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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.
In 1961 he first published
his book "THE ANCIENT SECRETS OF AIKIDO", this was
reprinted in 1962 and then revised and reprinted in 2004.
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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.
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