Yamada sensei died January 15, 2023.
As the head of the United States Aikido Federation, Yamada sensei was a guardian sponsor to my instructors. His generosity helped Portland Aikikai flourish and allowed both Mulligan and Okamoto sensei to invite whomever would benefit the students and continue to grow the art.
Therefore, we trained with Chiba and Shibata sensei perhaps more often but we attended the 30th Anniversary Camp at Colgate in 1994 and travelled to San Francisco for Yamada sensei’s annual seminar.
In 1996, Chris and Yoko invited Yamada sensei to Portland Aikikai. That was my first opportunity to spend a significant amount of time with him. We hosted him again in 2008 when I spent the seminar as his chauffer and taking most of his ukeme.
He was a gracious guest and drew a regional attendance.
I will always remember his powerfully centered Aikido. His technique was hara grounded and horizontally deployed.
The Aikido community, especially in the United States will miss his leadership.
Protective Arts 