ORANGE COUNTY AIKIDO SCHOOL (AIKI KAI)

Orange County Aiki Kai was founded in 1964 by Harry Ishisaka (c. 1929-1978). Born on December 28, 1928, he began martial arts as a child, practicing sumo, kendo, judo & boxing. After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Army where his tour of duty took him to Japan.

In 1953, Koichi Tohei introduced Aikido to the United States. Ishisaka was impressed by the spirituality and effectiveness of Aikido so he began his formal training. In 1964, with Tohei Sensei's encouragement, Ishisaka Sensei founded the dojo.

Ishisaka Sensei moved the dojo to different areas within Orange County, in Southern California, eventually settling in Orange California.  Sensei often participated in Aikido demonstrations and taught many students including “at-risk” teenagers in the community. 

Before Ishisaka Sensei's passing in 1978, he held the rank of godan (5th dan). His love for the art and the people around him taught his students the importance of fellowship, skill and innovation.

Archival footage: Ishisaka Sensei Kokyunage Demo

Archival footage: Ishisaka Sensei Taking Ukemi

Ukemi (the Art of Falling): Ishisaka Sensei demonstrates that he can take Ukemi as well as any of his students.  In fact, those with the best throwing techniques have learned the subtleties from being thrown.  Sensei is actually taking Ukemi for one of his students taking a black belt exam.

Kokyunage: Ishisaka Sensei demonstrates the Aikido Technique of Kokyunage (also known as momentum or breath throw) in which he blends the the opponents attack, and then redirects it into a throw.

Archival footage: Ishisaka Sensei and Multiple Attackers

Multiple Attackers: Ishisaka Sensei demonstrates Aikido Techniques against two attackers.  Rather than relying on strength, he blend with and then redirects the force of the attackers.

Jo Techniques: Ishisaka Sensei demonstrates Aikido Techniques with the Jo or staff.  Jo Kata is the demonstration of preset Jo strikes and parries, Jo Dori is weapons take-aways, and Jo Nage are throws executed using the Jo as an extension of the arm.

Ishisaka Sensei love the Jo and enjoyed demonstrating how the Jo can be thought of as an extension of the body.  In this video you will observe his movements to be smooth and flowing.

Archival footage: Ishisaka Sensei and Jo Techniques

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Sensei Harry Ishisaka