Yamada Senta Sensei passes

It is with deep sadness and regret to announce the passing of, Senta Yamada Sensei, who died at 5pm on the 8th August 2010, after battling with Pancreatic Cancer

One of the greats of Tomiki Aikido, Yamada Sensei was a direct student of Kano, Ueshiba, and Tomiki. Achieving 6th dans in both Judo and Aikido, he began studying Aikido in 1948 at the age of 24, already a 5th dan in Judo. 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. Shortly after he began to study with Tomiki, who at the time was the most senior student of Ueshiba.

Yamada Sensei has made many contributions to the development of Aikido and will be deeply missed by all.

My condolences.

Off topic,I think there is an irrelevant typo in your post. You wrote:

Dr Kano sent Yamada Sensei to study Aikido with Morihei Ueshiba Sensei after the war

I suppose you mean Risei Kano as Dr Kano (Jigoro Kano) passed away in 1938. Yamada Sensei was 14 years old when Dr Kano died.

Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Yamada Senta Sensei.

Let us not simply mourn the loss of yet another Aiki giant.

Let us also rejoice that he was with us, with his grace and his immeasurable gifts, and for so long.

Thank you Sensei, and may you rest in peace.

This is just so sad.... we are losing so many people who have truly influenced aikido.

It is sad to hear of another memorable teacher passing away. I remember Yamada Sensei when he first came to London UK in 1961 (?) he was highly respected in both Judo and Aikido. I also remember him meeting my teacher Kenshiro Abbe Sensei on many occasions.
My condolences to his family and students.

Henry Ellis
http://kenshiroabbe.blogspot.com/

Very sad to hear that another cornerstone has left us. An era is definitely ending, a little more every day. We should all learn as much from these influential teachers as we can, as when they're gone, they're gone... Their legacies are their students.

First thoughts are not another one so quickly after Sugano Sensei.

I was privileged to meet Yamada Sensei once only; when he was very kind to this particular Aikikai student on a tomiki Aikido class.

RIP sensei