Does this face seem familiar to you? Haruo Matsuoka was Steven Seagals most important student for more that 20 years. He followed Steven to USA from Japan, participated in the movies, was a Chief Instructor of Steven Seagals Tenshin Dojo in Los Angeles for 8 years…
He went further to find a continuation of his way back in Japan and became a student of Seiseki Abe (1915-2011), a 10th Dan and one of the most respected students of Morihei Ueshiba. Haruo gone deeper with the aikido and received his 5th Dan from his new teacher.
Haruo Matsuoka devoted his life to Aikido, the culture of Japanese Budo overall and is a full-time professional instructor. He founded the Aikido Doshinokai in 2000 to promote aikido principles and currently runs 4 dojos in the California: Doshinokai Dojo in Culver City, Ikazuchi Dojo at Irvine, dojo at University of California in Irvine and the last but not least a dojo in Redondo Beach.
Senseis found his home in the United States but he gives seminars around the world in the countries like Belgium, Brasil, Russia, Spain, France and Aikido Academy Aikido Hikari Italia moves in Matsuoka Senseis direction.
Matsuoka Sensei travels to Japan annually to strengthen a connection with the Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo and to become better himself. In 2012 he received his 6th Dan Aikido Aikikai from Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba and he’s about to get more with what he does.
Here are some links related to Haruo Matsuoka Sensei you may find interesting: Accademia Studi Aikido Hikari Italia YouTube playlist with more videos, a nice article by the Black Belt magazine and Aikido Journal search result with a lot of post with the Sensei.
