Haruo Matsuoka Sensei has more than thirty years' Aikido experience. For more than twenty years, he was one of the highest ranking disciples of Shihan Steven Seagal (7th Dan).
From 1989 to 1997, Matsuoka Sensei was the Chief Instructor of Tenshin Dojo in Los Angeles. At the end of 1997, Matsuoka Sensei furthered his Aikido study by returning to Japan to teach and study directly under Shihan Seiseki Abe Sensei (10th Dan), one of the highest ranking disciples of O-Sensei. Abe Sensei promoted Matsuoka Sensei to the rank of Go-Dan (fifth-degree black-belt).
In November 1999, Matsuoka Sensei returned to Los Angeles to continue his mission of promoting Aikido, Japanese culture, and Macrobiotics. Matsuoka Sensei is currently Chief Instructor of three Aikido institutions in Southern California: Doshinokai Dojo in Culver City, California; Ikazuchi Dojo in Irvine, California; and the Aikido Program of The University of California at Irvine. He has also served as a featured instructor of the Aiki Expo and Aikido Bridge Friendship seminars. Matsuoka Sensei also teaches at annual seminars in countries all over the world, including Belgium, Brazil, France, Russia, and Spain.
