Roy Y. Suenaka, Soke
 Roy
Yukio Suenaka Sensei, founder of Wadokai Aikido™, is one of
contemporary budo’s most experienced practitioners and best-kept
secrets. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Suenaka Sensei’s martial instruction
began under his father, Warren Kenji Suenaka, who taught his son budo
basics and carefully selected his primary martial tutors. These included
such legends as Kodenkan Jiu-jitsu founder Henry Seishiro Okazaki,
Kosho-ryu Kempo’s legendary James Masayoshi Mitose, judoka (and later,
aikidoka) Yukiso Yamamoto, and celebrated kendoka Shuji Mikami, from
whom Suenaka Sensei received a nidan (2nd degree black belt).
Suenaka Sensei began his aikido study upon Koichi Tohei’s 1953 visit
to Hawaii, and continued his study directly under Founder Morihei
Ueshiba O’Sensei at the Aikikai Hombu for eight years, beginning in
1961. That same year, Suenaka Sensei received an aikido menkyo kaiden
(master-level proficiency) teaching certificate from O’Sensei, and
became the first person to open a successful aikido dojo in Okinawa. He
also commenced eight years of private study with renowned Matsumura
Seito and Hakutsuru Shorin-ryu Karate-do Grandmaster Hohan Soken,
receiving from him the rank of rokudan (6th degree black belt). In
addition, Suenaka Sensei continued his judo and jiu-jitsu education at
the Kodokan under famed Meijin Kazuo Ito, who personally sponsored
Suenaka Sensei’s promotion to sandan (3rd degree black belt) in judo and
jiu-jitsu.
In 1972, Suenaka Sensei relocated to Charleston, S.C., where he
served as Southeastern U.S. director for Koichi Tohei’s International Ki
Society until 1975, when Suenaka Sensei resigned to form the American
International Ki Development and Philosophical Society (AIKDPS)™.
Suenaka Sensei currently teaches Suenaka-Ha Tetsugaku-HoTM Wadokai
Aikido™ and Matsumura Seito Hakutsuru Shorin-ryu Karate-do. He is author
of the best-selling Complete Aikido, and in 2003 celebrated his 50th
year of aikido study.
Instructors:
While his father supervised his early budo training, Suenaka Sensei
is fortunate to have had the opportunity to train with many of
contemporary budo’s most celebrated practitioners, beginning in
Honolulu, Hawaii and later, in Japan and Okinawa. Suenaka Sensei brings
his rich experience with these great teachers to his instruction at
Suenaka School of Martial ArtsTM.
Morihei Ueshiba O’Sensei – 1883-1969
 Founder
of aikido, referred to even by non-aikidoka as O’Sensei, or “Great
Teacher.” Combined traditional sword, spear and bayonet arts with
Daito-ryu aikijiu-jitsu to develop fundamental aikido techniques.
Profoundly spiritual, O’Sensei declared that “The true nature of budo is
in the loving protection of all things,” and that to intentionally or
maliciously harm one’s attacker is to harm oneself, all of which is
contrary to nature. Recorded on film performing near-mystical feats of
martial prowess. Suenaka Sensei studied under O’Sensei at the Aikikai
Hombu (headquarters) in Tokyo for eight years, frequently serving as
uchi deshi (live-in apprentice). In 1961, O’Sensei presented Suenaka
Sensei with an aikido menkyo kaiden (master-level proficiency) teaching
certificate.
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Koichi Tohei – b.1920
 Former
judoka who began his aikido study in 1939. Served as aikido founder
Morihei Ueshiba O’Sensei’s chief instructor at the Aikikai Hombu
(headquarters) in Tokyo, Japan until O’Sensei’s death in 1969. Tohei
Sensei formally broke with the Aikikai in 1971 and formed the Ki no
Kenkyukai (International Ki Society), teaching his Shin-Shin
Toitsu-style of aikido. Suenaka Sensei first studied with Tohei Sensei
during the latter’s historic visit to Hawaii in 1953, resuming upon his
arrival in Tokyo in 1961. Suenaka Sensei received an okuden (advanced
inner teachings) certificate from Tohei Sensei and served as a shihan
(senior instructor) for the Ki no Kenkyukai from 1971 until 1975, as
well as and Southeastern U.S. director from 1972 to 1975, whereupon he
resigned to form the American International Ki Development and
Philosophical Society (AIKDPS)™.
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 Hohan Soken – 1889-1982
Legendary Okinawan grandmaster of Matsumura Seito and Hakutsuru
Shorin-ryu Karate and Kobudo, the latter often referred to as the “White
Crane” style of karate. Emigrated to Argentina in 1924 to search for
work. Upon his return to Okinawa in 1945, taught karate to a limited
number of students until his retirement in 1978. Suenaka Sensei was a
private student of Soken Sensei from 1961 until 1972, and received from
him the rank of rokudan (6th degree black belt). |
Yukiso Yamamoto – 1904-1995
Veteran judoka, he commenced his aikido study upon Koichi Tohei’s
1953 visit to Hawaii. Before his departure, Tohei Sensei awarded
Yamamoto Sensei a sandan (3rd degree black belt) in aikido and appointed
him chief instructor of the newly-formed Hawaii Aikikai. Suenaka Sensei
studied both judo and aikido under Yamamoto Sensei, as well as
assistant chief instructors Kazuto Sugimoto Sensei and Isao Takahashi
Sensei, from 1953 until 1961. |
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Kazuo Ito – 1898-1974
 Judan-ranked
(10th degree black belt) judo instructor and meijin (distinguished
master). Even into his 70s, was impossible to defeat in judo
competition. A deshi (apprentice) of celebrated judoka Meijin Kyuzo
Mifune. Taught at the Kodokan in Tokyo, Japan, the international judo
and jiu-jitsu headquarters. Suenaka Sensei studied judo and jiu-jitsu
under Ito Sensei and often served as his deshi at the Kodokan from 1961
until 1972. Ito Sensei sponsored Suenaka Sensei’s Kodokan promotion to
sandan (3rd degree black belt) in judo and jiu-jitsu in 1970.
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Kyuzo Mifune – 1883-1965
Celebrated judo judan (10th degree black belt) and meijin
(distinguished master). Chief instructor at the Kodokan, the
international judo and jiu-jitsu headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Suenaka
Sensei occasionally studied with Mifune Sensei at the Kodokan while a
student of Kazuo Ito Sensei. |
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Shuji Mikami – 1892-1986
Began teaching kendo in Hawaii in the 1930s, then again in 1945
following his school’s World War II closure. A celebrated teacher and
widely-acknowledged leader in popularizing kendo in the United States.
Suenaka Sensei studied kendo under Mikami Sensei from 1955 to 1958,
receiving the rank of nidan (2nd degree black belt). |
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James Masayoshi Mitose – 1916-1981
Credited with introducing kempo to the United States. Born in Hawaii,
Mitose Sensei studied his family art of Kosho-ryu kempo there and in
Japan, where he lived from 1920 to 1937. Returning to Hawaii, he taught
there until 1952-early 1953, when he relocated to Los Angeles, CA.
Suenaka Sensei studied Kosho-ryu kempo under Mitose Sensei from 1949
until Mitose’s departure for the mainland. |
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Henry Seishiro Okazaki – 1890-1951
Founder of Kodenkan jiu-jitsu, later known as Danzan-ryu. Born in
Japan, emigrated to Hawaii in 1906, where he lived and taught until his
death. Widely credited with popularizing jiu-jitsu in the United States.
Suenaka Sensei studied under Okazaki Sensei from 1948 until 1951. |
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Warren Kenji Suenaka – 1913-2003
 Roy
Suenaka Sensei’s father and his first martial instructor, beginning
when Suenaka Sensei was four years old. Warren Suenaka Sensei was
dan-ranked in aikido, kempo, judo and jiu-jitsu, and meticulously
shepherded his elder son’s early martial education. He also studied
karate, wrestling and boxing, and was an experienced street fighter.
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Ranks and Awards:
- Menkyo Kaiden (teaching license, certificate of
complete mastery) in aikido, awarded by aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba
O’Sensei, in 1961. Hachidan (8th degree black belt) in Aikido awarded 1977
- Hachidan (8th degree black belt) in Matsumura Seito Hakutsuru Shorin Ryu Karatedo & Kobudo awarded 1977
- Rokudan (6th degree black belt) in Matsumura
Seito Hakutsuru Shorin Ryu Karatedo & Kobudo, awarded by Hakutsuru
Shorin Ryu founder Hokan Soken, in 1972
- Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in Kodokan Judo
and Jiu Jitsu (dual certificate), awarded by Kazuo Ito and Risei Kano,
son of judo founder Jigoro Kano, in 1970
- Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Kendo, awarded by Shuji Mikami in 1958
- Hawaiian State Golden Gloves Boxing from 1954 to 1958
Teaching Experience:
- Assistant aikido instructor for the Hawaii Aikikai upon receiving
first aikido black belt in 1956 and until joining United States Air
Force (USAF) in 1958
- Started first recognized aikido school in the continental U.S. in
Sacramento, CA in 1958 and maintained until USAF assignment in Japan in
1961
- Instructed California Highway Patrol between 1958-1961
- Instructed Military Police at Mather Air Force Base between 1958-1961
- Taught judo and aikido at Encino High School, CA in 1960
- Taught both juvenile offenders and counselors at “Boys Town” in Placerville, CA between 1958-1960
- Taught combative measures as guest instructor in the USAF Strategic
Air Command Survival Training Course at Stead Air Force Base, NV
1958-1961
- While in Japan, Okinawa and Vietnam between 1961-1972, taught
hand-to-hand combat to Military Police, Marines, Army Green Berets, Navy
SEALS, the Air Commando Program and the Ryukyu Police Department (Naha
City, Okinawa)
- Started first successful aikido dojo (school)
in Okinawa in 1961, which required nightly defense from physical
challenges issued by local high-ranking karate practitioners. All
challenges were met and won.
- Opened aikido and karate dojo in Charleston, SC in 1972 which is still in operation
- Taught Air Force Tactical Recovery Teams in Charleston from 1973-1974
- Sole instructor of Air Force Security Police in a special program
initiated by General Sadler to heighten Charleston Air Force Base
security
- Instructed at the Police Academy in Columbia, SC in 1988-1989
teaching State Police, FBI, city and county SWAT teams, SC State Law
Enforcement Division (SLED) and correction officers at Columbia
Correctional Institute maximum security prison (CCI)
- Taught Costa Rican special task forces and Presidential Secret
Service in 1991. Program sponsored by the Charleston City Police
Department
- Taught special course designed for female and smaller framed officers serving in the Charleston City Police Department in 1994
- Instructed employees of city, state and county police, jailers,
bodyguards, State Department officials, Border Patrol, SWAT, bounty
hunters, bail bondsmen, DEA, US Marshals and agents for the Foreign
Dignitary Protection Service
- Conducts annual seminars in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, North
Carolina, Virginia and New York and special seminars in California,
Washington and Colorado
- Authored Complete Aikido: Aikido Kyohan in 1998 (Tuttle, Boston)
Timeline:
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