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Senta Yamada was born in Fukuoka, Japan in 1924.
As a Graduate of Kobe Marine University he began to
practice Judo in middle school, and received his 1st Dan at the age of
16.
He became an outstanding competitive judoka, eventually
reaching the rank of 6th Dan under the founder of Judo, Dr Jigaro Kano.
Yamada sensei's name appears along side the famous in
the historic Sekiryu Kan Dojo, as one who completed the session of 1000
throws.
Dr Kano sent Yamada sensei to study Aikido with Morihei
Ueshiba Sensei after the war. As a live-in student he began
private training with the founder in Wakayama Prefecture.
Yamada sensei later returned to Tokyo where he
met and began training with Professor Kenji Tomiki whose approach and
training system in Aikido had a major influence on his thinking.
Professor Tomiki rises from the mat as he throws
Yamada sensei.
Through his training and association with these great
men, Yamada Sensei has obtained knowledge and insights into the art of
Aikido and Judo that few, if any, persons have today. Yamada Sensei's
mastery of the art, his efficient and powerful body movement and his
natural teaching ability is inspirational.
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In 1961 he first published his book "THE ANCIENT
SECRETS OF AIKIDO", this was reprinted in 1962 and then revised and
reprinted in 2004. His book published jointly with Alex
Macintosh in 1966, "The Principles and Practice of Aikido",
was the first extensive presentation of Tomiki Aikido in the English
language and is currently out of print.
Yamada sensei left England in 1965 leaving his original
students (to name a few) John Waite, John
Wilkinson, John Gay, Jim
Elkin, Bill Lawrence, Alex Macintosh, and later Dr Loi Lee to
carry forward his inspiration.
Yamada Sensei is joined by George Chew, Alex Macintosh,
John Waite and Eric Domini at the BBC Television Studios
International Judo players and highly respected Judo
coaches, George Chew and Eric Domini were the co-founders of what was
originally called The South London Judo Society in St Oswald's Place,
Kennington. Later the word South was dropped and it became known
as the London Judo Society which was fondly referred to as the LJS.
Since those early days Yamada sensei has been involved
in several projects of humanitarian aid to people in countries which
need help. He is currently involved in helping the government of
Sri Lanka feed it's people and grow it's economy by providing
information on new farming techniques being used in Japan that are
designed to increase crop yields.
He has set up a Dojo there, where students study,
regularly train and enjoy the benefits of his unique style of Aikido.
He has returned to England many times since the sixties
and it is always an honour to meet such a great, yet peaceful and humble
"Gentle" man.
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