Yoshiaki Unno

Yoshiaki Unno (February 1950 - June 2006) was a Japanese martial artist who was responsible for the introduction of Yoseikan Budo to Australia.

Unno was born in Shizuoka, Japan. He began his martial arts training at the age of 9 learning aikido, karate, jujutsu, judo and various weapons systems at Minoru Mochizuki's Yoseikan Hombu (now known as Seifukai) in Shizuoka. After graduating high school Unno attended Takushoku University where he trained in Nihon den kempo and Yoshinkan aikido.

In 1974 he moved to Perth, Western Australia where he taught aikido, karate, iaido and kobudo at Jan de Jong's Self Defence School. After a year he left to form his own dojo in William Street, Northbridge. For the next 15 years Unno built up a large following of students. He taught martial arts throughout Perth and was a popular guest instructor in many dojos and universities. He was the Western Australian karate coach for 4 years and taught hand to hand combat to the Australian Special Air Service Regiment.

Around 1990 Unno left the William Street premises. After much moving around he finally settled in the Creany Primary School in Kingsley and after a few years his home dojo in Padbury before his death in 2006. Unno's style of martial arts continues in Australia through his students.

Unno's confirmed dan grades:

6th dan aikido (Nihon den jujitsu), 6th dan karate (Yoseikan version of Shotokan karate), 6th dan jujitsu (Sano-ha jujitsu), 5th dan kobudo, 5th dan Iaido (Yoseikan version of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu), 4th dan Nihon den kempo (Takushoku University), 4th dan Shotokan Karate, and 2nd dan judo.

Unno also had experience in Wado-ryu, Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, Kyokushin and Shorinji kempo styles of karate and Yoshinkan, Shodokan and Aikikai styles of aikido.

External links

* [http://yoseikan.com.au/home.htm Yoseikan World Federation Australia]
* [http://www.wcaikido.com/ West Coast Aikido Academy Seifukai in Australia]
* [http://www.mushinshindo.mine.nu/ Mushin Shindo Aikido]