Roy Suenaka
Encyclopedia
Roy Yukio Suenaka in Honolulu, Hawaii
, is an American
martial arts instructor, teaching aikido
and karate
, and is the founder of the American International Ki Development and Philosophical Society (AIKDPS).
historic 1953 visit to Hawaii. It was during Tohei's visit that he was introduced to Aikido, and began making it his primary art. He would later meet Morihei Ueshiba
for the first time when he visited Hawaii several years later.
As a young man he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed in Japan
. Here he again met Morihei Ueshiba and began 8 years of training with him. As an Airman in the US Air Force, he not only took classes, he also began teaching them to his fellow soldiers. In 1961, he was transferred to Okinawa, where he continued to teach on base. He requested permission to open a separate off-base Aikido dojo, and was awarded a menkyo kaiden (master level) teaching certificate from Ueshiba in order to do so. Roy Suenaka was the first Aikidoka
to successfully open (and keep open) an Aikido dojo in Okinawa. While in Okinawa, he met and began training with karate
master Hohan Sōken
.
In 1972, he was transferred to Charleston, SC where he opened one of the founding schools for the new International Ki Society
, an affiliation that he maintained until 1975. After splitting from the Ki Society he formed his own Aikido organization, the AIKDPS. His organization teaches Suenaka-ha Tetsugaku-ho Wadokai Aikido and Matsumura Seito Hakutsuru Shorin-ryu Karate-do. Suenaka Sensei is still living in the Charleston area, where the Hombu Dojo is located.
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
martial arts instructor, teaching aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
and karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, and is the founder of the American International Ki Development and Philosophical Society (AIKDPS).
Personal history
A native of Hawaii, Roy Suenaka was already an experienced martial artist prior to Koichi Tohei'sKoichi Tohei
was a 10th Dan aikidoka and founder of the Ki Society and its style of aikido, officially Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido , but commonly known as Ki-Aikido.-Koichi Tohei and aikido:...
historic 1953 visit to Hawaii. It was during Tohei's visit that he was introduced to Aikido, and began making it his primary art. He would later meet Morihei Ueshiba
Morihei Ueshiba
was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....
for the first time when he visited Hawaii several years later.
As a young man he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Here he again met Morihei Ueshiba and began 8 years of training with him. As an Airman in the US Air Force, he not only took classes, he also began teaching them to his fellow soldiers. In 1961, he was transferred to Okinawa, where he continued to teach on base. He requested permission to open a separate off-base Aikido dojo, and was awarded a menkyo kaiden (master level) teaching certificate from Ueshiba in order to do so. Roy Suenaka was the first Aikidoka
Aikidoka
Aikidoka is a Japanese term for a practitioner of the martial art Aikido. The term is rarely heard among native speakers of Japanese, in spite of its common use as a loanword in other countries.-Etymology:...
to successfully open (and keep open) an Aikido dojo in Okinawa. While in Okinawa, he met and began training with karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
master Hohan Sōken
Hohan Sōken
was an Okinawan martial arts master who founded the Shōrin-ryū Matsumura Seito Okinawa Karate Kobudo Association.He was born May 25, 1889 in Nishihara, Okinawa. He died November 30, 1982 in Nishihara, Okinawa.He was the nephew of Nabe Matsumura...
.
In 1972, he was transferred to Charleston, SC where he opened one of the founding schools for the new International Ki Society
Ki Society
The is an aikido organization founded by Koichi Tohei in 1971, while he was the chief instructor at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. The official Japanese name of the organization is Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido Kai , but it is more usually known in English-speaking countries as "Ki Society"...
, an affiliation that he maintained until 1975. After splitting from the Ki Society he formed his own Aikido organization, the AIKDPS. His organization teaches Suenaka-ha Tetsugaku-ho Wadokai Aikido and Matsumura Seito Hakutsuru Shorin-ryu Karate-do. Suenaka Sensei is still living in the Charleston area, where the Hombu Dojo is located.
Published works
- Suenaka, Roy and Watson, Christopher Complete Aikido: Aikido Kyohan : The Definitive Guide to the Way of Harmony ISBN 978-0804831406
Awards and Ranks
Awarded by individuals:- Menkyo Kaiden (teaching license, certificate of complete mastery) in aikido, awarded by aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba O'Sensei, in 1961
- 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 KanoRisei Kanowas one of the three sons of Kanō Jigorō, the creator of Judo. Risei Kanō was the second president of the International Judo Federation, from 1952 to 1965. He managed the Kōdōkan from 1946 until 1980.- References and useful links :...
, 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
- Hachidan (8th degree black belt) in Aikido, awarded by the International Black Belt Federation in 1977
- Hachidan (8th degree black belt) in Matsumura Seito Hakutsuru Shorin Ryu Karatedo & Kobudo, awarded by the International Black Belt Federation in 1977
Training and Instructors:
- 1944-1958 Warren Suenaka (father): judo, jiu-jutsu, kenjutsu, kempo and boxing
- 1948-1952 Henry Seishiro Okazaki, founder: Kodenkan Jiu-Jutsu and Judo
- 1949-1953 James MitoseJames MitoseJames Masayoshi Mitose James Masayoshi Mitose James Masayoshi Mitose (born Masayoshi Mitose, (December 30, 1916 — March 26, 1981) was a Japanese American martial artist who brought the art of Kenpo to the United States starting in the late 1930s....
, founder: Kosho Ryu Kempo - 1950-1953 Higami, Matsumoto and Yukiso Yamamoto: Kodokan Judo
- 1951-1952 Kalama: lua
- 1951-1951 Leong: kung fu
- 1953-1976 Koichi ToheiKoichi Toheiwas a 10th Dan aikidoka and founder of the Ki Society and its style of aikido, officially Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido , but commonly known as Ki-Aikido.-Koichi Tohei and aikido:...
: aikido - 1954-1958 Amateur boxing
- 1955-1958 Shuji Mikami: kendo
- 1957-1958 Nishioka: Shotokan Karate
- 1961-1969 Morihei UeshibaMorihei Ueshibawas a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....
O'Sensei, founder: aikido - 1961-1972 Hohan SōkenHohan Sōkenwas an Okinawan martial arts master who founded the Shōrin-ryū Matsumura Seito Okinawa Karate Kobudo Association.He was born May 25, 1889 in Nishihara, Okinawa. He died November 30, 1982 in Nishihara, Okinawa.He was the nephew of Nabe Matsumura...
, founder: Matsumura Seito Hakutsuru Shorin Ryu Karatedo & Kobudo - 1961-1970 Kazuo Ito, Kyuzo MifuneKyuzo Mifunehas been categorized as one of the greatest exponents of the art of judo after the founder, Kanō Jigorō. He is considered by many to be the greatest judo technician ever, after Kanō.-Early life:...
: Kodokan Judo - 1961-1963 Masutatsu Oyama, founder: Kyokushinkai Karate
- 1962-1962 Chosin Chibana: Kobayashi Karate
- 1963-1963 Kanei Uechi, founder: Uechi Ryu Karate
- 1964-1964 Ubon-Sing Chub: kung fu
- 1964-1965 Masanobu Shinjo, Masanobu Kinjo: Goju Ryu Karate
- 1967-1972 Eiichi Miyazato: Goju Ryu Karate
- 1972-Present Teaches Suenaka-Ha Tetsugaku Ho Aikido (Wadokai) and Matsumura Seito Hakutsuru Shorin Ryu Karatedo & Kobudo in Charleston, SC
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 1973 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)
External links
- Suenaka Martial Arts
- Pranin, Stanley Aikido Journal