We are sad to hear of the death of Yamada sensei, 8th dan aikikai shihan and member of the International Aikido Federation’s Senior Council.
As chief instructor of New York Aikikai from 1964, and through his extensive international teaching, Yamada sensei was a vibrant force for the development and cultivation of aikido. He was one of the few remaining uchi deshi of O Sensei, having started practising aikido at hombu dojo at the age of 17.
February 17, 1938 – January 15, 2023