mits Yamashita

Mits Yamashita was born on April 10th 1942 and spent the early years of his life in the Japanese-American internment camp at Gila River, Arizona. He and his family faced many hardships after being released, including the untimely loss of his mother. His boyhood was spent in school and working with his father on the farm.

Mits found his true calling in 1963 when he began teaching at El Camino college. He found a love for teaching people to defend themselves and develop their character. This was his purpose in life: service to others. In teaching he could build students' confidence and help them to better themselves. He believed in being a role model, and never hesitated to use his personal efforts to improve himself as an example to others that it could be done. He saw the best in his students, and tried to get them to see the same in themselves. His "stories" and moral tales told to his classes became locally famous, as so many students returned to share how "Sensei" had changed their lives by telling the story they needed to hear. In teaching for over 57 years, at multiple colleges and dojos, it is estimated that he has taught over 30,000 students.

Mits lived a life of constant self improvement and service to others. He spent hours everyday improving his Spanish and Japanese language ability, perfecting his playing of flamenco guitar, reading philosophy and spirituality, meditating, and a variety of other methods of self improvement. Mits doggedly practiced his philosophy of finding peace with life, and lived as a truly happy person, finding joy in every day.

Yamashita Shihan first set foot on a dojo mat in 1958 at Virgil Crank's Yoshinkan aikido school in Lomita, California. Aikido became his love, and the focus of his martial development for the rest of his life. He earned his first black belt in 1964, and ultimately became a 7th degree black belt with the honorary title of Shihan, meaning "to be an example".

Shihan Mits Yamashita passed away on April 14th 2021 due to complications following heart surgery.