Ikazuchi Dojo

Ikazuchi Dojo has a large team of highly qualified, friendly, and enthusiastic instructors that support the dojo’s programs. All of the dojo’s primary instructors have a minimum of 1,000 hours of training.

Haruo Matsuoka

Chief Instructor, Ikazuchi Dojo

Matsuoka Sensei, 5th Dan, has over 30 years of Aikido experience. He is world renowned and mentors Aikido instructors and students across the US, Europe, South America, and Asia. Matsuoka Sensei receives direct instruction from Abe Sensei (10th Dan), one of the closest and highest ranking disciples of the now deceased founder of Aikido.

Matsuoka Sensei’s Aikido has appeared in numerous feature films and he has trained many high profile VIPs including major film and TV stars, musicians, high profile business executives, and foreign dignitaries.

Watch a video of Matsuoka Sensei’s Aikido here.

Josh Gold

General Manager and Instructor

Josh (2nd Dan) began his training under Matsuoka Sensei in 1991 and now has over 18 years Aikido experience. Under the direction of Matsuoka Sensei, he has been instrumental in the development of the dojo’s instructors, having guided and influenced their training from their first day in the dojo through attainment of their shodan (black belt). Josh oversees the children’s program, in addition to serving as a dojo instructor and managing operations.

Eddy Olandj

Instructor

Eddy (2nd Dan) began his training under Matsuoka Sensei in 1990 and is one of his most senior students. Eddy has traveled to Japan a number of times for training, and even operated a dojo in Japan under Matsuoka Sensei for a period of time. Under Matsuoka Sensei’s direction, Eddy and Josh have been instrumental in the development of the dojo’s instructors; having guided and influenced their training from their first day in the dojo through attainment of their shodan (black belt). Eddy speaks fluent Farsi.

Wes Watkins

Instructor

Wes had always been interested in martial arts. The thought of being a “black belt” was intriguing but seemed an impossible fantasy. However, in 1996 Wes found himself with extra time on his hands and inspiration struck. He decided to try Aikido, and he was hooked after the first class. He started his training at Ikazuchi Dojo in 2000 and received shodan from Matsuoka Sensei in 2003.

Wes still trains under David Dye Sensei; the instructor that introduced him to the art in 1996, and is now one of his most senior students. Wes is one of the rare martial artists that can learn and excel at two styles simultaneously without having the muscle memory learned in one, corrupt or influence the other. After 12 years of martial arts, Wes remains focused on the ability and knowledge of self defense, but also leverages his training to gain a greater sense of awareness of himself and others.

Wes is also a videographer and has produced some great videos for our dojo.

James Young

Instructor

James started his study of Aikido in 1994 while a student at Cal Poly Pomona. He was originally motivated to begin his training because of his interest in Japanese culture and martial arts. Little did he know at the time it would start a journey which would become much more than another hobby, but an integral part of his life. James continued his Aikido training at Waseda University in Tokyo, and also practiced at Honbu dojo (Aikido world headquarters). After moving to Orange County, James joined Ikazuchi Dojo in 2001. Later, in 2003, he received his rank of shodan from Haruo Matsuoka sensei. In addition to his direct teachers, James has also had the opportunity to travel to many seminars and experience the Aikido instruction of some of the art’s highest ranking teachers. Aikido training continues to provide James never ending avenues for discovery and growth, both as an Aikido practitioner and as a member of society. James speaks fluent Japanese.

Eric de Valpine

Instructor

Eric’s first martial arts experience was learning to roll in a judo class as a child. He credits that training with saving him from serious injury in a bicycle accident a few years later. Eric was initially attracted to Aikido because he wanted an effective and practical discipline he could practice for the rest of his life. He first began his Aikido training in Austin, TX in 1992. Eric joined Ikazuchi Dojo in 2002 and received his shodan (first degree black belt) from Matsuoka Sensei in 2005.

Sven Thilo

Instructor

Sven Thilo (“Thilo”) began his Aikido training in Germany in 1998. After moving to the US, he joined Ikazuchi Dojo in 2003 and began his training under Matsuoka Sensei. Thilo received his shodan in 2008. Prior to his Aikido training, he studied Karate for 5 years.

Thilo is a world traveller, having explored Indonesia, Thiland, Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand, and most of Western Europe and North America. Thilo is secretly a fan of SpongeBob SquarePants.

Heinz Yu

Instructor

Heindrick “Heinz” Yu began his Aikido training at Ikazuchi Dojo in 2002 and received his shodan (1st degree black belt) in 2008 from Matsuoka Sensei. Heinz originally began Aikido practice to get in shape. After starting his Aikido training, Heinz lost 20 lbs. and has significantly improved his overall physical condition and well being. When not at the dojo, Heinz devotes his time to playing with his guitars, travelling, or looking for a good hole-in-the-wall restaurant.

Chris Jones

Instructor

Chris started practicing Aikido at the University of Kansas in 1989 after a friend recommended it as something “different”.  It was there he received his current rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in 1996.  He was instrumental in growing the KU Aikido Club into one of the largest sports clubs on campus and was one of the founding members of the Kansas Ki Society dojo.

In 2000, after a year spent in Germany, Chris moved to Irvine and shortly thereafter began studying with Matsuoka Sensei, and immediately felt like this was the Aikido he had been looking for.  Chris has been training at Ikazuchi dojo since 2001.

Chris has studied several other martial arts and has 8 years combined experience in Karate, Tai Chi, Fencing, and Judo. Chris is also a gymnast. With 17 years of gymnastics training (most recently under an Olympic Medalist and World Champion), Chris brings a unique perspective on body awareness and movement to his Aikido instruction.

Chris’s interest in martial arts began at a young age, but it wasn’t until he started Aikido that he felt he had found something he could see himself practicing for the rest of his life.  The fascinating complexity (yet paradoxical simplicity) of Aikido’s movements and philosophical underpinnings that continue to entrance him to this day.