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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. |
Yamada Sensei's First UK Class 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. |
