Yamada Yoshimitsu was born on February 17^th, 1938. In 1955 he entered the Hombu Dojo as an Uchi deshi (live-in student), receiving instruction from the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. After three years of training he became a full time instructor, teaching at American military bases and Japanese universities.

In 1964, having achieved 4^th Dan he traveled to the United States.  Upon arriving he gave an Aikido demonstration at the 1964 World's Fair, scenes of which are preserved on available videos.  He assumed his role as the head of the New York Aikikai, while attending New York University to study English and business management.

Now an 8^th Dan, Yamada sensei, has dedicated himself to the dissemination  of Aikido throughout the world.  Much of Aikido's present success is because of this Shihan, his teaching demonstrations are widely attended and enthusiastically participated in, by aikidoists.
Currently Yamada Yoshimitsu is the Chairman of the United States Aikido Federation and head of it's Eastern Region.  He is President of the Latin American Aikido Federation, with over 400 dojos in South, Central America, and the Caribbean,  spread throughout Argentina. Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela.  He leads the technical committee for North America and is a member of the Supreme Council of the International Federation of Aikido. Yamada sensei also travels extensively throughout Europe, leading seminars in many former Soviet bloc countries.

Yamada sensei is the author of several books on Aikido, the most recent Aikido Complete.  He has also made several excellent training videos, covering basics and testing for the kyu ranks.