Facts
1956: Lloyd Eugene Combs established the first Yoshinkan Aikido dojo in North America under the name American School of Aikido in Lawndale, California. The dojo would later be named Sanbukan by Gozo Shioda Kancho. The Sanbukan is still in operation today under it's third headmaster, Mr. Mitsuru Yamashita, Yoshinkan Aikido 6th dan.
1958: Thomas Makiyama, a nisei from Hawaii and Yoshinkan 8th dan began his studies under Gozo Shioda Kancho in 1947, before the opening of the first Yoshinkan Aikido dojo in 1955. Upon his return home he establishes a dojo in Hawaii. Shioda Kancho and Mr. Yukio Noguchi visited the dojo in 1959. Mr. Makiyama would go on to establish his own independent aikido organization called Keijutsukai.
1962: Robert Cramer, a student of Mr. Noguchi while in the Navy in Japan, establishes a dojo in Chicago, Illinois. This school would later become the Midwest Yoshinkai Aikido Association and be given the name of Seigokan by Gozo Shioda Kancho. This dojo still operates today under the guidance of Mr. Charles Southern.
1959: Virgl Crank is becomes the 2nd director and chief instructor of the dojo established by Lloyd Combes.
1962: Mr. Yukio Noguchi, Yoshinkan Aikido 7th dan, moves to Hawaii and establishes a dojo making him the first Japanese instructor to teach Yoshinkan Aikido full-time in North America. Between 1962 and 1972 he would make several visits to California. In 1980, Mr. Noguchi established Shizenkai Aikido.
1964: Mr. Takeshi Kimeda arrives from Japan. After a short stay in California, he would eventually settle in Canada and establish the first Yoshinkan Aikido dojo in Canada. The dojo still operates today as Aikido Yoshinkai Canada.
1966: Virgl Crank departs for Vietnam during which time he visits the Yoshinkan honbu dojo at the invitation of Mr. Inoue and Mr. Kushida. Is tested for sandan by Gozo Shioda Kancho who is also informed that Mitsuru Yamashita has been appointed the new director and chief instructor of the Lomita dojo. An appointment accepted by Kancho Sensei.