Exciting News for the New Year
Haruo Matsuoka and Josh Gold founded the dojo almost 20 years ago, and throughout its history, have worked together to support each other’s growth and development with the goal of forging a world-class dojo and a growing community of Budo practitioners who embody the principles of Aikido in their daily lives.
With this aim in mind, we’re pleased to announce that as we transition into 2021, Haruo Matsuoka is passing on the role of Chief Instructor to Josh Gold. Matsuoka Sensei will continue to teach at the dojo, but will place a greater focus on leading the Aikido Doshinokai Association, supporting its member dojos (of which Ikazuchi is one), and leading the Doshinokai Foundation, a new organization with a mission of sharing Japanese cultural arts.
Ikazuchi Dojo will be same place you know and love, but you can expect to see some exciting new initiatives and opportunities take shape through 2021. We look forward to building our community and our future together as we head into the new year.
Note from Haruo Matsuoka
I’m excited to announce that after we founded Ikazuchi Dojo together almost 20 years ago, Josh Gold Sensei will be taking on the role of Chief Instructor. I know that he will bring new energy and a new perspective as he shapes the future of our dojo. I support him 100% in this important undertaking. I am proud to see him take what he’s learned from me and create a new direction for our dojo, which is needed for this new era. I’m honored to have Ikazuchi as a member dojo of our Aikido Doshinokai Association and look forward to seeing its development into the future!
Matsuoka
Note from Josh Gold
I’m honored to take on the role of Chief Instructor from Matsuoka Sensei and will use everything I’ve learned from him, our dojo members, and other important mentors from the global aikido community, to guide me in this important new endeavor. As Matsuoka Sensei and I have run the dojo together since its founding, you can expect continuity and a natural progression and evolution as we move forward together.
I wish you the best for the coming year and look forward to strengthening our connection as we move forward into 2021.
Josh
May 2002, preparing for Ikazuchi Dojo's opening.
December 2020.