

We are all here because we had mothers. Women who cared for us and raised us. Loving women who taught us all civility, manners and respect for others. These women were given this day to say thanks and to shower our affection on. It hardly seems like enough. But here goes...

Master Don Angier Seminar this Saturday

Master Angier, a long time personal friend of Sensei Mits, has agreed to give a seminar at our dojo this coming Saturday starting at approximately 2PM


Don Angier is the Soke (inheritor) of Yanagi Ryu Aiki Ju Jitsu of the Yoshida family of Kyushu by direct succession from Kenji Yoshida, son of Kotaro Yoshida. Yanagi Ryu Aiki Bugei is a complete samurai art encompassing all the skills that were necessary for the Yoshida clan in the execution of their duties as samurai.



Kotaro Yoshida was a friend and student of Sokaku Takeda. Their relationship began about 1914 and continued until Takeda's death. Kotaro introduced Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, to Sokaku and Ueshiba studied Daito-ryu aikijujutsu for many years. Angier has been practicing and mastering the Yoshida arts for over 50 years and his knowledge of Aiki Jiu Jutsu and related samurai arts is unparalleled in the Western world.

To learn more about this great man enjoy the following links:

My career in Yanagi Ryu by Don Angier
http://www.dojoofthefourwinds.com/yanagiryu.html

Footage from a seminar given many years ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvWiYcxTm2A