Aikido Yoshinkan Sacramento

STEVEN MIRANDA, FOUNDER & CHIEF INSTRUCTOR

The founder and chief instructor of Aikido Yoshinkan Sacramento is Mr. Steven Miranda. Steven began his study of Aikido Yoshinkai in September 1982 under the direction of Mits Yamashita Sensei, 7th dan Shihan of the Sanbukan Dojo in Long Beach, CA. Steven first met Yamashita Sensei at El Camino Community College in Torrance, California and trained at Sanbukan until his move to the Sacramento region in 1998. In June of 1999, he established Aikido Yoshinkan Sacramento and in March of 2000, registered the dojo under the name Seikeikan with the Aikido Yoshinkai Foundation. The dojo was given the name Seikeikan by Terada Kiyoyuki Hanshi, 10th dan.

In July of 2000, Steven began the second phase of his journey under the direction of Amos L. Parker, 9th dan Shihan. Steven had the opportunity to travel throughout North America and the Middle East with Parker Shihan and hosted him every year for intensive instructor level training. Steven has made a number of trips to Japan to particpate in enbutaikai's and training sessions with the top Japanese instructors.

In October of 2017, Steven was promoted to 7th dan and received the title of Aikido Yoshinkan Shihan from the Aikido Yoshinkai grading committee. Like Parker Shihan, Steven makes himself available to dojo's needing or wanting some extra help and who may not be able to afford to bring instructor's from Japan out or to travel. This includes schools curious on the Yoshinkan way. Contact the dojo for more information.

Kelly Williams, 4th DAN

Kelly became a part of the Seikeikan family in October of 2011 when she signed up her son for classes. In February of 2012, she helped launch our family class which started her own personal journey in Aikido Yoshinkai. With a degree in dance from BYU, a dance instructor, Physical Education teacher and a lover of Yoga, she quickly grasped the concepts of Aikido and has been able to instill the same in others. Kelly has taken an active roll in teaching the youth students and preparing them for their first examinations. In the adult class, she assists in working with the high school students as well as the adults. She is dedicated to her own training and has participated in all Seikeikan seminars. Kelly has travelled with the dojo to attend and assist at seminars and demo's around the US and was part of the dojo delegation that traveled to Japan in 2015 where she participated in a joint demonstration at the US Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan. In June 2023 she performed a demonstration in Japan representing the dojo in Kyoto, Japan. She was tested and promoted to 4th degree black belt in October 2024 and holds a level 3 instructor grading. This grants her grading authority to 2nd degree black belt.

Jeff Kortan, 4th Dan

Jeff began his journey in July 2006 shorty after signing up his kids; and has been integral part of the dojo ever since. Over the course of his training, he has trained in Japan multiple times, taking lessons at honbu dojo and with other top Aikido Yoshinkai instructor's of the time. His travels have also taken him to Alaska and Canada for training.

Jeff has attended all seminars with Parker Shihan hosted by the Seikeikan as well as with former honbu dojcho Noriki and Mujen Juku headmaster, Jacques Payet.

Jeff was tested and awarded his 4th degree black belt in November 2024 and holds a level 3 instructor grading. Outside the dojo he is an avid outdoor lover and CEO of his own industrial insurance company.

Steve Curry, 2nd Dan

Steve started training in Aikido in 1988 while attending Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, California. He enrolled in an Aikido class which started a lifelong journey in the art. During his time in Southern California, he trained under the guidance of Wayne Tourda Sensei, who was a direct student of Kushida Takashi Sensei in Detroit Michigan.

In 2005, Steve moved to Northern California and took some time off from Aikido. Looking to restart his journey in Aikido in 2015, he was fortunate to find and start training under Steven Miranda Sensei at Seikeikan Dojo and has been here ever since.

In November of 2024, Steve passed his Nidan examination and was registered with the Aikido Yoshinkai Foundation and also awarded his level 5 instructor certification with grading authority to 1st kyu.

Amos Lee. Parker, Technical Advisor (1936~2013)

The chief technical advisor and mentor to the Seikeikan dojo was Amos Lee Parker, 9th DAN Shihan. Parker Sensei graciously accepted his first invitation to Orangevale in July of 2000 at which time he accepted Miranda Sensei as his student. Since that time, Parker Sensei made yearly visits to the Seikeikan to teach and refine the techniques being taught and practiced. In total, Parker Sensei was hosted 17 times in the course of 12 years. In addition to his yearly visit(s), members of the Seikeikan traveled throughout the US, Canada and the Middle East to continue their training under his watchfu eyel. Sadly, In August of 2013, Parker Shihan passed away at the age of 77 at his home in Houston, Texas.

Other Instructor's

Life at times interrupts training and causes students and instructors to have to take a break from their training. Work, health, Military Service, college, among them. Here at Seikeikan we have such instructors who, while are not practicing full time, continue to be devoted to the dojo. We are grateful for their continued support. A special shout out to Sensei's Mark, Paul & Melodi and all the black bests who have called the Seikeikan home.

Gone but never forgetten!

In memory of Michael Jones, 4th dan, Sivakumar Arani, 2nd dan and Randy Mercier, 1st dan

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