Haruo Matsuoka was Steven Seagal‘s most important student for more than 20 years. He followed Steven to the USA from Japan, participated in the movies, was a Chief Instructor in Steven Seagal’s 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 received his 5th Dan in Aikikai from his new teacher.
Matsuoka Sensei 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 California. Doshinokai Dojo in Culver City, Ikazuchi Dojo at Irvine, Dojo at the 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 countries like Belgium, Brasil, Russia, Spain, France. Aikido Academy Aikido Hikari Italia moves in a direction of Matsuoka Sensei.
Sensei travels to Japan annually to strengthen a connection with the Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo and to become better. 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. 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 posts about the Sensei.