Haruo Matsuoka — 5th dan Aikikai

Haruo Matsuoka Sensei is currently the chief instructor of Aikido Doshinokai in Los Angeles, California and Ikazuchi Dojo in Irvine, California. For more than 20 years, he was one of the highest-ranking disciples of Steven Seagal Shihan (7th Dan). For more than 20 years, he was one of the highest-ranking disciples of Steven Seagal Shihan (7th Dan). From 1989 to 1997, Matsuoka was the chief instructor of Tenshin Dojo in Los Angeles, California. At the end of 1997, Matsuoka Sensei took his aikido to another level by returning to Japan to teach and study under Seiseki Abe Sensei (10th Dan). Abe Sensei is one of O'Sensei's closest and highest-ranking disciples. In November 1999, Matsuoka returned to the United States (Southern California) to continue his mission of promoting Japanese culture including aikido and Macrobiotics. In addition, Matsuoka continues to teach at annual seminars around the world.

Greeting from Haruo Matsuoka

It is my honor to attend Aiki Expo 2005 from May 27-29. I'm very excited again to meet many wonderful instructors and students who are seeking the way of Budo and to be able to gain some important knowledge from them. I am also looking forward to having another opportunity to share some of my knowledge and Aikido techniques at the Expo. I truly appreciate Mr. Pranin who has given us these great opportunities and made such a tremendous effort to make each Aiki Expo happen.

As for me, during my sessions, I would specifically like to focus on sharing some hand, footwork and body movements as they relate to randori or multiple attacks. Recently, the coordination of those three things at the single moment of contact has been a driving force in my training and I would like to share with you what I have discovered.

I was thinking and seeking for many years, the principles behind one of the O-Sensei's poems, "Aiki is a power of all harmony between all things. Polish it constantly, people of the way.” I still have to struggle and seek out such a sense. We all appreciate Mr. Pranin who gave us these great opportunities to open up our eyes widely and let us have a place (space and time) to talk about techniques and enjoy practice.

In this event many skilled and inspirational senseis in different areas, not only Aikido but also several different styles of Jujutsu, Kenjutsu, Karate, and many other different kinds of Martial Arts, are attending. The event will be organized in Los Angeles this time, so I am looking forward to seeing many familiar faces and meeting new ones. So I'm sure that Aiki Expo 2005 will become one of the very remarkable events in the history of our martial arts community.

I look forward to seeing everyone at Aiki Expo and hope we can stimulate each other with seeking "a power of all harmony..." more and more.

Thank you very much!

Haruo Matsuoka, Chief Instructor
Aikido Doshinokai

• Aikido Doshinokai
• Aikido Ikazuchi Dojo
• Aikido store featuring products by Matsuoka Sensei